PMV races

[jamiepage]

Now there's a master class in filing, I must say. Generating such convincing semi- circles at each end, even on the templates, is really not as easy as it should be. It is too easy to get varying radius, doglegs, transitions between straight and curves.. with the piece getting shorter with each fiddle.

 

[Steve Cook]

Now there's a master class in filing, I must say. Generating such convincing semi- circles at each end, even on the templates, is really not as easy as it should be. It is too easy to get varying radius, doglegs, transitions between straight and curves.. with the piece getting shorter with each fiddle.

Thanks Jamie, although no master class here! I turned some brass bar down to the diameter I wanted and then scribed around that to generate the templates. The 'bulk' assembly was then easy to file down until the edge of the templates were reached. Despite that, neither end of any chalk board is perfect - but as you say, they would end up undersize if I kept fiddling

Window frames and new chalk boards fitted.



In the end I plumped for centralising the chalk boards over the ventilator hoods rather than centre of each panel, it looks better than it did.
Window bars and some sort of lower mount for the glazing are next jobs on the list.
Steve

Edited to add reply to Jamie

 

[D816Foxhound]

Arghh, the chalk boards. I didn't bother with them either. Luckily I managed to cover up the holes with the brass supplied.

Wait until you get to put the roof on........

 

[jamiepage]

Bulk of the brakegear is now finished, just some further linkage around the vac cylinder and the handbrake mechanism. Roger's photos were invaluable in helping to produce something feasible if not entirely accurate.
A couple of photos which unfortunately proves the soldering needs to disappear behind some paint.

 

[jamiepage]

I've tried to keep it relatively easy to replace wheelsets, but couldn't really work out an elegant way to deal with the long pull rods that run under the axles. In the end I just removed a section in the hope it wouldn't show. Well, it does rather but I'll live with it now. In fact, I'm not sure how long any of the detail bits will last in outdoor service- I can imagine a darwinian process with just the strongest bits left after a while.

 

[D816Foxhound]

Lovely brass work and soldering, Jamie.

Roger

 

[jamiepage]

Thank you, Roger, although the photos must flatter. Metalwork is just about finished now bar the steps, which I will attack next. I've only a vague idea of how to mount them, but one way or another they should form part of this metal sub structure. Once they are soldered on, various cosmetic boltheads will be glued on and the whole thing can be camouflaged with a coat of gungy black. The detail was getting a bit impressionistic toward the end so it is time to get the underframe finished.

 

[jamiepage]

Could I request some help? I have a copy of 'Southern Railway Passenger Vans' by David Gould to hand (thank you, Simon), which has two photos of these vans in traffic. 1409 is shown in pre- nationalisation livery, S1407S post - nationalisation

Both show the same side of the vans (with brake handle left of centreline) and interestingly both appear to have the left hand window sheeted in. At least I think so, although it could be wishful thinking and I'm really just seeing the inside end panelling through glazing.

My question, assuming they are blanked off, is whether these photos show a coincidence of random modifications, or whether it represents something more deliberate.
And if so, was the other side similarly modded - either also with its LH window blanked (ie diagonally opposite), or handed with both windows at the same end blanked.

Does anyone have access to other photos or notes which could throw some light (pun, sort of) on their appearance in early BR service please?
(I have seen the photos of S1402S in late service with all windows sheeted in which would be a splendid escape from having to represent those glazing bars, but the van has also lost its original doors so I can't now model it in that condition).

Thank you very much,
Jamie

 

[jamiepage]

Steps are now completed. They are rather exposed so I tried to build in some strength whilst keeping a reasonable appearance.
A large mounting plate was soldered to the top of each assembly in such a way as to clear the main underframe, and to give as much support as possible.
Two 10ba screws fit through these plates, through the floor and through large washer plates inside.
Lower steps were set back from the top step so were sat on top of the lower horizontal.
Once soldered up, the rather flat profiles were attacked with files and emery to soften the look a little.
Each step assembly can be unbolted without disturbing anything else, should repair or replacement become necessary.

 

[jamiepage]

Progress continues, and a couple of jobs that were causing a scratched head have been finished.
In spite of peering at a number of photographs, I still can't picture with any confidence just how the carrying springs were hung. There was clearly a vertical cylindrical element to each hanger, presumably as an integral part of the underframe cantilevers , within which nestled a volute spring. A written description suggests the leaf spring ends were just pegged to the volute springs without any visible support.
Some photos appear to show some form of triangular plates but I gave up in the end and just modelled the cylindrical structures supporting the leaf springs. It's probably not right, but hopefully will cast similar shadows to the prototype.
All had to be soldered up from scratch, including the leafsprings .

Suitable buffer stocks may exist in the 1/32 market, but I couldn't find any, so they too had to scratchbuilt. They are a bodgy combination of turned brass and plastic, but will hopefully be strong enough in service.
A list of jobs still to do has been drawn up but, fingers crossed, what's left is relatively straightforward.

 

[Neil]

Though speed shouldn't be the criteria with which we judge model making endeavours, I cant help but notice that the scratchbuilt van seems to be coming together faster than the kit built examples. I know that personal circumstances may differ, the time available, the range of other projects on the go, work rate, etc, but I wonder if it is possible to draw conclusions about the ease of differing materials, or the amount of revision required?

 

[Simon]

Absolutely Neil.

I am still very distracted by booky stuff but have nonetheless managed a few more building steps on my Class 122 whereas the PMV is gathering dust and spider poo in the shed.

I have come to really quite dislike the thing but will grit my teeth and finish it because I want the end result out on the line. However, I now expect to be "departing from the script" by a country mile in order to get it done without too much more pain, the notion of using the parts as supplied has by now drifted well down my "am I bovvered" consciousness.

All very embarrassing as I was the muppet who kicked the "race" off, but then again it seems to have inveigled Jamie into producing a really wonderful model

I must say that I think that scratchbuilding is a deal more satisfying than kit building, having experience of both.

Right - back to the books!

Simon

 

[jamiepage]

Biggest factor undoubtedly is available free time. And plastic work has to be a lot easier and quicker; if the bit doesn't look right, score and snap another.
Quick coat of grey to cover up the solder.

 

[Simon]

That looks quite splendid Jamie

Well I managed a bit too.

After getting the Flymo running for the first time in over a year (it having had a bit of a service) the whole garden has been mown properly and looks a hell of a lot better for it. I did cut a couple of feed wires in the process though

I then made up a sensible power lead for my leaf sucker/blower with a cable and connectors I rescued from the tip a few weeks ago, and then replaced my two small Linolite strip lights in the shed (one of which was u/s) with a "proper" fluorescent tube, all properly fixed to the ceiling and wired in (I only tripped the house circuits twice in the process)

The resulting lighting on the workbench is much better than it has ever been, and more suitable for ageing fogey eyesight.

I then managed five hours (jeez) on the PMV but have as a consequence made some sensible progress on it.



All verticals in bar the door ones, all ventilator panels and hoods fitted all chalkboards fitted and ends attached to the sides.

The end diagonals very nearly connected with the corner angles, I may yet try a bit of bodgery with them in position but really they ought to be taken off and re-done.

Next up is to carve up the doors to yield all the 8 verticals that go either side of them. I may well use the supplied brass half etched flats for all the vertical angles (already fitted) but once the angles are sorted (and I need to fabricate some flat section for the bottom of the door verticals too) then I am probably mostly heading off piste with Plastikard

I do feel that I've now broken the back of it, but anticipate arriving at the finish line long after any spectators have gone home

Simon

 

[jamiepage]

Lots of fiddly bits finished this afternoon. Door furniture, lampirons etc all had to be fettled up from stock material, so rather time consuming. The lampirons don't look entirely convincing but are now twice- pinned in place so I'll have to live with them. The underframe has been painted black but the lower body cills will be overpainted green at the same time as the body proper.
it needs looking at with a fresh pair of eyes tomorrow to see what's missing, what needs re-doing (apart from the lampirons), then the body can be scrubbed up for painting, with luck.
Overall, known outstanding jobs are screw couplings, and a little more work on the axleboxes. Plus glazing and their dreaded grilles. Not sure what to do about them at the moment.

 

[Steve Cook]

Wonderful stuff Jamie
Apologies, I'm not doing much racing at the moment, my contribution sits on the side and mocks me
I do need to get back to it...
Steve

 

[D816Foxhound]

I painted my PMV in grey primer yesterday and it looks much better for it. The bodges aren't quite so apparent now!



Roger

 

[Simon]

That really looks the part, I look forward to seeing it parked in the Bude bay for the newspapers!!

Simon

 

[Ian G]

very well done.

Ian G

 

[D816Foxhound]

Making the most of the good weather after the partial eclipse I painted my Southern van in BR blue .



Roof and chassis next.

Roger