How do you 'Quarter' Buffers?

I’ve always been a fan of the ‘Quartered’ buffers look on locos. How is this achieved?



Benny

 

Emery/wet and dry cloth, buffed in different directions - eg opposite quarters buffed horizontally, the other quarters buffed vertically.

On a connected(ish!) note, was it the Caley Single that had thistles burnished into the buffers back in the 60's? Now that's impressive!

 

I believe they were engraved, and that said buffers were nicked.

 

the only thing I would add to Stewie G's remarks - A lot of practice !

 

I seem to remember a loco on SVR put burnished into the buffers last year, cant remember which loco it was however.

 

I believe it was Erlestoke.

I assume that whoever did it is now on a powerful cortisone dosage!

 

I have to admit it did look good! thinking back i seem to think it was the work of Mr Clarke.

 

It was 7802 Bradley Manor which, at the time, had burnished buffers whereas 7812 had painted ones.

And yes, it was the legend with the scotchbrite, Mr. Clarke himself.

 

I once did it on the No.3 'Sir Haydn's buffer on the Talyllyn only to get told off by one of the workshop staff and watch him slap a load of grease onto my work...!

 

the problem with quartered buffers is it removes the protective layer of paint, so if not done daily, they soon rust and look awefull. I prefere some quice workmanship with a paint brush and black paint myself!

 

A thin layer of thick oil applied with a clean cloth after they've been buffed up will prevent this. Do it again at the end of the day to protect them until next time.

 

Oxymoron?! :tongue:

 

Lol, depends how you look at it! Thick oil as in cylinder oil. Thin layer as in applied with a clean rag, rather than poured straight out of the bottle....

 

Neil I also had that happen... Zoe was firing 4 for a wedding special and the loco was to be in shed until the day of the wedding and I spent the previous two days quartering the buffers and putting horseshoes it them (including holes) the ECS was to go down with a Diesel and yet they still ended up with grease on the buffers...

 

Sounds very typical. Not sure if you can quarter a 'chopper'?!

 

oh you can... No.8 occasionally carried such