More locomotives from the NSWGR and the SMR

The following are some photos of recently finished projects, including a superheated 30T, SMR 10, 30 Class Tank, 36 Class and 12 class locos. The 30T - 3016 is the first time I have tried split frames with printed circuit board. 

3137 complete with driver. The rivets on this and SMR 23 are Archer Fine Transfers, purchased from Casula Hobbies, an excellent investment. 

3609 in green.

 Construction has started on a pair of 32 class locos, the chassis and the tenders are pretty much done. 

3016 needs a load of coal and a ladder, perhaps a crew too.

Vintage train locos 1210 and 1243 present for duty. 

The Fleet Expands

Recently I have been pretty busy working on various things, as illustrated below, including remaking a chassis to fit under 1709, adding finishing details to a pair of Z12 class locos and assembling some laser cut FG carriages I drew in CAD and doing up a Badgerbits TAM sleeping car: 

Virtually Finished Non Air Hoppers

A string of N scale Non Air Hoppers

The finished string of the start of hopefully many hoppers stand ready for use behind NSWGR 1803 with matching S truck. The S truck has a bit of brass wire bent in such a way to hold onto the chain link coupling at the end of the 'string' of hoppers. 

Microscale letters were used to represent the different colliery letters.

Chain was used to couple the hoppers together permanently and enough slack is left so that a slight gap is allowed between the buffers. 

Closeup showing the brass chain used at the end of the string of hoppers.

Building Non Air Coal Hoppers in N Scale

Non Air NSW Coal Hoppers in N scale 

Several Peco NR119 chassis kits were purchased and some Evergreen 2060 styrene for the sides to follow on from an article in the June 2011 Australian Model Railway Magazine. The photos should be pretty self explanatory. 

Attaching the framework on the outside of the hopper. 

The virtually structurally complete hoppers.

NSWGR Z19 and Z12's - Finishing off one thing and starting another.

Z19 paint job and a pair of Z12's

It's been a while since an update but below the series of photos should tell the tale:

The Z19 - 1957 painted plain black and lettered and the finished product below:

After dreaming about it for years I finally have got around to it - scratch building a pair of Z12 class locomotives in N scale. To simplify the construction of the duo I decided to make duplicates of all parts and put them together at the same time. 

The frames soldered and screwed together to permit accurate drilling of the axle holes and the material for the rods. 

1 frame side cut out prior to joining showing the detail cut out with a jeweller's saw.

Below is one of the frames being screwed together with turned spacers. The 12 BA screws were used to hold the frames as they were set up before being finally permanently soldered together. Note that the bearings have not yet been inserted into the axle (bearing) holes in the frames. 

The two locomotive chassis following assembly - the front wheels are from Gopher Models and the driving wheels are Fleischmann wheels with turned down flanges. 

The locomotive takes shape as a tender is added to complement the engine frame. 

Body work added following lots of fiddling around with bits of brass and nickel silver. Note the loco tilting forward due to the engine being nose heavy. The motor is mounted within the smokebox.