A beginner's workbench

[Tim Hale]

Despite modelling both in HO and German outline, it isn't a matter of buy and plonk (oh, I wish that it was) instead it is a tedious litany of search, buy, assess, repair/modify and finally, smile.

Almost everything needs something doing to it simple because most of my stuff is poverty line modelling, made over forty years ago and in dire need of restoration/repair and upgrading to the digital era. Sometimes, it is simply being a bit 'British' and buying a etched kit but that will be featured as and when, right now there are four/five basket cases in bits progressing slowly. all very secondhand almost all in need of serious TLC.

Tim

 

[Tim Hale]

This is a BR64 as remembered, always grubby.

​

 

[jonte]

Jon

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

May I should mention that there is a better model available from Roco but my first HO model was Fleischmann and I was once treated to a factory tour and given a club pin. True loyalty.

I recall a Fleischmann Model Club factory visit to Heilsbronn, not the main site in Nürnberg which was a shame. We are all presented with a small Fleischmann branded Victorinox Swiss Army penknife.

 

[Tim Hale]

I tend to buy stuff that I have either seen or have a backstory, this project is the latter.

The background

​

It is intended to recreate the SVT 137’s one-off visit to the Rennsteig* in September 1951, there was a unique journey of a three-carriage SVT 137 from Berlin to the Rennsteig in September 1951. Here it is stopping at Ilmenau-Bad station on the return journey. The second gentleman from the right is the driver, Mr Schmidt, the railway manager of Frauenwalde and current train dispatcher, and the owner of the Berlin travel agency Tramando and current tour guide, Mr Ellersiek.

A very old (50+) Gützold SVT137 in the correct livery was sourced, unfortunately it had been 'got at' and converted to AC stud contact, seen here, rather forlorn.



The model is now with a Piko enthusiast in the Nederlands, who has the spares, wherewithall to bring it back to life.



The 5-pole motor is, rather surprisingly, OK but a modern can will replace it together with wheels, pick-ups, LED lighting, a decoder, all the AC gubbins will be removed. There is a strong following for older exDDR models and some ingeneous souls rebuild them to modern standards.


*The inspiration behind Grafenwalde

Tim

 

[Tim Hale]

Meanwhile,

The old Fleischmann BR64 has made a reappearance except there is no progress on the old modified body which still awaits some Weinert items to be re-attached before spraying. However the chassis is working once more, the huge duff decoder replaced by something more petite, the wonky buffer beams have been straightened and fettled to fit the body, it does run.

​

In addition, the spare DR body shell beow has been used to test whether the adjustments have been successful (they were) and an order placed for some ladders just in case the modified body is a disaster. Using it would be a lot easier as it is ready to use other than the missing ladders and cab glazing.

​

Still more needs to be done, however other than the missing glazing, ladders, control rods+pipes, the spare body is 80% complete. Maybe, a more pragmatic solution would be to replace and repair the missing bits on the spare body. The modified body can then be tackled in slow time, safe in the knowledge that at least one BR64 is working, at some stage a spare mechanism is bound to pitch up and an attempt to replicate the example below can be made.

​

Tim

 

[Tim Hale]

It works.......!

A first test run, no sound, just the iPhone

Tim

 

[jonte]

Very smooth, Tim.

Jon

 

[Tim Hale]

Jonte, the pancake motor was replaced by a Maxxon motor drive whilst the Lais micro decoder is a darling.




Tim

 

[jonte]

Jonte, the pancake motor was replaced by a Maxxon motor drive whilst the Lais micro decoder is a darling.

View attachment 260013


Tim

Noted.

Jon

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

the pancake motor was replaced by a Maxxon motor drive

Is this a SB Modellbau replacement?

 

[Tim Hale]

Is this a SB Modellbau replacement?

David,

Not sure, the model was a complete unknown.

I should add that the spare DR body may well be the permanent fixture albeit after some further detailing using the other body as guidance. The loco will be used on Grafenwalde, the DR replacement of DB Pottendorf which is being sold off piecemeal, the sale began last week but the first of the buildings begin tonight at 19:00

The old layout, although modular, is too much for me to shift and is now home to a very tiny collection of East German oddities. The tiny diorama is coming along nicely and is manageable CLICK HERE it will also serve as a photo plank as I continue to mutilate innocent Piko models.

Tim

 

[Tim Hale]

The Gützold SVT137 is still on the workbench, albeit, 671kms eastwards from here, Bart has installed a new motor. Unfortunately I have no idea how to download his video.

​

 

[Tim Hale]

Wiring done...

Keeping the original filaments as they work just fine, including the interior lights. All connected to a function output, so you can choose whether to turn them on or off.
The original bulbs are rated 16V and only get a half wave as i don't use the blue wire on the decoder but the chassis as a return (connected to the rails).

​

The engineering standards of East German model makers is remarkably advanced considering it is contemporary with Tri-ang TT3, much of the ‘gubbins’ is original, the mainframe, cardan shafts and couplings, gears are original. The new bits are wheels, decoder, connectors are replacements.

The body has not fared so well, it will need restoration but only to repair the worst playworn excesses, it will wear its scars with dignity.

There is a short film on this page:- CLICK HERE the mechanism is being tested by Bart

Tim

 

[Tim Hale]

A question:- Staining valve gear

​

Also on the workbench is the ancient Fleischmann BR64 that is being rescued in stages, the mechanism is now working whilst more bits are arriving for the body. Some work is needed on the mechanism, to be precise, the valve gear, Fleischmann’s effort is as it left the factory in the ‘80s, plain metal with a plastic crosshead and valve guide.

Is there a method of weathering the valve gear that works?

Tim

 

[Tim Hale]

Not sure if this is a pragmatic decision or simply cowardice but I must maintain the momentum of progress with the BR64, now stalled. I finally have a really good mechanism that has the correct front end (the entire front including footplate and buffer beam is a separate entity) and an ostensibly ‘spare’ painted DR body which requites minimal detailing of minor pipework, glazing and ladders. Meanwhile the beautiful stripped and bejewelled body needs a lot more bits/repairs and a full paint job. My last home brewed BR64 is below, I foolishly sold it

​

It might be less satisfying but easier to use the almost finished body whilst using the other as guidance as to where to add the pipework.

Tim

 

[paulc]

Ask Podartist79 and look for weathered locos and stock in the Gallery section here on WT . Neil is very helpful and will steer you in the right direction .

 

[jonte]

Hi Tim

As you know, there’s Birchwoods (gun cleaner) and Carrs metal blackened, but I’d be a little concerned about the proximity of the plastic parts.

Enamels, acrylics and oils (any) would prove a little kinder, although the metal would need coating,in my humble, to ensure it stood up to handling. I’d be tempted to mask off all the parts you don’t want ‘staining’ then use Acid etch aerosol (Halfords) then just waft a token primer over the top once dry before painting. I suppose an easier way with less work would be to waft over a matt/satin varnish (lacquer/acrylic/enamel, although the lacquers and acrylics are easier to obtain) as a key, then apply your paint washes etc., although if your using oils over enamels it’s safer to coat the enamels with an acrylic varnish/lacquer before doing so.

Hope this helps, Tim.

Jon

P.S. whichever method chosen, Tim, probably best to clean the metal parts with a cotton bud/paint brush dipped in IPA first. Jon

 

[Tim Hale]

A decision has been made for me, the collection of DR ‘stuff’ is worthless because it is mostly modified, certainly not mint n’boxed but works perfectly, whereas the DB models are the opposite. Currently, the latter is appearing of eBay at a rate of about two locos a week (not a good idea to flood the market) and at this rate, the contents of the DB cupboard will be bare by mid-May. The remaining DR items are, for me, unique and interesting moreover the constant fettling keeps me busy which is just what the doctor ordered. There at least four individual ‘projects’ in the queue, however there is still enough stock on the layout to operate a reasonable half hour of pleasurable shunting.

Pottendorf is literally, no more, the few buildings have been replaced and are packed away for whoever wants them. The blog has been deleted and I have switched allegiance elsewhere on the internet.

Now, the positive, I received an unexpected message from Fischer Modellbau demanding payment for an item that I thought was no longer available. Herr Hammer, of PMT, has retired but seems to have fulfilled his outstanding orders and I was lucky.

​

The chassis is the PMT product whilst the crude but accurate railbus is Piko, these will join the workbench queue in due course.

Tim