Mystery Diesel Shunter Kit

[RBAGE]

 

Does anyone have any idea of this kit’s origins? A friend bought the part-assembled model on spec, thinking it was by Sayer-Chaplin of Ipswich, the first firm in the country to produce etched brass kits. Looking more than a little sorry for itself, it’s the same type of jackshaft-driven Armstrong Whitworth shunter that Sayer produced (a highly accurate rendition of LMS 7059-68) but comparisons with an unbuilt Sayer Chaplin kit and the one Tony Wilson built in the first Model Railway Journal Compendium suggest it’s by another manufacturer. The parts look fully etched through rather than having to be sawn out from sheet and there are several points of difference – the Sayer kit has the Armstrong Whitworth logo beneath the radiator, for instance, while the door hinges on the bonnet were separately applied and didn’t have rivet detail. Here, the radiator slats fold up but on the Sayer kit they had to be cut out and applied indivudually. The nickel-silver chassis of the mystery model is very different to the Sayer version, and has beautifully etched spring and hornblock detail that would have been almost impossible to cut out with a piercing saw.

 

[Barclay]

Could be a Mercian kit. Worth reviving though.

Edited April 23, 2020 by Barclay

[30368]

Hi,

 

I'm no expert but it may be one of these

 

 

Or a derivative?

 

My advice would be to research the prototype, clean up the kit and build it! Looks interesting.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[Michael Edge]

Yes it is one of those, the later LMS built ones which we do kits for  were similar mechanically but with the drive gear on the other side. I think it's probably a Mercian kit.

[Steamport Southport]

Yes. Looks like the Mercian kit. I was looking at them the other day as it seems like they are discontinuing the 4mm range.

 

http://www.modelrailways.tv/4mm-scale-diesels.html

 

 

 

Jason

[Steve Smith]

 

 

My Mercian Models kit was purchased from Trevor in about 2006.  When built up it came out about 4mm too high and 2mm too wide and 2.5 mm too long.  The biggest problem was the way it towered over any box van.   It's a perfectly reasonable kit just not quite the right size!

 

With no obvious way forward it was parked for a long time, but a fortnight ago I realised that I could produce a 3D printed model of the superstructure that could be fitted to a cut and shut of the etched running plate to correct the width and length.  Thus I could retain the etched steps and other detailing that was rather good and very robust. 

 

 

The Roche drawing was used as a starting point, checking everything I could carefully against photos to winkle out any errors in the drawing.  In the absence of detailed drawings it's an artists impression of the finer detail, but that to some extent is what all modelling in smaller scales is.  The roof is a separate part and the running plate is just there for context.  The light grey bits and glazing will be minused out for the final print to leave holes for metal fittings and pockets for glazing.  3D prints for roof and body have been ordered and are eagerly awaited.

 

For anyone interested there is more detail here:

https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/threads/mercian-models-armstrong-whitworth-0-6-0-diesel-electric-shunter-in-em-gauge.12512/

Edited February 19 by Steve Smith
Make it clear that this is a Mercian Models kit.

[Steve Smith]

Very pleased with the look of these, though apparently the supports for the roof need another attempt. 

 

The original etched superstructure has been removed and the running plate rebullt 2.5mm shorter.  Width of running plate at a shade under 35mm (s/be 8'7") is something that I can live with.   The overall wheelbase of the Mercian chassis is 60mm when it should be 58mm, as someone on WT said, a 'rubber ruler' job! 

 

Edited February 20 by Steve Smith