A Look At – Building The LX050-OO Laser Cut Catenary Kits (Part Three – The Head Span Expansion)
Building The LX050-OO Catenary Kits -Part 3
(The Head Span Lattice Expansion – Pack E)
In the third part of the catenary series in which we are looking at the LX050-OO catenary Laser Cut range of kits. This time it’s the lattice head span expansion kit. So to recap on the previous article for those who may not of seen it:
The Scale Model Scenery catenary range of kits have been designed so can they can be mixed & matched. The range contains a ladder style mast, lattice style mast, lattice head span, castellated head span. Also included is head span expansion packs for both the castellated & lattice head spans. So the range will span any thing from a single, double, triple, quadruple tracks upwards.
All packs will build 10 pairs of masts or 10 double track headspans, or for the extension packs to span more than 2 tracks, they will do up to 20 triple track or 10 four track spans. Register arms, wirings & pulleys are not included with this kit (stay tuned for our tutorial fashioning your own!)
Each kit Contains: One or more sheets of Laser Cut Kit parts & instruction sheet. Designed for OO/HO scaled layouts.
For this article we assemble Pack E the lattice head span expansion kit with the assembly on to the masts article to follow…
Lets get started….
So as regular readers know by know here’s the tools & glue that you need:
- Cutting mat
- Craft knife with fresh sharp blades
- Roket card glue by Deluxe Materials or similar
- Steel rule or straight edge for cutting against
- Sanding stick
- Old cloth for wiping away excess glue
- Tweezers
- Acrylic paint (suitable grey or galvanized colour of your choice)
Familiarize your self with the parts on the kit parts sheet.
For every track you want to expand over two tracks or more you’ll need to use one expansion girder. Here for this article we’re going to expand the double track gantry to cover a three track section & mainline station area (where the masts need to be set back).
So one girder expansion per track is the rule of thumb here. Cut & remove one girder & four end braces (two end braces if you’ve already fitted one half of the double track head span with end braces.
Use the end brace with arrows on for joining expansion head span to the end head span. For joining two expansion head spans together between the two outer end head spans (i.e. in the middle of a four track gantry), use two braces out of the packs that don’t have the arrows marked on them.
So as per previous articles in this series, glue one half of the end brace & fit as shown on the right. I’ve not fitted end braces on the two outer head spans so i’ve fitted four end braces.
So as per previous articles in this series, glue one half of the end brace & fit as shown on the right. I’ve not fitted end braces on the two outer head spans so i’ve fitted four end braces. The end braces must go on the reverse side. This is the side as shown on the right identified by having the fold pips level /flush with the top of the fold edge line.
Apply a bead of glue along the tow fold lines as shown on the right.
Place into the jig & fold the two sides up. Next run a bead of glue along the edge with the tabs & the other fold line.
Fold side over so that the tabs engage the recesses. Press & hold a little whilst the glue sets.
Run a bead of glue along the outside of each of the four fold lines to help re-enforce the joints.
Pinch in the end braces slightly & apply glue one side of them as well as around the end of the girder.
Using a flat blade screwdriver or knife blade push the end braces firm against the insides of the girder. Hold till glue sets a little.
Now repeat the process with the other end of the girder & fit on to the other head span section.
Apply a bead of glue around the outside of each butt joint to help strengthen the joint. Allow to dry before fitting on to the masts.
Fitting head spans on the masts see part four of this series.
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