locomotive kits 30368's Workbench SR Loco's with a bit of LNER

[Michael Edge]

I will be at the Leeds show in October and we are at Manchester in December.

[30368]

Busy watching Monza 6 Hour World Endurance Race but I can still do a bit of soldering....

 

 

Tender coming along.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Thought it might be interesting to compare the V4 with its larger relative the V2. The V2 is my Pro-scale kit constructed a few years ago.

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

The three tender sub-assemblies, chassis, tank bottom and tank are almost ready for assembly.

 

Copper strip used for pickups on two trailing wheelsets.

 

Almost ready for for assembly.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

Apart from the red bits on the buffer beam, the tender is now built. Just requires painting and livery.

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

I promised myself that I would relate my loco build tales "warts and all" as Oliver would have said.

 

The V4 is now complete however, when filling the tender with coal a splash of super glue must have lodged in the leading driver between brake block and wheel rim for when I finally assembled the loco and tender, reader, it would not run and the leading axle was seized! I was, to say the least, disappointed....

 

Using glue buster a managed to free the wheel and then cleaned it a re-lubricated. All is well now but sadly glue buster is also paint stripper so the cylinder casings need a re-paint. Its first Unclassified Repair and it hasn't really pulled a train.

 

Giving the chassis a good run to ensure all is now well. It seems to be.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Edited July 17, 2023 by 30368
Too many words Mr Mozart!

[30368]

V4 is now finished and earlier problems overcome. What have I learnt from this build?

 

1. The quality of the Judith Edge kit is first class, as I expected it to be, and is priced very reasonably.

2. It is not a kit for begginers but then it is not designed to be.

3. Using the two boiler templates it is fairly easy to roll a tapered boiler (a first for me) using very simple tools - in my case a couple of wooden dowls.

4. My original template for the firebox was too small due entirely to me forgetting all that I had learnt about sheet metal development. But then my training was almost 60 years ago! I am still not entirely happy with the firebox.

5. The resultant model of 61701 is a fair representation of prototype as it was in the mid 1950s and has the right look of a working loco wiped over with an oily rag.

6. I really must re-organise my work bench, it is too cluttered.

7. Be careful with super glue!

8. Last but not least, thanks for all the helpful suggestions from Michael Edge, I still don't know how he finds time for all the projects he is involved in.

 

Some pictures, still a little work to do with weathering...

My skills with the camera do not do the Bantam many favours..

 

The V2's were big locomotives....

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Edited July 17, 2023 by 30368

[John Tomlinson]

The V4 sits very nicely alongside your V2. But how "dinky" it looks in comparison!

 

One thing I find fascinationg about our modelling of things from long ago is how it enables such comparisons to be made. Never quite the same just reading about them.

 

John.

[30368]

2 hours ago, John Tomlinson said:

The V4 sits very nicely alongside your V2. But how "dinky" it looks in comparison!

 

Spot on John, my thoughts too. In this case it also shows what a big locomotive the V2 was - such a big boiler resulting in lots of HP.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

[30368]

More weathering and playing around with camera settings to improve images, I hope.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richrd B

[30368]

Temporary run-down in new construction to make way for a few repairs/modifications from now until the the Autumn when I will return to building my 70D based layout.

 

At the moment I am working on two A1's...

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Edited July 23, 2023 by 30368

[30368]

 

The A1/1 (Crownline kit built by me) needed attention to the gear train in its High Level Gearbox - mesh adjustment and fitting it's correct leter style namplates. (Fox). The A1 was a secondhand Bachmann purchase and it needed detailing - smokebox pipework, speedo mounting bracket and re-number.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Edited July 23, 2023 by 30368

[30368]

The next loco in my collection that I checked out was "U" class 31806. She was shedded at 70D from 1955 until March 1963. Basingstoke had an allocation of around 4 of these useful 2-6-0's but no "N" class although they were often on the shed for servicing.

 

I built 31806 a two or three years back from a SEF kit and used an SEF chassis kit for the build. It has never been a great runner so I dismantled it and was obviousely built before I paid proper attention to pickups. This was rectified with three separate pair of pick-ups on each driver. I doubt that I could have fitted pick-ups to the tender without serious damage. The loco runs well now but needs some running in which it will get later this year when Phase two of the layout is completed.

 

31806 was one of the re-builds of the River 2-6-4 tanks, and note that there are two variations of the re-builds. As far as I can tell, all of the 31800 series of "U"'s had the "step up" tender as below, however I can find no image of 31806 so fitted, it being the odd one out! Typical - I am therefore looking for a second hand Bachmann ex "N" tender with a flush running plate...

 

One thing I find very odd is that with the "N" class, Bachmann have, with some re-tooling, the ability to cheaply create all of the "U" class variations (three types) and with a bit more work, the U1/N1s. I can't understand why they have not done so.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

PS Better straiten up that vacuum stand pipe!

Edited July 28, 2023 by 30368

[Nick C]

24 minutes ago, 30368 said:

One thing I find very odd is that with the "N" class, Bachmann have, with some re-tooling, the ability to cheaply create all of the "U" class variations (three types) and with a bit more work, the U1/N1s. I can't understand why they have not done so.

I agree - it really seems to be an odd gap in the SR RTR market, given how widespread they were.

[Mallard60022]

1 hour ago, 30368 said:

The next loco in my collection that I checked out was "U" class 31806. She was shedded at 70D from 1955 until March 1963. Basingstoke had an allocation of around 4 of these useful 2-6-0's but no "N" class although they were often on the shed for servicing.

 

I built 31806 a two or three years back from a SEF kit and used an SEF chassis kit for the build. It has never been a great runner so I dismantled it and was obviousely built before I paid proper attention to pickups. This was rectified with three seperate pair of pick-ups on each driver. I doubt that I could have fitted pick-ups top the tender without serious damage. The loco runs well now but needs some running in which it will get later this year when Phase two of the layout is completed.

 

31806 was one of the re-builds of the River 2-6-4 tanks, and note that there are two variations of the re-builds. As far as I can tell, all of the 31800 series of "U"'s had the "step up" tender as below, however I can find no image of 31806 so fitted, it being the odd one out! Typical - I am therefore looking for a second hand Bachmann ex "N" tender with a flush running plate...

 

One thing I find very odd is that with the "N" class, Bachmann have, with some re-tooling, the ability to cheaply create all of the "U" class variations (three types) and with a bit more work, the U1/N1s. I can't understand why they have not done so.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

PS Better straiten up that vacuum stand pipe!

They are waiting for me to get started on my U and U1 and then announce their super duper bells and whistles version(s)

P

[30368]

Next for a 70D Shed Foreman inspection is T9 30705, allocated to Basingstoke from 1951 until 1956. It is a Westward kit, one of the first I purchased (1990's) and built well before the Hornby T9 was available. It didn't need much work, just a clean but I will connect the motor to the tender pickups next time she is stopped for examination. She pulls 3/4 coaches well but starts to struggle with 5. Very small open frame motor, that is all I could fit. As you probably spotted, the tender is the Hornby version, frankly the cast version was much too heavy for the motor.

 

Just checked out my PDK D15 4-4-0, built by me around 5 years ago. Mrs B bought the kit for my 70th birthday so I was very careful with the build. Pleased to say it ran perfectly out of the box its last run would have been about 18 months ago. One of the few ex-works finish loco's that I have.

 

In my view the best looking D. Drummond locomotive designed for the LSWR by some margine. They were very effective loco's too which is more than you can say for his 4-6-0s!

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

Edited August 1, 2023 by 30368

[30368]

Yesterday I met up with Phil (Mallard60022) at Doncaster to hand over his SR version of the H15 4-6-0 that I had finished off for him (Valvegear, detail, paint, weather etc) in exchange for a PDK 700 kit - built earlier. We had a good chat over coffee and filled rolls or something. One thing we discussed was the variation in H15 types which gave me the idea to present:-

 

My Illustrated Simple Guide to the LSWR/SR H15 4-6-0.

 

1. The Original Urie H15 often known as the "Chonker" - dating from December 1913, my example, 30489 was built in May 1914. Model built by Paul at PDK for me some years ago thus igniting my latent H15 "Habit"

2. Urie "re-build" of Drummond E14 4-6-0 30335. This locomotive was yet another 4 cylinder Drummond disaster rebuilt by Urie in November 1914. A PDK Loco kit built by me, the tender is scratch built it being a unique Drummond watercart of 5000 gal. capacity. Whilst this loco looks very much like the original "Chonker" it differs in that the spacing between driving and trailing wheel is increased by 6" to accomodate the re-used Drummond boiler which had a long shallow firebox. The PDK frames usefully allow for either wheelbase. Whoops! just spotted the tender wheel off.

3. The Maunsell SR version of the H15. A further 10 H15s were built by the SR starting with 30473/4 in February 1924. These had a Urie tapered boiler. My example was built by me from a DJH kit. These versions had the same wheelbase as the original Urie version and mostly had the smaller version of the Urie bogie tender.

4. Urie re-build of the Drummond F13 4-6-0, which, as you may have guessed, didnt work. All five were rebuilt starting with 330 in October 1924. They resembled the SR version of the H15, having a strait running plate, but note also the extended wheelbase as number 335 since they also retained the Drummond boiler. Paul at PDK built the body of 30333 and I built the chassis from a PDK kit. Tender type varies, this is a Drummond watercart with an extended coal rail, 30333 later had a Urie bogie tender and the chimney was also changed in the early 1950's.

5. Last but not least 30491. This was an orginal Urie H15 but in 1927 it was fitted with an N15 taper boiler to create a spare parallel boiler for the other nine members of the class to reduce works downtime. My model utilizes a chassis built by Paul at PDK but I built the body from a PDK kit and a spare SEF N15 boiler (Just like the prototype!). The tender was built from an SEF Urie bogie tender kit but because 491 was paired with a 5000 gall version (as was 30489 above) I had to extend the body with brass sheet.

 

And there you have it, for such a small class (26) large variation to suit an obsessed engine builder like me!

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

Edited August 5, 2023 by 30368

[Mallard60022]

24 minutes ago, 30368 said:

Yesterday I met up with Phil (Mallard60022) at Doncaster to hand over his SR version of the H15 4-6-0 that I had finished off for him (Valvegear, detail, paint, weather etc) in exchange for a PDK 700 kit - built earlier. We had a good chat over coffee and filled rolls or something. One thing we discussed was the variation in H15 types which gave me the idea to present:-

 

My Illustrated Simple Guide to the LSWR/SR H15 4-6-0.

 

1. The Original Urie H15 often known as the "Chonker" - dating from December 1913, my example, 30489 was built in May 1914. Model built by Paul at PDK for me some years ago thus igniting my latent H15 "Habit"

2. Urie "re-build" of Drummond E14 4-6-0 30335. This locomotive was yet another 4 cylinder Drummond disaster rebuilt by Urie in November 1914. A PDK Loco kit built by me, the tender is scratch built it being a unique Drummond watercart of 5000 gal. capacity. Whilst this loco looks very much like the original "Chonker" it differs in that the spacing between driving and trailing wheel is increased by 6" to accomodate the re-used Drummond boiler which had a long shallow firebox. The PDK frames usefully allow for either wheelbase. Note the large version of the Urie bogie tender. Whoops! just spotted the wheel off.

3. The Maunsell SR version of the H15. A further 10 H15s were built by the SR starting with 30473/4 in February 1924. These had a Urie tapered boiler. My example was built by me from a DJH kit. These versions had the same wheelbase as the original Urie version and mostly had the smaller version of the Urie bogie tender.

4. Urie re-build of the Drummond F13 4-6-0, which, as you may have guessed, didnt work. All five were rebuilt starting with 330 in October 1924. The resembled the SR version of the H15, having a strait running plate, but note also the extended wheelbase as number 335 since they also had retained the Drummond boiler. Paul at PDK built the body of 30333 and I built the chassis from a PDK kit. Tender type varies, 30333 later had a Urie bogie tender and the chimney was also changed in the early 1950's.

5. Last but not least 30491. This was an orginal Urie H15 but in 1927 it was fitted with an N15 taper boiler to create a spare parallel boiler for the other nine members of the class to reduce works downtime. My model utilizes a chassis built by Paul at PDK but I built the body from a PDK kit and a spare SEF N15 boiler (Just like the prototype!). The tender was built from an SEF Urie bogie tender kit but because 491 was paired with a 5000 gall version (as was 30489 above) I had to extend the body with brass sheet.

 

And there you have it, for such a small class (26) large variation to suit an obsessed engine builder like me!

Kind regards,

Richard B

Brilliant collection Richard. Certainly shows the variants and you have a knowledge that I do not, about this bunch. Good old 'standardisation' and utilisation of previous parts so beloved of that secondary Company with loads of Brass bits.

Phil

[John Tomlinson]

3 hours ago, 30368 said:

Yesterday I met up with Phil (Mallard60022) at Doncaster to hand over his SR version of the H15 4-6-0 that I had finished off for him (Valvegear, detail, paint, weather etc) in exchange for a PDK 700 kit - built earlier. We had a good chat over coffee and filled rolls or something. One thing we discussed was the variation in H15 types which gave me the idea to present:-

 

My Illustrated Simple Guide to the LSWR/SR H15 4-6-0.

 

1. The Original Urie H15 often known as the "Chonker" - dating from December 1913, my example, 30489 was built in May 1914. Model built by Paul at PDK for me some years ago thus igniting my latent H15 "Habit"

2. Urie "re-build" of Drummond E14 4-6-0 30335. This locomotive was yet another 4 cylinder Drummond disaster rebuilt by Urie in November 1914. A PDK Loco kit built by me, the tender is scratch built it being a unique Drummond watercart of 5000 gal. capacity. Whilst this loco looks very much like the original "Chonker" it differs in that the spacing between driving and trailing wheel is increased by 6" to accomodate the re-used Drummond boiler which had a long shallow firebox. The PDK frames usefully allow for either wheelbase. Note the large version of the Urie bogie tender. Whoops! just spotted the wheel off.

3. The Maunsell SR version of the H15. A further 10 H15s were built by the SR starting with 30473/4 in February 1924. These had a Urie tapered boiler. My example was built by me from a DJH kit. These versions had the same wheelbase as the original Urie version and mostly had the smaller version of the Urie bogie tender.

4. Urie re-build of the Drummond F13 4-6-0, which, as you may have guessed, didnt work. All five were rebuilt starting with 330 in October 1924. The resembled the SR version of the H15, having a strait running plate, but note also the extended wheelbase as number 335 since they also had retained the Drummond boiler. Paul at PDK built the body of 30333 and I built the chassis from a PDK kit. Tender type varies, 30333 later had a Urie bogie tender and the chimney was also changed in the early 1950's.

5. Last but not least 30491. This was an orginal Urie H15 but in 1927 it was fitted with an N15 taper boiler to create a spare parallel boiler for the other nine members of the class to reduce works downtime. My model utilizes a chassis built by Paul at PDK but I built the body from a PDK kit and a spare SEF N15 boiler (Just like the prototype!). The tender was built from an SEF Urie bogie tender kit but because 491 was paired with a 5000 gall version (as was 30489 above) I had to extend the body with brass sheet.

 

And there you have it, for such a small class (26) large variation to suit an obsessed engine builder like me!

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B

 

 

An excellent post and very concise and clear.

 

I spent a good hour or more last week reading about just this topic. Your summary is exactly what I could have done with, helped of course by the photos of the lovely models!

 

John.

[30368]

1 hour ago, John Tomlinson said:

An excellent post and very concise and clear.

 

Sorry I took so long John! Give me a shout if you need more info, I would never class myself as an expert but I have researched the subject to build as accurate a model as possible.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard

[Michael Edge]

I rather like Chonkers as well, this is my 7mm version of 30335.

Scratchbuilt quite a long time ago mostly from steel with cast iron wheels, it gets to run on our club O gauge layout from time to time. The mismatch between the tender and the cab on this one off loco is really remarkable.

[DLT]

On 01/08/2023 at 14:34, 30368 said:

Next for a 70D Shed Foreman inspection is T9 30705, allocated to Basingstoke from 1951 until 1956. It is a Westward kit, one of the first I purchased (1990's) and built well before the Hornby T9 was available. It didn't need much work, just a clean but I will connect the motor to the tender pickups next time she is stopped for examination. She pulls 3/4 coaches well but starts to struggle with 5. Very small open frame motor, that is all I could fit. As you probably spotted, the tender is the Hornby version, frankly the cast version was much too heavy for the motor.

Aha, a Westward T9.  I have one of these to build (a thankfully untouched kit) and it looks a beauty.  Any tips?

The pulling issue Should be solved by a modern Highlevel Coreless motor and suitable gearbox. 

I have contemplated converting a T9 kit to a C8, but it would be of limited appeal.  There were only ten and they all went in the 1930s

[DLT]

On 04/08/2023 at 10:26, 30368 said:

My Illustrated Simple Guide to the LSWR/SR H15 4-6-0.

Thanks very much for that, a bit of a minefield.  It took me a while to get my head around all the variations when I built one.  One thing that confused me was the later ones having earlier numbers, until it was pointed out (by you I think) that they were rebuilds.

[DLT]

On 28/07/2023 at 14:41, 30368 said:

I built 31806 a two or three years back from a SEF kit and used an SEF chassis kit for the build. It has never been a great runner so I dismantled it and was obviousely built before I paid proper attention to pickups. This was rectified with three separate pair of pick-ups on each driver. I doubt that I could have fitted pick-ups to the tender without serious damage. The loco runs well now but needs some running in which it will get later this year when Phase two of the layout is completed.

 

31806 was one of the re-builds of the River 2-6-4 tanks, and note that there are two variations of the re-builds. As far as I can tell, all of the 31800 series of "U"'s had the "step up" tender as below, however I can find no image of 31806 so fitted, it being the odd one out! Typical - I am therefore looking for a second hand Bachmann ex "N" tender with a flush running plate...

 

One thing I find very odd is that with the "N" class, Bachmann have, with some re-tooling, the ability to cheaply create all of the "U" class variations (three types) and with a bit more work, the U1/N1s. I can't understand why they have not done so.

The N/U's are another minefield of variations, as I found out when I built one (DJH body, new finecast chassis)  Maybe there were too many differences for a straightforward tweak of the N.

[30368]

1 hour ago, Michael Edge said:

I rather like Chonkers as well, this is my 7mm version of 30335.

 

Lovely work Michael. 30335 is perhaps my favourite. Building that huge Drummond tender was a challenge, the tender footplate needs a large flare for it to match the loco as you suggest. The tender was originally fitted to one of his "double singles" a 4-2-2-0 which didn't really work, just like all his 4-6-0's. Having said that I am really tempted to build a model of 335 as originally built.

 

Kind regards,

 

Richard B