Member postings for David Bennett 1

Many thanks Neil,

I did realise how busy you all are but maybe I am getting impatient in my old age as I do want to help the RAF museum whilst I can.

I realise also that there was a lot said about the design when put into the public arena but I need to cover only the events relating to the construction by the Apprentices as that is what the Museum needs. Obviously some reference top later events could be made.

I will contact Chris as he suggests.

Thanks,

David Bennett

Thank you, Julian and Bob.

I did write about my quest to ME Editor Diane quite some weeks ago but no response so far. I will try to find the ME articles mentioned which could provide something for the Museum to display. I am assuming that 'Wharfdale' is not the original.

So my quest goes on.

David Bennett

The Museum at the RAF Base in Buckinghamshire includes the activities of the Engineering Apprentices trained there. Henry Greenly designed a 4-6-4 tank loco for them to test their skills. However the Museum has no information about it apart from some tatty drawings and a few parts.

So I am looking for help to ascertain:

a) Did the apprentices ever complete a loco.

b) If so what happened to it.

c) Where is it now and who has it.

d) Are there any photographs.

I know that other examples have since been built and that one was for sale recently on the internet with photos, but the search is for the original.

Any information would be gratefully received.

David Bennett

Many thanks to all who responded to my post. All very useful thoughts and enough to get me going. As pointed out if I ever finish the Southern Maid it will not get much use - my local club does not have 21/2 g and am getting too old to travel much.

Regards to all,

David

LBSC recommends that the Guide Bars on my 2 1/2 g loco should be silver steel

sized 1/8 x 3/16. Total length required would about 12 in. I cannot find any supplier of flat silver steel let alone anything like the size either imperial or metric.

Does anyone know where something suitable can be obtained or make any other suggestion for an alternative material.

David B

Many thanks for the explanation, Ketan. Much appreciated. I must take a larger notebook and tape measure when I go looking at lathes!

Now one further question if I may which may be of general interest. I see from Arc C2 spares listing that there are two boards - XMT2325 and FC250J. What is the difference between them, please?

I have registered for notification when the new stock of FC250J arrives but would purchase the XMT2325 now if better and interchangeable.

David

Thank you Neil, So I am not so stupid after all. However the point Ketan was making from Arc's point of view is that they do sell the FC250J board as a C2 spare! And at a far more reasonable price than you know who! I have the roller bearings to fit and the M.E. article so will do that sometime soon.

If I can repair my two failed boards I will use one to drive a small high speed drill I am developing but my two locos first !

Thanks again for your comments.

David

Ketan,

Well now I am confused as everything I have read and seen for months inducated that the CL300 was a C3. There is such a plethora of different boards for what basicly is the same machine with just minor variations., and the absence of circuit diagrams does not help. No wonder I was asking the wrong questions.

However what matters is the actual board type and I am grateful to you for putting me right.

I will order one as soon as I see it available in the Arc spares listing which I hope will be soon as I am anxious to get the machine up and running again. I am also installing a small fan ( ex computer processor) to cool the electrics down as my machine has no overload protection apart from the fuse!

Again, my thanks .

David

Many thanks, Les. I have found a schematic for a FC350BJ/110V from an American site which I am sure will help when I look into it tomorrow. Will post my results if will help anyone else.

David

I need to replace the FC250J/230v motor control board on my CL300 but Clarkes' now want some £160 for a replacement. The latest version is the XMT2335 available from ArcEuro is only £80 post paid. I notice that the latest machine has some overload protection so I pesume the XMT 2335 provides that. Assuming all other connections are the same has anyone details of the overload connections and the warning light (LED?)

Would appreciate any info/comments.

David