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Mitchell 43xx for Cheddar - identity crisis

The Fatadder

Entry posted by The Fatadder

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A chance purchase off ebay of a built Mitchell 43xx kit has arrived this morning.

 

Took a bit of a risk on this as I had only viewed the photos in small size on my phone due to a lack of internet, thankfully it looks in pretty good condition.

A little damage in posting (break gear, buffer beam), and a few missing parts (no buffers for a start)

 

 

The biggest problem appears to be the firebox, which appears slightly higher on one side than the other. short of stripping it down and re fabricating, not sure what else I will be able to do here. Thankfully from most angles its not noticeable so I may well just leave alone.

 

The bufferbeam has a slight dent in the middle on the front, which should be able to be pressed out. similarly there was a slight dent in the top fairing of the tender (again postal damage) which was quickly rectified.

 

Chassis wise a quick first check and it looks square, just needs a bit of solder cleaning up that has got a bit close to the hornblocks. The front pony truck has completely ceased however, and needs to be completely stripped down and rebuilt.

 

Wheels were not included (though there is a set of ultrascale bogie wheels in the pony truck), I will be ordering a set of Gibsons for the drivers / tender asap. Along with a high level gearbox and motor. Looking forward to getting it moving.

 

Finally I want to give it a new top coat of GWR green, though that wont be until the summer once the move is over and I have my compressor / airbrush up in Newtown.

 

The big question is which number to model as.

It appears to be built as a later build loco (does not have the long splasher on the right hand side),

Its planned to be principally used on the 7.53am Trowbridge - Bristol working, I'm not sure which shed this would have worked off. Bristol or Westbury? Would certainly welcome some advice.

 

Some photos

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10 Comments

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  • RMweb Gold
Brinkly
  • RMweb Gold

I can't offer any advice, but I nearly bought this model! I'm glad someone I know got.

 

I know Ultrascale wheels are more expensive, but would you not consider those? Order them now and put £5 a week back in a pot, then you would have a really nice kit, with a nice gearbox and beautiful wheels.

 

Regards,

 

Nick

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  • RMweb Gold
The Fatadder
  • RMweb Gold

I had a feeling others on here may have been interested, very glad I got it

 

Will have a think about the ultrascales, I'm not in a rush to get it together

Will cost it out later I think

 

The to buy list of wheels is getting pretty long now

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Mike G

Have you got an engine number in mind? I'm in the process of putting an MM chassis together for a 43xx (4326) ran through Little Mill), and there are lots of variants, ranging from different splashers to outside pipes to connect the cylinders from the smokebox - dependant on engine number.

And yes I bid for this as well...glad its' gone to a good home.

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  • RMweb Gold
The Fatadder
  • RMweb Gold

It was modelled as 6376 assuming the builder worked correctly to his prototype

Though I'm not remotely knowledgeable enough on the class to identify yet

The plan is post exams to go through the instructions and reference parts on model against then to work out exactly what I have

The problem then is that while there is a very good record online as to which locos were at each shed in'48 I have no idea what variants match each loco

 

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David Burton

6376 is a correct number for a loco in this condition. In fact with the longer cab side sheets and roof, the separate right hand splasher, later shape motion bracket and the tapered cast iron chimney it is a standard 63xx, a description which covered 5390 - 7321. 6362 - 6369 and 7320/1 were built with outside steam pipes and other locos started to be fitted from 1928 onwards, but locos without could be seen into BR times. However it is not fitted with ATC equipment or conduit along the right hand valance (hanging plate) which was fitted in the early 30s. However, this can easily be added.

Good luck with the project

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  • RMweb Gold
The Fatadder
  • RMweb Gold

Thanks

Will have a proper photo search on suitable loco numbers this even après revision

 

What is involved with the atc equipment / conduit

 

I suppose if necessary adding the steam pipes will be a fairly easy job, must say I do prefer the look with them, slightly more powerful looking

 

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Mike G

If you want the info I have for this class drop me a PM and I'll scan what I have for you.

 

Mike

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  • RMweb Gold
The Fatadder
  • RMweb Gold

Another question,

 

I've gone through the full list of westbury and Bristol Bath Road based locos and while there are plenty of westbury locos in the number range, other than a few 1960s photos showing 6368 I didnt have any luck finding photos of a westbury based loco.

 

 

 

However I did manage to find a photo of 6381 (a Gloucester based loco), which is shown in 1949 with the right tender.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:6381_at_Southampton_Terminus_1949.jpg

 

The other options for Westbury locos were: 6314, 6351, 6365, 6369 and 7309

 

The only other photo I have found so far was 7305 on the mainline in '47 on a mainline freight, though I think this was a welsh based loco and likely is of no use.

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Horsetan

I was watching this very same engine and tender. The wheels and RG4 from it went for £90.57 alone!

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  • RMweb Gold
The Fatadder
  • RMweb Gold

I need to remember the stupid price rg4s seem to go for

A couple of times I've passed on kit built locos as they approach the 159+ price

But I need to remember the cash back from flogging the motor....

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