October -

HI Everyone,

Time for an update on our developments.

Onsite at present we have 2 Dx kits avaliable with Kato SD40-2 chassis. I have nearly completed a 'popsicle' Dx which is on a Kato chassis and the fit is fairly simple with squaring off the ends of the Kato chassis to fit between the Dx headstocks. You still have to cut the bottom of the chassis to fit the fuel tank, as per instructions.

In detail parts we have listed new products.

1. Guardsvan detail kit for 44' & 47 1/2' guardsvans for those inspired by the Motorised dandruff builds.Also coming is a pack for 30' vans.

2. The first of the decal sets have had there first print. These are traditional water slide decals. Sets include tank wagons, 20' containers, and (at last) Railcar set for those who need to add those stripe, numbers, and door seat numbers.

Unfortunately we've had a supply hiccup with wheelsets, with the wrong size wheels supplied, which have been returned to the supplier, but a delay in supply of replacements. Orders will still be processed and delivered like normal, and the wheelsets will be forwarded when avaliable.

Christmas is 8 weeks away, so don't forget your wishlist.

Cheers

Russell Jones

November

With all the local model railway shows out of the way until next year, today was a day to have a look at some kits to build myself. So fired up the micro iron, and broke out some kits and after a couple of hours this afternoon and then another couple of hours after tea, I ended up with a Ks, Kst and Ksp, as well as adding Handgrabs, airhoses and shunter steps to an Lc and Lpa. Satisfying day. More tommorrow!

F 30' steel panel guardsvans are avaliable again onsite. As soon as my new detail mold is done, I should have a number of other kits back on line for you all. This mold will help make up a short fall in specific details that appear on multiple wagon types.

ECMT and myself have been dicussing doing our fremo modules with a basic standard size  for ease of transportation and storage ie 450mm wide x 1200mm long. As well, we considered building corner modules, as a lot of modellers will be keen on the straight running modules. Radius for corners would be 1000mm.

 Russell J

Hi Russel

 I have seen a couple bits of text concerning steel doors, which were used on the kinlieth branch line, can you give me anymore information about them. size, class number, plan etc

Richard

hi all, a couple of images of my jig made for easier assembly of trackgang bogies. I use super glue , but am switching to solder which might require me to rebuild jig out of metal. once first half is assembled I place in jig using long screw to mount whole assy into work area, then can place wheels on top of jig while checking bearing location and fit ,etc and also test push other bogie half onto wheels and check for fit,gauge,etc, before gluing. sometimes superglue is slow to set which means holding assy still and in line while it goes off. araldite or similar could be used after initial superglue to strengthen joins.

Thanks for that Beakaboy ! Where there's a will there's a way. I've got some bogies to assemble for  a string of Usl's - so this will come in handy.

Hi Richard. Were you wanting info on the Ks wagons? 1601 were built from 1967 (prototype x 1) to 1972. Most between 70 and 72. Numbered 3800 to 5400. Were built in nearly every railway workshop across the country, so would have been found in everyones local train from this time onwards. After problems with the roller doors getting damaged, some had there doors permanently removed, and the corners of the roof and end walls strengthened. These were classified Ksp for carrying pulp pallets. To weather proof them a little more, and with the advancement of curtainside products, the Kst wagon appeared. There was even a thermal curtain version made and painted white.Sorry don't know exact numbers of each type of wagon or there running locations.

Russ

November again.

Finished last week with completing more 4 wheel wagons (see post #2) including Kp, Xc, another Lc, La, Lc with ridge pole tarp., Mc and Nc. Once in the mode, who needs the instructions. You build them 'on automatic'. More to do this weekend.

Have received some more castings and parts, including a delivery of wheelsets. Yeah!. Fullfilled the back orders of IOU's today, and then proceeded to pack up some more kits. This meant I used all my wheelsets on the first lot of kits, but I continued on, so that there is a wider range of the kits avaliable, but only in small quantities.

Have an interesting number of 'wishlist' requests for the 88 seat railcar, so watch for this to become avaliable in the near future.

Cheers

Russell J

Hi Russell

Please, what wheelbase are the barframe or archbar bogies you make for going under U wagons and the like? 

Also what is the wheelbase of the van bogie you list here:  http://trackgangproducts.co.nz/product/item/1357

cheers

Ben

Hi Russell

Thanks for the info on the four wheeler's, I believe the steel doors are a bogie wagon, I think there maybe some on tonnes of grunt dvd/ video

regards

Richard

 Hi Russell

Great to hear the 88 seater is still in demand.

Will the new kit -

a) have improved instructions.

b) be the same price as previous.

Thanks

The wheel base is 13.5mm.

Russell 

There is interest for a couple of railcar kits from our Manawatu N Gauge Model RC.

Hi, is that for the van bogie or the bar frame.  Not to doubt you, but given the type it is, a 5'3" wheelbase just seems a little short for that kind of truck. 

Regards

Ben

Hi, is that for the van bogie or the bar frame one?  Not to doubt you, but given the type it is, a 5'3" wheelbase just seems a little short for a van bogie of that kind (looks more like a passenger truck). 

Regards

Ben

Its axlebox center to axlebox center

The prototype wheelbase for van bogies was initially 4'10", then I think the later ones were 5'6" and finally 6'.

thanks. 

does anyone know what wheelbase the bar frame one is?  thinking of ordering a few pairs if they are right for what i want.

(oddly, apart from some sleepers and rail, i've never ordered a made for measure NZ120 product before . . . )

cheers

ben

delete

Hi Everyone,

Sorry about delay in answering questions. You know work xmas do's and computer admin's taking the server off line so no-one in the house has access.

Post #8 - Bogie for U 30' wagon is based on a 97 or 3181 blueprint of nominal axle box measurements 4' 6" to 4' 71/2".

Van bogies - post #15 thanks MD.

Post #10 - 88 seat railcar. Yes, working on a better set of instructions. Same price, as listed on web. Avaliable early New Year, if all goes well.

Put together a Z 50' van this morning. A little more challenging than the 13 x 4 wheelers I've done this last week. The 4 wheelers all got a spray of primer this morning, so I continue to make progress. When finished I take photos of each wagon individually for posting on web.

Cheers

Russ

Thanks Russ

December (Already!).

Have posted some rolling stock pics on yahoo group site. These are of some of the first group of wagons put together refered to in post #2, and 7.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NZ120/photos/album/757716774/pic/list

Have built a few more wagons since including 4 x 4 wheelers, 30' guardsvan, 2 Usk's, 2 x 20' containers, and kitbashed an Rp. Photos will follow when completed.

Cheers

Russ

Why not post the pictures here?

The yahoogroup as of this morning has 110 members who can see the pictures (well, 109 as my firefox browser has obviously decided that I'm not allowed to view such horrible  'Train Porn')

Posting them here means that anyone can have a look.

Are Z's available now? Showing as wishlist in the store...?

>"Put together a Z 50' van this morning. A little more challenging than the 13 x 4 wheelers ..."

Hi Kiwi bonds

 I made a mistake on some wagons  I bought, thinking the Z 50' wagons were the one's I was wanting on the Kinlieth line, I bought  some, unfortulantly I wanted Za's also known as steel doors.

The models haven't been built yet so if you are intersted  and want to contact me off line about them your welcome too

regards

Richard

Wagon picture collage.

For photo gurus, I have a Kodak Easyshare V550 5 megapixil camera. The built in flash is too harsh, so these pics are taken (on the display module) on my deck under Novalight (?), not direct sunlight. Camera set without flash and on closeup. If interested maybe I'll take a photo of me taking a photo, next time.

Z 50' not in stock at present.

Russ

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Wishing you all a happy and safe christmas, and enjoyable new year.

I'll still be trading through, and sending out orders as quickly as the postal service can handle over the next two weeks, with the delays for public holidays.

Those who are waiting for the railcar kit, the castings have arrived today. As soon as I get them packed, and the new instructions done, they'll be out there. Have a limited quantity of decals to go with the railcar, so we're arranging for more to be printed.

Cheers everyone and thanks for making 2009 a good year for nz120.

Russell Jones

January and 2/3rds gone. Well the railcars have been one 'mother' of a kit to get ready. Have gone over the instructions several times, rewording and tidying up. But they still leave to much unsaid. So, to try and solve the problem, I've plunged into building one of the kits this morning before work. Each step I've taken a pic, so that they may be included in the instruction sheet as well. I've had an enquiry from a modeller who hasn't been able to build his railcar kit when he bought it from Pat a few years back. Please send me your email if you to haven't been able to follow the old instructions, and when I've got something written up thats easier to follow I will email them out.

Cheers

Russell

Following on from RKBL's post...

Russ, have you got any plans for anything in the ZA/ZM line?  I know I need a few....

Unfortunately we havent quite worked out a way to do corrugations with the laser yet...  :-)

Am_Fet

if you live in chch you can access all plans  in the Model railway jurnel at the centel library.

Sorry, I meant was Russ planning on adding them to his range....

Am_Fet.

Have some interest in the Za's as theres plenty still floating around at the moment. The 45' chassis is also useful for other modern wagons that were derived from the Za's as well. Had a look at Ks parts but not suitable for reusing for Za's. A future project indeed.

Russ

Have some interest in the Za's as theres plenty still floating around at the moment. The 45' chassis is also useful for other modern wagons that were derived from the Za's as well. Had a look at Ks parts but not suitable for reusing for Za's. A future project indeed.

Russ

Another mornings work with the soldering iron, and the underframe detail is on the go. All looks untidy as I hadn't cleaned up when I took photos.

Russ

Other unit.

Feb.2010.   I've continued my work on building a railcar. Been a bit slower last week as work kept getting in the way. Anyway put the bogies together (this is an unpowered model) and installed brass bearings from Parkside Dunkas. These are little 1mm bearings with a 1.5mm diameter shoulder. First I drilled the side frame with the 1.5mm drill for the bearing shoulder, then made the hole as deep as possible with a 1mm drill (Got to be brave, and check regularly) I found the bearing dissappeared in the hole nicely, without making the sideframe spacing wider when I installed the wheelsets. After installing all 3 bogies and adjusting clearances, the railcar went for a roll, and away it went. Had to catch it before it left the end of the module.

Morale of the story - If your eyesight and manual dexterity are good, these bearing are worth a look. About 3 pounds for 20 bearings. Will start putting them into some 56' cars next. http://www.parksidedundas.co.uk/

Then I bought a couple of Da's and Dc kits from Andrew Wells. He informs me stock is limited on these kits and are unlikely to be reproduced. Soooooo!.... if you've wanted one of these kits invest now before they dissappear!  http://www.automationz.co.nz/nz120/nz120.html

Cheers

Russell

Hi Russell

about he Brass Kits does that mean there may be in the future white metal kits  being produced of the Da and Dc.

Richard

Well that would be up for developement. Otherwise interested parties could discuss an deal with Andrew.

Russ

My other project I finished over the weekend was some containers.

Firstly the 40' containers. Based on common colours seen rolling past the front door. Had some closer photos of lettering of containers on file which I redrew on the computer and matched the background colour with that of the containers. The result is an NYK and MSC markings. Each set were cut out and applied with PVA. Blending into the ridges and hollows.

The 3 20' containers were painted satin white, and then decalled using our decal set

Containers were then lightly oversprayed with 'dust' weathering with the airbrush.

Cheers

Russell

Hi there

I am new member 2010

I am still interested DC locomotive so do you know how much cost be for DC locomotive ?

Thankyou

Cheers Henry

Hi Henry. Welcome to the forum. Have a look at The Chosen Scale website for prices on the Dc kits. Be in quick as stock is limited.

http://www.automationz.co.nz/nz120/nz120.html

Looks great. I'm very tempted to have a go at one of these at some stage. I need to get some more locos and wagons done first though.

Da and Dc kits still $110. This gets you the body in etch brass and a few pewter metal castings, as well as decals. You still then have to buy a drive chassis to fit underneath, either SD 7 or 9.

Russell

March...march...march! Conventions' only a few weeks away folks!

Having a steady time with orders over the last few weeks, and for those watching my site, theres a few 'out of stocks' appearing. I'm keeping track of these and getting the castings done, but not getting a lot of time putting kit packs together. Maybe this weekend I'll get a few more loaded. In the meantime i'm also trying to get things organised to take to Christchurch. I've booked a couple of tables. One for my trade stand 'stuff' and a second for displaying models. If anyone is happy to bring a model that they'd like to display (especially a Trackgang one!) you're welcome to come and introduce yourself, have a chat and add to the display.

Workbench activity - As was pointed out to me many moons back, there was some short comings about the Df/Dft kit (besides the instructions) I've been putting together my first Df and I now have a better understanding of where I need to/ how to fix the kits to be more acceptable to me, and then for you modelers. As well I finished a 56' van with brass bearings, that rolls across the kitchen table with the slightest of nudges. I have therefore arranged for a delivery of said brass bearings, which I hope will be here (from the motherland) for convention. 

Looking forward to meeting up with those attending convention in Chch.

Cheers, Russell

PS Book a Tranzalpine trip at 'Summer Special Rates'.

Pre convention update.

Brass bearings have arrived. Will start adding these to the kits. Also will endeavour to have these little b*****s installed into sideframes as they are very small and easily 'misplaced'. One less fiddly thing for you guys to have to do, but with a major improvement in wagon running. Kit cost will increase by $1.50 for 4 wheelers, and $3 for bogie wagons.

C U in Chch.

Russell

I reckon the brass bearings will be a major 'turning point' (apologies, just couldn't resist) in sales - I love the appearance of the NZGR wagon frames, but as long as they exhibited all the rolling qualities of a not very round rock, I was reluctant to spend any money on them.  Now, the extra $1.50 to $3 looks like an absolute bargain.  Regards, Paul.

Will look at some proposal for those who have Trackgang kits and want the bearings. I'll have to order more stock of bearings and then may on-sell packets to those who wish to install their own. Or operate a 'swap-a-bogie' type service, where modelers could send in their unmade sideframes/bogies and I'll install the bearings and send back. Bearings plus postage charge.

Russell

Hi Russell

 out of  installing 20 of the bearing cups I lost one, so that to me wasn't to bad, have to start solding the  bogies for the SK wagon now that my solder has arrived from Paul.

Richard

Hi Everyone,

Flying to Chch tommorrow, so won't be home to process any orders until getting back after the 11th April.

Trying to take as many kits as I can to convention for the weekend, as well as a range of made up models for viewing.

See you,

Russell

Hi Everyone,

Back home and have now loaded a variety of pics from convention on the BopTrackgang site.

http://boptrackgang.co.nz/imgGallery/gallery/?id=24&image=1#image

Russell

May (grey day).

Winter modelling. Time avaliable on these cold nights to go to the workbench and complete a few of those projects that have languished for a while. Come on, don't deny it, we all have them!

Presently seem to be having difficulty completing any projects myself lately. But, having to priortise things keeps the orders moving along. Thankfully 'Mr GST increase' may not have too big an effect on the price of kits. Now have to redo the sums. Some small delays on getting casting done at present, for those waiting for certain kits to become avaliable. I'm in the early stages of some new kit development, which hopefully will come to fruition later this year.

Packets of bearings now avaliable on-site. Well worth installing as the kits run sooooooo much better with them!

Also, in the 'Huw2s', I've loaded Don Wills article on applying decals.

Cheers

Russell

So, are there any hints? Or can we just start generating wild rumors?