Johns' Blagdon Blog

Thanks for the headsup on what the SEF 517 actually covers.

Thanks for the headsup on what the SEF 517 actually covers.

I've just had a closer look at the contents and the chassis in particular is very impressive. The kit even includes the "glazing" for the spectacle plates. Also included are proper handrail knobs, not those split pins although perhaps that really does show my age!

 

Also, the bunker sides are cast with the valance as one piece and it would be a brave person who decided to cut those off and replace them with an earlier style of bunker. It would have been easier if the bunker was a separate casting.

 

So really, if you didn't want to do too much work on the kit you're restricted to a 517 in it's later guise, say from 1924 onwards. I can't help feeling this is a missed opportunity, perhaps a version could be produced with an earlier style of bunker, most of the rest of the kit would be unchanged.

i once wrote a summary of 517 class variations in a thread entitled George Armstrong's Masterpiece. 

 

According to the information I found, it is correct that the last six (after 1885) were built with 15' 6" wheelbase but, when earlier engines were re-furbished at Wolverhampton, the 15' wheelbase was not altered, even when frames were lengthened by 6".  Those engines re-furbished at Swindon, however, received the longer wheelbase.  I don't have the relative numbers involved at the two works to hand.

 

AFAIK, inside-bearing engines all ended up with 15' wheelbase and most outside-bearing engines had the same.

Thanks John, very useful information (and very quick service by SEF!).

 

So really, if you didn't want to do too much work on the kit you're restricted to a 517 in it's later guise, say from 1924 onwards. I can't help feeling this is a missed opportunity, perhaps a version could be produced with an earlier style of bunker, most of the rest of the kit would be unchanged.

 

I agree, that's a pity. I don't suppose it provides for a roundtopped firebox then?

Thanks John, very useful information (and very quick service by SEF!).

 

 

I agree, that's a pity. I don't suppose it provides for a roundtopped firebox then?

Hi Mikkel,

 

I'm afraid the firebox is cast integral with the boiler and tank tops.

 

The M & L kit, if you can get it, would be ideal for you as there were two separate fireboxes in the kit. Just to be different I modelled mine on 559 which retained the round topped firebox to the end and also, unusually, had top feed appartus. I committed the cardinal sin of modelling a particular example of the class based on one indistinct photo claiming to show 559. When I did acquire two much better photos I was relieved to see that the model was accurate in most respects although one showed the Swindon bunker with an internal box like arrangement, the other without.

 

I'll put a photo of 559 on my blog.

The best option for the different variations would be the Mallard kit if you can find one. 

 

Don

The best option for the different variations would be the Mallard kit if you can find one. 

 

Don

Thanks Don,

 

I still have the instructions for the Mallard kit. Like the SEF kit that only comes with the later bunker.

 

I hated the kit, in particular the overlays. Rather than using a punch to knock out the rivet details, the Mallard kit comes with a thin NS overlays that goes over the thicker NS body. I couldn't satisfactorily bond the overlays to the body and ended up throwing the thing in the bin as my efforts began damaging the parts. I think it's the only kit I've actually thrown away and it put me off buying another etched kit. I did though summon up the courage to try again and was pleasantly surprised, the two I have made, from Peter K and Puffers (Rod Neep) were a pleasant surprise and went together well.