Its Snow Joke!

Overnight the snow came! The mere mention of snow even as a joke sends Mrs. Woody into a panic! However I have been brave and gone out through the thin layer that covers the garden into the Man Cave where I managed to do a few things. One was try to keep warm! Secondly was to glue the now painted extension to the Kato chassis for Maintenance Loco No 5. I have used some UHU which offers the ability to take it off again without too much problem should the need arise. Its down side is that it does need some time to fully dry - however I have patience although Mrs. W might disagree with that statement!

The rest of the time was spent putting together some posts and hinges for the level crossing gates that will go on Chalkdon. For some reason I decided I wanted to make the gates capable of being opened and closed. Anyone looking for an easy life would just have modelled them shut to road traffic making the whole job a lot easier. 

To create my opening and closing gates I had to fabricate eight hinges which are a hoop of wire formed from some thin brass rod that I had in stock. These were inserted into pre-drilled holes in the posts and glued with a dab of superglue. The gates themselves had two holes drilled into the uprights on one side and into these an 'L' shaped piece of brass wire was superglued in. My measurements were good in that it all matches up! Amazing! 

Next stage is to finish the posts off with some capping pieces. After afew other small jobs the gates should be ready to paint and install.

Gates!

 It is cold and damp here in the UK. May not be as cold as some parts of the World but but it is a shock to the system especially in a cold Man Cave. I have turned on the heater but the cold comes up through the floor. However I did actually manage to brave a couple of hours which moved forwards the 3D Printed Maintenance Loco No 5 forward with the additional chassis part I have made now painted black.

Once dry, I can glue it to the chassis and move that project on towards being finished - well as finished as my projects ever are!

This renewed involvement with my 009 layout Chalkdon has highlighted I still have much to do on the layout. One of the things needed is a level crossing and so I have commenced construction with the four gates that will be required.

The gates are made up of 1.5mm square plastic cut to size.

Much work still required but hopefully the gates are square and flat!

Meanwhile I was reminded by the number of adverts and songs on the radio that Christmas is approaching! Whilst the WMD fleet of cats gets something on the day I had to draw the line at this that Mrs. Woody spotted whilst in a store. The way the WMD cat fleet and indeed most cats that I know of gnaw anything cardboard the chances of this lasting for more than an hour are somewhat remote! You have to wonder why someone would design a cat toy in cardboard! Does look cute though!

3D Printed Maintenance Loco No 5 gets more wheels!

Having thought about a way of attaching a bogie to the Kato chassis last night I really did not come up with a plan so it was a case of sitting at the bench and trying a few things and this is what I came up with!

Basically a plastic plate that fits to the chassis with a plastic card tongue. The bogie is fastened to the plate with a screw and a home made spring wound from some brass wire gives some suspension to it.

Whilst this is very much a work in progress and the plate requires shaping and detailing the overall look is right I think.

What's more, even in this temporary mode it does run on the layout which pleasantly amazed me!

With the concept proved it is time for me to move on to finishing this which should result in a wheely great model!

3D Printed Maintenance Loco No 5 gets a chip!

Today is cold here in the UK with a heavy frost and really a day to spend inside in the warmth with some chips! However the only chips I am getting today are DCC chips of which one is now installed in the Kato chassis that fits under the second 3D print loco that I am building. Having already done this a few days ago there was nothing that was unknown to me and it went, for me, remarkably well!

Having mentioned yesterday about putting a pony truck under the front I dug out a few spare N gauge bogies that look as though they may be suitable. Just need to figure a way to make it work! That is something to think about over dinner which unfortunately won't be chips!

 

3D Printed Maintenance Loco No 5 - The build begins!

 Well work has started on the 3D Printed Maintenance Loco which I am numbering No 5. The first thing was to cure a slight bend in the chassis which saw the cab separate from the body.

Not to worry as it would super glue back together and made it easier to paint it!

Airbrushed in the same green as No6 and the '5' decals came from the same source!

Not sure if I need to add a pony truck to the front under the bonnet. I will think about that and just how I might do it! Next is to convert the chassis to DCC.