Modifying a LGB Frank S into a tank (creating a Franco Belge KDL11 look alike!)

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A bit more news to report - buffer on (razor saw got it off the tender clean with bolt detail intact!), new roof vent fabricated and I've started on grab rails, handles and conduit...

New custom transfers ordered too - so we're getting there now :)

http://ejklr.blogspot.com
 
Looking very nice James :thumbup:
Your modelling with plastic card is first class looking forward to seeing it finished :bigsmile:
 
Aha Bruce - I've been using superglue and had no problems. When I had to 'correct' the position of the side tanks they were well stuck on!! I did find where it was weaker was where the paint lifted away from the plastic. Might be worth rubbing down to bare plastic to improve adhesion. I'm lucky, with the large side tanks there is a big surface area of the original Frank S tank to take advantage of!
Thanks for showing some interest!

Richie - cheers!
 
looking good james, the devils in the details..
 
Nigel - I think that photo is 699.103 in the preserved era - as it has 'Stadt Steyr' on the side of the coal bunker in gold writing - so presume was working on the Gmund system on tourist trains?

Paul, Mike - thanks! I'm going to add some conduit to the front end tonight, and then find some fine wire to mock up the flexible connection between the conduit and the lamps. Hopefully this week my rivets will arrive so I can finish off the coal bunker and side tanks - and we'll be ready for primer!!!!
 
James,
Just been watching a Vid of 699.103 on the Gmund System at Litschau, it has (had) a Giesel at the time of the Vid. Is yours going to get one? Would certainly make it stand out in a crowd!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpPLgcykuLw [SIZE=19px]JonD [/SIZE] [/h1]
 
Thanks Mel - yes Jon I did consider a Giesl ejector and would still like to fit one, but the more I look at the prototype the more I'd like a really nicely cast one to do it justice. It would also be cool to be able to keep the smoke unit and I'd be worried about using a styrene Evergreen constructed one with that.

Not found a commercially available Giesl in G though... unless anyone knows otherwise?

Rivets have arrived - so I might try some of them out this evening :)
 
Looking really good James. I have to admit, I cringed at the thought of a Frank S under the knife, but that it taking shape really well. The only thing I will say though is to be careful of the coupling distance from the rear drivers; on sharp s bend curves (like entering the passing loop) the rear travel may cause the couplings to be extended to their full sideways travel. It'll probably be fine, but I've had a few problems with a smaller lgb coupling at factory standard fitment.
If lgb were to make one the way yours is coming along, I'd certainly be very tempted!
 
Spurred on by the arrival of my rivets (see the blog: http://ejklr.blogspot.com) I pushed...36/b97cae85ddad482eb4508f37e28b2a64.jpg[/IMG]
 
yb281 said:
dunnyrail said:
James,
Just been watching a Vid of 699.103 on the Gmund System at Litschau, it has (had) a Giesel at the time of the Vid. Is yours going to get one? Would certainly make it stand out in a crowd!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpPLgcykuLw
JonD
Click to expand...
Post 47 Jon.
Click to expand...
Ooops on a long thread it is sometimes quite possible to forget that something has already been covered. Senior moment again.
James,
Meteormodels.com list a Lost wax casting for one in '0' gauge. I wonder if you talked nicely to them whether they would do one in 1:22 or whatever scale it is that you are using for this conversion. I only looked at 2 pages of replies when I googled 'giesel ejector to find that. So there may still be something in the other 10 or so pages of answers for you.
JonD
 
Jon don't worry - I did find those people but discounted them for the fact they're O gauge and the Giesl is a UK outline one, not a full height one like on the 699.1xx's in Austria. You're right, it would really give the right character - I'm sure I'll try it as a project but I'm going to keep my eyes peeled in the short to medium term to see if I can get one commercially. After reflecting last night on the plastic scratchbuild option it struck me that a brass one might be better, if I could fabricate the tapered curves at the ends.
 
Hehe!!

Got a couple of parcels today... My new book and the transfers.
I also got the cab door handles fitted and took some photos outside. Nearly bedtime with work early tomorrow so if you want to read more I updated my blog earlier on :)

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The more I look at the driver, the more I dislike him. I've ordered a pair of Scenecraft figures to replace him!
 
Looking nicely balanced, glad you trimmed the tanks weight a bit as the face looks purposeful without the tanks dominating the smokebox.
With the Giesel is it wider at the top when looking from the front on this type then? If it's sides are parallel I would slice a brass tube with a slitting disc or roll thin brass sheet around some rod for the curved front and back. The lip could be soldered on using either brass, or easier, copper wire. I doubt you'll find a commercial one, (there that should align the random find generator of Googleness in your favour!) ;)
 
Tempting me to have a go at a Resita using the Bachman 2-8-0, after the 100's of other good ideas on the back burner. Been experimenting with foam carving emu fronts to test ideas before attacking wood. That's jointly you and Mel to blame! I figured that if I could vac form things in 009 the I just need a bigger vac form machine ;)
 
James, I agree with you, that leaning forward driver is such a git. He pops up in so many LGB Loceys.I have attacked one of him to Try to make him look different. He got a triangle cut out of his back in an attempt to straighten him up plus one of his arms had major surgery change him some more. With a repaint, Know what? He still looked pretty much the same. So I think the right answer is to junk him and get new, well done.
JonD
 
Thanks for the idea! In the end I've gone for the Bachmann Scenecraft ones - less than £7 :)
I've had a couple of pairs of Scenecraft people in the past and for the money they seem very good.
 
Interesting Steve - I think the ZB had a Borsig 0-10-0 (numbered 4 IIRC) that they sold on in the late 70s that ended up all over Austria on various preserved lines.

However for my short line I don't want one with a tender! It's too close to a Frank S - perhaps someone else would like to try the Borsig 0-10-0? I did wonder about adding a tender to a Rugen as well but they're still too expensive for me to try that!
 
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