Heywood Brake Van in 1:24… Part 2
24th January 
no responses · Modelwork Over the past week I made some changes to the structural design of the Heywood Brake Van after review of some detail photographs and discussion with Mike Decker (Deckers Trains) concerning the joinery aspects.
On the joinery between the sole beams and end beams, I’ve replaced the double mortise and tenon joints with a single mortise and tenon open at the top . This would have been a much simpler and equally effective joint to produce. In addition, we believe the raised portion of the sole beam could easily be a separate piece which would also simplify the joinery between the two main structural components. I’ve added a rebate to the lower inside of this piece to capture the ends of the floorboards protecting them from moisture intrusion. In addition a rebate is cut into the inside edge of the end beams to capture the outer edges of the floor boards.
The drawing below shows the revised frame. The joinery on the center stretcher has also been simplified by making the mortise open at the top.
- Frame Assembly for Heywood Brake Van
The next image shows the tongue & groove floor boards in place on the frame.
- Heywood Brake Van frame with floor boards in place.
Below is the rendering of the frame assembly.
- Rendering of assembled frame components
And lastly, the rendering of the frame with the floor boards in place.
- Rendering of assembled frame with floor boards in place
With these changes I believe we have resolved some of the mysteries of the frame assembly. Now it’s on to the superstructure…