Locoworks - Bagnall 2-8-2 (wip part 2) - Rear Bogey ...

 Decided to have a fiddle with the rear bogey to see if I could fix the last of the clearance problems for tight curves.

cut back the side frame for a bigger slot (easy when the material is plasticard)

then cut a somewhat uneven bit out to allow for better play, to stop it getting stuck as it swings ...

lengthened the connecting bar by 2.5mm so that bogey wheels are centred in the swing gap

Corrections were basically a success, tests on the garage layout gave me mostly free running, a problem with it catching in a couple of other places at extreme edge of the swing as it cornered was easily fixed with a few snips out of the plasticard underframe.

Next job is the tender coupling .....

Locoworks - Bagnall 2-8-2 (wip)

 A first visit to the workshop for the 'big loco'..

The loco which I bought is actually based on a real loco - a Bagnall 2-8-2 similar to this one

(India Railways - Mysore Iron & Steel Company, Bhadravati -2-8-2 steam locomotive Nr. 12 [Bagnall Locomotive Works E2903]).

Taken apart and checking how things fit round tight curves...

front wheel catches and jams a bit.... otherwise looking good

a couple of twisted wires (from an old on/off switch), need sorting out.

The frame, you can see the wear where the wheels rub as they go round. The frame restricts movement so it doesn't go round tight curves....

Part of the plasticard frame marked up and scored ready for removal

all gone....

body refitted and plenty of room for the wheels to move from side to side....

The front wheel problem sorted and the wires soldered; out for trials on the garage layout ....

The loco goes round the tight curves, but the tender won't go with it - the coupling need re-working, also a few other little snags to fettle. Loco back on the shelf for a while - for a 'bit of looking at', while I decide best way to connect the tender.

Line side changes and bolster wagons...

 I felt the telegraph poles I added were a bit too busy, so I cut the top part off. It looks better, before and after pics below...

  

Water tower added to the main station....

Work done to make enough clearance in one corner for the new 'big loco'; walling removed...

marked out new position ...

walling replaced and checked the clearance - about 1cm, enough for the 'big loco' cab to swing out and not touch anything.

Two bolster wagons obtained (off Ebay); I've wanted some for some time but never got lucky and was always outbid. Finally my luck changed and picked these up for £40 each (the last pair I missed went for £75 each).

Its another wagon ....

 Another wagon picked up off Ebay, fitted with Accucraft couplings 😀

The last (?) purchase for this year. Have my 'winter' projects lined up; hopefully time for some running sessions in the garden in the next couple of months if the weather is suitable.

Locomotive Indulgence...

 Oooh shiny and nice;  the delights and tribulations of Ebay surfing. I took one look at this loco online and it fell into my shopping basket 😃 A 2-8-2 Bagnall scratch built from plasticard with some metal fittings (using an LGB 0-8-0 28001 chassis)

Slightly overlarge for my needs; perhaps some nice new carriages to go with ?  This loco needs a visit to the works for adjustments to improve operation around my Radius 1 curves - it should works but sticks - it needs some tweaks; also in need of some small repairs.

'Signals' Project...

 I've been buying up some suitable signals for the garage layout off Ebay; 3 obtained so far and one more auction result awaited.

The signals will need some TLC and stands; the bracket signal will be used for parts to make one or two single sempahore signals.  The plan is to have starter signals for each station; another 'winter' project. 

'Speeder' Project...

 Picked up an old MDA G scale Speeder, had to stick it together as the old plastic clips that held it together were getting a bit loose. Its had a quick test on the garage layout - works well.

It is going to be a 'winter' project, to build an upper part with seats - maybe something like a Wickham trolley.