Ross Natoin

Hi everyone, A little back story to kick us off, I was watching videos on YouTube of; Grantham the streamlined years, Little Bytham, Retford, London Road and Peterborough North and I noticed all/most of the suburban trains had at least one set of articulated coaches in them. I purchased the bundle of four suburban coaches and a peppercorn K1 from Hornby with an additional brake third recently and I looked at the brake third and third coach and my brain began thinking. So I had a look in a book I have called LNER Carriages by Michael Harris. It has loads of information on all the types of LNER coaches post 1923 I believe. In that book I found the topic of articulated coaches. It talked about the Silver Jubilee, Coronation and other artic express stock but also about the suburban stock too. I got to reading it and discovered that I could use my Hornby Gresley suburban four compartment brake third and an eight compartment third to become a brake third artic pair. So I looked for any specific requirements ie ten foot bogies etc but found the the original eight foot six inch bogie where more commonly used (for suburban stock). Result!! What happened next was to be expected, I got planning how I was to convert these over to an artic pair. I used a piece of 2MM plastic card with a small 10BA bolt and two nuts, removed the brake pipes, buffers and hooks for the couplings and then drilled two holes in one of the spare bogies for the bolts to sit through. one of the 10BA nuts secured the bolt through the plastic card and the other helped to raise the coach to the correct height. So with that all said I’ve attached some photos of the completed pair. They run beautifully and look the business. Next I’ll research some more on the under frames and modify those to suit but for now I’m happy with them. Thank you for reading, Ross

Hi, Thanks for that. I’ll look into high level gearboxes I’ve heard loads of good things about them. Ross

Hi bud, I intend to use a DJH motor on the WD as that’s a DJH product and I know one of their motors will fit it. As for the A2/1 I wanted to experiment a little as it’s a Crownline kit and just wondered what’s about on the market and what people thought of certain products. have you got a link to the pins you’ve used on your A2? On my Peppercorn A2 i soldered to the rivet and it’s not a pretty picture if I’m honest. So I’m looking out for a better solution. regards, Ross.

Hi John, I shall check out high levels stuff I’ve watched a video by the loco builder on YouTube and he speaks highly of these too. I used portescap in the title as they’re what I’m thinking of going over to but really I’m open to suggestions. I tend to use DJH motors and gearboxes when constructing DJH products so as the A2/1 is a Crownline kit I thought I’d experiment a little and see what else is about. I must of forgot to put that in the main thread. My apologies. Thank you for your comments on the locos, that’s very appreciated. These are my third (A2/1) and fourth (WD) builds and I’m glad they’re not too bad. thanks for the advice, Ross.

Hi all, its Question time again!! So having completed my DJH peppercorn A2 build, paired with the subsequent arrival of my Hornby A2/2 and A2/3. I’ve started to build my crownline kit of an A2/1. it’s coming along but I’m yet to complete the chassis owing to my desire to try a new type of motor and I was wondering what recommendations are there in terms of motor/gearbox combination would be recommended for a Crownline A2/1 and A1/1? Also How do people construct their valve gear? On my peppercorn A2 it’s a bit messy as I tried soldering the rivets on on piece allowing the other to move freely via the use of a paper washer. Following advise from the Right track series. I’m trying to find the correct size of brass pin Tony Wright used in the video but no luck just yet. If anyone knows please tell me. As the riveting method I’m trying now (small pin hammer and bending other the edges) is working but seems to be very sloppy. In the meantime, I’ve started yet another DJH build of a WD 2-8-0 Austerity loco. Tender of it is completed and the body is coming along nicely too. The drive for this will be DJH’s AM10 motor and gearbox assembly. the locos are intended to be 60507 ‘Highland Cheiftan’ and 90246. future projects include a conversion of a Bachmann O4/1 into an O4/8 and building my Crownline A1/1 60113 ‘Great Northern’ into BR express passenger blue. any advice is greatly appreciated and I’ll keep you all posted on the builds. thank you, Ross.

Hi all, Some GOOD NEWS! As James May would say. I’ve managed to source a valve gear fret. It’s a DJH one too! Only cost me £12.50 and it’s on its way to me now. So fingers crossed this beautiful loco will be running. At request of my source they wish to remain anonymous. So I politely ask please don’t ask me to reveal them as I will not be doing so. I shall post some pictures and hopefully a video of her when the valve gear is complete and she’s running as a complete locomotive. but for now here’s where the build is currently at, Cheers for all the support and suggestions along the way. Ross.

Yes this appears to be the case. It was stated in the email response I received. However I believe Dave has helped them gain the correct moulds to keep producing spares. Ross.

Will do, I’ve already left him a message with my contact details in there as per his request and I’ve also pinged a message to SEfinecast too. fingers crossed I can get her sorted soon as she’s almost completed it’s literally valve gear, paint the buffer beams red, lining, numbering and then nameplates and she’s done. oh and weathering of course. Ross

Hi, I have emailed S.E fine cast and I’m just waiting their response. I’ve paired it to a Bachmann A2 and the wheel base is the same as their RTR product so I have been tempted to order the completed assembly and rods from them to fit to the kit. Does that sound like it’ll work? Ross.

Hi all, I’ve made a thread regarding this but I was recommended to asks my question here. I've recently purchased and built an old K33 DJH Peppercorn A2 (old by the kit came with wheels) however sadly the kit came with the wrong fret of Valve gear and Connection rods. The ones supplied are of the K30 Peppercorn A1 kit. My question is who would be the best supplier of a new fret of valve gear? I’ve tried DJH but as I’m not their customer they probably won’t help me. Here is some pictures of her during the build, please go easy this is only my second locomotive build. I’ve also added a photograph of the issue regarding the difference in the A1 and A2 Connection rods. The finished Locomotive will be 60527 ‘Sun Chariot’. Thanks in advance, Ross

I think that’s the best option I will ping him a message in regards to this and see what advise he has to offer. thanks again, Ross.

Hi, Unfortunately I’ve part assembled the valve gear so it’s not in a state to be sold on as it’s my first time building walzarts gear (excuse the spelling mistake) do it’s not pretty. many thanks for your advice, Ross

Hi, I’ve taken a look at the thread and I’m now just left with more questions than answers. it could just be me being thick though so I’ll give a few more read throughs and see what I can grasp of it. many thanks for this information, Ross

Hi all, thanks for the advise. I’m going to message South eastern fine cast tomorrow and see if they can help me out of this jam. I will update you all if I hear anything from either company. regards, Ross.

My favourite class of steam locomotives I have four, numbers; 92189 DC 1F tender 92220 Evening Star DC 1G tender 92233 DC 1G tender 92249 DC 1B tender I still need a single chimney variant as I want to make a Tyne Dock loco to go with my KR models rake of 9 Consett Ore wagons. Oh and a crosti! here’s my four, Ross