Prepared by - Tommy Day
Originator - Simon Dobson
Thread and Forum Title - Simon’s Garratt
For full forum thread click - https://www.gaugeoguild.com/xenforo/index.php?threads/simons-garratt.13/
those of you who follow my exploits on RMWeb will be aware that I have recently started to build an Avondale model of the Beyer Garratt 0-4-0+0-4-0, “William Francis”. I purchased kit 29/50 from Ron in the recent Gazette sales. I'm guessing he's had this in his stash for a wee while!
I had followed the builds by Giles Flavell & Phil Mortimer on RMWeb, so I was aware of at least some of the kits shortcomings. It's fair to say that the artwork for the etched parts is hand drawn, and in some areas, it's not as good as it could be, and in other areas, it is clearly not of merchantable quality.
A significant number of parts that should be symmetrical, are not, and at least one part that should not be, is. There are some parts that should be included, and aren't, and some parts that don't actually fit. The main whitemetal fittings do look half-decent, but the buffers are solid castings. All in all, probably scoring low enough on trip advisor that you wouldn't go there. But given that I'm game for a laugh, I bought it anyway!
Here are a few photos to entertain the masses.
Reply/update No 1 progress Simon Dobson Forum post No 942 Date Feb 28 /2017
Wheels now fitted with balance weights. New, correct dimensions boiler made. Cab assembled. CAD progressing for replacement frames
Update/Reply No 2
Reply by Simon Dobson Forum post No 1689 Date 12/3/2017
Further update from the coal face. After a variety of attempts to design a chassis that would work well, be self-jigging, and which could be made on a pantograph mill, I think we are there. I have now built three plasticard versions, the third of which is the latest & greatest, and which will, subject to any issues found today, be laser cut at 3:1 in acrylic, and sent off for milling at 1/3, in 1mm brass. It would of course be possible to etch a better chassis, but the initial costs are high, and the cost per chassis would be awful. The other alternative, making do with a bad lot, has been documented, particularly by Phil Mortimer on RMWeb.
Whilst my chassis isn't at all prototypical in construction, it has sprung suspension, with option for minimum ride height adjustment, drop-in wheels, split axle pickup (with space for plungers if preferred) and most, if not all, of the obvious external features of the real thing. Furthermore, the cylinders & motion brackets are bolt-on, meaning the chassis can be built & tested as “inside cylinder” before I tackle the joys of Egide's knitting, which can be built “off the engine”, which, given there are 4 sets, might be a bonus!
I have a pair of Steph Dale's 54:1 ball race gearboxes to fit, and am waiting for a couple of 1824 motors to arrive before assembling them. Inevitably, due to the recent demise of Mashima-san's manufactory, these motors are about as easily found as hen's teeth in a large pile of rocking horse doings, however, I remain hopeful. Alternatives exist.
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Update/Reply No 3 Reply by B. Alderman Forum post No 1693 Date 12/3/2017 Simon The alternatives to the Mashima motors you hint at. From what source? I have a number of tiny locos that use the smallest Mashima motors on Brachlines gearboxes and I foresee a day that they may need to be replaced. The final demise of Mashima motors has been well publicised but alternatives have not. The only obvious one is the Canon 1833 almost identical to the Mashima 1833. Perhaps because this is available for commonly used motor in 7mm locos others have not been sought. I have no idea where to start!. Bob
Update/Reply No 4 Reply by R. Lambert Forum post No 1695 Date 12/3/2017
Fear not, we will be selling a range of quality smaller motors (3 sizes) to go with our Finney7 SDMP gearboxes; we are working on an agreement at the moment.
I had one to test before we put pen to paper, and I was very impressed.
This is one with our Mkits 40:1L gearbox
Richard.
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Update/Reply No 5 Reply by D. Davenport Forum post No 1712 Date 12/3/2017
The gearbox looks nice with roller bearings. I wonder why some motor manufacturers (inc Mashima) use such tiny wire connecting contacts making soldering a wire on a fraught experience. Your motor looks a lot better in that department. Will your gearbox allow the motor to be rotated 90degrees for alternative (vertical as Mashima) fixing?
Update/Reply No 6 Reply by Simon Dobson Forum post No 1734 Date 12/3/2017 Bob, The gearboxes I have are Steph Dale / Finney 7 and will take the motor to which Richard refers. A pal of mine has hopefully found a pair of Mashima 1824s, if they don't materialise, I will be talking to Richard, as it was to these that I referred in my statement, “alternatives exist”.
Richard, You beat me to it. I have to say, I'm exceedingly impressed with the soldering on that gearbox!
Best Simon
Update/Reply No 7 Reply by R. Lambert Forum post No 1736 Date 12/3/2017 Hi David,
This particular gearbox doesn't allow for rotation of the motor - we have others that do depending on the fixings. I would say that even in this orientation, the motor dropped easily through the frames!
Richard
Update/Reply No 8 Reply by S Dobson Forum post No 1745 Date 12/3/2017
The plastic chassis mock-up leads me to the conclusion that the design is sound, however, rather than the 6BA screws securing the cylinders, a pair of 10BA studs will be substituted. This will be easier to assemble, and will not show the fixings under the front buffer beam.
The workbench is a complete tip, it's time to laser the templates, and send them off for milling, have a tidy up, and get back to Porth Dinllaen for a while.
Here is the loco, sitting on prototype bogie 3 at the front, and 2 at the rear. Rumours of a huge share price increase at Slaters are exaggerated, say economists
Last Forum posting. 12/3/2017
