Millholme LMS Patriot kit build - 4mm

[ianLMS]

My 5th loco kit build is a Millholme Patriot I got cheap from Ebay. Similar to the Black 5, the kit had been partially built (just the frames, bearings and footplate). In the box came some very nice drawings and everything except motor, gearbox and wheels. 

 

I will solder the whitemetal kit together as usual, and use a Mashima 1620 motor, Comet 2-stage gearbox with extender off the middle axle and Alan Gibson wheels.

 

As usual, if anyone has any hints/tips etc please feel free to chime in.

 

Last night I spent checking the parts, test fitting the boiler, firebox, footplate etc and seeing how the cylinders go together and mount.

 

More to follow...................

 

 

[RedgateModels]

Built one way back in the 80's, when Hornby were selling their RTR version too. I think the instructions include a note of thanks for buying the kit over the Hornby version

 

I used the recommended X04 motor so is very noisy - your choice of a can motor and proper gearbox should prove more effective

 

a few pics of mine

 

 

 

 

 

cruel close ups!

 

 

Edited February 12, 2019 by RedgateModels

[ianLMS]

Very nuce build and a standard for me to try and achieve

[RedgateModels]

note the cutaways in the rear of the cylinders, I did force it round R1 curves back then though!

[ianLMS]

They do seem very close to the front bogie - will have to watch that. Or, the loco will go in a cabinet waiting for the next layout when I have acres of space for 6 ft radius curves!

[ianLMS]

The first issue I have come across is the cab. The front panel doesn't seem high enough when compared to the drawing and the two front window panels are missing. When I line the cab up with the drawing the roof isn't wide enough, so something isn't quite right.

 

I will need to fashion an extension for the front panel from plasticard and extend the roof sides to meet the side panels.

[ianLMS]

After a quick look online I found an etched cab from Wizard models. Although its for a Stanier, the front panel and roof might work to replace the under-sized one in the kit, and will just use the WM doors that appear to be correct. Will report when I receive the kit and try them out. If it doesn't work, it will come in handy when I build my Jamieson Jubilee or Black 5.

[RedgateModels]

I can't remember having problems with the cab, but it was 30 odd years ago! I'll try to dig mine out tonight and see if I can identify any "bodges" around the cab area. To be honest I don't think I would have paid much attention to the drawing apart from finding out what goes where back then .....

[Coach bogie]

On the subject of front bogie and cylinders, recently I have taken to replacing cast metal cylinders with plastic rtr spares. Even if the wheels do touch for a moment there is no short circuits.

 

For a Patriot, Peters spares sell the cylinders

https://www.petersspares.com/Hornby-n1368-patriot-cylinder-lined-orange-for-br-black-locos.ir

 

They also have pre assembled valve gear, if you want to speed up assembly.

 

https://www.petersspares.com/Hornby-x9734-valve-gear-assembly-for-royal-scot-patriot-loco.ir

 

As a GWR modeler I have used Hornby Railroad Hall parts on SEF/Wills Saints and it has stopped the many hours of tweaking to eliminate wheels touching metal cylinders. I did the same on an old Wills Star that was hesitant on corners and now no problems.

 

Mike Wiltshire

[ianLMS]

Thanks Mike. I have fitted the cylinders and last night managed to complete my first working motion gear assembly. A lot of fiddling and adjustment but i got there in the end. The wheels snagged the body so raised it up by 1mm with plastic shims and the dimensions match the drawings and no more snagging. Chassis runs well on analogue vut have yet to fit pick ups and brakes etc. Will get pics over next few days to show progress. 

[ianLMS]

Here is the progress so far. Lots of detailing added and the body is almost ready for priming and painting. Just need to add whistle and the etched smoke deflectors from Precision paints (after the body is painted).

 

The chassis needs pick-ups and brakes fitting. There is hardly any space for the brakes so may end up omitting them if they create shorting issues. Tender to be built next before I paint etc.

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2019 by ianLMS

[ianLMS]

Latest update:

 

I completed adding on all the detail including scratchbuilding the brakes from styrene strip, the coal rails from 1mm strip brass and the axle gaurds from spare brass sprue. The smoke deflectors are etched brass ones from Phoenix Precision (J E ones I think)

 

Painted using etched primer from a car shop, followed by Citadel Red then top coats of Humbrol Matt Black (where needed) and 2 coats of Precision Paints Crimson Lake airbrushed using my Sparmax 4.

 

Next up is fitting the transfers (after a bit of cleaning around the wheels where I over-sprayed and painting the cab interior/brass items etc)!). I purchased a decal set for the Patriot from Fox so will be interesting how the decals match up against the actual kit. I am sure some trimming/re-alignment will be required for them to fit.

 

[ianLMS]

I have spent the last 2 nights applying the decals using the excellent Fox transfer set for the Patriot. Very high quality decals and all the shapes you need for the loco and tender. The only thing missing was the single yellow line for the sides of the running plate. I used the black/yellow in the pack but a solid yellow would have been more accurate.

 

The shapes provided were perfect, however, the dimensions of the model differed so each transfer just needed cutting in two or four sections and either trimming or overlapping to fit the model.

 

[RedgateModels]

Nice

 

I remember doing the lining on mine, I was off work with mumps I think, so needed something to distract me LOL

 

Those deflectors look so much better than the whitemetal ones. 

[ianLMS]

 

27 minutes ago, RedgateModels said:

Those deflectors look so much better than the whitemetal ones. 

 

They do look nice and easy to shape/fit. I fitted the same ones on my old Hornby railroad patriot i modified and it does make a big difference. Cost around £12 per pair.

 

Still to do: LMS letter on the tender, fit the LMS Patriot "Unknown Warrior" nameplate (waiting for the new emblem as it changed from the Poppy one), varnish (matt or satin), add real coal and tools, paint the backhead, add the crew, fit Romford screw couplings, add DCC chip and then weather after cleaning up the wheels. A couple more days work and it should be done.

 

I deviated a little from the kit and used different parts which looked better or added parts which didn't come with the kit; brass cab front and roof (Comet LMS Stanier cab), Slaters brass sprung buffers, scratchbuilt loco brakes, etched tender brakes, scratchbuilt axle guards, etched deflectors, scratchbuilt vacuum ejector and scratchbuilt coal rails. Each have helped to make the model a bit better looking and more unique I think.

Edited March 15, 2019 by ianLMS

[ianLMS]

Transfers completed, light coat of acrylic varnish and coal added. I also fitted the LMS Patriot Unknown Warrior nameplate from their shop, however, they had the old crest (changed due to the British Legion pulling their endorsement) and the new ones havent been made available yet.

 

Ordered crew from Modelu which will hopefulyl arrive by the end of the week.