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KRM HO 002

BCH/BWH Ladder Kit
Information Page

KRM HO 002 Etch

Price $2.75 (Aus$)



Introduction
This page is dedicated to information that will assist the modeller in detailing the ARKits BCH/BWH Coal & Grain Hoppers to a higher level, by using the KRM HO 002 etched brass kit.
The kit which is available from the products page, is a photo etched kit as discribed & indicated in the top photo.
As with all photo etched parts, be very careful when handling them, and always read through the instructions a few times before working with any new kit.

This kit is the start of a more comprehensive detailing parts kit which is being developed at present because of my want to super detail this particular Grain Hopper. The level of detail that this kit allows, goes part of the way to achieving this goal. There are many other details that can be added easily to enhance this kit, there will be more on this later.

The photos in the photo gallery, give a varied look at the possibilities that exist when detailing the BCH/BWH. One of the most obviuous, is the number of bent ladders that exist, this being the product of shunting problems. In the future, shunters step, handbrake parts, detail for the hopper openers, brass end angle supports and other detail parts will become available.



Below is a link to a photo gallery of photos of the prototype that this Grain Hopper was modelled from.
BCH/BWH Gallery Page
.

Step 1 - Tools & Equipment
Tools & Equipment

If there is one thing that I would like to impress upon you, it is the benefit of using quality tools to do your work, The end result of any job is plainly due to the use of good quality tools. And there is also a saving by using good tools, because they last longer, and therefore you do not need to replace them as often.

  1. Stainless Steel Scissors
  2. Tweezers or other small no maring clamping device
  3. (Metric) Number Drills & Pin Vice
  4. Small Files
  5. Soldering Iron
  6. Hold & Fold Tool
  7. Solder & Flux or Solder Paint
  8. Snap-off Cutting Blade
  9. Fine Wet & Dry Paper
  10. 0.3mm brass wire (0.012")
  11. Burnishing Brush (Be very Careful)
  12. Selleys Acrylic Quickgrip
  13. Cutting Board
Lets get ready to Moddddddeeeeeelllllll
Step 2 - Preparing the Etch
Prepare the etch
  1. Re-Read the instructions (Yeah I Know!!!!!!)
  2. Using a 0.4mm drill, clean out the holes in the ladder stiles (A).
  3. Using a sharp pointed pair of stainless steel scissors, cut the components out of the fret. (refer to photo at left) (Do be careful with the ladder so as not to warp, bend or damage any of these components)
  4. At this stage do not remove the bulkhead plates from the fret, leave them intact with the ladder stiles.
Step 3 - The ladder
The ladder 1

The ladder 2

The ladder 3

  1. The ladder for the BCH/BWH is mounted on the both ends of the vehicle, inline with the walkway.
  2. The ladder can be folded using the Hold & Fold Tool (refer to top & 2nd photo at left) and then the rungs (0.4mm brass wire - not supplied) locted in the rung holes (B) in the stiles (A) and soldered together. (refer to bottom photo at left)
  3. I use Carrs 188 solder paint and place it on the outer section of wire and heat the wire so that the solder paint flows toward the hole, and capillery action completes the solder joint.
Step 4 - The ladder- (cont.)
The ladder 4

The ladder 5

  1. The excess wire and solder is then removed with fine files and sanded smooth with wet & dry paper. Locate the ladder stiles (A) into the holes in the top bulkhead plates (D) using the bulkhead loacting lugs (E) to locate them. (refer to top photo at left) Solder the joints and remove the tabs holding the bulhead plates apart.
  2. Fold the feet (C) at the base of the ladder IN at 90 degrees to the ladder stiles. (refer to bottom photo at left) Clean up the cuts with some fine wet & dry paper.
  3. Clean up the ladder with warm soapy water and allow to dry
Step 5 - Fitting the Ladder
Hopper opening rod supports
  1. Glue the ladders to each end of the vehicle. (refer to photo at left)
  2. If the ladder is to high, you can file the top plates slightly or trim the bottom to allow a better fit.
Step 6 - Paintimg
  1. For painting the finished vehicle, the preferred method is to use photos of the prototype in making this decision, as it is purely an individual choice , based on what you see in real life. I prefer to weather these vehicle, as they were only ever in a new condition ONCE in their life, from that time on, they became grubby, dirty, rusty & damaged.
  2. The ladder for the NGMF (Grain Hopper version) has a rounded top and differ to the ladder supplied. The ladders supplied in this kit can be used as a basis for the NGMF ladder as the extensions are simply formed wire.
  3. There is much more that can be fitted to these vehicles to make them more complete, things such as handrails, brake clevis parts, and brake rods, wire parts to simulate brake piping, and so much more. The level of detail is only limited by the modellers IMAGINATION, and lets face it, THAT has NO LIMITS
  4. If you have any commnets, or ideas as to how I can improve this kit, please don't hesitate to contact me
    by email or phone on 61 2 46772462

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Happy Modelling

Keiran Ryan




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