RT's Workbench, 4mm scale standard and narrow gauge builds.

[RThompson]

Hello everyone, thought i'd share some of my latest modelling projects as i've finally got the time to do some for the moment and complete some long standing projects.

First up is my Austerity 0-6-0ST that uses a old Dapol rtr body with RT Models detailing parts and chasssis used and lanarkshire models WD buffers.

Originally the loco was to become Littleton colliery no;7 but was decided to become a Giesl ejector fitted loco but as a consequence, the well for the chimney was fitted after the body was sealed so had to do a lot of body filling.

As to an actual loco, this hasnt been based on one which the steps dont have edges as added to a lot of locos during later builds or modified which virtually all Giesl ejector fitted austeritys gained these.

So just got to decide on the livery now?





Note the motor forms part of the boiler.

Edited December 26, 2023 by RThompson

[RThompson]

well the painters have been busy, after a false start and not convinced by the planned red livery.

 

black with white lining was decided upon.

 

as much as shes gleaming, in a few days this wont be the case but the crew will do their best in keeping her clean when possible.

 

she is also registered with the british transport commission to run on br sidings and lines when needed, this being the left hand oval plate, the right her hunslet builders plate.

 

she will get her glazing and rear cab bars fitted shortly.

 

 

 

[Mad McCann]

Lovely job, Bob. Funny enough, I'm just about to start a near identical project, courtesy of yourself!  Just waiting on the chassis now! ;-)

Which gearbox did you use. Loadhauler 108:1?

 

Dave.

[RThompson]

Another project I built in a couple of days alongside the austerity is this 100hp streamlined sentinel which is currently in the paintshop, again from one of my own kits.

 

certainly made up for lost time in my lack of model making.

 

 

 

 

 

Dont worry, Musketeer wont be bright blue as he currently is.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2016 by RThompson

[Arthur]

 

Excellent Robert and also good to see you doing some modelling on your own account rather than spending all your time keeping us lot supplied with kits and bits!

 

The lining is very well executed, especially around the cab where it gets quite tricky. Did you use a bowpen?

[RThompson]

Lovely job, Bob. Funny enough, I'm just about to start a near identical project, courtesy of yourself!  Just waiting on the chassis now! ;-)

Which gearbox did you use. Loadhauler 108:1?

 

Dave.

 

Thank you Dave, sorry about the chassis, hopefully the etches will arrive before EM North.

 

good question about the gearbox, i think its a road runner + with 54;1 gear ratio from the top of my head.

[RThompson]

Excellent Robert and also good to see you doing some modelling on your own account rather than spending all your time keeping us lot supplied with kits and bits!

 

The lining is very well executed, especially around the cab where it gets quite tricky. Did you use a bowpen?

 

Thank you Arthur, not just keeping my customers happy in kits and parts but also my full size passengers!

 

The lining was done with Model master white/black/white lining transfer carefully cut down the middle. coincidently the large semi circles matched the front of the saddle tank!

Edited September 7, 2016 by RThompson

[rope runner]

The Sentinel is looking good - a shame the one at Northampton is on a plinth, likewise sad that the last Nordberg trackshifter is too.

 

If memory serves there is no boiler in her, or at least the fittings have all been stripped. I believe the intention was to make one good un' from the two on site, but with the comings and goings over the years (and the chronic accrual of EMUs...) it has never been attempted. 

 

 

Paul A. 

[RThompson]

Hello everyone,

 

finally got the chance to upload photos of my finished austerity 0-6-0ST minus coupling chains and crew.

 

I think the last one is the most realistic personally.

 

 

I havn't done much to the sentinel, here it is painting wise so far

 

Also thought i'd pose it with the later larger sentinel to compare sizes.

 

 

Been busy one of the evenings this week building the last 4 in stock of my airfix 16t mineral wagon kits, modifying the bottom of the doors, brakes etc.

 

I will post photos soon of these.

 

 

 

 

[JaymzHatstand]

That sentinel is superb, it's certainly one that is on my radar! The Hunslet looks very smart as well!

 

Looking forward to more!

 

Cheers

 

J

[RThompson]

Not much model making over the last month or so. Managed to finish the details on the airfix 16t minerals and a unknown make of plastic kit for the Bedford ca van.

 

I also managed to finish adding couplings to the ends of the contractors side tipping wagons, the drills was oiled whilst drilling through the thick whitemetal chassis's with ease and not breaking or jamming a single drill bit!

 

They have been painted now but awaiting final weathering and posed with a manning wardle old class I but without the appropriate dumb buffers.

 

Edited December 19, 2016 by RThompson

[BernardTPM]

That's a 'Classic Model Company' kit, one of a set of 1:76 vans they made before they went under. They started with some bus kits (circa 1990 I think) under the 'MTS' label, then there was a change of name (and ownership?) and the vans were the last items produced, but around the same time the Corgi Trackside ones came out. Though the Corgi models were 1:72 rather than 1:76 that the kits were sadly short-lived.

I tried a google search which brought up this, but the actual link was dead:

[RThompson]

That's a 'Classic Model Company' kit, one of a set of 1:76 vans they made before they went under. They started with some bus kits (circa 1990 I think) under the 'MTS' label, then there was a change of name (and ownership?) and the vans were the last items produced, but around the same time the Corgi Trackside ones came out. Though the Corgi models were 1:72 rather than 1:76 that the kits were sadly short-lived.

I tried a google search which brought up this, but the actual link was dead:

CMCvans.jpg

Thank you for that, recognise the packaging.

 

The van I really enjoyed building and made a change.

[RThompson]

Some of you may have come across a project on the Wright Writes topic I did last week as I took time out for myself.

 

The Loco is a GWR 97xx and is based upon 9706, the last member of 11 to survive.

 

The loco was created using the chassis, footplate, cab, safety valve cover, chimney, tank fillers, smoke box front and door off the Bachmann RTR 57xx pannier tank.

 

The tanks was from the old K's body kit which I purchased ready made on a Hornby dublo chassis of an internet auction site.

 

A lot of scratch building was involved for parts including the smoke box wrapper out of 5 thou brass with rivets punched out with a needle.

 

The weir pump was from branchlines and the sandbox pull rods was from my own etchings at RT Models.

 

The 3 spoke handwheel i'm looking at sourcing at the minute but may otherwise be etched myself or even

scratch built! 

 

Research into the locos has been interesting and the only 2 birdseye view photos of them, both do not have the top feed so was guess work from side photos of the pipework.

 

Edited January 23, 2017 by RThompson

[RThompson]

Well except for number plates which have been ordered, 9706 is now complete even with crew.

 

Lamps will be made removable and held with blue tack.

 

 

For something random that I built many years ago and in need of refining its running.

 

A H0 scale 3 truck Shay built from a Roundhouse kit.

It may growl and throw the odd gear but was a joy to build!

Certainly different in construction methods and materials to what we use in traditional locomotive kits.

Edited February 11, 2017 by RThompson

[Michael Edge]

First chance I've had to build one of Robert's kits was this 100hp Sentinel for a customer.

 

Built to 00 gauge, finished and grit blasted ready to paint. The kit went together very well, no real problems at all, the only thing that puzzled me was how the round funnel was supposed to fit in a triangular hole in the cab roof. I've keft the cab roof ventilators open, most steam Sentinels seem to have run with the maximum amount of ventilation.

[RThompson]

Thank you Michael,

 

It's good to hear positive comments from an experienced kit builder and designer.

 

The round cover would have been mounted with 3 very small brackets, the triangular hole goes back to the pre war 100hp version.

[Michael Edge]

I thought it might have been a hangover from another design.

[pete_mcfarlane]

A H0 scale 3 truck Shay built from a Roundhouse kit.

It may growl and throw the odd gear but was a joy to build!

Certainly different in construction methods and materials to what we use in traditional locomotive kits.

CSC_7158resized.jpg

That's a rather nice looking loco. Of course, if you ever fancy designing your own Shay kit there's always this one that worked in Staffordshire:

 

http://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/23/Shay.htm

http://www.shaylocomotives.com/data/lima/sn-618.htm

[RThompson]

Well, its taken me over a year to finish the Streamlined Sentinel, shows how little time i've had for model making. its been nice over the last few weeks doing finishing projects like the Sentinel and plastic wagon kits painting them and detailing wise with glue, no Soldering required sat in front of the tv.

 

Crew will be need to be added and the gears and bearings greased and oiled but otherwise its now finished.

 

 

 

When I get time, I will finally tackle one or 2 Pre-war Sentinels for myself, one with open back cab and the other closed cab. 

 

For these, I'm thinking for the open back cab, Hall & Co Coulsdon Quarry example but don't know what livery it carried other than guessing its red going by the lorries.

 

The other one with closed cab, of the East London Gallions Reach examples although maybe one other example is one based in Widnes with large Dumb buffers which I own the negative of. Looks to be possibly a light green?

 

Heres a Pre-War 100hp, this is the display model you may seen on display at exhibitions.

 

.

Edited January 23, 2018 by RThompson

[RThompson]

Hello everyone,

 

well its been a long time since I've updated this.

 

Recently things have started to go a bit quiet for me, so time to finish those half completed projects.

 

This one is a 4mm scale kit by Judith Edge of the Kitson Consett A class 0-6-0PT that ran in the north east.

 

I've always liked the locos so when Mike produced the kit, I had to have one my first build of one of their kits.

 

[RThompson]

Hello,

 

some further progress of my 4mm scale, 00 gauge Kitson Consett A class.

 

Painting now finished, just needs lining then varnishing.

 

I have also finally finished some RT Models Hudson tipper wagons, there is a third but awaiting some 3 hole disc wheels just for a bit of variety in the rake.

 

[jessy1692]

Glad to see you back doing some excellent modelling of your own RT, hope the slow down allows you to recharge a little and work on your own models.

All the best

James

[RThompson]

The 4mm scale Kitson A class is now almost finished.

 

Part of the lining has come away and needs replacing and some of the carrier film is exposed sadly even though it was applied them on a gloss surface.

 

Edited April 20, 2020 by RThompson

[Michael Edge]

Very nice Robert, not the easiest thing to line, thanks for posting the photos.