ML 4000 Kit in DRGW the build process

Hello all.
 
Firstly let me pay tribute to one of our fellow members for making this kit it is superb quality so even I can make it look easy. For more information on this kit please see this thread: http://www.gscalecentral.co.uk/f/m5148.aspx
I believe Rob is considering another run if there is enough interest.
 
Any way on to the build and how I'm getting on.
 
As you may have noticed fom the above thread the body is mostly built, as are the bogie sideframes, all we need to supply is the chassis and motorblocks. After some help form other members of the forum the PIKO 0-6-0 tank engine motor block seemed a reasonable fit and was cheap enough to buy two without getting me in any more trouble.
 
Once the motor blocks arrived I had to figure out a way of mounting the side frames, the side frames are cast white metal and weigh a lot so what ever method I was to use had to be pretty robust. The motor block is a slightly unusal shape and is quite deep, so I decided to make a frame out of brass angle from B&Q to hold the two side frames together which would the rest on the motor block.
 
Here's a pic to help understand my waffle:

 
Joints of the frame are held with size 6BA nuts and bolts, and then the white metal sideframs are attcahed to these using selftapping screws, and epoxy adhesive, They are that heavy I wanted to be sure they did not go any where.
The other brass parts that you can see on the white metal such as the brake cylinder are stuck on with epoxy.

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

The next puzzle is to figure out how to mount the motor block onto the chassis, for this I cheated (used my initiative) I had some spare parts left over from a previous LCE build including some cradles designed for holding motors, so with some modifications this is how I'm going to attach the bogies.
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

The next three pics show how the fram sits quite nicely onto the motorblock.

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Ok so the bogies are getting there, but ML4000 do not have spoked wheels, or red bogies so further modificatoins are needed. I cut small disks out of plasticard using a circle utting drill attachment, stuck these on to the wheels with epoxy, then gave the whole thig a lick of paint.
 

 
As a footnote, it appears gscalebits.co.uk have these power blocks in black now and would save you the trouble of painting them.

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

All that is needed is to paint the side frames. If your making one of these, remember white metal and brass will need to to be primed with an etch primer I brought mine from halfords and it worked a treat. 
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Ok the bogies compete its time to move onto the body.
 
Rob has made the body to the SP specification, and if you want to have an SP model all you'll have to do is stick on the brass detail parts. Being me I decided I wanted to modify it to look more like the DRGW version. Rob does supply the DRGW headlight in the kit, and also a guide on other mods that may be needed.
 
The first job was to remove the standard SP headlight, as the body is cast resin this was fairly easy just to cut off and sand back to shape.
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Next the other two headlights had to be removed, this was a little more difficult as the lower one has to remain intact. I managed to remove both lights unfortunately I did make a bit of a pigs ear of the front and had to get the body filler out. ( remember if your doing SP version you don't have to do any of this mess).
 
pic of the front with all lights removed and the scars of body filler.
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Oh by the way all the small holes you can see on the front and on the rest of the loco have to be drilled and are for hand rails, or detail parts to  be added later.
 
The lower headlight gets relocated up a bit from its original location, also in this pic you can see that I have added a few of the detail parts (multiple unit sockets) that Rob supplies, Also you may notice that I have added two white pieces with holes in on the sole bar. These are not supplied and this is a modification I took upon myself to do, so I can add some multiple working pipes later.
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

This next picture shows the front with its DRGW headlight fitted, you can also see the brass horns (supplied) mounted on the roof.
 
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

This side picture shows another modification that was needed for the DRGW version that would not be needed for the SP type. On the DRGW version there is a big long step along one side of the nose, I made this with a little styrene angle, to get the checkerboard effect I stuck a little aluminium mesh onto it, (the sort you buy for car body repairs).
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

There are some modifications to the vents that should be done for it to be truly DRGW but I decieded to leave all the vents alone and just finish sticking all the other external brass detail parts on. Rob supplies many detail parts including steps for SP and DRGW versions, and even brass fuel filler caps, aslo the fiddley part was the tiny lifting hooks in brass that needed to be stuck which are hardly noticeable in these photos.
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Whilst the glue dries I decided to put the controls together, again great detail and lots of small fiddley little bits to add.
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Well folks thats nearly as far as I've got so far, I have undercoated the body and given it its first coat of primer for the main yellow colour. The colour was Vauxhall mustard yellow, over  a white primer.
 
I won't be able to update this thread for a week or so as I'm off on holidays tomorrow, I'm not allowed to take the kit with me to finish. I will still be able to catch up online via mobile though so If you've any questios or comments please feel free to post them.
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

It really looks a quality kit - nothing flimsy about it - really substantial. You obviously know what you are doing - both the subject matter and modelling abilities - this is another thread to keep my eyes on!
Awaiting more postings! Well done Dave.

Mick

Mick - always learning something new (then forgetting it).

A Grande start Dave Does look very VERY NICE Looks like you got the yellow paint spot on and the motor blocks and side frames look fantastic can't wait to see it finished

 
 

From The Foot Hills Of Shropshire-Home Of Rockery Ridge

Thanks for the comments,
 
Mick I can't take all the credit on knowing the subject, Rob has been a fountain of knowledge on the DRGW version. I have sent him many emails asking about details, and he has patiently explained them all.
 
Richie, thanks for the comment, give it a few weeks and she'll be ready for a test run.
 
 
As the other half went out to the shops I thought I'd get one last bit done before the holiday.
 

Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Rob supplies brass etched fans and grills, after trimming these and painting them it was time to install them onto the model.
 

 
Got to give Rob credit, these fans look very good when painted and fitted, of course the kits only as good as the builder! (not that I'm modest).

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Very impressive, looking at the side frames you won't have to add any weight to the loco.
Well, maybe a little.

I'm as fast as degreased lightning

I think he has done a great job of building this kit, it looks nice with all those fans and grills fitted in. As for weight, just the body casting alone weighs more than a complete USA trains F unit or GP9, that is before you add the sideframes, brass detail castings, power bogies and chassis!!! 
Cheers
Rob 

Looking good. Wish I'd had the cash to get one, but buying stuff for my Buick right now.

Jerry Barnes
http://thescrr.com

An excellent thread. Very informative.

Casey Jones Snr

If it looks right, it is right.

Hello All, It's been a while with this, but the real world made my models wait, shame really as I was enjoying it.
 
Still I got a little done over the past week and here it is so far. The nose top has been painted grey, apparantly so the sun does not blind the driver. I have added the black lining between the silver and yellow, and I have started the hand rails. I hope to finish the hand rails in the next day or so. I'll have to wait for adding transfers as I've lost them and had to order some new ones! They'll turn up one day.
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

I am not envious not in the slightest
 
I never wanted one
 
Doesn't it look smart?

The Wild West Sussex Railroad lurches on 

I was going to get some done with G bits as he can do laser cut thin perspex, but I just havent got around to geting it done. trouble is you just cannot guarantee the exact dimensions of every window as it isn't a plastic model using a solid die as a mold, so you would still have to fettle most of them I think, however you could get the round ones done which would save some time cutting them out. For the rest it is far quicker and easier just to cut them by hand and "Araldite Rapid" them in place, carefully wiping any excess off with a cotton bud dipped in meths as this disolves the Araldite, job done.
looking good there Dave, you need to put it next to another loco to give it some sense of scale!!!
cheers
Rob

Steve I was just going to do the windows by hand, 0.5mm clear perspex is easy to cut.
 
Rob I've included a photo at the bottom to give a size comparrison, if the weather was better I'd have done it outside, instead you'll have to make do with a shot on the model room wall.
 
I have added the hand rails, the vertical ones still need their thickening tubing put over them, you will also notice the additional air tank on the roof. The other one and pipe work is to follow tomorrow.
 
enjoy
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Thats looking fantastic Dave First class paint job Dave brings out all that detailed work that Rob had put into the mould , can't wait to see it running have got my Rio Grande stock on standby.

 
 

From The Foot Hills Of Shropshire-Home Of Rockery Ridge

A great thread and fine modelling. When Richie came over to Beaver Creek in July he mentioned this thread. The price of the kit is pretty high but if finished to this standard it is a lovely loco and a little bit 'special' as well, not many layouts will have one of these gracing its rails!
Me... I want one.... but better sell a few of me other locos first

 
Mike on the BCRR Railroad - A little bit of the Rio Grande in north Essex
Videos are shown by courtesy of Tony, who took them whilst visiting.......
http://www.youtube.com/wa...b8&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/wa...r0&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/wa...gE&feature=channel 

.

Been a long time again and sorry for that folks railway been taking a bit of a back seat to the rest of life. Still I have done some more now and here is what has been done.
 
1: I finished the additional pipework on the roof coming from the additional air tanks, this incuded making small detail parts for the rear of the loco that the pipes run into.
2: Picking out the  cabwindow frames in the right colours, silver for the sides and black for the fronts.
3: adding the Transfers
4: its currently sat in the garage drying after having a nice coat of satin varnish.
 
On my way to the garage I stopped off in the garden for a couple of shots of how she looks now.
 
all that will be left to do is add the glazing, and add the couplings.
 
These pics show some of the additional detail on the rear + roof that I added.

 
 
 
 
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

Here are some of the shots in the garden shwoing its splendour.

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

One last shot for now just showing it next to an aristo tank wagon just to get the size and scale into perspective.
 
 

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Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

WOW I LOVE IT DAVE What a great job very well built and finished you must be pleased with that Dave

 
 

From The Foot Hills Of Shropshire-Home Of Rockery Ridge

Absolutely Amazing

Absolutely superb

P.S. where did you get the black decals from

Rob s

That is one neat looking model, you should be proud!

Jerry Barnes
http://thescrr.com

HI dave
I am speechless in admiration. Although it is a kit, it has needed a lot of skill to get it finished to such a high standard. Maybe one day it can visit the BeaverCreek Railroad branch of the Rio Grande as I am sure the controller and the denizens would be chuffed (?) to see it.

 
Mike on the BCRR Railroad - A little bit of the Rio Grande in north Essex
Videos are shown by courtesy of Tony, who took them whilst visiting.......
http://www.youtube.com/wa...b8&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/wa...r0&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/wa...gE&feature=channel 

Thanks for the comments,
 
Rob- The transfers were supplied by with the kit, included in the price.
 
Mike- Beavercreek is a long way but I do think a journey could be arranged in the future, at least the ML4000 could be among its Livery mates on Beavercrek.
 
Just a quick note I have fitted couplings to the front and back, I added a knuckle coupling to the front and a hook and loop to th back. I did have a few problems doing the couplings as there were no obvious attaching points on the kit.
 
for the front To make sure I did not damage the kit and make sure the coupling would be strong enough I used some brass angle screwed into the inside of the resin and then for extra strength I used epoxy too. A hole was drilled into the angle, this is then where a brass nut and bolt attaches holding the coupling in place.
 
For the rear I had to add an extension to the rear of the kit as there was nowhere to mount a coupling at the right height to pull rolling stock. So I cut som 1.5mm brass sheet, screwed this to the inside of the kit. I then put a piece of brass angle facing inside the loco which with a hole in will then form my point of attachment for a coupling. Its not the best looking bit of workmanship ever as you can see the bolts I used to attah the angle o the sheet but it is strong and will not break no matter what its pulling.
 
Now that both couplings are done its just the last bit of glazing to be done and some makers plates to be added.
 
I'll add photos at a later date but PC problems at this end are not allowing me to put pics on my computer.
 

Welsh Dave in the west mids (aka dvh9)

From some of the photos of the 1:1 versions of these locos that I've seen, they seem to have run in pairs quite often.........................
 
When are you starting the second one Dave?  

The Wild West Sussex Railroad lurches on 

Absolutely top job Dave. 
 
When saw the first images of these beasts posted on GSC I though they were really ugly.  Not only have you done a cracking build but you've managed to make yours look pretty too. 
 
Think I want one

Gareth
http://www.shlr.info/

Top job Dave, can't wait to see some footage of her working
I have just taken some deposits from people for the next small run of these kits, I expect this will also be the last run. If anyone is thinking of buying one let me know quickly as I am placing the order in the next couple of weeks!
I would also like to thank everyone on here for their comments and support of this very interesting and enjoyable project.
Here's to the next one
Cheers
Rob