Ridings - the vehicles

The original idea was to scratchbuild a number of trolleybuses for Ridings and use a handful of diecasts representing the Yorkshire area to supplement them. I also built some kits from the Classic Bus Kits (ex MTS) range, as I could create a few Huddersfield vehicles, until recently a distinct gap in everyone's diecast ranges. It became apparent, however, that the objective was going to be difficult to achieve, as the scratchbuilding time was more than I could cope with, in addition to building the layout, and the steering mechanism was complex to engineer with the facilities I had. I eventually succumbed to building trolleybus kits and bus kits with Faller steering units incorporated. This was after I discovered that the Faller units followed my guide system perfectly. I soon built Faller chassis' into a Halifax single deck EFE diecast and a Classic Bus kit Huddersfield Daimler as shown below, followed by a Regent V and a Leyland. Later I also converted trolleybuses from Tony Chlad's Walford Arches layout and built a Bradford version of the Regent V.

After running the vehicles for a time, I fitted a potentiometer to all the Faller chassis', so that I could regulate the speed periodically, as they slow down as the batteries discharge. The pot enabled me to keep their speed similar, which is quite important when operating a few vehicles at the same time at an exhibition!

Meanwhile, the construction of good East Lancs trolleybus bodies has been difficult; the resin castings shown below aren't very accurate. I have therefore being experimenting with 3D printing. A small local firm has converted drawings into the 3D arrangement and we have test-printed a few samples on a cheap printer in order to get them right. Once happy we can do a run by contracting a very good printer and I'll have enough bodies to create a decent fleet and some will go to MBF colleagues. Pictures to follow at the end of this page.

(>>) indicates a larger shot is available. Click on the arrows or the photo.

Three Classic Bus kits - Huddersfield AEC Regent V, Daimler CVG6 and Leyland PD3A.	The three diesels again with a scratchbuilt Huddersfield Trolleybus (second version).	Classic Bus kit of Huddersfield East Lancs Daimler with chassis and lower deck seating removed. This was to add the motorised chassis.
Faller chassis stripped down ready for modification and fitting. Also Halifax EFE with first chassis already fitted. (>>)	Chassis extended; new floor and side straps ready for gluing. The rear required a few mm extra and the wheels have been moved out.	Chassis completed and fitted inside Daimler. The chassis fits against stops inside the lower deck. New seating is still required.
The finished articles running on the layout. The Daimler still needs its wheels painting.	The Regent V takes a run out in the countryside after conversion.	All three converted vehicles. (>>)
Showing modification to the steering unit to avoid locking over on full lock. (>>)	View of the scratchbuilt trolleybus on the layout. (>>)	A Land-Rover and a Bedford CA van have been added to the fleet, along with a number of the increasing range of 4mm scale road vehicles. As yet these are not motorised, being so small!
All three Huddersfield diesels now run under their own power. A Bradford PD3A kit is awaiting construction, and this too will be motorised.	Scratchbuilding a lot of trolleybuses would be a big effort, so a number of CMA resin Huddersfield trolleybus kits have been obtained. These aren't brilliant, but will be a good starting point for modifying. Here is one dry-fitted together.	This is the kit of parts. Obviously a motorised chassis will have to be built and the overhead collection equipment replaced. However, consideration is being given to 3D-printed bodies produced, if they can be drawn up (the most expensive part) at reasonable cost.
In 2010 I acquired a couple of trolleybuses from the Walford Arches collection. Here is a Bradford trolleybus which will be particularly suitable for Ridings. (>>)	Here it is in front of the Town Hall, entering Town Hall Square roundabout - really at home here! Unfortunately I will have to modify the chassis and the overhead gear to run on my layout.  (>>)	Also acquired is this Derby trolleybus. A bit further afield from Ridings, but will be a future project. These were scratchbuilt by Tony Chlad and are very good.  (>>)
Two shots of the Bradford trolleybus's new parts under construction - a new chassis and motor, plus a new set of booms - the latter still require painting.  (>>)		Here is the finished Bradford trolleybus, complete with lights (DCC controlled of course). It is posed outside the station with the Huddersfield trolleybus at the HRM show in Holmfirth in October 2010.  (>>)
Now that two trolleybuses are DCC-enabled, a slave controller has been added so that both vehicles can be independently controlled without having to punch in their numbers. A further controller can be added for a third trolleybus.	A view of the progress on the Bradford Regent V (instead of building it a PD3A as per the kit) with the previously finished Huddersfield version.   (>>)	The bodyshell has the Ivory paintwork applied and the chassis has been cut away from the Faller bus; it still needs lengthening.  (>>)
The body assembled and painted. The conversion of the kit to a Regent V proved tricky around the bonnet and wheel arch which needed some new parts making, despite acquiring a white-metal conversion kit. Anyway, here it is almost ready for a trial run. Whilst I have fitted the transfers, it still requires a few details, like a fleet number and number plates.  (>>)	Here is the Bradford Regent V running on the layout. I found that it didn't operate as well as the previous Regent V, or the other vehicles for that matter. I discovered that the white-metal parts I used at the front did not give it as much extra weight as I had expected and it needed supplementing to make it as heavy at the front as the other vehicles - this is necessary to make sure the steering does its job properly, so is now rectified.   (>>)	A further Huddersfield trolleybus is under construction. A fellow modeller made me a Park Royal body (the previous Huddersfield was an East Lancs) and I need to construct a chassis for it as well as the overhead gear. Here it is standing on a temporary unpowered chassis to see what it will look like. (>>)
Lots of parts are required to build a chassis and overhead gear. From L to R are: DCC decoder, two trolley pole kits, Faller front axle assembly and guide strip, wheel hubs and tyres, brass sheet and square tube, axles, motor, flywheel, gearbox kit and gears. (>>)	A number of the parts seen on the left have now been constructed using my drawings underneath; the chassis takes shape and the gearbox has been attached to the motor. Trial fitting within the body has taken place.  (>>)	The chassis is ready and the trolley gantry has been fitted. (>>)
The new trolleybus with completed chassis and trolley gear running past the station building. There is still a lot of detailing left to do - more paintwork, transfers and the interior in particular. (>>)	Running on test up the hill past the bungalow. All's well so far.  (>>)	Another test run past the park.  (>>) The new trolley operated well enough to run at the 2015 Sheffield Exhibition (see main Ridings page).
In order to generate a fleet of Huddersfield trolleybuses, attempts are being made to use 3D Printing. (>>)	Here are 4 in the sequence of trials. The partially painted one is off a very expensive accurate printer, the others are just quick runs off a cheaper one to check the look.	Here is the best body with the Bradford trolley, although it still needs some tweaking  (>>)