Project "Lucy", the IP Engineering kit

Spule 4 · Post by **Spule 4** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:22 am

All:

Figured I would really look at the Lucy kit tonite. Nice thick bits of steel, basic, but well made.

I may play with the battery box location, they go "under the footplate" but that means the outer frames are stuck WAY out. So maybe move the batteries somewhere else and then invert them to make the loco more narrow.

Here is the kit in bits (all 1KG worth, the Royal Post got some of my money on this deal!)

Here it is somewhat assembled to see how it compared to the Mamod:

Close in size, but here is the real concern:

Really low, lower than the Mamod.

. They did include both buffers and the multi height coupler

, so maybe things will not be as bad as I fear.

Hopefully, in the next week or two I can get started on assembly, but I also need to order the drive chain from IP and decide if I want the detail kit from them, or cobble up some from GRS and other sources....

Now, what is it about my model photos and fruit?

New Haven Neil · Post by **New Haven Neil** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:14 pm

Here's my Jessica, a bigger version of the same thing (sorry about the GSM advert...) Batteries in the bonnet (hood) but with a charging lead added.....

I thought it pretty substantial, and fun to build - she can pull my Fowler when the gas runs out too........

I see IP take a lot of flak in some places, but I thought these were oK for the money - just!!??

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:35 pm

The 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers recommend a standard coupling height of 24mm above rail level, which is 1' 6" and confirms to the Festiniog Railway standard in the real world.

I think the cabs on these IP Eng diesels are a bit long, and certainly need filling out. I've been tempted to get the control panel for my IP Jessie - http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/My_N ... out80.html

The accessories for detailing the diesels are good, but as you can see on my IP Jessie, you need to be careful with the colours chosen in order to highlight the accessories (my IP Jessie came 2nd hand painted that way, I'm considering repainting some of the accessories to make them stand out).

Look forward to reading about your progress with this kit.

SillyBilly · Post by **SillyBilly** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:20 pm

New Haven Neil wrote:(sorry about the GSM advert...)

Please do not apollogise people are welcome to postabout G Scale Mad this is afterall, an open forum

.

steamyjim · Post by **steamyjim** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:46 pm

Looks good Garrett!!!!

Shall hopefully start mine soon

MuzTrem · Post by **MuzTrem** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:43 pm

New Haven Neil wrote:I see IP take a lot of flak in some places, but I thought these were oK for the money - just!!??

What?! There's nowt wrong with IP kits - in fact, I'd probably say they're the best kits I've ever built. (Not that I have much experience of building kits, but oh well!)

Let me put it this way - my IP brakevan was the first kit I ever built, I had absolubtely no experience at all, not even in the smaller scales...and she still turned out OK! Unlike my much more expensive GRS coach kit...I paid £125 for that, and it didn't even come with decent instructions...but that's another story!

Anyway, Lucy looks pretty good, good luck with the project and do show us the pics when you're finshed

SillyBilly · Post by **SillyBilly** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:54 pm

I think people expect too much from I.P, I don't have a problem, everything I've had, has been fantastic, and does the price need to have a mention??? I.P is not only the best way in to garden railways, but is the best way to continue.

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:01 pm

I like Muztrem built a brake van from IP as my first kit, and I would say for the price they are great. OK, so you might have to do some sanding to parts to make them fit, but I still think its worth it, and their service is very good as well

Spule 4 · Post by **Spule 4** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:53 pm

Thanks for the replies gents, I gotta keep this short, but to touch on a few points....

Me? I like what I have got from IP (excluding the lubricator) and find their stuff good value. Basic, yes, but that is their claim.

They remind me of the earlier days of Garden Railways when I was a teenager back in the 1980s, when everything was VERY basic, or was VERY expensive, and in some cases, both. Today there are a lot more options, but being able to build stuff is of interest to me. Why I gave up on buying LGB, I found myself just beocoming a "collector". Nothing wrong with that, but not my mission in life.

Anyhow, IP carriges/waggons.....I am between their coaches and the Brandbright Ashbury one, both due to the SMALL size.

I should probably order the detail bits and chain soon. Every decision involving a UK project has a two week delay built in naturally....

Chris Cairns · Post by **Chris Cairns** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:50 pm

And of course IP Eng brought us the excellent IP Jane, which although they still use as their company letterhead, is sadly no longer available.

However with their co-operation with PPS Steam Models, we now have the PPS Janet with some improvements on the IP Jane, notably the boiler.

New Haven Neil · Post by **New Haven Neil** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:28 am

Please don't get me wrong - what I was saying is that other folk have posted that they don't think so much of IP - on other forums. I personally think they are pretty good, that's why I have three of their kits!

As someone said above, perhaps their expectations are too high, but I enjoyed building my Jessica and Punch (I won the Punch in a draw on GSM - from Dragon G Scale), enough to urge me into writing an article about it! I also have built a brake van, and it's not bad (I'm not safe with wood - I'm a metal man!) but it ain't going to win any prizes! I do quite fancy another diesel kit, but I am currently busy with another shunter with a basic heavy plasticard bodyshell built by Malc Hull (pbmm on GSMad) which I'm detailing and fitting to an IP chassis....more soon, almost finished!

Neil.

Shifty · Post by **Shifty** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 3:00 pm

Very good luck with the kit Garrett - I'm sure you'll have a great time building and running her. A very capable little engine by all accounts when done!

I'll be watching this thread closely, as I'm about to buy one myself - and would like to know any problems or suggestions you might have!

Cheers,

Simon

Spule 4 · Post by **Spule 4** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:04 pm

New Haven Neil wrote:Please don't get me wrong - what I was saying is that other folk have posted that they don't think so much of IP - on other forums. I personally think they are pretty good, that's why I have three of their kits! :)

Neil.

I think we were in agreement with you!

The workmanship is top notch but basic, about like a 220D Mercedes, very nice, but as basic as one can get.

Where did you get the nameplates for your loco, MDC?

Spule 4 · Post by **Spule 4** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:10 pm

Oily Rag wrote:I've just ordered 3 kits from IP Engineering.
A Lucy as above
A Pure and Simple brake coach
A Lollipop Farm guards van

These will be the first rolling stock kits I've built so I don't expect they'll win any prizes. But I''l let you all have a good laugh when they're finished

Eric

I am sure your cars will be fine, but take your time on the wood car kits, the more time you put in a wood kit, the more it shows. Having built several "HO" ones, fine sand paper and steel woll are your best friends.

I just ordred my chain from IP, but did not get the detail kit due to the Pound-US$ conversion rate right now

. I do have a locally sourced idea that may work out however.... So maybe we can both bang out the Lucy locos at the same time?

Neil, like your Punch by the way, that was the one I really wanted, but I could not pass up the Lucy (from Dragon G Scale) at the price I was qouted!

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:55 pm

Oily Rag wrote:I've just ordered 3 kits from IP Engineering.
A Lucy as above
A Pure and Simple brake coach
A Lollipop Farm guards van

These will be the first rolling stock kits I've built so I don't expect they'll win any prizes. But I''l let you all have a good laugh when they're finished

Eric

Good luck with them

Look forward to seeing the results

Spule 4 · Post by **Spule 4** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:29 pm

Got the motor chassis put together. Runs well, and I did get the chain drive from IP.

I do see some modifications I wish to make to the model already. First is the use of machine screws from the top to hold the drive in. I think I am going to drill out the holes in the base, mount proper screws from the top, and retain the drive in with nuts to allow for removal of the drive on the finished model for any needed service.

Also, the more I look at it, the more I think I am not going to use the cab. Does not look "diesel like" IMO. I think I will make an open cab for it, and save the cab for something else.

Time will tell, and maybe some pix later this week, wifey has the camera in Florida right now.

MoelygestLR · Post by **MoelygestLR** » Fri May 16, 2008 2:38 pm

I too am very pleased with IP engineering.
I have five of their kits;
- MOD Brake van
- MOD powder van
- 2x MOD ballast wagon

All of my MOD wagons were the first kits i built and they were a dream to build and have turned out brilliantly.

My fifth (working) thing from IP is a second hand Jack loco which i have modified (by lots useful help and information from Ivan of IP) by uprating the power from 9V to 12V so she can now pull my dead Lady Ann up my nasty 1 in 36 (or something stupid like that) gradients.

I also have two Roundhouse range carriages from them, one part built which i have had some troubles with and am currently stuck (the coach sides have bowed out and as i have used cross mebers in the roof to pull the sides in this has cracked the window plastic which i have wrecked trying to get out (and some is still stuck in

) however again Ivan offered to send me out replacement perspex windows free of charge which is very nice of him indeed.

Also i have several (literally seven i think) ING farm hudson wagons which i intend to bash into slate wagons and a tanker wagon kit.

So i would say IP is excellent for the price and although it isnt always perfect they have excellent customer service.

Rant over lol

mhlr · Post by **mhlr** » Sat May 17, 2008 1:13 am

MoelygestLR wrote: My fifth (working) thing from IP is a second hand Jack loco which i have modified (by lots useful help and information from Ivan of IP) by uprating the power from 9V to 12V so she can now pull my dead Lady Ann up my nasty 1 in 36 (or something stupid like that) gradients.

How do u do that then? I need 12V for my 1 in summut silly to bring Edrig up!

MoelygestLR · Post by **MoelygestLR** » Sat May 17, 2008 2:47 pm

mhlr wrote:
MoelygestLR wrote: My fifth (working) thing from IP is a second hand Jack loco which i have modified (by lots useful help and information from Ivan of IP) by uprating the power from 9V to 12V so she can now pull my dead Lady Ann up my nasty 1 in 36 (or something stupid like that) gradients.
How do u do that then? I need 12V for my 1 in summut silly to bring Edrig up!

Quite simple really

As far as i can remember i just replaced the battery box, which contained 6 x 1.5V batteries with a battery box that holds 8 x 1.5V batteries in - creating 12 Volts.

steamyjim · Post by **steamyjim** » Sat May 17, 2008 6:42 pm

Any progress on the loco mate?

Garden Railway Forum

Project "Lucy", the IP Engineering kit

Project "Lucy", the IP Engineering kit

Who is online