09 Beginnings - couplings - wagons - steam loco.

Two Unit Models Open Wagons placed on a 7.5" radius curve to check clearances.

As a new scale/gauge is being contemplated, a number of experiments have to be carried-out.  Ensuring couplings will fit the stock is one of them.  How will they best operate?, and when fitted, will the length of the couplings allow clearance between ends of the stock on sharp curves?

I chose to stick with the Peco GR-101 009 couplings as they are right for me.  Though I had to check how they would fit the first stock I have built, which are a pair of open wagons.  They fit the N scale NR-121 wagon chassis OK, but when the frames of the wagons are placed over the top it only just allows for the coupling loop to lift as the frames are 2mm thick.  There is an advantage that the wagons will couple closer, but the above picture shows that on a 7.5" radius curve the corners of the wagon nearly touch.  It is best to check these sort of things as one can easily lay track and find later that the stock binds.

  I found the the Peco 009 couplings reacted nicely to an ordinary 13mm round craft magnet if laid underneath the track.

Preparing the chassis:-

The Peco NR-121 10ft wagon chassis as intended for N scale.

The buffers and brake gear were cut-off the Peco wagon chassis leaving the axle boxes, then the 009 couplings were slotted into the coupling pockets as seen below.

Spoked nylon wheels are supplied with these particular chassis.  In my experience the spoked wheels are a better gauge than the disc type supplied with other types of Peco N gauge wagon chassis and they certainly traverse turnouts better.  They are also very free-running.

The Shapeways/Teebee 09 side tank loco is just about finished.  A couple of hours were spent carefully sanding the plastic as flat as I could get it without putting the body under too much strain.  It was primed with Humbrol 01 Grey Primer, then the most visible parts of the loco were flatted off again. It was finished with Revell Dark Blue satin number 350, also using a mixed Humbrol grey/ satin black for the skirts, smoke box and chimney.  A whistle was crafted from 1mm and .45mm brass wire and then medium length handrail knobs were added along with hand rail wire.

The steam loco with two of the Unit Models wagons.

The Unit Models diesel and two open wagons.  No weathering has been applied just yet.

What? Another scale?

First "09" model: A Unit Models O-081 Diesel Loco Body built on a Kato 103 Tram Chassis.

With my "Shortwaite Hill" 009 project coming to some sort of completion, I was attracted (not for the first time) by "09" scale, (7mm scale running on 15" ((minimum gauge)) or 18"gauge track).  Re-reading Christopher Payne's and Bill Flude's recent articles in the Railway Modeller magazine, and also seeing one of our Group members new scratch built models only reinforced my curiosity, and again, ideas of a layout sprang into my mind.

I can use the same 009 or "N" gauge mechanisms that I am already familiar with, models would be slightly chunkier, and easier to see and handle.  009 track could be used (though really slightly small in scale) but I could disguise the sleepers in weeds and dirt as I usually do.  

The plan at first is to keep things simple.  I opted to send for some Unit models resin kits, available from Frizinghall Models & Railways.  They had been very helpful last year when I bought some Unit Models wagons via another retail outlet.  When the kits arrived, I found one of the chassis frames was missing.  On contacting Frizinghall, they manufactured a replacement resin frame and sent it to me very kindly free-of-charge.  I had enjoyed building resin kits when I made the Smallbrook Gn15 models.

Some of the Unit Models 09 wagons purchased.

I also sent for a Teebee 3D printed 09 loco body from Shapeways.  My previous experience with 3D printed railway models has not been great, and I knew that the finish of the plastic would be rather rough, but I would persevere this somehow.  I also had an idea in mind for a couple of passenger coaches.

Teebee Models 09 Side Tank body with half cab.

Never having modelled "0" scale before, I found out that the British, European and US 0 scales are all slightly different and soon noticed the difference in size of the figures that were available on the local model shops shelves.

So, to build a loco and weigh it all up.

I built the Unit Models Diesel and finished it in dark blue:

An easy kit to make.  Now I have to find a driver for it somehow.

A PW Train

The complete PW train from above hauled by the diesel tractor.

A permanent way train has been added to the SHLR stock.  It consists of a Meridian Stone wagon, a wagon built from an old bogie tool wagon (now on an Egger Tender chassis),  an H0e Roco Gondola bogie wagon and a modified Dundas Freelance 3rd coach, along with Coopercraft tools, ballast and sleepers etc.

 The PW train on the upper level hauled by Bagnall "Hazel".

The chance to buy a PECO "Charles" kit at a good price resulted in this tram loco.  I had never built a Charles kit before, but it went together OK while the footplate was adapted to take a Kato 103 4-wheeled tram chassis.  I have added hand rails and a brass whistle too.  It is still to be named, and also needs a driver.

The new tram loco also seen with a new Dundas DM03A Guards Van and the PW crew coach.