Rolling Stock for Shifting Sands

Shifting Sands - Colin Peake's O9 Railway Modelling

21st January 2006

My first O9 diesel was an experimental build using a Bachmann F9 chassis unit with a body kitbashed from Dapol Railbus and Drewery Shunter parts. This worked out very well and from the poistive feedback it received I understand several other versions are under construction around the world!

Coaching stock for Shifting Sands will include three 12-seat open coaches, based on a design I first built a couple of years ago from Keil Kraft bus kit parts. The new versions are completely scratchbuilt with the exception of Micro Trains bogies and Ratio fencing used for seating. Although freelance these coaches are similar to those found on the Lakeside Miniature Railway in Southport and some features resemble Ravenglass and Eskdale stock.

Enclosed stock will be based on some scratchbuilt models based on Romney Hythe & Dymchurch designs that have been passed on to me for completion. The first is a semi-open 12 seater and this has been followed by a 6 seat coach with guard's compartment and double doors for wheelchairs (and tip-up seats represented inside!).

Despite a few almost completely scratchbuilt locos emerging from the works recently (including 'Cumbria', my R&ER style tram loco), my latest creation is modified from the Knightwing kit for an industrial shunter in 4mm scale. The cab just measures 28mm across - 4 scale feet in 7mm scale and the maximum safely possible in 15" gauge. This runs on a Kato 4w chassis and the total price of the kit and chassis comes in at just under 25 pounds. A drastic re-build has seen this extended in length due to the original model having problems over uncoupling magnets whilst uncoupling - the motor was being held on the magnet! In lengthened form the motor is clear of the magnet during uncoupling.

My earliest O9 loco is this diesel based on Dapol Railbus body parts and a Bachmann F9 chassis unit.	A side view of the of the blue diesel. The louvres on the boddyside are from the Dapol Drewery Shunter kit.	This open coach has been the basis of new stock for Shifting Sands, in the end though rebuild turned to new build....
The first of the new coaches seen in bare plastic. This version is higher and wider than the older coach.	Seen here painted, unfortunately the camera hasn't picked up the truss rods under the solebar.	One of the three open coaches is seen with the latest diesel from the production line.
My most recent creation. This is a kitbash from the Kinightwing industrial shunter kit on a Kato 4w chassis.	The main modifications are a shortened bonnet and revised cab doors. The chassis frame is scratchbuilt.	Big changes to the Knightwing conversion. A longer chassis frame and short bonnet at the cab end.
These modifications are the result of problems discovered in test running over uncoupling magnets!	With paintwork completed and detail parts added the loco poses for the camera.	Many of the added parts came from an earlier diesel that is now 'resting' in the workshop.
Lining transfers are from a pack intended for 4mm scale Royal Mail rolling stock.	A Romney-style semi-open coach, completed by myself from a scratchbuilt model.	The latest coach conversion, this is a guards/wheelchair vehicle to 'Romney' outline.
Added 11/03/06: A further 'Romney style' coach awaits painting. The seats are loose fitted and slipped before photography!