The New Batch

Who else is awaiting the new batch of 4" Agricultural engines due in October? Are we batch 3 or 4?

I'm currently busy building a workshop in the garage to house all the new metal and to keep my 3" Burrell (from Plastow drawings) warm over the winter! So, who else is in preparation and what are they doing?

Hi Dan

Just thought I would pop in and welcome you to the forum. I am building the 4" showman as can be seen in my picture thread.
Hope you enjoy the experience and I guess will be some what simpler than doing all the machining yourself.

Thanks Lynn, I've seen your build and very impressive it is too. Your photography is also very good! I might blog my build, we'll see how much time I get. Also, I should stress that I did not machine my 3", I have just fettled with it

I have ordered 'How (not) to paint a locomotive'. My only experience with painting is the smokebox/chimney on my current engine. Was thinking about ordering the blacking kit from Fosters. Which Nickel plating kit have people been buying? I want it for the hubs and I don't want it to be particularly bright.

Now't wrong with fettling and mechanacing.

I will try find the company I got the nickel kit from. It is in my thread some place. The kit does come in "dull" mode where to get bright you add a chemical to the salt bath So you can choose to add or not. I guess a platinum plating kit would be a bit expensive but would be very effective or polonium may be too exotic.

The blog of the build takes about 10 minutes at the end of each day where I plug the camera in to the main computer. It then takes and files the pictures off the camera automatically. I then only convert them from RAW to 800x? JPG compressed to fair for upload. Then the upload takes about 30 seconds per 15 photos. Drag the web links over to the thread and drop. Add a bit of text and as they say Bob's you auntie.

hi im busy get my shed ready and a big hello to all

Yep, I'm going for 1 of these. Chloe, my 2" Burrell is good fun but it's now time to move up a size.

As for a shed/workshop, I'm still working on that 1

Tony

Well that's three of us for a start

Richard, are you insulating your shed?

Dan wrote:Well that's three of us for a start

Richard, are you insulating your shed?

hi dan mine allredy insulated just full up with junk

Is that a TE20 I spy there?

Dan wrote:Is that a TE20 I spy there?

yes one of the toys we going plouging next week

hello to all the new builders. not actually sure if its batch 3 or 4, even though i worked on all of them im sure it is one or the other.

just to let the new people know, it is one of my many tasks at STW to keep an eye on the forum. i try to check it at least twice a day (8am and 3pm usually) and then later at home. if you need to contact me about anything feel free to PM (private message) me or leave an open question on the forum. also if there is anything you want to see production wise just ask.

you may also need to remind me to update the production guides at the moment as i usually come home and just fall asleep these days

craig

hi,

Frostie is also gearing up to start on the new build, building Rosie the 2" was a good learning curve, I am hoping that the 4" is not as fiddly..
my workshop has been updated with a new small lathe, milling machine, and pillar drill, plus a new set of files for the fettling.!!!
Not sure whether to go for the vulcanising of the drive wheel tyres when the time comes tho?

Bring on the first kit please.

Malcolm

Hey Frostie,

Having had two tires come off mine both just when I didnt want them to and then watched another tire peel off during the parade today at the Amberley Working Museum miniature rally I would say certainly get them vulcanised. I know its not cheap but the headache of having them done after a couple of years in steam and having to redo all the paint or losing them halfway to the pub it is definately worth the initial outlay.

Having to stick them on in the first place is a right b*****d of a job and not much better to put them back on later, plus you need to let the stuff cure so you loose a couple of weeks right in the middle of the steaming season...

Kev.

Cheers Kev,

Thats the general concensus of all that I have spoken to, I guess that its a done deal, who do I send them to ?? is it STW or an seperate firm that does the vulcanising ?

Wish I was at a Rally today instead of working

Malcolm (Frostie)

Frostie wrote:Cheers Kev,

Thats the general concensus of all that I have spoken to, I guess that its a done deal, who do I send them to ?? is it STW or an seperate firm that does the vulcanising ?

Wish I was at a Rally today instead of working

Malcolm (Frostie)

If you want them it is an option at STW certainly on the Showman and Road loco. Not sure of the standard 4".
I went for the vulcanisation on the fronts and my rims arrived done. Rear was not really an option due to the extra weight.

Thanks Lynn

I will have to ask Steve or Craig if its possible to purchase a set from STW, it would save a lot of time if they could post the rims with the tyres already vulcanised, also a lot of postage back and forth..
STW if you are reading ...... whats the score on this issue please.

Malcolm

Frostie wrote:
Thanks Lynn

I will have to ask Steve or Craig if its possible to purchase a set from STW, it would save a lot of time if they could post the rims with the tyres already vulcanised, also a lot of postage back and forth..
STW if you are reading ...... whats the score on this issue please.

Malcolm

Evening Malcolm

I'm sure thay can, they did mine (front and rear same as Lynn) as I am also building a Showmasn. Certainly made much life easier and will be less of a problem in the future. Just had my bowser delivered and I think getting the tyre on the rim with be interesting to say the least!!

Steve has shown me the vulcanised rims and they look good. It's an option that we get soon I think, not cheap but worthwhile. My 3" is vulcanised and those tyres are going nowhere! I think they may even have a half life of a few hundred years

No workshop fettling for me this weekend, in the IOM for the end to end MTB race.

yes, the vulcanising is all arranged by us. we send them out to be done, then they come back to us to be packed in the kit

Craig,

Good news indeed, Please can you book me down for a set of Vulcanised tyres for the main wheels .
Do you need me to send any other confirmation to STW ???

Many thanks

Malcolm Frost.

you really need to phone the office on that one, not really my area

Craig,

Shoulders like a guinness bottle

I will call Isobel when I get home later in the week

Glad i am not the only one still building a workshop/ext onto garage , am awaiting delivery of timber this week so hope 1st delivery from STW will be delayed , what prices are we talking about to have all 4 wheels vulcanised ?

I hope that my kit is not delayed !!!
I am desperate to get started .
I think that the two driving wheels are nearly £500 to get vulcanised !!
It's not cheap but I think its worth it..


Malcolm

Hi All,

Just to let every one know, we will be sending a letter out to everyone who has ordered one of the new batch of 4" engines about the vulcanising.

In brief, the engine comes as standard with stick on tyres, this is not a problem with the front tyres as i have never heard of any one who has had a front tyre come off, however on the rear wheels they are prone to coming loose occasionally and then require re sticking (a pain in the butt if you are at a rally on in the middle of a road run!)

Vulcanising can be done at a later date, however it does mess the paint work up so you would then need to repaint your wheels if you chose to do it down the line.

Price is almost the same as a standard kit price at £493.50 per pair of rears. We will even spread the payment as an extra kit i need be so you don't get hit with a big bill witht ehrear wheels. This price is a discounted price due to the quantity we order. A previous customer paid over £700 to have his done direct with the suppliers as a one off.

The best advice i can offer is if you can afford it definately have them done. We send the rims off in the month before you are due delivery and then your kit 4 & 5 comes to you with the rubber already bonded in place.

All the best

Dean