Resin Cast Coach Sides-- Maybe

[JimG]

Jamie,

What swung it for me was the fact that the coaches I wanted to model had a curved detail to the top of each window and door panel rather than a straight horizontal cut between rounded corners. The large scale meant this would need addressing to my mind; hand working would mean each aperture would need to be filed back to shape with a consistency I was just incapable of. Etching would require drafting skills I also don't have so I tried this casting business as an experiment. I thought about casting myself but can't think I would have been any good at that either so bit the bullet, and as said am pleased I did.

These coach cast coach parts look really excellent when made up. It's also given me ideas for milling sides which are longer than the "X" movement of my table.

I will have enough bits for most of a decent rake; some coaches had different window spacings (3rd/ 1st etc) and the differing sections will each either require a new mould (all the blanks have been machined ready) if needed in numbers, or scratchbuilt originals just used 'in the raw' if not.
Was it worth it? To me, yes it was to get the degree of consistency I don't have the skills or attention span to get in other ways.

There's also the satisfaction of knowing that you can churn out umpteen coaches if you so wish - almost at the press of a button on a casting machine.

Jim.

 

[jamiepage]

Sides glued up for a Brake 3rd. The 'brake' bit needed specific sections; I don't anticipate needing any more so used the plastic bits rather than casting from them.

 

[jamiepage]

Brake 3rd sides complete with duckets. Excellent etched steps and lampirons fitted. Ends now need luggage rack assemblies (brackets etc- more excellent etchings) pinned in place inside, then these items are ready for priming/ painting I think. May I please ask whether anyone knows what was commonly used as the 'shelf' on luggage racks of the period? Presumably a string- type netting, and if so what typical weave size? I'm wondering whether a Scalelink fine wire gauze etched sheet might do. Thank you.

 

[28ten]

If you can get a suitable size I would have thought the Scale link would be ideal.

 

[SteveO]

This project is looking great!

 

[Darren Johnson]

This looks like an interesting project, one I shall be watching with great interest

Keep the updates coming,

All the best Darren NSE DAZ

 

[jamiepage]

Simple masters for a seat glued up from plastic and tissue ready to be sent off for resin casting. Later seats had a fully upholstered back so a two piece approach seemed reasonable on the assumption the rather meanly cushioned sitting bit remained unchanged.
Just decided to temporarily sellotape the main bits together 'to see what it looked like', as a bit of light relief from soldering up luggage racks. Right, back to work with the iron.

 

[AndyB]

Looking very good Jamie.
Where are the figures from, and what scale are they?
Looks like they'll both need to duck when boarding the train to avoid losing their fine hats!
The only reference to door heights I have to hand is on a MR Horse box, where the door of the groom's compartment is 6ft high (with a built-in ventilator like yours)

 

[jamiepage]

Andy,
Thanks. Preiser, sold as 'LGB' or 'G', I think. Either way, it says 1/22.5 on the box. Gent is a full 6 foot, the lady a statuesque 5 foot 9 inches, doors 6ft 3in. So, the ladies can remain fully attired but the gents need to doff caps before mounting.
On to horseboxes. Can I ask whether detailed drawings exist for D397 or D398? Or failing that, a representative underframe?

 

[AndyB]

Hi Jamie,
Just to save some web searching, is there a product code on the box for the figures?
On to horse boxes - D397 is GA drawing 489, D398 is GA drawing 878, both of which I have.
Drg 879 is for ironwork details (for D398). Both diagrams would probably have borrowed many parts from earlier horse boxes, carriage trucks, etc so it will probably take a bit of detective work to determine which other drawings are needed (I'm just doing a similar search on MR Brake Van parts) - but they are very likely to exist and are easily obtained. Please drop me an email (address in the D664 kit!) to discuss further.
Andy

 

[Dog Star]

... the ladies can remain fully attired but the gents need to doff caps before mounting.

Careful, otherwise the "PC" PC will be asking questions.

 

[jamiepage]

Andy,
Preiser 45062, which also includes two standing infants. I can also vouch for 45057 - one male, one female, both standing; 45064, three seated; 45056 three others seated. All Victorian/ Edwardian. There are probably others? Will email you re. horseboxes, thanks.
Jamie

 

[jamiepage]

A couple of photos showing three kits of bits for underframes and their floor assemblies.

 

[28ten]

very nice, Must not be tempted, must not be tempted, must not be tempted

 

[Steve Cook]

very nice, Must not be tempted, must not be tempted, must not be tempted

Go on, be tempted
Just one wagon

Cracking job Jamie

 

[jamiepage]

Thank you Steve. Go on, Guv'nor, go on.

 

[jamiepage]

I'm a bit concerned this thread may have overstayed its welcome now the original remit of cast resin body sides has been exhausted. Suffice to say the effort saved in getting sections cast has meant the carriages have progressed far beyond where enthusiasm would have taken me if I hadn't.
I attach a few more photos showing the kit of parts growing nicely; it is starting to feel as though the end is coming into view with underframes nearly ready for assembly, bodies likewise, then the two to come together.
If they do get finished then work will start on a garden line, having been inspired by the various threads here.

 

[Steve Cook]

Excellent work Jamie, the solebars in particular are looking superb
I like the profile milled running board / step brackets, was that something you were able to do yourself or send away to have done?
Steve

 

[jamiepage]

Thanks Steve.
I do agree that the headstocks with their graunched buffer holes make the solebars look ok, relatively speaking!
Yes, I profile milled the step bracket from a x2 pattern (also shown) from 2.5mm brass sheet, after which the lower part was milled down to 1.25mm and rounded off. It worked, but my goodness was a lot of work; and only 55 more to go for this rake. It may make sense to mill out a slightly larger version and have them lost wax cast but I'll keep going for a while.
The pantograph miller was also used for the oval headstock hook plates- much thinner so more doable.
Jamie

 

[jamiepage]

The axleguards/ W irons were also profile milled