Rob & Tash Showmans

Thanks Brian I've one already, but I'm sure there will be some one on here who would like one. They seem to be quite popular. I needs to practice with mine but suspect I may stick with tapes.

I've started laying the gold on top of the imitation gold lining and it's looking great. Pictures to follow.

First two spokes have been done but still quite a few to do yet, and I need to take the red line round the gold at the hub end on these. I quite like the results and the more I do the better they will get. Have also touched up the hub and its looking much better now.


Untitled by Robert R&N, on Flickr

I chickened out the flaring of the center gold line and the black and red lines at the t ring end of the lines, but I think they are really needed to bring everything together. Once I have lined out the T ring I'll review again and see how it looks.

Looking good.

How's the over all build going?

Didn't realise you were also building overalls Rob

Looking superb Rob, Ex-Mayor it will definitely be!!

Yep!! I agree, looks brilliant. Well worth all the time I'm sure it's taking you to do!!
Regards,
Tony

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Well I have got a GCSE in textiles…..before anyone comments though I was interested in the history, manufacturing processes, and machines rather than sewing, I even used to stick my boy scout badges on with copydex!! Although I passed it was not a particularly high grade so no overall building for me :lol

Overall Lynn the build is progressing well and I get out in the workshop as often as I can. There are some areas I need to work on a few areas to improve the quality here and there but I am generally very pleased with the progress so far. There is still a long way to go though!! The quality of the kits has been really excellent making life for us quite easy (famous last words), generally if something won’t go together it’s because I’ve not got it right and every now and then I’ll post something on the forum and one of you has always come back with the answer where I can’t figure it out which is always appreciated.

I’ve been working 6 days a week travelling to Dorchester over the last 18 months so by the time I get home I really don’t feel like getting out in the workshop. So far I think everything I can put together is together and most is somewhere through the process of being painted or finished. I do have the final top coat to do on the last of the rear wheels though before I can line it out, and I’ve found the best way to spray these is with an air brush rather than the spray gun. The spectacle plate is ready for the top coats to be done before it’s fitted and the cleading has been painted on the inside face, just the outside to top coat with the spectacle plate. I’ve also cut all the timber ready for the lagging, although I will not be fitting this for some time yet.

The lining is coming together really well, although the gold leaf paint is a real pig to use as it has a tendency to drag if I’m not careful as it dries very quickyl, its also not great at covering so needs a coupe of coats which is a pain but once done and out in the sun it looks just like the real thing. I’ve not been able to get along with the Beugler though so it’s not been used on the engine as yet. I’m sure ill get the hang of it though and seeing how you did the flywheel it’s really a must to sort it out.

I’m looking forward to getting kit 10 though, getting the wheels on and getting a rolling chassis, hint hint, but I think there is about 8 weeks work in lining out the wheels. I’ll be doing both sides of the fronts, and only one site of the rears which will cut down on the work as the back face of the rears won’t be seen. I don’t believe the full sized engines had both sides painted, but I have never looked.

I’ve also been playing with names and currently Mayoress is in the frame, I’m sure it will change again though before the end of the build.

Anyway kits great to read how other builds are coming a long so for all fellow builders out there who have not posted for a while why not post an update.

Great to see so many of you ahead of me are now out on the field with some fantastic engines.  Tash and I have a fair way to go yet but were getting there.  I've not been able to get Tash to do any of the lining yet, even though we both did the course and she was far better at lines then me.  However over the last few weeks I've spent my time doing just that.

The first of the rear wheels is now very nearly complete, about 6 spokes still to do.  The first one took me over half an hour by hand making sure all the setting out was correct, now though much faster once the gold had been laid.  I recon were about 6 minutes a spoke now.......


Rear Wheel by Robert R&N, on Flickr

The front wheel setting out has also been finalised and today the tape arrived and a sample done on the back face of one of the fronts, happy with the spacing so this can now progress.


Front Wheel by Robert R&N, on Flickr

Magnificent job!! When it comes to fine lining I think you & Tim are at the top of the class............ unless, there is anyone out there who can prove me wrong!!??
Regards,
Tony

Superb effort Rob, looks just like the real thing. Looks like your saving the best until last. You have got to park it next to Ex-Mayor when it's finished, Nigel will be impressed.

BTW it will get dirty eventually!!! 

Yours are all equally as good, but thanks for the complements. 

Been reading the last news letter for the Hampshire Industrial Archaeology Society and glad to see some free publicity for STW. Only about 150 members and organisations receive it but every little bit helps.  In the next issue I know there will be a 4 page very brief summary of the build to date. Not quire sure I said I would be finished in 2014....more like 2015 and Adam @  Craftmaster did the work to get the samples for me.

The first of the front wheels is now completed.


IMG_4679 by Robert R&N, on Flickr


IMG_4681 by Robert R&N, on Flickr


IMG_4682 by Robert R&N, on Flickr

Just over half way through lining the wheels now and will be glad when they are finished!!

Rob,

The wheels are looking superb, you must have the patience of a saint.

Will be good to see it at next years Banbury.
Ian

Thanks Ian

Like wise, will be great to see another blue engine in the line up.

Looking good Rob, were you inspired after your Banbury trips?  

Beautiful job, the lining looks so precise & sharp. Very well done!!
Regards,
Tony

Thanks Tony / Brian, they are taking quite a while to complete, but I am pleased with the results. I still need to line the T rings to finish, but am worried this may be a bit to much so have left them for now.  Ill give it a go and see at some point.  

Not sure about insparation from the weekend, but when looking at Colin's engine and the control model it did make me realise just how much work I still have ahead of me, and I have to say the images on the forum just don't do justice to those present at Banbury. I don't think I have seen a better collection anywhere else.  The standard is very high indeed, and I hope when finished mine is of similar quality.  

Looking forward to next year.

Touring the Universities with Tash at the moment so not as much it getting done as I would like, did unpack kit 8 last night, will be working on it Sunday I hope.

Can't wait to get it in steam and finished though.

Just got a text.....delivery tomorrow. Thanks all at STW towers that's timed perfectly with my week off in a couple of weeks.   

Hi Rob, I got a delivery as well today my neighbour popped over as i got out of the car having just driven back from Heathrow. to tell me it was in his garage too heavy for him to carry. well it is kit 30a the seat, shovel and poker. still need a crankshaft flywheel and winch, hopefully before Christmas

ian

Hi Ian.

Hope your well.  I've got to go Saturday and collect mine, was not going to be home so called them to hold in the depot for me to collect.  

I think though it's Kit 3a.  Have also got kit 8 to fishish painting and to fit, and a few other jobs to finish so I'll have a busy week, and there will be a few posts at the end of the month showing progress in the week.

Sounds like you'll also be busy up to Christmas if the kits come through.

Aww

You lucky thing. Getting kits. None for me

Ah yes but Lynn you now get the fun of driving and giving rides.  We (well certainly I) sm still a long way from steaming.  

In the past I've loved building and restoring things but then lost interest when it comes to running and using them, moving on to the next project. I hope this won't be the same, although I'm sure this won't be my last build.

How about you, are you considering another build?

The old nugget. Space the lack off.

Would love building another engine. But no place for it. I think parents would have a total meltdown if I stored the wagons and water cart in the conservatory to make space to build something else in the garage behind Crystal.

I could possibly do it if it was for someone else so a end date kind of thing.

Robfishman wrote:
In the past I've loved building and restoring things but then lost interest when it comes to running and using them, moving on to the next project.  

Don't forget there are folks that are inclined the other way  

I take my hat off to you guys and girls that spend years building them, I just wouldn't have the patience   but I love using and maintaining them, was tempted with a STW build but keep lurking for a sale hopefully