Jerry Barnes
Garden Railways, Live Steam, Jukeboxes, Record Col
Glad to see the progress.
1/29 Baldwin Shark B Unit Kit
- Thread starter g-bits
- Start date
Still plugging away, sorry. Major learning point from these units is that however well the prototype build goes I'm never quoting less than 6 months build time for scratch shells again. Ever.
More pics of the current state of play, Jack's PRR on the left, Jerry's D&H on the right. The brass bits aren't stuck down, just laid down/plugged in to check they fit properly - they do fit Jerry's too.
These two are slightly ahead of the others, to finish they now need side doors, those small panels that were on top of the 6 main roof vents. the riveted strips that sit in front of the roof vents and I think that's about it, but obviously I'll double check.
Then Jerry's can go, Jack's needs to wait for the A-unit chassis so those can get a ride in the same parcel.
Jonathan
More pics of the current state of play, Jack's PRR on the left, Jerry's D&H on the right. The brass bits aren't stuck down, just laid down/plugged in to check they fit properly - they do fit Jerry's too.
These two are slightly ahead of the others, to finish they now need side doors, those small panels that were on top of the 6 main roof vents. the riveted strips that sit in front of the roof vents and I think that's about it, but obviously I'll double check.
Then Jerry's can go, Jack's needs to wait for the A-unit chassis so those can get a ride in the same parcel.
Jonathan
More than a little bit late if we're honest, but kits have started shipping. Most shells are 100% done, a couple need small details finishing and I'm also still waiting for the metalwork for the A-unit chassis (Tuesday, fingers crossed).
Here's a pic of a complete kit (Jerry's) to wet you appetite.
Working in rows from the rear left -
Back Row : Main shell, the two grey things to it's right are topcoat paint test panels - same material and primer, allows people to check topcoat compatibility.
Next Row : Chassis Plate
Next Row : The etchings, a duplicate A set and a extra end.
Front Row : Fuel tank, box of nuts and bolts, exhaust blanking plugs, truck retaining plates, 4x steps, speaker grille covers, 7mm nut driver, windows.
Apart from trucks, paint and decals, you'll also need a soldering iron for the brass bits of the corridor connections and a pozi screwdriver for the truck retainers.
I guess we could have a race to see who finished first, but I have to admit my money is on Jerry.
Jonathan
g-bits
Here's a pic of a complete kit (Jerry's) to wet you appetite.
Working in rows from the rear left -
Back Row : Main shell, the two grey things to it's right are topcoat paint test panels - same material and primer, allows people to check topcoat compatibility.
Next Row : Chassis Plate
Next Row : The etchings, a duplicate A set and a extra end.
Front Row : Fuel tank, box of nuts and bolts, exhaust blanking plugs, truck retaining plates, 4x steps, speaker grille covers, 7mm nut driver, windows.
Apart from trucks, paint and decals, you'll also need a soldering iron for the brass bits of the corridor connections and a pozi screwdriver for the truck retainers.
I guess we could have a race to see who finished first, but I have to admit my money is on Jerry.
Jonathan
g-bits
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Jerry Barnes
Garden Railways, Live Steam, Jukeboxes, Record Col
Great job Jonathan, can't wait to get it. Better dig out the motor blocks I've been saving for it!. I work pretty slow today, so don't bet much!
PhilP
G Scale, 7/8th's, Electronics
Hat's off to you..
To produce one, would be a task.. To make several, with all the variations, is a real labour of love..
Well done for getting to the home straight! I am sure your Customers will forgive the extended delivery time for the attention to detail, and quality of the finished kits.
To produce one, would be a task.. To make several, with all the variations, is a real labour of love..
Well done for getting to the home straight! I am sure your Customers will forgive the extended delivery time for the attention to detail, and quality of the finished kits.
Jerry Barnes
Garden Railways, Live Steam, Jukeboxes, Record Col
I got my Shark B unit yesterday from Jonathan. It is just AMAZING! The crisp/clean details and solid construction are the best I've seen. It looks just like you see in the picture up above. The inside structure that you don't see makes it very strong Etched metal screens, even comes with nuts and bolts to help assembly. This was well worth the wait. I am finishing up another locomotive right now, so will not start on this for a week or two. He's done so much, there is not much to do except glue in the grills and paint it. This would be a great first kit for someone to learn on, but may spoil them when they get one from someone else. Thanks Jonathan for your fine work, the wait was worth it. Your communication on your progress was great and we've had many good email conversations, glad to have you as a friend now also.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Cant wait to see the pair running as an A+B 
Jerry Barnes
Garden Railways, Live Steam, Jukeboxes, Record Col
Be awhile for me, working on another loco right now. E1A from about 1939. It's from an aluminum casting, heavy! 28" long.
Jack,
I sent you an email on the 18th October, did you get it? I didn't get a reply, but I forgot to chase it too. Just re-sent anyway. Jack's is ready to go, Pete's nearly.
Pete, I have your money, but I'm starting to need to know where you live.
Here's the last piece of the puzzle, the modified chassis to suit the original A casting - the bulkheads and supports inside the A-unit need a little trimming with a dremel to fit it at the right height, like the B version it's designed for unmodified Aristo trucks and that plus the thickness of the chassis determines the floor height. The step at the front is obviously for mounting the coupler, it has to drop down like that to get out under the pilot.
All the mounting holes are revised to suit the furniture inside the A, but the centre section of the chassis in the sound grille area is exactly the same as the B. So the grey thing holding it all up is a de-mountable carrier for the existing A fuel tank. You glue this onto the top of the resin tank (it has lugs and flanges inside for alignment) and that makes Rob's design tank the same height and mounting as mine, so it can then just bolt on/off like the B-unit one does. Because it's now locked in the prototypical location and that's not evenly spaced between the trucks you'll probably need relieve the casting slightly at the back to allow for the swing on the rear truck's brake rigging. I had to do this in the same place on the B-unit tank to allow the units to traverse model curves / rough track, and the geometry is exactly the same.
Jonathan
g-bits
I sent you an email on the 18th October, did you get it? I didn't get a reply, but I forgot to chase it too. Just re-sent anyway. Jack's is ready to go, Pete's nearly.
Pete, I have your money, but I'm starting to need to know where you live.
Here's the last piece of the puzzle, the modified chassis to suit the original A casting - the bulkheads and supports inside the A-unit need a little trimming with a dremel to fit it at the right height, like the B version it's designed for unmodified Aristo trucks and that plus the thickness of the chassis determines the floor height. The step at the front is obviously for mounting the coupler, it has to drop down like that to get out under the pilot.
All the mounting holes are revised to suit the furniture inside the A, but the centre section of the chassis in the sound grille area is exactly the same as the B. So the grey thing holding it all up is a de-mountable carrier for the existing A fuel tank. You glue this onto the top of the resin tank (it has lugs and flanges inside for alignment) and that makes Rob's design tank the same height and mounting as mine, so it can then just bolt on/off like the B-unit one does. Because it's now locked in the prototypical location and that's not evenly spaced between the trucks you'll probably need relieve the casting slightly at the back to allow for the swing on the rear truck's brake rigging. I had to do this in the same place on the B-unit tank to allow the units to traverse model curves / rough track, and the geometry is exactly the same.
Jonathan
g-bits
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Jerry Barnes
Garden Railways, Live Steam, Jukeboxes, Record Col
My B unit's frame is great also. Has all the holes for mounting the Aristo blocks. Great engineering!
Got my B unit last Friday and what a nice Christmas gift. The detail is fantastic. Jon did such an Incredible job matching the A unit. The new A unit frames are so robust and fit perfectly. This is going to be fun to do just after holidays. Can't wait . Have already started the strip down of the twin A's. Lining up all the parts for the new unit also for a smooth build. Will post pic's during the entire project. Ron who did the A units had sent me an extra set of builders plates when he sent the ones for the A's that I had put aside in case I every needed a set. Just found them and boy do I have a need for them. Jack
Jerry Barnes
Garden Railways, Live Steam, Jukeboxes, Record Col
I agree Gary. Finally got to mine, painted the silver, working on the wiring and getting coupelers on while the paint sets up good. Those trucks just pop right on that nice frame, great fit!
Jerry Barnes
Garden Railways, Live Steam, Jukeboxes, Record Col
Finallly finished up the B unit. It is by far the neatest kit I've run across. So well engineered with all sorts of bits and pieces you didn't expect. Like the small parts for attaching the Aristo blocks to the neatly made frame. Tubes are provided for a smoke unit to match up with the hole in the roof. The nicely etched parts that were also on the A unit. Vety fine detail that a rivet counter would have trouble finding anything. If you have an A and did not order this you goofed up!
