Kit Build - LRM LMS 2P 0-4-4T (P4)

[Jub45565]

This is more of a placeholder to start with - I have several things to clear from the workbench, and a 2 week holiday from the end of next week - but I hope to have made good progress before the Ultrascale wheelsets for it turn up in around July.

 

I plan to do 41904 of Royston shed in the mid-late 1950s.

[Jub45565]

While sorting out what reference photos I have available, I came across references to British Railway Journal no 13 from Autumn 1986.  Before I splash out on it, does anyone have a copy that they could have a glance at for me please?  I am basically trying to ascertain how many 'useful' (ie close up/detailed) photos the article includes, especially in later life.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Horsetan]

Do you have this one already?

[Jub45565]

Nope! Many thanks for that one.

[Jub45565]

From the same source, of a different loco (full marks for that one being the specifically requested prototype Ivan!) - this one shows an interesting cab back roof profile...

 

http://www.rail-online.co.uk/p265322570/h24363f3d#h24363f3d

 

There are more photos of 41900 with the same feature.  There is a good 3/4 view from the LHS of 41907 there too. Useful stuff.

[Horsetan]

Another one here, but after withdrawal

[Jub45565]

Thanks - I wonder when the bend in the front bufferbeam was aquired!  The other photo is taken such that the buffer head completely obscures that corner.

 

That photo does also confirm that it never received a late crest. I think I already knew that only one of them ever did, but it's good to be reminded of these things.

 

I've also correctly myself in that 41904 never made it to Royston, but will have been 'borrowed' by the worth valley before Keighley became part of the NE region - while at Lancaster all the way through from 1950 on paper.  This is still the most likely candidate for me, although it is another Lancaster long timer 41903 which has a smokebox number plate available from 247.  It is 41902 and 41904 which I have seen referenced as used on the worth valley, albeit far earlier in the 50s than ideal for my timeframe.

[Charles]

I'm looking forward to seeing your build.

 

The 'LMS Journal - Special preview issue' has a thorough profile of the class including

very detailed drawings and numerous photographs.

 

The 'bashed' rear roof profile seems to be quite common.   It seems to be caused by

blocks of coal landing heavily.

[Arthur]

 

A very attractive little prototype, it's a pity they are of so limited use in a modelling context.

 

This is mine, in 00, from the Compass Models kit, the only kit they ever did as far as I recall.

 

 

 

Good luck with the build, I wasn't aware that LRM did a kit, I'll follow with interest.

[Jol Wilkinson]

For those like Arthur, the following link may be of use;

 

http://traders.scalefour.org/LondonRoadModels/locos-tenders-chassis/lms/

 

The whole London Road Models range can be accessed here:

 

http://traders.scalefour.org/LondonRoadModels/

 

 

[Arthur]

 

Thanks Jol.

 

The Compass Models kit was available only briefly in the mid 1980's, a nice kit at the time. I've no doubt that the LRM kit is even better,

[Adam]

Thanks Jol.

 

The Compass Models kit was available only briefly in the mid 1980's, a nice kit at the time. I've no doubt that the LRM kit is even better,

 

I have half a notion that - in origin at least - they are one and the same though I daresay that the fittings might have been refined or otherwise altered. Despite the usual (horrible) Fowler-era Derby smokebox door they seem attractive machines and making 0-4-4s run properly is an interesting task. I'd be interested to see what approach you have in mind.

 

The one 0-4-4 I've done is fully compensated along the lines Iain Rice suggested in MRJ no. 3 and runs actually, rather well. It says nothing for the kit (a Gibson LSWR O2) that the beams and so on were by far the least stressful part of the build... 

 

Adam

[Jub45565]

Well, apologies for the interlude!  I have now cleared a Bachmann Porthole comp and progressed enough with a D1784 none gangwayed third (Dapol bash) to make room for the 2P.

 

The LRM kit is designed with twin beamed compensation in mind, and while I have otherwise settled on the Brassmasters/Comet sprung hornblock method I think the LRM supplied approach sounds most sensible for the 0-4-4 arrangement.

 

My main change in the build will be to include split axle pickups on the bogie.  I'm fairly happy with wipers on driven wheels, but don't seem to be able to get the right compromise between ensuring contact but not apply the brakes on none driven axles!

 

I agree with the sentiment that they arent the most useful, I am having to do a slight bit of modellers licence though they did at least run in the right area.  There are 3 main reasons behind doing this one rather than the Midland version though, these being:

- Being such a small class of locos though I think they are less likely to be produced RTR.

- Aesthetics.  I think the Midland locos, while they look good stand alone, look quite squat stood next to LMS standard coaching stock.

- The kit!  This is a rolls royce in comparison to the Craftsman kit for the Midland variant, and has the built in design for compensation.

 

Once I've managed to shape the splasher tops and fit them I will get some photos up...

[Jol Wilkinson]

I have half a notion that - in origin at least - they are one and the same though I daresay that the fittings might have been refined or otherwise altered. Despite the usual (horrible) Fowler-era Derby smokebox door they seem attractive machines and making 0-4-4s run properly is an interesting task. I'd be interested to see what approach you have in mind.

 

The one 0-4-4 I've done is fully compensated along the lines Iain Rice suggested in MRJ no. 3 and runs actually, rather well. It says nothing for the kit (a Gibson LSWR O2) that the beams and so on were by far the least stressful part of the build... 

 

Adam

Adam,

 

AFAIK the LRM kit has no connecrion with the Compass Models kit. The LRM version was designed by John Redrup, is etched in nickel silver and has a cast resin boiler/smokebox.

 

Jol

[Adam]

Adam,

 

AFAIK the LRM kit has no connecrion with the Compass Models kit. The LRM version was designed by John Redrup, is etched in nickel silver and has a cast resin boiler/smokebox.

 

Jol

 

Thanks for the clarification Jol - as I said, it was only half a notion, presumably based on no more than being a kit for the same prototype.

 

Adam

[Arthur]

 

I seem to recall that the Compass kit was produced by, or produced for, a chap who basically wanted one for his own layout and a small run of kits resulted.

[billbedford]

A Rod Neep Special?

[Arthur]

 

Possible Bill, I'll have a look at the box/instructions and see if there's a clue there. I recall the chap was in the Wigan area, not that that helps with it's origin.

[Jub45565]

I have found myself a suitable former, in the form of a Humbrol paint tin (other items of this diameter are, I'm sure, available).  I will rest on the laurels of this success and go in search of sustenance and hopefully I will have fitted both splasher tops and photo'd the evidence before the evening is out.

[Jub45565]

Having formed the splasher tops around the Humbrol tin, I pressed on and fitted them.  I'm no expert, so this is really just to document what I've done - I expect as many people could let me know how to improve as can learn from this method :-)

 

Firstly, I attached the tops with blutack from the inside to both save me having to hold it while soldering, and prove I was happy with the fit.

 

 

 

This is the current state of play.  It needs a bit of further tidying up but I am happy with the profile.  This also shows that I have already fitted the bufferbeams (with integral lamp irons which locate through slots in the footplate).  Shame when I rushed ahead with that part of the build I didn't have my LRM gravity rivetter (a Scalefour North purchase), so the rivet detailing isnt as crisp as I'd like - however I've just had a play and can still reach most of them to have another go so all is not lost.

 

[Jub45565]

Finishing work at 3, it seems to have been a quiet news day which meant I could get on with some modelling without too much distraction.  Don't worry, I am aware of current affairs and of last nights results.  Preston and Swindon won, so roll on the second legs.

 

The bogie has had the 3 sections formed and soldered up.  The central frame is upside down here, and once I have fettled the outer frames to glide up and down the hornguides and soldered in the anchors, I will expoxy in a U of plasticard to the central frame before splitting the metalwork to allow for the split axle pickups.

 

 

Meanwhile, the bodywork has flown together.  I didn't quite build it up as per the instructions though...

 

The tank/cab sides have tab and slot attachment points to the footplate, which is good - but the cab front and back don't. It also doesn't sit flush to the front of the cab side, but is recessed 0.7mm back.  I decided to start with the tank front on one side, and then tank top, and allow this to fix the cab front.  Then I fitted the other side, and from that fitted the second set of tank front and top.  It seemed to do the trick...

 

I do need to fettle the top of the cab sides a bit yet, so these aren't soldered up solid.

 

 

So next steps are to complete the cab sides, and then fit the bunker and cab doors.  I will then fit the boiler fittings, and can then start the chassis.  I thought the build would drag out long enough to allow for the Ultrascale delivery to fit in seemlessly, but I'm not expecting those until July. Still, plenty to occupy me for a while yet!

[N15class]

I take it the side beams on the bogie are pivoted to give them freedom of movement. Are the drivers on side beams to complete the compensation?

[Jub45565]

Yes, the idea of the bogie sidebeams is that one is fixed solidly to the central frame and the second one pivots freely, The drivers will have twin beam compensation.

[Jub45565]

It was a nice day outside today, so I should really have tackled the garden!  However, I did this instead :-)

 

I have now progressed the body pretty much as far as I am going to for the time being,that is until I have a working chassis. I might fit the odd buffer and coupling in between times, but I doubt it!

 

The coal rails are yet to be fitted, but are just placed in.  This is because I have noticed that they only have 2 side verticals, and none of the 4 which are situated along the back of the bunker.  I'm weighing up how I could add these, or whether they would then be too prominent and thus unless I was to etch a new set I might be best leaving well alone.  I'm not a rivet counter really, but more someone who might notice if a strip of rivets wasn't there...

 

 

The boiler and its fittings are not in any way attached to each other or the loco yet either, and again I think I need to ensure that the loco runs before I can do this.  While the front of the boiler is a solid resin casting, it might be worthwhile drilling some out to allow liquid lead to replace it.  There is plenty of space in the tanks mind you, but those would be a good place for a decoder.  Time will tell when I get the chassis underway!

 

The cab roof is also not yet fitted, as that is awaiting the boiler and boiler backhead to be fitted.

 

 

Sorry about this one, it is vertical at source and I cant see how to rectify it here once RMWEb has decided to rotate it for me...)

 

 

There is still a lot to do, and a few bits to fettle that show up more on photos, but that is the vast majority of the body sorted out.  I will hopefully crack on with the chassis while I've got momentum, as far as I can until the wheels turn up!

[Jub45565]

As a bit of a conclusion of the build so far - I like the general way the kit has gone together. A slot in the footplate for cab front & rear would have been nice.

 

The biggest issue I've had - which I think is me not the kit - is creating flowing curves for the likes of the cab sides. I'm happy when a whole piece curves (such as splasher tops) but need to sort out a technique that works for me with little bits. Too much fettling with pliers afterwards leaves it's mark...