Modelworks,a different view

[pannierstan]

Some valid points Mott but I don't necessarily agree.

Thing is if Modelworks were the same size as Vauxhall then perhaps you could say that, but alas they are not and neither have they been building models for 100 years either.
I am also building a 14xx and yes I have some of the issues you have raised in your other threads, but thing is with models(and I say this cautiously)you can usually fix the problem. I wouldn't like to start working on the cylinders on my car
From where I stand at least with later versions of the same model they have of course made the revisions

In truth I have learnt more about how steam engines work while fixing the issues

I hope that Modelworks can stay around long enough to iron out the issues and then get on with making great models for those of us who cannot.
50 years on and I bet they will be running like swiss watches straight out of the workshop.

[mott]

John, I go with all you say. Maybe the web site should go to a new builder of the 14XX as I have completed, albeit without being able to steam as yet. I have followed your site and told the 3 members in my club building Brits about your site. Cheers Mott

[Phil Sutton]

Phil gets lots of karma because he is friendly and helpful and has lots of friends!!LOL ;D ;D ;D

Phil

(And I have GCE English Language O Level.........!just dyslexic fingers!)

[gwrfan]

philsutton said:

Phil gets lots of karma because he is friendly and helpful and has lots of friends!!LOL ;D ;D ;D

Karm down Phil, before your nuts become lose! LOL ;D ;D

[mott]

jj. I'm with you all the way and I notice ModelWorks have a link to your site so they appreciate your work. Have mentioned your site to 3 Britannia builders in our club but they are just not up to speed on use/benefits of websites, e mail etc, and seem disinclined to dig into the subject. I can sympathise with our friend on the 57XX string whose had a disappointing response. As for a 14XX site that will have to fall to a new builder. Regards
Mott.
PS I see that our friend Phil now has a karma of 7 - whats he got that the rest of us have n't - perhaps his "destiny" is to finally complete his Winson 14XX!!

[Phil Sutton]

Mott,you have to have friends in high places - very HigH places!! ;D

Phil

(you have just been karma'd!)

[locoworksnorth]

Hello Everybody,

This is throwing up some really good and positive ideas, I like the one about the " known issues " section on the Modelworks web site. Yes it would take time to setup and some time to run,but would be a real help.

How about as many downloadable videos as possible of running loco's ?

It sounds to me like the drift is actually in the right direction, that can only mean better and better kits !

Who else is going to the owners rally ? How many different locos can we all muster ?

Bye for now...back to the 9F notes.....

[grahamodavies]

Hi Locoworksnorth,
Yep, I got to see the A4, and the 7 1/4 A3 they are building alongside. I have to admit, I didn't realise quite how big either would be in that scale . . .a lot of metal. (I was told it'll be 13 feet long when completed) They both look like they will be impressive when finished, I just wish I had the skill (and money of course) to be able to have a go at one . . (the other half might not like it either, but I'd worry about that if the time ever came.)

[locoworksnorth]

Hi Grahamodavies,

I think that the 7 1/4 inch models are sold out..... probably a good job .... I was very tempted. I expect they will be amazing.

While on the subject, have you seen the Duchess plans... 4 cylinders and all the latest quality.... time to get one reserved quick

I also noticed just , that there is a new section in the help area on the Modelworks web site. This is going to end up a " one stop " place to find out the niggles in a kit build. WELL DONE MODELWORKS ! That takes confidence. I just hope that the response stays as positive criticism. Its a really useful resource and I will be sending my 9F notes and pictures in asap.

bye for now
locoworks

[grahamodavies]

just thought I'd post to let you all know that so far modelworks appear to have ignored my email regarding missing parts for the A3.

Can anyone tell me how many kits were supposed to have made up the 5" Flying Scotsman? If I knew that I'd know where to start, I've got 17, but I believe there may have been 18 altogether. So far I am missing the reach rod, all buffers and steps, and name plates.

I emailed modelworks with my request as per their instructions, and have heard nothing at all. I'll give it another go tonight, after that, if I still get no action, I might be moving into the other camp.

[sjtown]

Which email address have you been sending the emails to, I take it you've tried both.
I know that the support one hasn't worked before, although that was about a year ago!
I sent one to the main address as well when it wouldn't work and although I never got a reply Debbie said she received it OK.

Thought I would post just in case its useful :-)


Steve

[pannierstan]

To be honest I would suggest ringing them.

Knowing how busy they are I know I wouldnt get chance to switch my computer on

[grahamodavies]

Hi All, I got an instant reply today, well half of one, they claim there were 18 kits in all for the Flying Scotsman. I'm at a loss to understand why the reach rod doesn't get a mention at all, in any of the kits. I would have thought it would be in place before the the cab construction phase. If nothing else it would make it possible to run on air and test the timing, wouldn't it?

[dscott]

Dear Builders,
I have been reading through some of the letters about your model kits. Winstons copied directly from published designs that in themselves had built in problems form the moment the plans were hurredly dispatched to the Model Engineer Magazine for their tight dedline.
Martin Evans did the design for the 45XX or Fierfly, when he was doing lots of theory on boilers so that for this engine it is out of scale. and to cover this so is the platework.
The 44XX is the smaller sister and is the model that I am slowly doing to my own designs.
the only casting I am using from Firefly is the Chimney.
The 14XX is Didcot from Nevel Evans and marketed by Reeves 2000, A much better design and a shame that with some more design thought and quality control could have been a lovely kit to put together and bad reputations would not have spread.
Again I am doing the 517 class which is the early version that C.B.Collet reworked in the 1930's to such a sucessful loco if the weighting of the axle loading is done correctly, so important in a 042.
David Scott.

[jvas]

Hi All,

Your opinion of model works varies very differently from mine. I have the pleasure!!!!! of owning an old model works 14XX and unfortunately it is missing many parts. I have contacted Brad many times at ModelWorks, slowly building up a list of parts that I required. Just before christmas he mailed me to inform me that he had the parts ready. But after that he now refuses to answer or even acknowledge my contact..... Are the staff at model works disinterested in making money or do the older models (which they should at least feel a little responsiblity for) no longer meet their standards? A little feedback would be much appreciated.

Regards
Jeremy.

[locoworksnorth]

Hi David,
Thanks for the info, I have no experiance of the 45xx, but have recently had considderable 14xx exposure. The particular one that I am currently sorting out is certainly a lovley looking little loco. It was a very old winson example into which I have fitted a set of the latest modelworks 57xx cylinders while I bring the old ones upto the same standard.(once again cheers modelworks !)
The only mods were metric screws needed and I made a couple of stainless valve opp rods. It runs PERFECTLY on air and the timing is very easy to set if you mark the valve rods during assembly to get the exact mid position.
To modify the old winson cylinders is a big job, new pistons are needed, valve lap needs reducing and steam ports need opening out.
Thanks everybody for your comments.
Anybody going to the owners rally ? I am happy to bring the 14xx and run it on air to prove how well they work and try to help anybody with problems get theirs going.
Locoworks

[locoworksnorth]

Hello Jeremy,
Sounds like you are getting the wrong person.... try 0871 2300090.... its the tech line.... talk to Debbie. She is very usually, extremly good and gets things sorted FAST.
She has a good actual knowledge of the 14xx and the issues with the old ones ( like mine !)
I have full instructions and parts lists, let me know if you need any info.
Locoworks

[mott]

Hi Guys, this is really addressed to LocoworksNorth who said it was easy to time the 14XX recently by taking a measurement of the valve rod (during access to the valve chest) when the valve was in mid position. So can he take this a bit further please? Presumably for the side being set, you place in forward gear then put the piston at forward dead centre, pull out the required length of valve rod and fix the nuts to the valve extension accordingly. Would you take off the front cap of the cylinder so you could put a "clock" on the piston to get an accurate FDC. Is it the case that the valve should then be set from its centre position over the ports or should it be set with the valve just cracking open the steam port (another measurement would be needed) . A problem I have noted is the working of the screw reverser which has freeplay and allows the expansion links to move about so changing the timing. I have modified the reverser so the screw rotates in a bearing at each end, the original one had only one bearing so it flopped about in use.
On another subject I would like opinions on the value of the 14XX superheater.I have been reading back numbers of Turnout, the Ground Level 5" Association, In No 30 and 39 there are articles on modifying the winson kit. Both authors reported scrapping the superheaters as being of little practical value and restricting steam flow.They reckoned a 8mm steam pipe is needed which the latest kits have but inside the superheater this is bound to be much less. One guy in my club referred to the thing as "at best a steam dryer."I wouldn't contemplate getting rid of the superheater yet on my model but just wonder if anyone has gone down this route. Mott

[Phil Sutton]

Hi Mott,George Wainwright runs his on wet steam and says it's ok,Pete Thomas runs his as it comes and says it's ok!
Remember the old saying "If it ain't broke,don't fix it!".and leave well alone.See how it goes,don't make extra work for your self,and don't invalidate your guarentee!! ;D.

Phil

[mott]

Phil, Good points about the superheater. Opinion seems to be divided. Whats all this about guarantee?? Does that mean guaranteed not to work? Don't answer that!! Mott