Hull Paragon Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 (edited) I am 'modelling' the BR period based around Hull in the late 1950s early 1960s. I watched many dirty freight engines pass by my high school playing fields and took almost no notice as I wanted to get to York and Doncaster to see the glamorous express engines. So, apart from memories and internet archives I have nothing to guide me except faded memories. I have a J71, J94, B1 and Class 08 Shunter either built, part built or in the box. All are representative of my area but after seeing the excellent Railways of Hull video by Marsden (if I could only redub the narration) I saw 43079 arriving at Hull Paragon with a local stopper and I was hooked. The fascinating ugliness of the beast sort of epitomises Hull so I had to have one. I found a kit at Acme and bought it. However, it stayed in the box until I suddenly had a rush of blood and decided that I would build the MOK one instead. The precision and quality of the kit seemed more suited to such a complex loco so I ordered one and collected it at Telford earlier this month. A quick visit to the ABC stand secured a motor and gearbox, and as I really love Walsall Wheels, I collected a set of them for the loco chassis. I decided to save a small amount by using Slaters wheels for the tender. I'm not overly keen on Slaters but the tender axleboxes all but hide the tender wheels so I compromised! Over the next 10 years or so (that's how long the J71 took!), I will post updates on progress and my personal observations of the kit, instructions and anything else that influences the build. I also look forward to your criticism, comments, advice and anything else that you care to add. Ray Edited September 12, 2018 by Hull Paragon 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 12, 2018 Author Share Posted September 12, 2018 (edited) The contents of the kit are quite impressive. The nickel silver etchings are crisp and clean, as are the brass castings. There is an instruction booklet and some loose leaflets showing updated information. There are also updates on the MOK website. The instruction book includes pictures of the castings with a key.......there are a lot of them! The instructions appear to be superb. Loads of pictures showing lots of detail. Far superior to anything I have seen in my modelling life. It will seem unfair but there are still errors which I didn't expect. Anyway, here is a typical page: Edited January 20, 2019 by Hull Paragon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 12, 2018 Author Share Posted September 12, 2018 (edited) The pictures were far too big and I couldn't work out how to edit them so I'll try again..... Still too big so I'll have to work out what I'm doing wrong later. Ray Edited September 12, 2018 by Hull Paragon 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micknich2003 Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 I have never built the kit so I can't comment, attached two local views. 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Pulham Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 Superb Mick, I have a couple of these coming in the next few weeks for a future build, so your photos have been added to my build folder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 12, 2018 Author Share Posted September 12, 2018 I have never built the kit so I can't comment, attached two local views. 1 4MT 43079 Springbank South.jpg IVATT 2-6-0 43076 NEAR HULL VICTORIA Crossing 1965.jpg Thanks very much....I haven't seen these. My school was next to Spring Bank North Signal Box.........they are both no longer with us! Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 12, 2018 Author Share Posted September 12, 2018 I have already started the kit and have built a little of the tender . The construction involves locating tabs on one piece into slots on another. The pieces are a precise fit! I have not touched a square since I started. Everything appears to fit properly and squarely. The tabs once firmly located are twisted to lock th epieces into position, after which they can be soldered together. When the instructions tell you to bend a piece at 90 degrees....it means 90 degrees.....not 89 or 91! The etched pieces are beautifully marked with the part number close by so there is no danger of getting the wrong piece. I marked the pieces with the relevant number anyway so I wouldn't make any mistakes later on! Although the instructions are pretty comprehensive I still had to take a lot of time examining the photos closely to ensure I had things in the right place. The one thing that took a bit of thinking about was which end was which....front or rear. It wasn't obvious (to me anyhow)....... This is my starting point The tender chassis has two rocking beams fixed in place by a box which is free to move in two planes. It took me a little while to get it freely rocking but it did in the end. These are the rocker arms and rocker beam The axle bearings are fitted into special washers which in turn fit into slots in the rocking beams. They have to be spot on or there is a danger that the axle will not spin freely. Here is my progress to date Ray 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAD Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Hi Ray, Nice work on the tender chassis. If I read your original post correctly you also have or had, the Acme kit for the Ivatt 4F. Many years ago I built the College Models kit which Acme took on, so the same kit. Believe me you made the right choice in going for the MOK kit instead. The Acme kit is truly awful. Mine turned out OK in the end but it was a nightmare to build compared to MOK. I've not built the 4F but am close to finishing the BR 4MT, which has been an absolute joy. It's like comparing a Model T Ford to the latest BMW. I look forward to seeing how you get on. There's a build on Dibateg's thread that you might find useful. Cheers, Peter 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 13, 2018 Author Share Posted September 13, 2018 Hi Ray, Nice work on the tender chassis. If I read your original post correctly you also have or had, the Acme kit for the Ivatt 4F. Many years ago I built the College Models kit which Acme took on, so the same kit. Believe me you made the right choice in going for the MOK kit instead. The Acme kit is truly awful. Mine turned out OK in the end but it was a nightmare to build compared to MOK. I've not built the 4F but am close to finishing the BR 4MT, which has been an absolute joy. It's like comparing a Model T Ford to the latest BMW. I look forward to seeing how you get on. There's a build on Dibateg's thread that you might find useful. Cheers, Peter Thanks PAD The Acme kit is still in the box and I intend to sell it soon so I hope there are some Acme fans out there! So far although my progress has been quite slow (mainly due to me checking and double checking that I have got things right) this kit is a beauty.. a pleasure to build. I've done a bit more this afternoon which I will probably post tomorrow. Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micknich2003 Posted September 13, 2018 Share Posted September 13, 2018 Thanks very much....I haven't seen these. My school was next to Spring Bank North Signal Box.........they are both no longer with us! Ray Ray, here's a c1965 picture of a 4MT, taken from the window of Springbank North signalbox, I have many other pictures of the signalbox etc, my late father worked the last shift Saturday 4 May 1968. Your seat of learning is now an housing estate. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAD Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Hi Ray, If your price is right, the Acme one would be a good kit for an experienced builder who's budget doesn't run to the MOK kit. It can be made into a decent model, but it has many challenges. These are not the best of images, but it shows what can be done. Cheers, Peter 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 14, 2018 Author Share Posted September 14, 2018 Ray, here's a c1965 picture of a 4MT, taken from the window of Springbank North signalbox, I have many other pictures of the signalbox etc, my late father worked the last shift Saturday 4 May 1968. Your seat of learning is now an housing estate. 1 SPEINGBANK NORTH c1965.jpg Mick Thanks very much. I was aware that the school had been demolished. Interesting personal history for you! Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 14, 2018 Author Share Posted September 14, 2018 Hi Ray, If your price is right, the Acme one would be a good kit for an experienced builder who's budget doesn't run to the MOK kit. It can be made into a decent model, but it has many challenges. These are not the best of images, but it shows what can be done. 20131002_090427.jpg 20131002_090841.jpg Cheers, Peter Peter Looks pretty good to me. The problem is always getting the lighting right when photgraphing models....I wonder if a polaroid filter would tone such images down. Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 14, 2018 Author Share Posted September 14, 2018 (edited) Of 16 pages, I am now on Page 5! I made a start on the footplate by soldering webs on. The tab construction method makes the act of setting up and soldering these a doddle. Note the reminder which is the top side. The other bit is described as a drag beam adjuster. I assume that I will find out what it is used for later on..... Putting the side frames together......... Then on to one of my least favourite tasks: cutting castings off sprues and cleaning them up. I'm sure there is a good technical reason why the joins are so heavy........ The axle boxes and springs are built up from 6 components as below: The axle box locates in a hole but is free to spin. The spring assembly is pinned through the securing brackets but the brackets are free to move. I thought for a while before I soldered anything and finally decided to drill a couple of 0.8mm holes in a wooden block and pin the pieces on that. The saw blade lifts the spring to keep i parallel to the surface as well as forcing the brackets to line up square. After a bit of faffing, thinking and testing, the end result looks like this. I'm not displeased with it! Ray Edited September 14, 2018 by Hull Paragon 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibateg Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Ah yes, that’s one of my locos on the box cover! When I get home I’ll find the link to my build for you Ray.. Although by your progress you probably won’t need it! Regards Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
micknich2003 Posted September 14, 2018 Share Posted September 14, 2018 Mick Thanks very much. I was aware that the school had been demolished. Interesting personal history for you! Ray Ray, I watched the school being built and also being demolished, for a short time, our eldest daughter was a pupil. Attached a picture of the 4MT's little sister passing Springbank North. If you would like more pictures of the area contact me. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 16, 2018 Author Share Posted September 16, 2018 Ah yes, that’s one of my locos on the box cover! When I get home I’ll find the link to my build for you Ray.. Although by your progress you probably won’t need it! Regards Tony That's very kind of you Dibateg....thanks. Hope my effort looks as good as yours....even if I build it properly I will have to make sure my painting skills have been upgraded! Ray Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 16, 2018 Author Share Posted September 16, 2018 Ray, I watched the school being built and also being demolished, for a short time, our eldest daughter was a pupil. Attached a picture of the 4MT's little sister passing Springbank North. If you would like more pictures of the area contact me. SPRINGBANK NORTH 46409 .jpg Thanks again Mick. I didn't expect this series of posts to become a trip down memory lane, but I am quite enjoying it. Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibateg Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Hello Ray - Back from holiday on an island with no railways... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/3671-the-derby-line-the-four-horseboxes-of-the/page-8 here is the link to my thread - it might be of help, I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. I don't bother painting mine now ( unless they are plain black ). it's less stressful to get one of the pro's to do it, and they do a far better job than I can. Regards Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
N15class Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 You don't go to Sodor then. Lots of railways there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Pulham Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 My kit arrived from MOK today - great service from Dave, ordered on Saturday morning and delivered this morning. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 18, 2018 Author Share Posted September 18, 2018 Hello Ray - Back from holiday on an island with no railways... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/3671-the-derby-line-the-four-horseboxes-of-the/page-8 here is the link to my thread - it might be of help, I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. I don't bother painting mine now ( unless they are plain black ). it's less stressful to get one of the pro's to do it, and they do a far better job than I can. Regards Tony My thanks Tony I have seen some of your stuff....very impressive! I noticed you rolled the boiler.....I am going to send mine back to MOK for them to do it....I don't have any rollers and I don't want to spend that sort of money for one boiler....on top of which it is nickel silver, and I don't want to make a hash of it. So Dave at MOK said it was better to send it to them. Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 18, 2018 Author Share Posted September 18, 2018 Not much more to add.....just a slow stroll through the rest of the LHS side frame. I'll do the final bits and start the RHS tomorrow. I'' leave the guard irons until later as a pound to a penny I'll break them off! Ray 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiteknight024 Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 It looks a lovely kit the 4F is one on my bucket list I have recently bought the MOK Standard 4 Kit via a third party (including Slaters wheels and a ABC and Maxon combo for the motor and gear box) but having looked through the box its appears to be lovely the etches and castings first rate. I will watch you progress with much interest and see how it goes so far it looks very good. The two kits I will procure in the next few months from MOK will be the 4F and the Standard 4 Tank. kind regards Iain Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hull Paragon Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 Good luck with it Iain...I can only say that if you haven't done one before you will have a pleasant surprise. In the meantime, I have now finished the RHS frame, and I have fitted the bearing covers and what MOK call 'S-Nuts' which are tiny plates for soldering to a small shelf on the reverse to thicken the metal......the holes are tapped 14BA for future bolts I assume! I have also added the rivet detail along the top. The axle box looks a bit askew probably due to camera parallax. Next will be the brake gear fitted to the underframe. Ray 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now