Marsh Lane
Western Thunderer
Just a small opening salvo for a thread. I have swapped and changed between a few different scales in recent years, trying to fall on something that I felt was achievable for me, while at the same time trying to come up with an idea of a layout that was (again) achievable, but also small and offered operating potential.
I landed with S Scale during lockdown, thinking 'ooh that is something different' and in the knowledge that I could not get drawn away by a manufacturer announcing the release of something new! It also ticked the box, for building things and creating a layout that was literally made of scratch. I have some 'grand ideas' but am starting with no-layout and building up a few of the S Scale Society RCH 7-plank wagon kits. Once I have got a few and potentially scratch-built an engine, I'll give some thought some some shunting layout.
The Society kit is a nice build - part brass/part plastic. I have built a few plastic kits before, but never really got on with brass. A lot of reading up in recent months has given me a bit of confidence to get it right. Still not totally sure on laminating brass pieces together, but hey we'll see where go! I am as keen to try rolling stock construction as I am to scratch building the actual buildings for the layout, so hopefully it will be an interesting thread for people to follow - and I can recommend the S Scale Society for anyone that wants something different, they are a friendly bunch!
First wagon build
The original etches
The body before construction...
... and afterwards! I am building the kit using a glass crafting board, hopefully making sure everything is square.
The basic chassis set up. I made the mistake of trying to solder the bearings in, before realising that they couldn't come out anyway, once the wheels are there - so little point in doing that!
The rocking wheel set that is built in to the chassis to give some compensation.
Where I am now. The observant will note that the laminated brake shoes and linkage is too long. Apparently, this could be to do with the use of Slaters wheels rather than the previous kind (which may have been Gibson, I cannot quite remember). Is I have decided to draw up my own brake gear etch, which I am now awaiting coming back, in order to finish the wagon.
Lovely kit, and really enjoyed building it, despite the learning curve! Still have the axle boxes, springs and buffers to put on, but will build the other two kits I have before painting them. Hope people will find the occasional posts on this thread interesting?
Always open to advice and suggestions for doing things different / better / easier.
Richie
I landed with S Scale during lockdown, thinking 'ooh that is something different' and in the knowledge that I could not get drawn away by a manufacturer announcing the release of something new! It also ticked the box, for building things and creating a layout that was literally made of scratch. I have some 'grand ideas' but am starting with no-layout and building up a few of the S Scale Society RCH 7-plank wagon kits. Once I have got a few and potentially scratch-built an engine, I'll give some thought some some shunting layout.
The Society kit is a nice build - part brass/part plastic. I have built a few plastic kits before, but never really got on with brass. A lot of reading up in recent months has given me a bit of confidence to get it right. Still not totally sure on laminating brass pieces together, but hey we'll see where go! I am as keen to try rolling stock construction as I am to scratch building the actual buildings for the layout, so hopefully it will be an interesting thread for people to follow - and I can recommend the S Scale Society for anyone that wants something different, they are a friendly bunch!
First wagon build
The original etches
The body before construction...
... and afterwards! I am building the kit using a glass crafting board, hopefully making sure everything is square.
The basic chassis set up. I made the mistake of trying to solder the bearings in, before realising that they couldn't come out anyway, once the wheels are there - so little point in doing that!
The rocking wheel set that is built in to the chassis to give some compensation.
Where I am now. The observant will note that the laminated brake shoes and linkage is too long. Apparently, this could be to do with the use of Slaters wheels rather than the previous kind (which may have been Gibson, I cannot quite remember). Is I have decided to draw up my own brake gear etch, which I am now awaiting coming back, in order to finish the wagon.
Lovely kit, and really enjoyed building it, despite the learning curve! Still have the axle boxes, springs and buffers to put on, but will build the other two kits I have before painting them. Hope people will find the occasional posts on this thread interesting?
Always open to advice and suggestions for doing things different / better / easier.
Richie