'No.1' in the Works

Entry posted by S.A.C Martin October 10, 2009

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It seems rather fitting that my first actual modelling update on the new forum should involve a locomotive very, very close to my heart. It's numbered one, but its not Thomas!!!

In 1994 I saw Flying Scotsman for the first time, at Llangollen in Wales. I was awe-struck by this machine: I remember with incredible clarity looking up at the black & gold nameplate and just studying its polished finish for several minutes.

It very quickly became my favourite locomotive (and in my heart of hearts, it still is, despite the lustre of Tornado, an engine I support monetarily). My dad then bet me that he could show me a locomotive that would change my mind about Flying Scotsman. I didn't believe him, being seven.

A few weeks later my father took me to the National Railway Museum to see one of his favourite engines. She was sitting on the turntable, and had been recently polished.

I remember my first glance up at those incredible driving wheels with such clarity. That memory has stayed with me all my days. Apple green, polished, with a black nose and incredibly intricate white, black, and red lining.

Patrick Stirling's 8ft Single. No.1, Great Northern Railway.

That locomotive has held an fascination for me. Whenever I see a photograph of it, I pause to remember briefly that strange sensation - the open mouth, the "wow" factor of the real thing on the turntable, surrounded by other highly polished steam locomotives and rolling stock. I'm only sorry I've never seen it in steam. If the NRM ever wanted to steam it (and I won the lottery), a cheque would be making its way to York instantly...

That being said, I have always wanted a model of this engine. I've missed out on a few kitmaster models, but after seeing "Emily" in the Bachmann Thomas range (hows that for a subtle irony) well, how could I resist the chance to carve one up to make no.1?

Here's a recap of where we left no.1 on the old forum:

To begin with, we have the Bachmann Emily Model, minus face, and with a Kitmaster stirling single tender attached. The tender came as part of a strange lot of engine plus trucks (and the Triang 3F which was paired with the tender became my J17). The Bachmann Emily needed some carving, and I am most grateful to the LNER Encyclopedia forum for some tips as to where and how to carve the body up.

So, a few weeks later, the engine's body had a few changes made. I had drilled out the cab spectacles, cut down the running plate on both sides, removed the moulded handrails and added a suitable smokebox door. The tender at this point was still in its form from when it had been built by its previous owner. There was an obvious problem with the heights between the cab and tender (see above).

Then I had an idea, mainly caused by a suggestion on the old RMweb of carving the Bachmann Emily tender up to make the GNR pattern one I wanted so much...brace yourselves...

I decided to carve up the Kitmaster tender and mix 'n' match the components from the Emily tender to make one tender which was distinctly more GNR like. This also meant I'd have a better ride height, and it also meant that I could attach the tender in the original (more efficient) arrangement. However, I came across this:

Could someone please explain to me what the white stuff is??? It's not white tack, and its not chewing gum, but it was used to hold the tender together (!!!)

In fact, I discovered that the only thing which had held any of the tender pieces together, was my previous attempt at replacing the cracked bufferbeam, using a defunct bufferbeam from the spares box and supergluing it in place. If I dropped the tender it would have come apart really, really easily...!!!

I then started bashing the Emily tender frames about. The idea is to graft the kitmaster side frames on top of these to present the illusion of the kitmaster sides actually carrying the wheels (and I hope no one ever looks at the model from behind the tender, as the frames look very fat when finished!)

Carving up the frames:

At which point I used some real white tack to attach the kitmaster tender sides and top to the frames in order to see how it all looks. It doesn't look too bad, the biggest downer being the width of the tender in all honesty. This gives a very over wide running plate either side of the tender tank, and gives it a look of strange proportions. Still, see what you make of it (and any and all suggestions are welcome!)

At this point I decided to humour myself a little. I've been debating whether or not I can do justice to the real locomotive with this kitbash. I decided to paint out the white running plate and paint the smokebox hinges, just for tonight to see if the model is looking any more like the real thing and less like a toy:

I think I might just about be able to do this. Next job is to finish the tender, then turn my attention to the driving wheel splashers, cab and handrails. I am also considering trying to source a suitable chimney as I hate the look of the Emily one.

Until next time!