News from the Workshops 1 July
On the Website
For those of you that have relatives asking you what you want for that upcoming birthday, there is the gift card. Its better than getting socks. The gift card comes in several denomination’s, and in a price bracket to suit all occasions.
The YouTube channel.
Currently being posted on the YouTube channel is the build series “The tail of 2 builds”. Those that have been following along, seem to be really enjoying watching the build process. There have also been some good questions too.
If you haven't seen it yet, head over to VCC models - YouTube & watch me build these two loco’s. Also, if there is something that would be interested in seeing let us know. We will see if we can do it. We already have a bit of a list going.
From the Research department – DJ Long hoods
There were many modifications done to the DJ long hoods over their lifetime, one of the first modifications was to add a grill on both sides of the loco midway down the long hood this was done between 1970 and 1975. DJ 1256 (3608) was one of the last of the class to get this mod. Between 1978 and 1983 the DJ’s had another modification done this time a air intake was added to the long hood again on both sides, this air intake was known as the “fly swat” due to the look of the air intake. DJ 1210 (3107) was one of the first DJ’s to get the “fly swat” in September 1978 this loco got a flat air intake with later version being angled most likely to allow more air into the engine compartment. DJ1202 (3021) which had the mod done December 1978 had the later version fitted to the loco. With the addition of the “fly swat” the grill which had been added to the long hood in early 1970’s was removed and the two full length doors on the long hood were shortened to make space for the “fly swat”. At the same the “fly swats” were added to the locos a header tank on the roof was also added.
The placement of the header tank was just behind the original exhaust. To gain access to the header tank (water level sight glass) another modification had to be made, this time a foot step was added to the first full length door after the “fly swat” this step was only on the LA side of the long hood. The DJ’s arrived into the country with a hand grab placed on the rear end of the long hood below the door, however this hand grab was later removed and foot step was added in its place. DJ 1201 (3015) and DJ 1202 (3021) had the step added and keep the hand grab as well! There may have been others like this but we have only seen photos of these two locos. In the early 1980’s there was modification done to the exhaust, due to ongoing maintenance issues with exhaust silencers these were removed and a straight exhaust pipe was fitted. The original exhaust was covered up and the new exhaust placement was more to the centre of the roof but still in front of the header tank.
As the DJ’s got painted in their new blue livery and received their new TMS numbers more variations came about with the size and font used on the locos. By the mid 1980’s nearly all the DJ’s had the standard height TMS numbers.
All of these variations are in our decal range.
Photo credits: M W Graham, K L Cousins, G. Cosgrove & C. Howell
Not a train show – Matariki Woodville model building weekend
This is really close now. For those that have booked to come. We can't wait to catch up with you all, see what you have been building & seeing what you bring to the table this year. It’s going to be another good one.
Train Shows
Christchurch Train Show
We will be at the Chch Train Show this year. We couldn’t make it last year, so super excited to get down this year & catch up with everyone down that way. If you were thinking of attending, come find us for a chat. We believe Marks model works & Southdock Models will also be there. If you are keen on saving postage let us know & we will bring down what you were after.
Its not on the web site yet but the dates are the 3rd & 4th of October & will be at Cowles Stadium. Which is a great venue.
This show has always been a good one & well run by the organizers.
For full details go to christchurch model train show
On the workshop bench
Progress continues to be made on the DFT/B locos, though it does feel like a slog to get the last bits done. That said, at least it will be a complete kit at the end of the day.
Our current roll out schedule, all going to plan looks like the following. Note however this schedule is not guaranteed.
GM DFT/B - July
GM DF - August
PWD Station - September
TBC Container - November
As I have mentioned in the past there is down time waiting on the manufacturing process. In that time, we have already started designing the DJ. The prototype cab was going to go on the commission Dj, that you have been watching on the YouTube channel. Unfortunately, it didi’t arrive in time. So that will now get a test fold up, to check for errors & then we will crack on with the rest of it.
We have made a loose decision on what will follow the DJ. That will be the DX. The long term followers of this news would have already seen the DX 5310 commission and would have also seen the build on YouTube. So there has already been a significant amount of work done on it.
There are no roll out dates for these two assets yet, its too early to tell with some confidence. But we will keep you updated here and on YouTube.
The new head stock for the GM DF locos
That’s it for this one Folks !!!
Thanks for your Support
