Complicated Software

John Candy · Apr 18 2021 12:00

Following emails expressing interest in the Gresley coaches, here is a little more detail.

The patterns have been printed for modules which (on a "mix'n'match" principle) can accurately produce at least 8 different coaches and probably many more if one were to trawl through the diagrams.

The 17 modules so far prepared can definitely produce the following:-
Gangwayed stock
D186 TO (61ft 6ins)
D191 BTO (61ft 6ins)
D216 TO (52ft 6ins)
D217 BTO (52ft 6ins)

D113 PBV 61ft 6ins
D111 PBV 52ft 6ins

Non-gangwayed stock
D129 PBV 51ft 1.5ins
D120 PBV 32ft (4-wheeled)

Attached is a photo of part of a 3rd class module.

I have received enquiries as to whether I am proposing to sell coaches (either complete or as kits) but (at my age... getting on for 73) do not have the time/inclination to commit to such an enterprise.

Regards,
John.

Doddy · Apr 18 2021 13:16

John, If you get to do the additional parts for an RB . . . just sayin'

The "Cambridge Buffet Express" trains often included a Gresley buffet . . .

"LNER Gresley 61'6" "RB" (Vestibuled Buffet) No.W9135E (ex-LNER No.650) built at York 1937, Diagram 167, Order No.761, in (somewhat incongruously) BR Rail Blue & Grey livery. Used on the Cambridge Buffet Expresses and not withdrawn until 1977, such was the quality of Gresley coaches and bogies. This was the last wooden-bodied passenger vehicle in service on BR."
https://www.flickr.com/photos/camperdown/24181021436

Robert 'D'

John Candy · Apr 19 2021 10:00

QuoteJohn, If you get to do the additional parts for an RB . . . just sayin'

An excursion would need a buffet (somewhere for the Dads to retreat to when fed up with the kids asking,"Are we nearly there?").
I had already been looking at the various diagrams of refreshment vehicles and 167 looks as good as any....so there is a possibility.

My wife's family (on her Mother's side) had been Cambridge residents since the 1850s but I never travelled on the Cambridge Buffet Express (or "Beer trains", as the regulars called them!) which ran from KingsX rather than Liverpool St.

Regards,
John.

Doddy · Apr 19 2021 11:20

1B66 was the reporting mark for the Cambridge Buffet Express which ran past my hometown of Stevenage hence my interest.

Now that ALD Models are developing diesels in Gauge 3, their Class 23 Baby Deltic looks an ideal match with a Gresley Buffet car and 7 x MKI coaches. Although their Class 24 would also be a contender.

Many's the time I came home from KX behind a double-headed pair of Class 31's in BR Blue with original 4-digit numbers and arrows of indecision.

I also miss the warmth of steam heated MKI's and gloriously comfortable but very dusty seat cushions.

Robert

John Candy · Apr 21 2021 23:34

The latest component to be prepared for the Gresley coaches is the gangway connector.

Anyone with a 3D printer requiring a "Pullman" type gangway connector may find this OpenSCAD design useful. This example is based on the LNER design as fitted to ECJS and Gresley coaches but similar connectors were used by SR and BR (as well as Pullman).

The component has been designed so that a folded piece of thick paper (or other material) can be inserted down the sides, to represent the expanding bellows.

I have uploaded the file to the G3Wiki and it can be downloaded from http://www.gauge3.info/openscad/Pullmangangwayconnector.scad

Regards,
John.

cabbage · Apr 22 2021 00:27

At last! Another design contribution from someone else! I look forward to others.

Regards

Ralph

John Candy · Apr 22 2021 07:28

QuoteAt last! Another design contribution from someone else! I look forward to others.

Yes, I know I have rather neglected the G3Wiki for quite a while but have not done a lot of modelling for past 18 months, until the Snapmaker recently arrived.

My main (largely unseen) contribution to the G3Wiki and G3Forum has been to sort out issues with the server whenever there is a hitch!

I have other designs (e.g. the LNER ducket and GCR loco parts) which I will be uploading.
Incidentally, I once looked into the reason for the guard's lookout being called a ducket .... it seems it originated from Glasgow, where a dovecote is pronounced "doocot".

I have received notice that there will be some disruption to service when the server is replaced and this will happen within a few weeks.
If all goes well, there should be minimal "downtime" and I will give the date when I have been notified.

I haven't yet run the resin printer (Elegoo Mars 2 Pro) and am a bit concerned that there is mention of 7 percent shrinkage with the type of resin used in 3D printing. It is easy to "upscale" the designs but sounds as though it will be necessary to do a few trials to get it right.

Regards,
John.

John Candy · Apr 22 2021 09:34

The gangway connector hot off the print bed!
It took 1hr 56mins at 80 microns.

Lurid green wasn't my first choice of colour! I ordered five reels of PETG but grey and black were out of stock....so I chose red and green.
I am using it as a pattern for a mould, so colour doesn't matter.

I will probably print the "bellows" as separate parts, to insert into main casting, rather than mess about with folding thin card,etc.

Regards,
John.

John Candy · Apr 22 2021 12:09

The bellows have been printed (same lurid green PETG) and the file is available at http://gauge3.info/openscad/Gresleygangwaybellows.scad

A nice short file (for once) and time taken was 44 mins to print a pair at 80 microns.

Regards,
John.

cabbage · Apr 22 2021 12:14

John,
Consider yourself lucky! My great niece requested a Kilo reel of genuine Barbie Pink. So I could print her things...

Regards

Ralph

John Candy · Apr 23 2021 11:43

Next off the press will be.....LNER standard battery boxes (as used in pairs under most passenger stock).
Just started printing with time to complete shown as 2hrs 28mins.

The files (you need 5 which need to be held in the same directory on your PC) are available at:
http://gauge3.info/openscad/Gresleybatterybox.scad
http://gauge3.info/openscad/gresleybattboxhinge1a.scad
http://gauge3.info/openscad/gresleybattboxhinge2a.scad
http://gauge3.info/openscad/gresleybattboxhinge3a.scad
http://gauge3.info/openscad/gresleybattboxhinge4a.scad
The "hinge" files are "called" by the main file, so need to be in same directory.
Reason for separating the hinges, is to enable the design to be manipulated and the individual elements used to produce variants, as required.

Regards,
John.

P.S. It has printed and picture attached but it was very difficult to photograph .... the combination of lurid green and the translucent nature of the PETG make it very difficult to capture the detail but it is all there.

John Candy · Apr 23 2021 21:58

The parts to make a coach dynamo (LNER type).

The OpenSCAD file file is available at
http://gauge3.info/openscad/LNERdynamo.scad

Print time 30 mins.

John

cabbage · Apr 23 2021 22:19

John,

I will install these files onto the openscad page of the g3wiki on Sunday morning.

Regards

Ralph

John Candy · Apr 23 2021 22:24

Perhaps I should do a database "back-up" first, just in case there is another problem with the server losing the pages?

Regards,
John.

John Candy · Apr 23 2021 22:57

LNER Brake vacuum reserve tank

Pairs of these vacuum tanks were fitted to most LNER bogie coaching stock.
The file for this can be downloaded at http://gauge3.info/openscad/LNERvacuumtank.scad
Print time 25 mins.

John

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