Another new tool

A huge box just landed on the front doorstep, and inside was my “Congratulations on your new job and on selling that Lego” gift to myself. It’s an XTool D10 laser engraver; it should be powerful-enough to cut 1/4″ plywood, but I’ll probably cut a lot more board and 1/8″ ply. Stand back! And here: […]

Christmas 2022

I have a few minutes to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. I hope you have all found some time away from your modelling benches and with your family or friends in this dark month (dark for most people). My family happens to celebrate Christmas, with a tree and gifts and turkey and everything. I […]

Engine Truck for GTR 1120

As with many commercial models, the engine truck for the Spectrum 4-4-0 is just along for the ride. It plays no role in supporting the cylinders, and doesn’t even guide the driving wheels into corners. Effectively, it is its own vehicle, shackled to the front of the frame. Consequently it needs to be as heavy […]

Switch Lock Proof of Concept

I struggled a little with the supports for the switch locks, but finally got an acceptable print. It went together exactly as expected, and with a cobbled-together key, it almost works. Certainly the idea of a magnetic lock seems to be workable; the only miss was the amount that the mechanism rotates given the key. […]

GTR 1120 as a 4-4-0

The crank pins are an easy press-fit into the drivers, and thankfully, I didn’t need to remove the rear drivers to insert them. Then the connecting rods and the main rods dropped into place with almost no fanfare, except that I need to get a 1.3mm nut driver for 0-80 screws. Holding my breath, I […]

GTR 1120 as a 4-2-2

Once The Last Equipment Cradle was put together, soldering the wires that capture the rear wheels was delicate but not difficult. I dropped the engine on the rails, and was immediately disappointed by the results. I expected it to be slippery without the connecting rods, but I didn’t expect the front drivers, the only drivers […]

The Last Equipment Cradle

I can’t believe I’ve been balancing models on their roofs for my entire life. Several manufacturers offer foam cradles, but I’ve always felt it was something I could make myself. Then I didn’t. For years, no decades! Well, no more. And since it has taken me so many years to finally make my own cradle, […]

Refined Switch Lock Design

I’ve never had a ton of luck with Assembly views in OnShape. Until now. As I was idly rotating the design, as I so often do after building a 3D model, I started to wonder if the key will actually turn past the end of the lever, or if it will jam. And anyway, how […]

Switch Lock Designs

I had a couple of friends over to run trains over the last couple of weeks, and it made me realize that the whole operation needs to slow down even more. The chains that will retain the keepers and locks on the turnout controls have been dangling long enough. It’s time to get the locks. […]

GTR 1120 Wheel removal and replacement

I’ve looked in vain for a video or description of someone else who has successfully taken apart a Spectrum 4-4-0. A lot of the parts seem to be glued or held in place with invisible tabs. The exploded view diagram was no help. So, rather than risk further damage to the model, which came with […]