Kof nearly for primer...

Tonight I've managed to finish off fitting the handrails to the cab and bonnet of the LGB/Liliput KOF diesel shunter bash. I have also fabricated some small brackets on the drivers side of the diesel. On the prototype these are moveable so they can be pulled out to support a roll-wagen coupling bar. I've not made mine operate, but they should look good touched in red when the rest of the model is finished. I'm going to make a dummy coupling bar, but just like on the real engine, this is often stored on the bonnet footplate rather than on the brackets!

It's been a week or so since I posted last, and in that time I've only made slow progress but I have fitted the rear lights to the cab. These allow the use of the original Liliput LED lighting which keeps things simple. I have removed the raised bevel on the face of these round mouldings, and intend to turn them on my drill to put a curved edge and thin them down a bit.

So just a few more touches then before I can get a coat of primer on it and see how it's looking!

Out in the snow....

News in from the EJ&KLR, snow has close the line. The early crew ventured out in VL10 but despite making it though some of the smaller drifts they found the snow at the river bridge impassible.

Thanks to my brother for sending these photos over today! Cheers Andrew!

EJ&KLR in print again...

Well for a fourth time, the EJ&KLR is in print, and a third time in Garden Rail...

It's this time that describes my first year in the garden and experiences with a ground level line, along with some atmospheric photographs. You should be able to pick up a copy of the February issue in the larger WH Smiths, but I can also wholeheartedly recommend a digital subscription through Exact, or via the Newsstand app on an iPad.

Kof shunters foot boards...

Although frowned upon on Home turf, it appears, even today, that shunters regularly ride on the steps of small diesel engines, including the narrow gauge, in Europe.

As my model is inspired by the Zillertal O&K I have added shunters foot boards to each corner of my model. These are 60thou plasticard, superglued to the step and the front of the buffer beam. Small strengthening fillets (as prototype) were added from 40 and 60 thou plasticard.

The Zillertalbahn also uses cable shunting to load roll-wagens. It's shunter has an additional hook on each end. I fashioned these from 60 thou plasticard, with a knife and file. They were glued to a rectangular piece of 40 thou plasticard and superglued to the bufferbeams. Bolt head detail is from styrene section.

You might also see the cab handrail holes are drilled and I've made a start on the rear headlights. I've also got bonnet door handles to add, and some hooks to the underframe which I believe are to support a spare coupling bar (for a roll-wagen). More soon...

Kof bonnet handrails...

The Kof bonnet now sports a full set of handrails. The top ones are triple mounted, the middle being a cheat with superglue rather than solder, although I may strip them off and solder this connection. I also drilled out the holes to attach the side mounted headlights. Next up more Milliput on the chassis and can before the cab handrails and door handles.

Kof bonnet doors...

This evening I made a start on the bonnet side doors. I cut these from 40thou styrene sheet, and chose to try and represent a pressed steel pattern, like on the prototype.

I cut two diagonal lines on the back of each door, just two scores deep. I then gently bent along these lines to form the panel before attaching them in place with liquid polystyrene cement that I had allowed to nearly dry to reduce the risk of solvent vapor deforming the doors in future. Next up handrails and door handles!

Kof bonnet door mock up...

Well Christmas is over, the tree is away and back to work and normality tomorrow. I've not got much modelling done but I have mocked up the bonnet doors for the Kof to prove to myself that four doors will fit with the original headlight attached, and they're well proportioned to so I'm happy. I hope to make some progress on the body over the coming weeks.