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Back in Time - 517 class


MikeOxon

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In my very first post in this blog, I mentioned converting an old K's 14xx to a fair representation of a 517 class. Since the 517 was a very variable class, it's impossible to select a 'typical' version - they vary from the earliest tiny saddle tanks, with a short wheelbase, to the final re-builds, which were very similar to Collett's 14xx series. Nevertheless, there were significant differences between even the latest of these engines and the 14xx - most obviously in the cab but also the 14xx has a higher-pitched boiler and longer smokebox. That's why I said a 'fair' representation, since an accurate model would require a complete re-build!

 

Superimposing drawings of a late 517 and a 14xx, shows both the similarities and differences. In fact, if you 'scale up' the 517 drawing by about 6%, then they become very close indeed, so I comforted myself by thinking that a small difference of scale is hardly noticeable in a model!

 

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The K's model is a simple white-metal body casting, which includes plates below the footplate, to carry dummy outside-bearings for the trailing wheels. As I wanted an inside-bearing model, it was simply a matter of removing these parts. The next 'removal' was more difficult, since the front toolboxes on the 14xx model are cast integrally with the front splashers. It needed careful work with a saw to separate these without damaging other parts of the model. Cutting away the cab was relatively simple, leading to the stage shown below.

 

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I then made a new spectacle plate from styrene sheet and rear extensions to the tops of the side tanks, in the same way. I cut out part of the original cab sides and fixed them to the new tank tops and spectacle plates with superglue. A new cabroof completed the model -a pretty quick and easy conversion. :)

 

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Since the original model had a Belpaire firebox, I needed to find a prototype 517 with both this type of firebox and inside-bearings on the trailing wheels. Fortunately, Russell's 'GW locomotives' contains a photo of No. 835 with these key features, so I numbered mine accordingly. With modeller's licence, I decided I also wanted smokebox 'wing plates', since these are a nice 'Victorian' feature and also disguised the drum-type smokebox. To shape these, I took a head-on photo of my model and then scaled and printed this as a template for cutting out styrene sheet.

 

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I also needed new sand boxes so, as I have mentioned in another forum, I made these out of the ends of a couple of nylon cable-ties:

 

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As I pointed out at the outset, there are plenty of detail errors but I think No.835 takes its place very well alongside my 'Stella' conversion.

 

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Mike

 

addendum - since writing this post, I have started a thread covering the variations within the '517 class' at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/92797-george-armstrongs-masterpiece/&do=findComment&comment=1668654

Edited by MikeOxon
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  • RMweb Gold

What a great couple those two make. I like those little tricks with the overlaid drawings, the cable-tie sandboxes and the head-on photo. There ought to be a name for this approach to modelling, which freely mixes available means and materials in creative ways.

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Thanks again, Mikkel.  I do find a computer is one of the most useful bits of modelling kit!  It's great to be able to visualise a model before actually building it!  I often make coloured images, to explore liveries and so on, before I start painting.

 

I have too many 'pending' tasks at the moment, as a result of all the possibilities opened up by the Silhouette cutter, so these little design studies are keeping my mind ticking over, until all the bits I need finally arrive.

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  • RMweb Gold

Makes an attractive result. I seem to remember the earliest had a shorter wheelbase which was later lengthened to 15ft and the rest were 15ft wheelbase except for the last few which were 15ft 6in. There was a good series on building the Mallard kit and the various changes by Ian Rice in M|RN or its sucessor. I quite like the straight back bunker variant.

Don

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Thank you Don.  Certainly a very variable 'class' but they all have lots of character.  Plenty of scope for building some more, different ones  :)

 

Mike

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  • RMweb Gold

That's an interesting thought. A trio of 517s on the same layout. Wouldn't that be nice!

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yes, and one in the eye for those who say all GWR engines look the same! 

 

It would be easy to find three 517s that no casual visitor would ever think were the same class - much easier than with a trio of A4s, say :)

 

Mike

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