Pierview Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 (edited) I seldom build LNER locomotives and I have to admit that my knowledge of them is far from extensive, to say the least. However there are some things that you have to build in order to get it out of your system, and, in my case, the J52 falls into this category. I have always thought the J52's to be splendidly archaic looking locos and I took a liking to them from the time I first came across a photograph in my newly acquired Ian Allan combined volume many Christmases ago. Unfortunately, I never saw any of the class in BR service but was pleased to see the preserved example in use on the NYMR in the 1970's. The Hornby model of the same era using the ubiquitous Tri-ang derived 0-6-0T chassis left me somewhat underwhelmed at the time, but the advent of the Mainly Trains replacement chassis and body detailing kits for the Hornby body fired my interest. Eventually I acquired the bits needed and the build has at last commenced. The photos show progress to date and are largely self explanatory. Both kits are designed by Iain Rice and ,as you would expect, offer clear instructions and sensible advice. I have used Gibson driving wheels and a High Level Road Runner Plus with 60:1 reduction. After talking with Chris Gibbon I decided to try one of his economically priced small motors and it seems to perform well. I also managed to fit it into the firebox area without having to intrude into the back head and cab. I have made a start on the body butchery by fretting out the blanking plates under the saddle tank and removing the splashers for subsequent re-attachment in the correct position. So far as I can see what now needs to be done is a lot of detailing work! Barry Edited April 7, 2022 by Pierview update 18 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimbus Posted December 20, 2021 Share Posted December 20, 2021 These were very neat little locos, and applying a vernier caliper in conjunction with the works GA reveals that Hornby got the major dimensions near spot-on. A shame the lanky chassis spoiled the model's proportions. It would be nice to see Hornby revise this one's tooling for a correct wheelbase modern chassis. The Nim. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Daddyman Posted December 20, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 20, 2021 Proper modelling - well done! Nice to see Gibsons used too. You've kept the injectors I hope? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierview Posted December 20, 2021 Author Share Posted December 20, 2021 Thanks for your kind comments. The injectors have been removed as they will be replaced in due course by some nice brass castings which are included with the detailing kit. Are the plastic ones of interest to you? Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Daddyman Posted December 20, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 20, 2021 No, don't worry - but thank you. I just thought they were quite nice mouldings, and didn't realise the kit had brass ones. Seem to remember I adapted the plastic ones for use on an N2. J52s never got far enough north for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 31A Posted December 20, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 20, 2021 Nice to see this being done; I've 'improved' a couple of Hornby J52s; they respond well to a bit of detailing etc. For the most recent one I did, I replaced the Hornby chassis with one from a Bachmann 57xx Pannier Tank - the wheelbase is almost right and it now works nicely, but I was disappointed not to get daylight under the boiler. One thing that I did on with mine which I don't think the Mainly Trains kit caters for, was to replace the smokebox door with a white metal casting. The original smokebox door looks too small, and has a strange 'groove' around it. The casting I used was from Craftsman, intended for their C12 kit and I don't think is available any longer, but it might be possible to find something else suitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pebbles Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 11 hours ago, 31A said: Nice to see this being done; I've 'improved' a couple of Hornby J52s; they respond well to a bit of detailing etc. For the most recent one I did, I replaced the Hornby chassis with one from a Bachmann 57xx Pannier Tank - the wheelbase is almost right and it now works nicely, but I was disappointed not to get daylight under the boiler. One thing that I did on with mine which I don't think the Mainly Trains kit caters for, was to replace the smokebox door with a white metal casting. The original smokebox door looks too small, and has a strange 'groove' around it. The casting I used was from Craftsman, intended for their C12 kit and I don't think is available any longer, but it might be possible to find something else suitable. Possibly a C12 smokebox door from Finecast. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierview Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 (edited) A quick progress report on the J52 with more body work done. The splashers have been replaced in their amended positions and handrails fitted. The chimney and dome have both been reduced in height to suit my BR era model and the under tank balance pipe fitted. Etched overlays have been added to the buffer beams and the new body fixing points have been made and glued in place. It shouldn't take much to finish it now but the next update will be after the festivities. Happy Christmas everybody! Barry Edited April 7, 2022 by Pierview update 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jack Benson Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 A very competent and excellent upgrade of a readily available model, thanks for sharing. This is rather inspirational as well as being informative. Well done. StaySafe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierview Posted December 28, 2021 Author Share Posted December 28, 2021 (edited) I have now managed to complete the detailing of the J52 body. Most of the parts came from the very comprehensive Mainly Trains detailing pack but I also added some extras including lamp and fire iron brackets, sand box operating lever and RH bunker steps. In this connection Allan Sibley's article in MRJ 35 ("Plastic Surgery on a J52") was extremely useful in identifying the differences to be found on this long lived class. I do take the point made by 31A about the smokebox door, but as I have nothing better to replace it with I have decided to live with it. The old girl is just about ready for the paint shop now! Barry Edited April 7, 2022 by Pierview 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierview Posted January 7, 2022 Author Share Posted January 7, 2022 (edited) I've now finished the J52 apart from it's shed plate, which is on order. I normally try to model engines that I saw in service, but as I didn't see any J52's I have chosen 68838 as my subject on the basis that it appeared to be a fairly standard class member without some of the subsequent modifications. It was a KX engine and withdrawn about 1956. After this rare foray into things LNER my next project will be a Dean Goods. I have spare Hornby loco and tender bodies and intend to do a similar upgrade. Barry Edited April 7, 2022 by Pierview 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 31A Posted January 8, 2022 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 8, 2022 That looks really good, shows how well the old Hornby J52 scrubs up with some fettling. I might have a go at another one! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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