The Fatadder

Thanks again for another great tour, I left really wanting a 72xx.... The highlight for me was the tour around the centenary, very inspiring.

one specific I would like to measure if possible is the sliding vents on the centenary, I'm still undecided if I will convert airfix ones into the missing versions or use comet kits, and if I go the former I'm going to need to add the vents... Also planning to take some measurements of the Filton aero wagon, which one day I would like to scratch build... One silly question (that I'm sure has been mentioned before), what time are we meeting tomorrow? I want to make sure I get there early enough for a ride before the tour this year!

I thought about glazing before painting, and decided I didn't want to worry about the masking... I also considered a removable roof, but given the poor fit of the part again decided against it. As for the lamp pots, I want to double check some photos and ensure still present post war, like you I'm going to have to source some if needed!

Its been a few months since I last managed any modelling, but after finishing early yesterday afternoon I've managed to get a couple of hours sat out side with TMS on the radio and a beer in hand. First up was some painting, I am determined to get my D95 breaks finished before the new Hornby model comes out (otherwise the temptation to just buy the better Hornby model and avoid the painting will be too much…) So out with a can of Games Workshop “Skull White” primer, and I now have 2 breaks, the H33 restaurant and an Airfix autocoach all ready for paint. The next challenge is going to be finding somewhere suitable to set up the Airbrush (not to mention remembering how to use the thing… I am certainly not looking forward to masking off the cream! A few months back I bought a Kirk kit for a GWR “Monster” through the classifieds, looking for another quick project this was dug out and started. Given the kits age I was impressed with what you get, the sides and ends were well moulded, and the bogies were very easy to get together. It’s a shame it didn’t pass through to Parkside… After cleaning up a minor amount of flash, I started by modifying the floor opening up the bogie mount holes to accept the bolts before gluing the nut in place on the floor. A small offcut of plasticard was glued in place to prevent the nut rotating. Following the instructions I then glued the first end to side, followed by the floor, other end and the final side. The bogies were then screwed in place, before starting on the underframe. I have used the Kirk truss rods to model the post 1930 build of the van, the gas tanks were glued in place using the drawing in Russell as a guide, before cobbling together the vac break gear and V hangers etc. using various etches and mouldings out of my bits box. I have added the window bars from the inside using an etch intended for some sort of Southern Region EMU, as the inside is now a sealed box I hope they are glued firmly in place as this is what is going to support the glazing…… The one part of the kit which was less than satisfactory was the roof, which was a very poor fit (as is usually the case with a plastic kit…) After some fettling I think I got it to fit correctly, though some pressure was required to hold it down while it dried. Having left it drying when I went to bed last night I am a little nervous as to what I will find this afternoon when I get home from work… Hopefully should get it finished tonight (just break leavers etc. to add, then it can be painted at the same time as the coaches…

Yes, brassmasters did on their blog linked earlier. The moulds need a casting machine that runs backwards, the current supplier is retiring and the tools will not work in brassmasters own suppliers machine. So once stocks run out new moulds will be required. So unpopular kits may not have much life, or will be a lot more expensive to amortise the cost of new tools over a short run

Will look forward to seeing it!

Not sure how well it would fit in the available space, but I always preferred the Hornby diesel approach of fitting the pocket to the body. Which meant that you could remove it easily without leaving a gaping whole in the front of the bogie...

Well I had intended to stick with the kit I have in the pile to build, but having been unable to resist buying the Bachmann body in GWR that was on eBay last week, plans have now changed somewhat... Once Chris gets the kit out it will go on a high level chassis, and 5ft 2 wheels as a 54xx. Just need to check the top feed on my chosen loco now.... Shame about the moulded on rear lamp irons, but that aside its a real cracker!

Thanks for the conformation, looks like the project is a goer. Will add it to the list for the summer.....

Can someone answer a silly question. Is there any difference between the as built 57/3 (ie pre cab front chop) and the production series 57/6? I have a damaged Virgin 57/3 and rather fancy giving it a re spray into fgw faux GWR

Of course in this case the catering vehicle gets more complicated as Hornby would need to tool up two models (the as built that's currently in the railroad range and the rebuilt for post war gw and any BR livery.) Shortened Comet etches on the new Hornby body should be a simple enough job for those looking for a dining option...

Tough call now, carry on with comet sides on the old model, or switch to the new one (and switch the kit building time to other diagrams.). Will see how my build compares when they come out I think as I only have breaks so far...

I should have made it clearer that was in deflation to Brassmasters previous comments re expanding the Finney range rather than an existing kit.

I'm guessing that going forward lobbying Brassmasters for a Finney modified hall is going to be the only way to get a decent one...

Edited, I really must read before hitting post......

Thanks for the clarification Mike. In that case I think I need to talk to Dave Geen and ask if he can supply the castings I need to go with the etched I got from Mr Mitchell. At least it will get one Manor sorted

The manor kit certainly seems to go for a fair amount on eBay close to the new complete price for just the etchings. (Though I would say I'm a tad biased as I suspect in the next year or so I will want to build another manor (once I finish the one I'm working on...)

Duplicating the manor would make sense given the loss of the Mitchell artwork, though for the rest would there be a market for 2 high spec kits and a high spec RTR (I think not, an easichas for the RTR would make more commercial sense to me) I think one of the most logical additions would be to expand the range of tenders, the high sided version of the tender used with the 2251s is a big omission of the Finney and Mitchell ranges.

Great news, and the parts will be available as well (even better news) Now if (over time) you can upgrade the instructions to include the photos of the build that you get on an easychas kit, even better. Very happy to hear it's in safe hands, and look forward to getting a bulldog in the new year...

Glad to hear that the business has been saved, it's going to be a bit of time before I finish my dean and collett goods, but there are certainly a lot more I still want to build

That is awesome! Look forward to seeing it in the flesh at at exhibition some time. Oddly enough I was at Parkend today taking the little one for a train ride (and to meet Peter Rabit...) will be good to see how the place used to look. If only the sharpness bridge was still there and I'd be over the Dean Forest Railway a lot more often!

Blank cheques on the door payable to T Fatadder will see you in... More seriously, you just need to turn up. But a name sticker is always handy so that people can put screen names to faces

10 years..... Cannot believe it's been that long! Here's to the next ten....