Yorkshire Dave
Western Thunderer
Nice one - a variant not often seen (or modelled in 7mm) unless you model SNCF, FS, ÖBB, etc, etc
USATC S100
- Thread starter spikey faz
- Start date
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
As built, these locomotives had a metal floor, which apparently got quite hot in use! This height of the floor was subsequently raised by the addition of wooden planks to try to overcome the hot floor problem. The kit has the raised floor, but of course I had to lower it to represent the early type.
I've also arranged for the side tanks to be attached to the cab front with some 14ba bolts. This allows for the inevitable adjustments when the time comes to align everything.
Apart from a banana shaped cab upright (I'll sort that out later with some judicious tweaking) I'm quite pleased that the main components do appear to line up. Phew!
Mike
I've also arranged for the side tanks to be attached to the cab front with some 14ba bolts. This allows for the inevitable adjustments when the time comes to align everything.
Apart from a banana shaped cab upright (I'll sort that out later with some judicious tweaking) I'm quite pleased that the main components do appear to line up. Phew!
Mike
timbowales
Western Thunderer
That’s coming along very nicely
Tim T
Tim T
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Thanks Tim.
This afternoon I spent several hours removing parts, repurposing them, dropping bits on the floor, saying a few rude words, soldering bits on, breaking stuff and generally having a fab time!
So to get something looking USATC S100 shaped is a bit of a result for me.
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
The firebox etching seemed a bit lacking! I've fabricated a replacement which I'll overlay in due course with rivets etc.
I wasn't happy with the appearance of the rear chassis. The angle looked all wrong to me, so I've snipped out the top layer of the chassis etching, and overlayed a replacement strip at what I hope is the correct angle. The original etching underneath provides a bit of strength.
Now, I'm after a bit of advice. The kit has a semi-circle cover for the brake handle that intrudes quite prominently into the bunker. I've looked at pictures of the bunkers and cannot see any sign of this cover. Admittedly the pictures I've seen are not that clear! Is this definitely correct, or is there another set up?
Thanks
Mike
I wasn't happy with the appearance of the rear chassis. The angle looked all wrong to me, so I've snipped out the top layer of the chassis etching, and overlayed a replacement strip at what I hope is the correct angle. The original etching underneath provides a bit of strength.
Now, I'm after a bit of advice. The kit has a semi-circle cover for the brake handle that intrudes quite prominently into the bunker. I've looked at pictures of the bunkers and cannot see any sign of this cover. Admittedly the pictures I've seen are not that clear! Is this definitely correct, or is there another set up?
Thanks
Mike
Yorkshire Dave
Western Thunderer
If you're going to finish the S100 as a pure USATC version prior to sale to the Southern then no, it shouldn't be there.
It is a Southern addition when they fitted standard vacuum brakes prior to entering into service. In most photos it cannot be seen as the SR also added coal rails to increase the bunker capacity. It will be in the first series of modifications viz. vacuum brakes, coal rail, new cab steps, square cabside windows and a SR style throttle/regulator inter alia.
The modified spectacle plates, resiting of the clack valves from the top of the boiler, Ashford injectors, wooden cab floor, roof ventilator followed in the second round of modifications.
The revised smokebox steps and fall plate were in the third round of modifications.
Quite a complicated history which requires several sources to piece together.
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
I should really be getting on with finishing off the valve gear, but I can't get much enthusiasm at the moment. I've heard nothing further from the proprietor of the kit regarding a replacement backplate and despite an initial response from Precision Scale to my parts enquiry, that has also gone quiet.
I did however summon up some energy to put the cab handrails in place. These appear to be quite thin compared to some, so 4.5mm n/s wire has been used. Needless to say most of the holes for said handrails are either too big and/or in the wrong place. An afternoon on filling and drilling thus took place. I also finished off the bunker extension.
Mike
I did however summon up some energy to put the cab handrails in place. These appear to be quite thin compared to some, so 4.5mm n/s wire has been used. Needless to say most of the holes for said handrails are either too big and/or in the wrong place. An afternoon on filling and drilling thus took place. I also finished off the bunker extension.
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
The project is bumbling along! I've attached front and rear buffers, steps and lampirons.
I also copied @Yorkshire Dave 's way of attaching the roof . Mine's not as good as Dave's though!
Backhead takes shape.
And finally guardirons and rear brake bracket things installed onto the chassis.
Mike
I also copied @Yorkshire Dave 's way of attaching the roof . Mine's not as good as Dave's though!
Backhead takes shape.
And finally guardirons and rear brake bracket things installed onto the chassis.
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Precision Scale got back to me. There was a bit of a mix-up with emailed addresses their end. All sorted now and parts received. 
I've still got to scratchbuild a load of parts though.
The smokebox roundel was a buffer and a cab window soldered together!
Not very hi tech!!
And I've made a start on the backhead. It's a bit rudimentary, but will be largely out of site as the cab doors will be firmly shut.
Mike
I've still got to scratchbuild a load of parts though.
The smokebox roundel was a buffer and a cab window soldered together!
Not very hi tech!!
And I've made a start on the backhead. It's a bit rudimentary, but will be largely out of site as the cab doors will be firmly shut.
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
I just cut this bit to shape. Not fixed in place yet.
Progress has been a bit lacking for some reason lately. Kind of lost my way a bit with this model-making lark! Then I got covid at the beginning of this week, so not easy to keep the momentum going.
Mike
Progress has been a bit lacking for some reason lately. Kind of lost my way a bit with this model-making lark! Then I got covid at the beginning of this week, so not easy to keep the momentum going.
Mike
Lancastrian
Western Thunderer
Mike,
Hope you're feeling better. Lankytank has had Covid as well and he's not been answering his phone.
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Still feeling rough. Mrs Faz has covid as well, but we are propping each other up!
Your comment about Lankytank is a bit worrying. Is anyone else here able to check he's OK?
Mike
Lancastrian
Western Thunderer
Mike,
Barry called me back 10 minutes ago. He's ok, but was very rough with Covid last week. He says he's slowly getting better but Rowena may be coming down with it now.
Barry called me back 10 minutes ago. He's ok, but was very rough with Covid last week. He says he's slowly getting better but Rowena may be coming down with it now.
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Glad to hear he's OK. Sorry to hear about Rowena. I don't personally know either Barry or Rowena, but I hope they both make speedy recovery from covid.
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
I've added some detail/rivets to the firebox. I've also managed to attach the boiler assembly to the cab/sidetanks. This task in particular put up a bit of a fight, but I got there in the end!
Mike
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
And one more pic for posterity. 
Mike
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
The cab steps etchings fold up quite nicely. The rear of the steps are soldered to the buffer beam, but the instructions don't seem to offer any insight as to how to stop them flapping about in the wind. I followed @Yorkshire Dave and made up some additional bracketry.
Mike
Mike
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
spikey faz
Western Thunderer
Steam pipes in place. They came up a tad short, which I suspect is due to my failure to measure everything properly! 
A bit of packing soon sorted this out.
I've also installed the brake shoes. The brake cross-beams came from eBay, and are probably not strictly accurate, but they fill a gap. I've not come up with any pictures of the brake pull-rods, so guesswork will come into play here.
Mike
A bit of packing soon sorted this out.I've also installed the brake shoes. The brake cross-beams came from eBay, and are probably not strictly accurate, but they fill a gap. I've not come up with any pictures of the brake pull-rods, so guesswork will come into play here.
Mike
Dangerous Davies
Western Thunderer
Mike
your S100 is coming along very well despite the odd curved balls that it has thrown at you. A GWR 15XX class is a similar beast, perchance your next model?
Cheers
Dave
your S100 is coming along very well despite the odd curved balls that it has thrown at you. A GWR 15XX class is a similar beast, perchance your next model?
Cheers
Dave