Sunday, August 14, 2011

So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish

While there may have been little VR Days blogging action of late, much work has been afoot on the J Class steam loco kit.

The chassis frames spacers that accompany the kit are 13mm in width, rather than the prototypically correct ~15.9mm (4'6½"). I would guess that this has been made to allow the RP25-110 wheel sets that come with the kit to be fitted. Consequently, the chassis will require new spacers, while all infrastructure associated with them will also need modification (such as the steam chests/cylinders and air tanks located between the frames). I will detail their modification in a future post.

As previously mentioned, continuous spring beam (CSB) compensation is being installed. Therefore, the connecting rods will need to be articulated (currently one piece).

In the mean time, a good modelling mate of mine has turned down all the tires to P87 profile. The driver wheels have been pushed back on to their centres but not yet on to the axles. However, the front pony truck and tender wheels sets are complete (see figures).



On another matter, my family and I are about to relocate from Perth, Australia, to Vancouver, Canada. The removalists are due tomorrow. So you will have to excuse the rather filthy and incomplete tender! On a brighter note, I have made contact with P87 modeller, Rene Gourly, who resides in Vancouver. His works can be found here: http://www.proto87.org/. We intend to meet up soon after my arrival in Vancouver.

Anyway, to all my modelling mates in Australia (you know who you are), so long, and thanks for all the fish.