Wright writes.....

[Tony Wright]

Charlie Lynch has told me that one of the locos he needs for his Scottish layout project is a 2P.

 

He's considering using an old Airfix/Palitoy tender-drive example, but fitting Comet frames with loco-drive. 

 

I did such a conversion about 14 years ago................

 

 

 

 

This example was actually Scottish-allocated.

 

 

But I renumbered it to an English-based one.

 

It's an LMS-built example, with L/H drive.

 

 

I made a Midland-built example by altering a Millholme kit and using a SE Finecast Midland tender.

 

Neither of these would constitute 'budget modelling', though knackered tender-drive 2Ps can be picked up cheaply. 

 

 

[BMacdermott]

14 hours ago, Willie Whizz said:

They do on mine!!!  Difficult to get a balanced stud of locomotives representing the ER lines in Nottinghamshire without K2s - and J6s too, though I did build (with some help on the chassis) a Nu-Cast one of the latter many years ago which has recently been somewhat refurbished. Fingers still firmly crossed therefore …

 

Hello everyone

 

Within The Results of The 00 Wishlist Poll, the K2 was Middle Polling in 2013 and 2014 but has been High Polling since 2015.

 

In 2022 (the last Poll to run before we run again near Christmas this year), the class was not far off the Top 50.

 

The J6 has generally polled slightly lower than the K2, but overtook it in 2022 to finish in The Top 50.

 

Overall, I wouldn't say they run 'neck and neck', but there's not much space between them.

 

Brian (on behalf of The 00 Poll Team)

[MJI]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

Charlie Lynch has told me that one of the locos he needs for his Scottish layout project is a 2P.

 

He's considering using an old Airfix/Palitoy tender-drive example, but fitting Comet frames with loco-drive. 

 

I did such a conversion about 14 years ago................

 

 

 

 

This example was actually Scottish-allocated.

 

 

But I renumbered it to an English-based one.

 

It's an LMS-built example, with L/H drive.

 

 

I made a Midland-built example by altering a Millholme kit and using a SE Finecast Midland tender.

 

Neither of these would constitute 'budget modelling', though knackered tender-drive 2Ps can be picked up cheaply.

 

I give upsee next post

Edited May 24 by MJI

[MJI]

Ok here goes, low 20s for a broken 2p, mine had a broken wheel on push along bit.

 

I used comet frames and a lrm tender.

 

Biggest job was converting drive side.

[26power]

17 hours ago, 60027Merlin said:

 

I attach a photo taken from a local media report of this truly shocking act of vandalism. Yet again one wonders about the state of human nature.

 

By going in to Google and typing in Bo'ness model railway fire you will find more details.

 

 

Also a specific RMWeb thread here:

Includes a link to a fundraiser, if you are so inclined!
 

 

[Tony Wright]

9 hours ago, BMacdermott said:

 

Hello everyone

 

Within The Results of The 00 Wishlist Poll, the K2 was Middle Polling in 2013 and 2014 but has been High Polling since 2015.

 

In 2022 (the last Poll to run before we run again near Christmas this year), the class was not far off the Top 50.

 

The J6 has generally polled slightly lower than the K2, but overtook it in 2022 to finish in The Top 50.

 

Overall, I wouldn't say they run 'neck and neck', but there's not much space between them.

 

Brian (on behalf of The 00 Poll Team)

As always, thanks Brian...........

 

J6s? Always popular; popular enough to have seen several on Little Bytham down the years................

 

The first would be...........

 

 

An ancient WSM kit I built so many years ago, mounting it on a scratch-built chassis. 

 

In Bytham's early days, it was used on the main line.

 

 

However it now finds (little) use on the MR/M&GNR bit. 

 

It really is a shabby old thing, but folk are still waiting for an RTR J6, 50 years after I built this!

 

 

 

An early rebuild (I made it work, painted and weathered it) of Ian Wilson's Nu-Cast J6 saw some service on LB, but it now resides on his Edenham.

 

 

This was an early build of the Nu-Cast & Partners J6.

 

 

I think this might have been the first (I've built quite a few already!).

 

 

This was definitely the second, to which I fitted a London Road tender. 

 

 

This was another.

 

 

But better after Geoff Haynes had weathered it. 

 

 

The London Road J6 made up into a lovely loco, in this case the Ivatt version.

 

 

And another LRM Ivatt J6.

 

 

This LRM J6 was built by a bloke on the other side of the world for Gilbert Barnatt's Peterborough North. Something must have happened in transit because it didn't work on arrival in Blighty. It does now!

 

 

Another non-running LRM J6 (this time a Gresley one) came my way with a request to 'make it go, please'. Which I did, eventually. 

 

The work of a 'professional model-maker' - really? 

 

 

 

This J6 came from the estate of the late Roy Jackson (though it's not his work). It consisted of a scratch-built smokebox/boiler/firebox/spectacle plate and little else. I scratch-built a chassis for it and bought the parts to finish it from Nu-Cast & partners.

 

I made it run in OO, as seen here. 

 

 

But it really belongs on Retford in EM, where it is now, as the property of Sandra Orpen. 

 

 

Another Nu-Cast J6, but brought by whom? Jesse Sim, because that's one of his wagons.

 

 

And yet another, though, again, I've forgotten who brought it. 

 

 

And I've forgotten who brought this Jamieson one.

 

 

 

That great 'master of moulding', Graeme King, brought this J6 he'd cast in resin, even the frames, I believe.

 

 

He gave me one to try out, though, being 'reactionary', I scratch-built a brass chassis for it (failing to disguise that obese screw head!).

 

I sold it to a friend who needed a J6 (who needs more than five on a layout?). 

 

K2s to follow...................

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 24 by Tony Wright
to remove a duplicate picture

[Tony Wright]

Now for some K2s.............

 

 

The London Road Models K2 makes up into a lovely loco, especially enhanced by Ian Rathbone's painting.

 

 

I let it run on the main line.

 

 

And also on the MR/M&GNR.

 

K2s were common on the MR/M&GNR section, probably being the heaviest locos allowed.

 

 

My ancient original Nu-Cast one still sees use.

 

 

On East Midlands to the Norfolk coast expresses. 

 

 

A much newer Nu-Cast K2 also sees service on the MR/M&GNR bit.

 

 

Looking much more natural after Geoff Haynes weathered it. 

 

 

It's even had a run on the main line, towing Rapido's lovely Dynamometer Car.

 

 

The latest Nu-Cast & Partners K2 also makes up well, this time enhanced by Geoff Haynes' painting.

 

 

Geoff also painted this older Nu-Cast K2 which I built; now the property of Gilbert Barnatt.

 

 

I can't recall who brought this GNR Nu-Cast K2, though I've an idea I made it go.

 

 

I know Eric Kidd brought along this beautiful Nu-Cast Scottish K2 he'd built/painted.

 

 

But who brought this one, I've long-forgotten.

 

 

I'm not sure who brought this K2 along, but it would appear to have Bachmann under-pinnings. 

 

 

And this is Graeme King's resin K2. 

 

RTR J6s and RTR K2s? I'm not in the least bit bothered!

 

 

Edited May 24 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Clive Mortimore]

3 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

As always, thanks Brian...........

 

J6s? Always popular; popular enough to have seen several on Little Bytham down the years................

 

The first would be...........

 

 

An ancient WSM kit I built so many years ago, mounting it on a scratch-built chassis. 

 

In Bytham's early days, it was used on the main line.

 

 

However it now finds (little) use on the MR/M&GNR bit. 

 

It really is a shabby old thing, but folk are still waiting for an RTR J6, 50 years after I built this!

 

 

 

An early rebuild (I made it work, painted and weathered it) of Ian Wilson's Nu-Cast J6 saw some service on LB, but it now resides on his Edenham.

 

 

This was an early build of the Nu-Cast & Partners J6.

 

 

I think this might have been the first (I've built quite a few already!).

 

 

This was definitely the second, to which I fitted a London Road tender. 

 

 

This was another.

 

 

But better after Geoff Haynes had weathered it. 

 

 

The London Road J6 made up into a lovely loco, in this case the Ivatt version.

 

 

And another LRM Ivatt J6.

 

 

This LRM J6 was built by a bloke on the other side of the world for Gilbert Barnatt's Peterborough North. Something must have happened in transit because it didn't work on arrival in Blighty. It does now!

 

 

Another non-running LRM J6 (this time a Gresley one) came my way with a request to 'make it go, please'. Which I did, eventually. 

 

The work of a 'professional model-maker' - really? 

 

 

 

This J6 came from the estate of the late Roy Jackson (though it's not his work). It consisted of a scratch-built smokebox/boiler/firebox/spectacle plate and little else. I scratch-built a chassis for it and bought the parts to finish it from Nu-Cast & partners.

 

I made it run in OO, as seen here. 

 

 

But it really belongs on Retford in EM, where it is now, as the property of Sandra Orpen. 

 

 

Another Nu-Cast J6, but brought by whom? Jesse Sim, because that's one of his wagons.

 

 

And yet another, though, again, I've forgotten who brought it. 

 

 

And I've forgotten who brought this Jamieson one.

 

 

 

That great 'master of moulding', Graeme King, brought this J6 he'd cast in resin, even the frames, I believe.

 

 

He gave me one to try out, though, being 'reactionary', I scratch-built a brass chassis for it (failing to disguise that obese screw head!).

 

I sold it to a friend who needed a J6 (who needs more than five on a layout?). 

 

K2s to follow...................

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Tony

 

I recently acquired one for Sheffield Exchange. I purchased it at the Immingham exhibition off a stand run by a chap called Mike Fish. He had a lot of nice looking kit built LNER locos, mainly GCR, for sale. All from one collection, all apparently "professionally" made. Most hadn't run for some time and where housed in a cabinet.  

 

I believe it is a DJH kit. It needed a clean and oil and now runs nicely.

[31A]

Talking of J6s, here's one I made maybe 30 or so years ago from a Nu Cast kit.  I think it's on its second motor and gearbox; it now has a can motor of some sort and a Branchlines 80:1 gearbox and is a very smooth runner.

 

 

I did buy a London Road Models kit a couple of months ago but so far haven't summoned up the courage to make a start on it!  My excuse is that I haven't got a gearbox for it yet!

 

[EHertsGER]

On 22/05/2024 at 14:50, Captain Kernow said:

I see from Justin's website that the J15 chassis (and the tender for same) is designed for the Alan Gibson kit, but I wonder whether it could be adapted to fit the Hornby loco?

 

The Rumney chassis was never intended to fit the Hornby J15. We thought about it, but as the ‘sponsor’ of the project it would have been too much compromise for my purpose. The main issue with replacing the Hornby chassis was the lower half of the body integral to the chassis. In doing our market research (identifying the NuCast kit as another beneficiary as well as scratchbuilders as the Gibson kit was out of production, though does appear occasionally, either from Gibson’s rage or by auction) I felt the Hornby model was best left to Brassmasters to support, which they have.

[Tony Wright]

11 hours ago, Clive Mortimore said:

Hello Tony

 

I recently acquired one for Sheffield Exchange. I purchased it at the Immingham exhibition off a stand run by a chap called Mike Fish. He had a lot of nice looking kit built LNER locos, mainly GCR, for sale. All from one collection, all apparently "professionally" made. Most hadn't run for some time and where housed in a cabinet.  

 

I believe it is a DJH kit. It needed a clean and oil and now runs nicely.

 

 

Good morning Clive,

 

Thanks for showing this. A good buy.

 

As far as I know, DJH never made a kit for a J6, so, if it's white metal (which it appears to be), I'd say it's Nu-Cast. However, the tender might be from K's (the cut-out handrail at the front). 

 

It's in early LNER condition (Ramsbottom safety valves, main handrails clipped to smokebox door, high front platform and number on tender), so are you going to 'BR' it? Which means Ross pop safety valves, removing the front bits of the handrails and centre front platform, and (probably) lower boiler fittings. Either way, it's a good model. At least it appears to have a (later) etched brass set of frames rather than the original white metal lump.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Edited May 25 by Tony Wright
to add something

[Clive Mortimore]

7 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

 

 

Good morning Clive,

 

Thanks for showing this. A good buy.

 

As far as I know, DJH never made a kit for a J6, so, if it's white metal (which it appears to be), I'd say it's Nu-Cast. However, the tender might be from K's (the cut-out handrail at the front). 

 

It's in early LNER condition (Ramsbottom safety valves, main handrails clipped to smokebox door, high front platform and number on tender), so are you going to 'BR' it? Which means Ross pop safety valves, removing the front bits of the handrails and centre front platform, and (probably) lower boiler fittings. Either way, it's a good model. At least it appears to have a (later) etched brass set of frames rather than the original white metal lump.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Hello Tony

 

I meant Nu-Cast, whoops a sign of getting older.

 

I realise I have changes to make to bring it to its BR condition, I think it is number 203 on the list of models that need altering, finishing etc.

[Tony Wright]

A further point or two about J6 models.........

 

 

As supplied, the tender in the Nu-Cast J6 kit really only suits 64190 in BR days if one were being pedantic (GNR Class B 3,500-gal - the RCTS and Yeadon). The others had smaller-capacity tenders, mostly with a symmetrical wheelbase (not made by Nu-Cast).

 

That's the reason..............

 

 

I fitted a London Road tender of the appropriate type (3,000-gal with symmetrical wheelbase) to run behind 64236 (Nu-Cast & Partners).

 

I must admit to ignorance in building my first J6..............

 

 

All those years ago; that poor old thing from WSM; ignorance of not knowing that the front platform was lower in BR days, though I can't plead ignorance for the lack of brakes! However, I think the tender is (remarkably!) correct - a 3,00-gal type with asymmetric wheelbase.

 

GNR tenders are an absolute minefield!

 

 

[Willie Whizz]

So the Nu-Cast J6 tender is literally only appropriate for just one of the entire class in BR times?  Why would anyone do that????

 

After all these years hidden away in a box and now out at last, I think “Rule One” is going to have to apply with mine … 

 

(Inserts fingers in ears) “La-la—la-la”

[robertcwp]

The J6 and K2 are significant gaps in RTR. Hopefully, one or both will be done soon. 
 

Retford has kit-built examples of both. 

[30368]

Always rather liked the K2 2-6-0. A good few years ago I built a London Road Models K2 kit. It has a large can Mashima and two stage Branchlines gearbox. Tricky build for the model railway club I attended back in Wiltshire. Painted/weathered by me. Goodness I had (and still have) a lot to learn!

Built as a Scottish Loco.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

30368

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, Willie Whizz said:

So the Nu-Cast J6 tender is literally only appropriate for just one of the entire class in BR times?  Why would anyone do that????

 

After all these years hidden away in a box and now out at last, I think “Rule One” is going to have to apply with mine … 

 

(Inserts fingers in ears) “La-la—la-la”

Good morning Willie,

 

Strictly speaking, yes. I believe it was done because the tender comes from the K2. In many cases, the differences are subtle. 

 

Don't fret - I've applied 'Rule 1' on many, many occasions.............

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[polybear]

On 23/05/2024 at 16:15, 60027Merlin said:

 

I attach a photo taken from a local media report of this truly shocking act of vandalism. Yet again one wonders about the state of human nature.

 

By going in to Google and typing in Bo'ness model railway fire you will find more details.

 

 

 

Two men, both 32 have been charged....

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn00rk1znkvo

[Steamport Southport]

1 hour ago, Willie Whizz said:

So the Nu-Cast J6 tender is literally only appropriate for just one of the entire class in BR times?  Why would anyone do that????

 

After all these years hidden away in a box and now out at last, I think “Rule One” is going to have to apply with mine … 

 

(Inserts fingers in ears) “La-la—la-la”

 

Possibly because when a lot of these kits first appeared very few of the "serious" modellers* modelled BR. Most of the layouts in the magazines were Big Four or earlier. So it probably made sense to cater for the larger market at the time. I remember the switch to BR era quite vividly in the late 1970s when all the ex trainspotters were building stuff they grew up with.

 

 

*The train set market seemed different with quite a few BR locos available including diesels and electrics

 

 

Jason

[Clive Mortimore]

5 minutes ago, Steamport Southport said:

 

Possibly because when a lot of these kits first appeared very few of the "serious" modellers* modelled BR. Most of the layouts in the magazines were Big Four or earlier. So it probably made sense to cater for the larger market at the time. I remember the switch to BR era quite vividly in the late 1970s when all the ex trainspotters were building stuff they grew up with.

 

 

*The train set market seemed different with quite a few BR locos available including diesels and electrics

 

 

Jason

Thankfully.

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, robertcwp said:

The J6 and K2 are significant gaps in RTR. Hopefully, one or both will be done soon. 
 

Retford has kit-built examples of both. 

Good morning Robert,

 

Indeed Retford does............

 

 

The real thing.

 

And...............

 

 

My interpretation of 64178 to start with (running on test with a borrowed GC tender).

 

 

 

And complete and in operation where it belongs.

 

Strictly speaking, it's probably not got the correct tender! However, I don't think anyone has noticed............... 

 

I've photographed at least two K2s on Retford............

 

 

 

 

Layouts like Retford have always had the 'build' approach, never being RTR-reliant.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[Bernard Lamb]

Double heading.

But not as we usually know it.

Courtesy of Watford Museum and Watford Observer.

Thought to be very near the factory. Date? Late 1930s?

A working model in 4mm scale anyone?😃

Bernard

 

[Jesse Sim]

21 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

As always, thanks Brian...........

 

J6s? Always popular; popular enough to have seen several on Little Bytham down the years................

 

The first would be...........

 

 

An ancient WSM kit I built so many years ago, mounting it on a scratch-built chassis. 

 

In Bytham's early days, it was used on the main line.

 

 

However it now finds (little) use on the MR/M&GNR bit. 

 

It really is a shabby old thing, but folk are still waiting for an RTR J6, 50 years after I built this!

 

 

 

An early rebuild (I made it work, painted and weathered it) of Ian Wilson's Nu-Cast J6 saw some service on LB, but it now resides on his Edenham.

 

 

This was an early build of the Nu-Cast & Partners J6.

 

 

I think this might have been the first (I've built quite a few already!).

 

 

This was definitely the second, to which I fitted a London Road tender. 

 

 

This was another.

 

 

But better after Geoff Haynes had weathered it. 

 

 

The London Road J6 made up into a lovely loco, in this case the Ivatt version.

 

 

And another LRM Ivatt J6.

 

 

This LRM J6 was built by a bloke on the other side of the world for Gilbert Barnatt's Peterborough North. Something must have happened in transit because it didn't work on arrival in Blighty. It does now!

 

 

Another non-running LRM J6 (this time a Gresley one) came my way with a request to 'make it go, please'. Which I did, eventually. 

 

The work of a 'professional model-maker' - really? 

 

 

 

This J6 came from the estate of the late Roy Jackson (though it's not his work). It consisted of a scratch-built smokebox/boiler/firebox/spectacle plate and little else. I scratch-built a chassis for it and bought the parts to finish it from Nu-Cast & partners.

 

I made it run in OO, as seen here. 

 

 

But it really belongs on Retford in EM, where it is now, as the property of Sandra Orpen. 

 

 

Another Nu-Cast J6, but brought by whom? Jesse Sim, because that's one of his wagons.

 

 

And yet another, though, again, I've forgotten who brought it. 

 

 

And I've forgotten who brought this Jamieson one.

 

 

 

That great 'master of moulding', Graeme King, brought this J6 he'd cast in resin, even the frames, I believe.

 

 

He gave me one to try out, though, being 'reactionary', I scratch-built a brass chassis for it (failing to disguise that obese screw head!).

 

I sold it to a friend who needed a J6 (who needs more than five on a layout?). 

 

K2s to follow...................

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yea that’s my J6. Second loco kit started, first one finished. 
 

It’s horrible 🤣

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, Jesse Sim said:

Yea that’s my J6. Second loco kit started, first one finished. 
 

It’s horrible 🤣

Your second attempt at a loco kit, Jesse?

 

If you think that's 'horrible', it's a good job you've never seen mine!

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Teague]

8 hours ago, Clive Mortimore said:

I realise I have changes to make to bring it to its BR condition, I think it is number 203 on the list of models that need altering, finishing etc.

 

I'm guessing that is quite near the top of the list then.............😂