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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 5:00 pm
by ge_rik
If Phil's ok with it, we could meet at his stand at an allotted time.
Rik
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 10:33 pm
by Peter Butler
ge_rik wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 5:00 pm
If Phil's ok with it, we could meet at his stand at an allotted time.
Rik
It's a couple of hours drive for me but I hope to be there before 11am. and stay for a few hours before visiting the W&L.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 9:32 am
by Lonsdaler
Peter Butler wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 9:34 pm
Thanks for your comment Phil, I'm pleased you approve.
The gold leaf has no self adhesive properties other than static, which can be a real nightmare! Traditionally it was applied to a surface prepared with Gold Size, although what it consisted of I have no idea. When searching for it on-line I eventually discovered the modern equivalent, which is 'Metal Leaf Size'. Looking like the colour and consistency of milk it is described as 'Acrylic Adhesive'.
It is sparingly applied and allowed to become clear with low tack. It then has a working window of up to 48 hours. The leaf is so fine it will adhere to anything! The trick is to draw the leaf slowly and carefully with a small plastic rectangle (provided) towards the workpiece and the static will pull the leaf in place. A soft brush can be used to ensure the recesses are covered too. Once the piece has fully set it can be burnished.
From the beginning I decided there would be no overhead restrictions on my line. Loading gauge is therefore not a problem at home but may be elsewhere? The organ possibly looks tall because it has a low base. In fact it is only 15mm taller than my Garratt and probably equal to my double deck tram?
Phil P is kindly supplying a suitable, pre-wired, Rx and full sound system for me to install and I hope to have it finished to take to Llanfair where I might be able to run it on one of the layouts there?.... That is sure to annoy someone!
Thanks for the insight to working with gold leaf - something I have often wondered about. I can't envisage a use for it with anything I'm working on, but who knows?
I may get to Llanfair, so will look forward to seeing it in action. I know you don't 'do video' but if ever you run it with others around, maybe we will get a foretaste.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 11:21 am
by gilfachphil
I have had good results with gilding cream, which is probably much easier to use than gold leaf,
Phil
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 11:22 am
by Phil.P
ge_rik wrote: ↑Wed Jul 09, 2025 5:00 pm
If Phil's ok with it, we could meet at his stand at an allotted time.
Rik
This sounds like a plan is coming together?
I will probably be admiring it from the corner of my eye, but will see if I can despatch Jane to record it 'in song'?
I need to get on top of things, as I have 4472 to get ready, and a 'shed-load' of other things to sort out!
Phil.P
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 4:40 pm
by Lonsdaler
gilfachphil wrote: ↑Thu Jul 10, 2025 11:21 am
I have had good results with gilding cream, which is probably much easier to use than gold leaf,
Phil
I've not heard of that at all. Time to flex my (not g**gle) search engine.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:42 pm
by gilfachphil
Liberon make a range of colours of gilding cream, other brands are available. I have a tube of something called ‘Goldfinger’,
Phil
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 9:20 pm
by Peter Butler
'Goldfinger' is very good for touching up slight damage to picture frames and other ornaments, although not stable on ceramics or other glazed surfaces. I used it throughout my picture framing career. It is also available in silver.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2025 9:24 pm
by Peter Butler
Although I recently posted pictures and description of my Fairground Organ build, I had by-passed another of my road to rail conversions.
Attached are a couple of images showing the 'before' view of the donor vehicle's chassis and, despite it appearing to show a perspective difference in wheel gauge, it is in fact dual gauge as built!
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- 100_1193.JPG (272.75 KiB) Viewed 18446 times
Can you guess what it is yet?.... I'm looking at you, Drew!
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2025 10:29 pm
by Preseli Chris
Peter.
That's an easy one. Its a BMW Isetta. The four wheeled version . What is intriguing is how will you fit a motor gearbox into a very small space . You must have a mini motor setup ,or the car is the Isetta Tardis variant.
Chtis
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 11:02 am
by Peter Butler
Too easy Chris, must try harder!
It is a very small vehicle to fit everything in but I have managed to put a standard 6v motor and gearbox driving the front wheels and five AAA batteries at the rear underneath the engine cover. It looks tidy but I can only fit a driver figure by major surgery to his lower parts so he straddles the motor. So far I haven't done so, and with the tinted windows it is less important, but will get done soon....
- 100_1195.JPG (272.65 KiB) Viewed 18385 times
- 100_1198.JPG (270.09 KiB) Viewed 18385 times
- 100_1222.JPG (272.03 KiB) Viewed 18385 times
Being a die-cast model it is quite heavy so runs very smoothly with Phil P's R/C installed.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 11:40 am
by Phil.P
I suppose it depends on how you look at it...
Whether it is a 'more gauge', or a 'less-gauge' conversion?
I'll shut the door, on the way out..
Phil.P
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2025 12:15 pm
by Preseli Chris
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 6:28 am
by FWLR
Phil.P wrote: ↑Mon Jul 14, 2025 11:40 am
I suppose it depends on how you look at it...
Whether it is a 'more gauge', or a 'less-gauge' conversion?
I'll shut the door, on the way out..
Phil.P
Hi Phil,
Have you received my PM’s
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 7:33 am
by ge_rik
Another great conversion, Peter.
A pity the motor shaft doesn't extend out of the top of the motor - you could give the driver a rotating hat ....
Rik
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2025 11:01 am
by Peter Butler
ge_rik wrote: ↑Tue Jul 15, 2025 7:33 am
A pity the motor shaft doesn't extend out of the top of the motor - you could give the driver a rotating hat ....
Rik
Dear oh dear Rik, I would never be thought of as a serious modeller again!
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2025 10:48 am
by Phil.P
Hi Phil,
Have you received my PM’s
Yes Rod, and have replied..
I will take this to email.
Phil.P
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 10:17 pm
by Peter Butler
Old Man Aaron wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 4:38 am
dudeface wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:00 am
Big fan of funny little cars myself, especially Messerschmitts... (Try making one of those into a railcar!
)
Never realised they built things
without wings. Old and weird, just how I like a car.
Whilst browsing for something else I stumbled upon this comment from dudeface and Aaron. I had completely forgotten about it, despite reading, and usually commenting, on all your messages.
The reason I'm replying after all this time (Feb 2024) is because I have recently completed my latest build and was about to add it to my thread anyway.
What a coincidence....
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- 100_1276.JPG (308.88 KiB) Viewed 17839 times
- 100_1275.JPG (274.34 KiB) Viewed 17839 times
The original is a three wheeler, as shown on the original picture, so the rear end is too narrow to take the 32mm wheel gauge. To accommodate this I had to take an angle grinder to the side of the die-cast model and add extended wheel arches (quartered round top from cosmetic bottle) which don't look at all out of place.
Driven by a tiny motor with axles either side through a built-in reduction gearbox. Rechargeable batteries, RC Trains Rx, 2 way switch and charge point. And why not???
Do you think it's time I sought professional help?
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 2:06 am
by FWLR
Well I think it looks brilliant Peter. You have somehow brought it to life onto a 16mm garden railway that for me doesn't look out of place.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 3:17 am
by GTB
Peter Butler wrote: ↑Thu Jul 24, 2025 10:17 pm
The original is a three wheeler, as shown on the original picture, so the rear end is too narrow to take the 32mm wheel gauge.
Do you think it's time I sought professional help?
Neat work on the rear end conversion. No idea if anyone does a diecast model, but the real contraption came in a 4 wheel 'sports' version as well. It was the hoon's version, with a 2 cylinder motor and about the same horsepower as a ride-on mower (20hp).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FMR_Tg500
Not sure what use professional help would be, most shrinks and trick-cyclists are as mad as their patients.
Graeme
