4mm Jan's 4mm WB: Hello, Old Friend

[Lyndhurstman]

Vans: der graft generator

A few hours doing tiny trains this Saturday afternoon. The Parkside Dundas sextet have had their coupling hooks fitted (courtesy of Dave Franks at LMS) and rooves courtesy of the bits box. As noted in an earlier post, I was going to make my own packing boxes for the couplings, but wobbling back and forth through the LMS website, I noted that their versions come in packs of 12. It sounded to synchronous to slide past....

They're coming on. Progress is glacial. The mojo is definitely on the down low. Still buffers and couplings, and painting and lettering.

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

A Parallel Universe
More of it, in short order. So that’s good. Back to baby steps, one hour at a time.

The Wharf’s R&D Dept are working up our particular (bordering on peculiar...) response to the Oleo pneumatic/hydraulic buffers required by the Diagram. Here are the component parts:

On the left, is the sleeve to be inserted in the buffer moulding. The middle is the the buffer head and the tinned oversleeve that fits in the buffer sleeve. On the right is the completed sleeve/buffer assembly. Below is the unit fitted.

The downside of this is that the tinning of their oversleeve means that it’s a press fit in the buffer sleeve, so working buffers are out. But the resistance of all parts does allow the reasonably accurate setting of the overall length (2’ 1/2”).

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

One Of Six
Progress on the half a dozen VANWIDE currently occupying the workforce has been sporadic, to say the least. But the underpinnings are done, and a few hours hiding from the Sun this afternoon has completed the insertion of the modified buffers mentioned earlier. Now all we have to do is fit couplings and apply paint. So maybe another eight months, then.


This one is the ugly duckling; you’ll see that the left hand buffer housing is askew. It snapped off, and wouldn’t reseat properly. The other 23 were fine.

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Watkins vs Jackson
Hardly Kramer vs Kramer, but a pictorial panoramic view of fitting the AJs to the VANWIDEs.

Disclaimer: We don’t know if what we’ve done is right, but it gives something that looks - and acts - like the thing it’s supposed to look like. So that’s good enough for our QC. But your judgement may differ.

The supplied underframe provides the restrictive environment; the arrangement of transverse and longitudinal beams give a nice zone to fill:

The first step was to make the locator. Some scrap 60 thou plasticard was cut to fit (4 mm high by 3.9 mm wide). This was drilled with two 0.3 mm holes, and glued in place under the brake lever cross-shaft.



The two holes take the individual tails of each coupling - one of the AJs criteria is that they’re supposed to be aligned to the axis longitudinal axis of the vehicle:

This was the test fit; the long tail was trimmed afterwards.

The coupling was inserted under the axle. Before insertion, the settings of the bends are checked:

he coupling head is held in place by the Graham Turner designed jig:

The tail is then glued in place.
This wonderful jig gives an identical unit at each end of the vehicle.

The next step of the process is to set the height. Again, a jig gives us accuracy:

...and the measurement is transferred to a piece (or pieces) of plasticard that is glued inboard of the buffer beam:


Which provides the correct height setting:

This useful little jig comes from Stenson Models: Alex Jackson Coupling Alignment Jig P4 Gauge – SM30D

All that, gives this:


Around 60 minutes each. Not including the fettling of the hook. Fiddly, but fun. Only another 40+ wagons left to do...

Cheers

Jan

 

[AdeMoore]

Interesting stuff, looks as though you have to get everything spot on with these? Also read to remove a wagon say from the track it’s still a lift and twist like a tension lock?
I looked into Seyer Chaplin a while back Auto couplings, inexpensive and work. DG seem popular to.
What made you go the AJ route?
Cheers
Ade

 

[jonte]

“Disclaimer sustained!”

Well it is to the judge of this kangaroo court from where I scribble

Funnily enough, thoughts - racing very much ahead, mind - have once again turned to the prospect of couplings and only yesterday in fact the A.J.s, so this is all topical stuff for me, Jan.

I was trying to remember where (in which thread) you kindly imparted your thorough knowledge of all things AJ and the tools/jigs required. However, it’s taken so long to even consider the prospect that I’ve forgotten whether it was on your hallowed thread or one of my many meanderings.

Never mind, I’m here now so shall watch ‘n’ learn.

Many thanks for sharing.

Bestest,

Jonte

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Interesting stuff, looks as though you have to get everything spot on with these? Also read to remove a wagon say from the track it’s still a lift and twist like a tension lock?
I looked into Seyer Chaplin a while back Auto couplings, inexpensive and work. DG seem popular to.
What made you go the AJ route?
Cheers
Ade

Hello @AdeMoore
Thanks. Well, that's one way of doing it; another is to slide a thin blade between the couplings, and separate them that way. It seems a lot less intrusive. But I'll let you know on my evolution of technique

I must say I hadn't seen the Seyer Chaplin method. I can see its advantages. But the visibility of the coupling (and this applies to the DG and the Spratt & Winkle for me) is intrusive to my eye.

As to why I'm weird; how long have you got? I think a distinct part of it (as with all of my efforts) is learning new things. And the AJ, with its bends and angles, and lack of visibility, is a good challenge. Especially now that Palatine have taken the hard yards out of the construction with their jigs and gauges. And the fact that these aids were developed by a late friend of mine (Graham Turner - from back in the day when I was a member of the S4 Glevum Group)) also made the AJ my chosen method. And now that LMS have developed some very fancy droppers is another reason to use AJs. I'm fully aware of the issues that it has in keeping it true, but it suits my needs, at the minute. When you couple all this with my advancing years - and inversely proportional declining eyesight and a slight lack of fine control in my muscles - pure 3 link has had to be ruled out. Which is sad, because they'd be my default Go To.

Just an FYI, There's a very good book - written by Dave Booth, who very kindly supplied me with a couple of pre-Palatine bending tools - that provides a wealth of information on AJ's Alex Jackson - The Man and the Coupling | Publications | Scalefour Society - and of course the MMRS pages that describe the man and the coupling The Alex Jackson Coupling - Manchester Model Railway Society.

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

“Disclaimer sustained!”

Well it is to the judge of this kangaroo court from where I scribble

Funnily enough, thoughts - racing very much ahead, mind - have once again turned to the prospect of couplings and only yesterday in fact the A.J.s, so this is all topical stuff for me, Jan.

I was trying to remember where (in which thread) you kindly imparted your thorough knowledge of all things AJ and the tools/jigs required. However, it’s taken so long to even consider the prospect that I’ve forgotten whether it was on your hallowed thread or one of my many meanderings.

Never mind, I’m here now so shall watch ‘n’ learn.

Many thanks for sharing.

Bestest,

Jonte

Hello @jonte
Thank you.
Ah... the stuttering seam of scribbling is back there somewhere (he cocks a jaunty thumb over his shoulder, directing the weary traveller toward the crypt-like darkness that is the haunt of manic meanderings, mojo mislayings, and morose moods). I’m sure the Search would throw it up. But the link to Palatine is Palatine Models. They do a Starter pack which might suit. I really would recommend reading the MMRS pages on the couplings, too.

Thank again.

Cheers

Jan

 

[jonte]

Hello @jonte
Thank you.
Ah... the stuttering seam of scribbling is back there somewhere (he cocks a jaunty thumb over his shoulder, directing the weary traveller toward the crypt-like darkness that is the haunt of manic meanderings, mojo mislayings, and morose moods). I’m sure the Search would throw it up. But the link to Palatine is Palatine Models. They do a Starter pack which might suit. I really would recommend reading the MMRS pages on the couplings, too.

Thank again.

Cheers

Jan

Priceless.

Bless you, Jan.

Jonte

 

[AdeMoore]

Hello @AdeMoore
Thanks. Well, that's one way of doing it; another is to slide a thin blade between the couplings, and separate them that way. It seems a lot less intrusive. But I'll let you know on my evolution of technique

I must say I hadn't seen the Seyer Chaplin method. I can see its advantages. But the visibility of the coupling (and this applies to the DG and the Spratt & Winkle for me) is intrusive to my eye.

As to why I'm weird; how long have you got? I think a distinct part of it (as with all of my efforts) is learning new things. And the AJ, with its bends and angles, and lack of visibility, is a good challenge. Especially now that Palatine have taken the hard yards out of the construction with their jigs and gauges. And the fact that these aids were developed by a late friend of mine (Graham Turner - from back in the day when I was a member of the S4 Glevum Group)) also made the AJ my chosen method. And now that LMS have developed some very fancy droppers is another reason to use AJs. I'm fully aware of the issues that it has in keeping it true, but it suits my needs, at the minute. When you couple all this with my advancing years - and inversely proportional declining eyesight and a slight lack of fine control in my muscles - pure 3 link has had to be ruled out. Which is sad, because they'd be my default Go To.

Just an FYI, There's a very good book - written by Dave Booth, who very kindly supplied me with a couple of pre-Palatine bending tools - that provides a wealth of information on AJ's Alex Jackson - The Man and the Coupling | Publications | Scalefour Society - and of course the MMRS pages that describe the man and the coupling The Alex Jackson Coupling - Manchester Model Railway Society.

Cheers

Jan

Interesting, I’ll be following along to see the evolution of your technique. Cheers

 

[Lyndhurstman]

The Missing Link(s)

Having polished off the fitting of the AJs to the sextuplet, attention has turned to the droppers. As mentioned previously, these are a natty fold up arrangement sourced from Lanarkshire Models & Supplies. The VANWIDEs are Instanter-fitted, but the 3-link version is also available.

The etches are very wonderful. Fitting them is tricky, but possible. After doing the first freehand, we resorted to refitting the AJ bufferbeam jig; this holds the wire steady, and enables the closure around the 11 thou wire.

The link can then be slid to its position beneath the hook, before a final crimp with some snipe nose pliers. A touch of Loctite secures the assembly to the guitar wire.

After that, it’s the turn of the iron link. These need opening out a tad in order to slip through the Instanter, by the usual method of twisting slightly.

They can then be ‘closed’ with more Loctite. I’ve also run the Loctite on to the Instanter, thereby making the assembly rigid. This should make life in the stockbox easier.

One aspect I did find In fitting the iron loop is that my pliers are all slightly magnetised. I therefore intend to make a set of brass crimpers; nothing flash - just something I can use to align the two ends of the loop flush with each other. You’ll note in the lose up that this hasn’t been done. Mind you, it’s only at these horrible zooms that such things are apparent. I can only hope that the eyesight of any visitors to the Wharf is as bad as mine!

Cheers

Jan

 

[jonte]

The Missing Link(s)

Having polished off the fitting of the AJs to the sextuplet, attention has turned to the droppers. As mentioned previously, these are a natty fold up arrangement sourced from Lanarkshire Models & Supplies. The VANWIDEs are Instanter-fitted, but the 3-link version is also available.

The etches are very wonderful. Fitting them is tricky, but possible. After doing the first freehand, we resorted to refitting the AJ bufferbeam jig; this holds the wire steady, and enables the closure around the 11 thou wire.
View attachment 123594
The link can then be slid to its position beneath the hook, before a final crimp with some snipe nose pliers. A touch of Loctite secures the assembly to the guitar wire.
View attachment 123595
After that, it’s the turn of the iron link. These need opening out a tad in order to slip through the Instanter, by the usual method of twisting slightly.
View attachment 123596
They can then be ‘closed’ with more Loctite. I’ve also run the Loctite on to the Instanter, thereby making the assembly rigid. This should make life in the stockbox easier.

One aspect I did find In fitting the iron loop is that my pliers are all slightly magnetised. I therefore intend to make a set of brass crimpers; nothing flash - just something I can use to align the two ends of the loop flush with each other. You’ll note in the lose up that this hasn’t been done. Mind you, it’s only at these horrible zooms that such things are apparent. I can only hope that the eyesight of any visitors to the Wharf is as bad as mine!

Cheers

Jan

I find these darned cameras of today have a resolving power almost on a par with an electron microscope

Which is why I sometimes screw-up my eyes when viewing to compensate. Unless it’s my own work of course, when I close them completely

Am thoroughly enjoying the illustrated blow-by-blow account, Jan, and your sources which will all come in very handy for when this train-set guy tries his hand at some proper modelling.

Many thanks.

Jonte

 

[Lyndhurstman]

I find these darned cameras of today have a resolving power almost on a par with an electron microscope

Which is why I sometimes screw-up my eyes when viewing to compensate. Unless it’s my own work of course, when I close them completely

Am thoroughly enjoying the illustrated blow-by-blow account, Jan, and your sources which will all come in very handy for when this train-set guy tries his hand at some proper modelling.

Many thanks.

Jonte

Yes. The chap who came up with the design of those all-showing lenses has a big house named ‘Wartzen Hall’, I think.

As always, thanks for your kind words and support. Your work is a wonderful example of artistry and observation. I’m much more reliant on those blessed purveyors of precise pieces that suit my peculiar penchants. I do - if I ever come to the end of this narrow narrative on VANWIDEs - intend to bookmark the tragic trajectory of indifference and ineptitude (that was supposed to be quick and easy).

Thanks again

Jan

 

[jonte]

Yes. The chap who came up with the design of those all-showing lenses has a big house named ‘Wartzen Hall’, I think.

As always, thanks for your kind words and support. Your work is a wonderful example of artistry and observation. I’m much more reliant on those blessed purveyors of precise pieces that suit my peculiar penchants. I do - if I ever come to the end of this narrow narrative on VANWIDEs - intend to bookmark the tragic trajectory of indifference and ineptitude (that was supposed to be quick and easy).

Thanks again

Jan

As an aside, and at the unintended risk of embarrassing you Jan, I think your posts should form part of the GCSE English Language syllabus

Jonte

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Nether Ending
The Works is flowing now. Beryl’s baps are powering us through the last fettling and fixing before this strained sextet head for the Paint Shop, and - hopefully - are accepted for their final destination somewhere on the Big Railway outside.

Some hours have been spent trying to determine a happy ending. We’ve managed to construct some lamp irons (although they’re actually brass) from a few frets of Bill Bedford’s BUW001, and affixed the bony, bony vacuum pipes of Lanarkshire in the same neighbourhood.
As you can see from the photograph; the end is in sight. We’ve decided that the pipe dummies will not be fitted - I know we made them for the MEDFIT, but Accounts have convinced us that the Cost:Benefit number of turning out another 12 is definitely of a negative value.
We may have to blacken the AJs - preferably with something that has a rust inhibitor, as well.

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Unearthed
A moment away from the reconstructive surgery that the Works has been boring you with of late. A recent find in the Company Archives (actually a couple of tea chests that were being readied for burning, having been ‘hanging around too long’ according to Dennis in the Design Office) that might shed light on our liminal Limehouse location.

This - from what we think is the old warden’s lookout on top of Heap’s warehouse at the east end of the Wharf - is a USACE photograph of the Wharf being reworked by their engineers. The two lines in the foreground disappear under Heaps and reemerge - after turning through ninety degrees - onto Norway Wharf. We now - with permission from Fenchurch Street - now make use of the two rightmost sidings, while the rest of the tangle is given over to the Big Boys and their bigger engines, so they can still access the Wharfs edge (the rails of which, the USAC Engineers have yet to lay). Interestingly, the censors seem to have blanked out the formation on the viaduct.. The main body of the Works (and the continuation of the tramway serving the industries on the east bank of Regents Canal) is accessed by the line going under the viaduct.

Anyway, we thought this little moment might be of interest to some - and serve as a background to our little lump of intermittent industry.

Cheers

Jan

 

[jonte]

The viaduct very much puts me in mind of the same that fed into Liverpool Exchange station, the odd one or two abandoned elements of which remain and never fail to distract me from the road ahead (while waiting at traffic lights, of course, aherm).

I particularly admire the way it worms its way across the scene, in stark contrast to the usual ‘parallel to baseboard edge’ representation, to say nothing of the complex track formations below.

It sounds as though this urban viaduct and the scene it adorns will never reach completion which is a great shame, but many thanks to the hired hands for saving the image for posterity.

True to say I never bore of your handiwork as both modeller and wordsmith, Jan, that not only entertains, but serves to educate too.

Keep on keeping on

Jonte

 

[Kier Hardy]

I'll second that...... a most entertaining and informative thread indeed..... For as long as my memory keeps me company, those early recollections of Wharf D (or was it E, or F?) and the first sampling of Beryl's baps will etch this smile on my face forever.

 

[Lyndhurstman]

The viaduct very much puts me in mind of the same that fed into Liverpool Exchange station, the odd one or two abandoned elements of which remain and never fail to distract me from the road ahead (while waiting at traffic lights, of course, aherm).

I particularly admire the way it worms its way across the scene, in stark contrast to the usual ‘parallel to baseboard edge’ representation, to say nothing of the complex track formations below.

It sounds as though this urban viaduct and the scene it adorns will never reach completion which is a great shame, but many thanks to the hired hands for saving the image for posterity.

True to say I never bore of your handiwork as both modeller and wordsmith, Jan, that not only entertains, but serves to educate too.

Keep on keeping on

Jonte

I'll second that...... a most entertaining and informative thread indeed..... For as long as my memory keeps me company, those early recollections of Wharf D (or was it E, or F?) and the first sampling of Beryl's baps will etch this smile on my face forever.

Thank you both. I’m very flattered.
@jonte your kindness and support is - as ever - most welcome, and gratefully received. Truth to tell - and here @Kier Hardy will testify - the Watkins Wharf (originally D Wharf - well remembered Kier!) has been in this (or a very similar) incarnation for waaaay too long. The many moods and movements of the magpie mind of its creator (like the Baltic, definitely a small c) have left it in lethargic limbo for years almost geologic in length, and occasionally requiring archaeologic exhumation from the detritus of years that have been lain upon it. Even this weekend, the production of sleepers was displaced by Alice-like journeying of your humble scribe down a pixelated rabbit hole as he tried to fathom the ownership of 675, Commercial Road, Limehouse (the Nissen-esque frontage on the north side, on the east bank of Regents Canal seen in eaw000640 ENGLAND (1946). A cityscape over Limehouse and Mile End, Limehouse, from the south-east, 1946 | Britain From Above). According to Graces Guide
it was the residence of Thermit; an early prime mover in the art of butt-welding rail (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/3/3f/1918ThermitLtd.jpg) and “repairs to rolling stock”. But the name arced over the door in the BFA image looks more like Poulter..

So, given the above, and the twin needles of motivation and joy pricking our opposing thumps, progress - like the journey of Beryl and her trolley around the site - is slow and easily waylaid. But at least Beryl’s baps will satisfy; these obsessive and onanistic occasional outpourings are significantly lesser fare.


Thanks to you both, again. I sincerely respect your abilities. May we hope that some of what we do comes close to what you have both achieved.

Cheers

Jan

 

[Lyndhurstman]

Occupational Hazards

Another blast from the past.
The Wharf is getting some attention. That special relationship... The formation is being solidified - not so much set in stone, as concrete. This is the third siding being relaid; the last solution was deemed too hazardous to the shunters. This gives a bit more clearance opposite more distant nose of the crossover. The engineers were very keen to use the existing 3-way, which - while saving space - does have a quite slow divergence. Apparently, it was built with the intention of running 2-10-0s through it, but Mister Holden’s Beast would never have shown its legs on the Wharf.

Cheers

Jan