5&9Models

Thanks very much. Unfortunately the 3D prints didn't survive the mould making process (note to self - do not use 3D prints as masters without waxing them first!). They stuck in the mould like they'd been superglued in! I had intended to turn all the round bits anyway, I've done a nice copper firebox top and brass bonnet as well as the breather pipe behind the chimney and the funnel top of the dome. I'm really enjoying the build, there's quite a lot of modification going on but that's only because of the way I've chosen to motorise it (and because I'm a fussy old sod)!

Brilliant work. An excellent example of problem solving and there's no doubt the 'mixed media' approach produces the best results. The combination of cast, etched and printed components seems to me to be the ideal since each process has its limitations and where one falls down, another technique can produce better results. I'm still not convinced that 3D printing can give as nice a finish on broad, flat surfaces like tender sides as well as etched sheet, and a cast whitemetal or lost-wax brass detail can add a little extra weight if required. 3D printing comes into its own for making masters and solving the issue of layering etches which as you rightly say is an absolute drag. Looking forward to seeing the next bit of ingenuity!

Boiler more or less done and some of the ‘sticky-uppy bits’ added. The gearbox under the boiler is clearly evident at the moment but should be hidden once the drivers and splashers are in place.

I think the weathering in the Sentinel looks perfect , you’ve done a great job.

Sorry no, the London & Blackwall, there’s so many L&Bs to choose from!

Ah, could be that one, thank you.

Yes, perhaps I should add that the Brio is not the finished article! Unfortunately the drivers are only 4’6” so if the worm was underneath it would be scraping the sleepers. Stepping it back up into the firebox gave the opportunity for a further small reduction to take it from 80:1 to 90:1.

I appreciate this little locomotive has graced the pages of RMweb before thanks to the excellent contribution by chris p bacon, however, thanks to the aforementioned gent sending me a set of etches to aid the scratch building of my own attempt, I thought I'd share the progress here. The Railway Chronicle for December 16th 1848, carries an article on 'a specimen of a light locomotive, called the 'Little England', which, with its tender on the same frame, will work the ordinary stock of a company. The 'Little England' and tender weigh together when roadworthy 9 tons 5 cwt. It has a 7-in. cylinder, a 12-in. stroke, and 4 ft. 6 in. driving wheels. The diameter of the leading trailing wheels is 3ft. The distance between the extreme centres is 14ft.' The article goes on to describe the journey from New Cross to Brighton station with three first-class carriages containing 31 persons of note. Its sprightly performance was much praised and George England went on to produce several versions at his Hatcham Iron Works just off the Old Kent Road. In the Summer of 1849, George made his first sale of his little 2-2-2 engine to the Dundee, Perth & Aberdeen Railway. Before the year was out, a further example (named Dwarf) went to the London & Blackwall, and the following year six more were sent to a variety of destinations. Of these, three (named England, Samson and Hercules) went to the L&B, one (also named England) travelled north to the Edinburgh & Glasgow and another to the L.C&S.Rly. (although what that stands for I'm not sure - help me out someone)! A further locomotive (named Little England) was prepared for the Great Exhibiton, becoming exhibit no.509. A charming contemporary illustration apparently shows 'Little England' and is probably the Great Exhibition engine with a wheelbase of 15ft. Clark also illustrated one of George's engines with a 12ft. 6in. wheelbase, so there were different versions along the same theme sometimes with the same name. Finally, a photograph of 'Dwarf' on the Sandy & Potton confirms the 15ft wheelbase version. The aforementioned etches provide a good basis for what is essentially a scratch build. Motorising such a tiny loco is always a challenge and I chose to hide an H&S mini motor in the bunker and drop the gears down under the footplate, up into the firebox, to a 40:1 worm and pinion on the driving axle. The gears themselves were robbed from an old toy engine from my childrens wooden train set, (don't worry, the motor was burned out beyond redemption - I'm not that mean)! It all seems to run very sweetly and does the job at a total of 90:1. I'm going with the 15ft wheelbase for my model although I'd like it to be 14ft to represent the original 'Little England' I can't face 'cutting and shutting' the etches and it's not obvious where to loose the 4mm without making it look very odd indeed. I suspect I would need to steel 2mm from behind the drivers somewhere and 2mm in front which is just too much hassle! I've assembled the boiler and firebox, lathe turned the necessary round bits, and am now starting out on the rest of the chassis and bodywork. More to follow in the next post.

Excellent work. They look very good indeed and it's satisfying to get the detail right.

Me too. My grandparents lived in Ramsgate and I can well remember the privy attached to the scullery out the back. I've included a communal night soil chamber for the row which is in one of the back yards. The circular stone lid is just visible in the photo of the two children on the wall. I have two final pics before I get back to modelling.

That’s lovely to think that it’s triggered such a memory. Thank you for sharing it.

Fascinating! I love the idea for the wheels, that looks really good. Excellent work.

I think this is a great idea. I’m happy to take a few level shots and email them to anyone who wants to edit them into back scenes.

What a great idea, go for it!

Well I had a go at the simple photo effect (it's free so no harm in trying), and the results made me smile. Thanks.

Thank you, and thanks also for the photo tip. I’ll see if I can have a go in my self-isolating lunch break!

I’ve only thought about altering them on my phone but in light of your suggestions, I’ll forward a few pics to work and play with them on my work computer which will have much better editing software.

That’s fascinating. I had thought about trying an app to convert some of the photos into old looking prints, any ideas?

Make sure they’re not girl cows. Cattle trucks were much more likely to be filled with beef cattle (mostly boys). You might need to file off some udders!

Thanks Mikkel. Yes, they’re carved from styrene. My first round of figures were carved from plaster but it was too frustrating. You’d get 75% of the way through and a leg would snap off or something equally traumatic. Styrene is a bit more forgiving although it still takes bl***y ages! The seated figure on the right is a casting from the styrene master. The one on the left was too ‘spidery’ to cast so he’s a one-off.

A bit of fun in the garden today trying to find an area that had a bit of natural light, not too shady, and with a bit of sky in the background. Not easy, and I was a bit concerned at one point the diorama was going to blow away! However, a few photos taken on my phone (since I don’t have a fancy camera) which seemed to have come out ok. Really must leave this lit alone now and move on to completing the bridge and making the stables.

Really lovely work...as always!

Very crisp work, most impressive.

Is this the one in Chester?

I guess it depends how much of a masochist you are!