thetalkinlens

@RBAGE Thanks for the replies and also the PM with the photos. I would tend to agree 65817 and 65844 look to be of the same configuration.

Re the boilers I'm no expert, but my understanding is the Diagram 57 was the original NER boiler and this had a superheated version as well as saturated. Diagram 57A was the LNER version, which replaced the original and also came in both superheated and saturated variations. On 57A the bands and dome are different to 57. Whether you could tell visually on the actual boiler itself on the same boiler type between saturated and superheated I'm not sure, but like you say the superheated J27's had the extended smokebox.

I "think" from Oxford the 65837 model is a Diagram 57 and 65817 is a Diagram 57A, the boiler bands and dome being in a different position.

The final short dome you've fitted to 65892 and 65853 are fairly easy to identify. I'm less sure how to tell between the original NER dome and the round dome. I'm not sure if any of the Oxford models have the original NER dome. Possibly 65817 has the round dome and the other three available have the original NER.

Useful information re the body removal. I haven't attempted this yet, so that's good to know and be careful with the reverser.

65844 would be of particular interest to modellers in the North York Moors area. Before it was a York engine, it was at Malton and could be seen on the pickups to Whitby and Gilling/Kirkbymoorside. There are quite a few photos of it in books of the area.

On 02/04/2022 at 14:23, RBAGE said:

I'm very happy with my three. Some minor modifications. 65892 has its chimney at quite a jaunty angle and needs to be straightened. 3 links to be fitted to all before weathering. 

I've experienced some minor pick up issues which were easily rectified so that running is good. I've tested one of them with a rake of 21 ton hoppers quite heavily loaded with liquid lead. It struggled to get 22 of these heavy hoppers underway, slipping quite convincingly. With careful start up these could be managed and once running the whole train looks superb.

Not as impressive as my two Bradwell J27s but for the price you'd be daft not to have at least one of them.

A rather nice lineup...

Is 65844 correct as 65817 comes from Oxford for the dome, boiler etc? I was considering renumbering to that one and thought it looked like the dome was right, but wouldn't call myself an expert.

Is 65892 fitted with a metal hook on the front? Did it take much to cut away space behind the bufferbeam? I've done the tender hook on mine, but not committed to the front yet!