Baguley Frame Details Fitted

Having removed the unwanted parts on both frame ends on the Baguley-Drewry loco, it was time to add the first new parts on the loco. As planned I added new couplings/buffers and as an 'extra thing' I also decided to add sanding gear on the centre axle wheels despite it being very hard to see from normal viewing angles.

New buffers are now fitted to Nystrup Gravel's Baguley-Drewry. The buffers were probably made in Nystrup Gravel's own workshop after images of the type usually being fitted to Nagbøl locomotives.

To make a coupling that is fastened well in the frame ends I decided to use the bolts that held the original coupling pockets on the Accucraft model. As usual I cut a cardboard piece to test size and aid in design. I made the real plasticard version a little deeper and added the 'ribs' that enable the coupling chain to be fitted at alternating heights fitting wagons with different frame/coupling heights.

As usual I test design and size with a piece of cardboard before I begin the real work on new parts. 

Finished slightly deeper than the cardboard version, the front buffer is beginning to materialize. I use the bolts from the original coupling to fasten the new buffer.

Once the main construction of the buffers was finished I sanded the corners round and added boltheads in the lower corners from hexagonal plastic strip. Then I drilled a central hole through the buffer to enable a rod to fasten the coupling chain in the coupling/buffer.

The 'ribs' that enables coupling to wagons for varying height are being added. The plasticard jig giving equal distance between the 'ribs' are seen in the foreground.

The pipes for sanding the centre pair of driving wheels (in both directions) were made from simple lengths of metal wire soldered to a bracket cut from scrap etched metal. Each bracket screws into the loco frame underside with two of the screws that held the now removed power pick-ups. 

Sanding pipes fitted to the centre wheel set. In the image they still need to be finely adjusted to a close fit but still allowing the wheel to rotate freely.

A viewer will have to look carefully for the sanding pipes to discover them. They may show more clearly after painting, but even in 1/1 scale sanding pipes aren't the most noticable feature on locomotives.

I'm also exploring how to fit an on/off switch next to the battery and a cardboard test bracket has been mounted on the underside of the frame. If I decide to use this solution I will probably have to adjust the height of the slide switch to avoid it snagging on track parts and vegetation. I still haven't made up my mind completely.

Testing shape and placement of a bracket for an on/off switch. As usual with a cheap prototype test part made from cardboard.

The work on the Baguley-Drewry loco will continue and there is a long list of tasks awaiting me. I will probably be focusing on installing the Loco Remote unit as one of the first tasks, as that will give me a good base to work on: underframe detailed and a running locomotive with 'only' work on the upper body remaining.