The Fatadder

While I have been thinking about how to do the next steps on the tender (thanks again to Mike G for the advice) I have been cracking on with the body First up the Dapol firebox was removed, it had already been cut at the cab end to clear the new cab front, so. Careful cut along the boiler end, along with using a scalpel to score two lines along the splashes. Then using the trusty xurons the top was broken. And carefully snapped along the cut line. Next up a Hornby 8f was dismantled and then hacked up to provide a new firebox. All the lms details have been carved off and filled ready for replacement with gw parts. The photo below sees it test fitted in place . A little filler will be required to blend the splashed into the bottom of the firebox (given the over width original), The next job is to add the missing bottom of the boiler, for this I am planning to reuse the bottom of the 8f boiler Back to the tender, I have soldered in the front and coal scope (both need a lot of cleaning up of my poor soldering). Still really strugelling to get enough heat, so will be ordering a bigger tip rom eilieens ASAP. Rather than messing around scratch building an accurate coal shoot side, I am thinking of adding a flat top and a scratch built fire iron tunnel, then adding a full load of coal (as per the prototype photo I am working from). This will be the main job for the weekend I want to crack on and get the body and tender finished before I get tempted to work on the 42xx when the brassmasters bits arrive next week

Thanks, I will give that a try once I have the coal shoot done. I've now found some photos of what it should look like, so I am going to scratch build from thin brass sheet. Replacing the fire iron tunnel while I am at it given it feels a bit thick for easy rolling

I built 2 thirds of the churchward 45xx (before it got wrecked in a house move ), Not a bad kit (it was my first), from talking to Malcolm Mitchell back last January, it sounds like the newer Mitchell 44/45 is a much better designed kit I would definitely recommend it

Another question, re the beading. How do you form the curve on the step down at the rear of the tender? It has the curve to match the front, but the rear is just straight

Hadn't thought about that, if I had I think I'd have done the same! I do think I need a bigger tip for the soldering iron as I've struggled to get sufficient heat at times even when set to 400 degrees Still a bit stuck on the sides to the coal shoot though, do not sure when I will get the next bit done. Most annoyingly Royal Mail tried to deliver the 8f body today while I was out, and instead of leaving it round the back or with neighbours as they usually do the have taken it back to the sorting office, so no chance of getting it before next Friday! Wish they would just do the much more sensible thing and leave parcels at the village post office!!!

Not sure about easy... Struggling in a couple of areas if you and help? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/78707-falcon-hawksworth-tender/ Instructions should have exploded diagrams as well as text!

Now that the nights are drawing in, and the temperature is falling. Its time to get the soldering iron out again. Before I make a start on building my Finney Dean Goods, I thought the Falcon Tender for the County would be a good call. (the plan being to follow this with the chassis for the Dapol body.) So far this project has seen a bit of progress focused on the loco body, the cab has been rebuilt with the Jackson parts and an 8f body has been purchased to supply a new firebox. So onto the tender, certainly this is the most difficult etched kit I have put together to date (mostly due to the age of the design). But so far Ive been enjoying the build The first step was soldering up the buffer beams, followed by opening up the holes to accept the sprung buffers. a bit of a tedious job which seemed rather pointless (why only etch a hole a fraction of the diameter of the buffers.) Next up was the valance on the sides, pressing the rivets and laminating the two parts. comparing with photos there appear to be a few rivets missing here, my plan is to add these post completion with Archers transfers Then the 4 parts were soldered onto the baseplate. To assist with this I knocked up a simple jig to help keep everything square, without acting as a heat sink. This was made from a couple of lengths of sleeper along with 2 metal pins to keep it locked in position. First the headstocks were soldered on, followed by the valances. Now it was time for the most important job, and the one I had been dreading. Forming the curves on the rear of the tender. These were wrapped around a length of brass rod (iirc it specified 3/8). Once fitted it was almost perfect, needing only fractional adjustment. However the tabs which locate it onto the baseplate were far too long (fully visible under the plate). So out with the file, and it was filed down to the thickness of the brass baseplate. Its now ready for soldering.

I know it's yet another project, But this is more of a start post for a project intended for the new year. 4573 is the only 4500 class I have seen on the cheddar branch, and will make a nice contrast to the usual 4575s. The original plan was using a churchward models kit, however when we moved house the in progress kit got crushed... So the plan is to use a Bachmann model, on the kits chassis. Having sourced a suitable body, the following work is needed - plate over the cab front porthole windows - new etched steps, (the model didn't come with them, so the plan is to use the ones from the kit (once I find them) - thinking about cutting a section out of the footplate for the gap between the frames, - touch up the paint - finish the cylinders for the chassis - and of course renumber

The one item I need which is not available is the gw 2 car railcars With careful tooling the razor edge single cars could also be done, much better than the old Lima model.

there is a photo in Russell of a star in wartime green (no lining) and G Crest W on the 4000gl tender So it wasn't just kings and castles (though I suppose a star is almost a castle)

If mrd still have them in stock when I either Wellington or the Dukedog, I will definitely be buying a pack...

I think I am right in saying that the wagon would have the owners name written above the number? Tempted by this set and removing the p myself

Problem identified - one hole in con rod too small - quartering fractionally out on one wheel - far too much slop in lead axle It is only the last point which remains to be addressed as I can't remember where the washers are for it. If you keep the wheels straight it pushes along ok now. So get those washers in an a motor fitted and it's good to go!

Yea, definitely some very handy bits in that range. The 58xx has a high level chassis, just trying to get a couple of issues sorted on it, the idler shafts in the gear box had rusted adding a lot of resistance. Now stripped down and rebuilt and it's much better. Also got a tight spot on one side of the chassis ( only when the right hand side con rod is attached) now in the process of trying to work out if it's a quartering issue or if there is a problem with the rod

Following up from the work on this loco the other day, here is a photo of the finished windows: (unfortunately I didn't take a 'before' photo, but there are plenty of the Airfix/Hornby 14xx online.) Unfortunately an inability to spray at the moment, means that I cannot finish off the loco. Possibly once the new layout room is converted the temperature inside the garage will be ok for spraying. The longer the loco goes without being painted, the more modifications I seem to be making to it. I am now giving serious thought to replacing the sandbox linkages with separate parts (shame no one makes an etch) Moving onto the 42xx, the below photo shows the current state. Roof is removed for painting the interior, the filler in the sides needs a little more touching up prior to painting. Interested to see what is going to be in the Branchlines detailing kit, I suspect at the very least those glazing bars and missing rear doors will be there! I also need to straighten the running plate, but again I will hold fire until I have the new chassis in 2 weeks time. Looks like next spring is going to be rather busy with the spray gun, with these two along with 7723 requiring a coat of GW green paint. Next to enter the works will be 7723 which will be getting its new injectors, window grills and a few other details fitting. I have also been doing some research on my 2 castles, I had seen mention that 4085 Berkeley Castle ran with a Hawksworth tender in my period, however I have yet to find a photo confirming this (in 39 and in 52 it had the collett version) Similarly I understood Nunney Castle had the Collett tender, but the closest photo I have found (early BR crest dated 1950) had a Hawksworth tender. This turns things around a bit, with the ex Tintagnal Berkeley Castle keeping Tintagnals 4000gl Collett tender, and when I get Wellington (if Hornby ever deliver...) it can be a straight renumber to Nunney. Does remind me of another job for this afternoon, bringing Berkeley's tender up to post war livery...

Quite, Yes the ultrascales are a much higher quality product, but that comes at a price (and a very long wait)!

Also to be released at Warley The 42xx is

Of course Will sort when I get home Just ordered the chassis and detailing kit for it from brassmasters Due the Tuesday after warley...

Ah That reminds me why I got the gibsons.... And will be doing the same on the next one

I think it's still listed as a current part, probably not quite as good looking as separate bars from wire though Photo will be this afternoon

A while back I was inspired by a photo of a 57xx pannier on Paul Marshall-Potter's Albion Yard blog, I decided that I would replace the rear windows on my pannier and 58xx with the Mainly Trains etch. This is a nicely done Ian rice designed part which comes with enough to do a good few locos. It's still a bit too flat compared to the prototype, but having the glass behind the etch should look a lot better than having window bars which are a scale 3 inches thick! After a lot of procrastination, I've finally got an etch (via the classifieds) and I have set to fitting it to 5813. The original bars were carefully removed with a sharp scalpel, I then carefully enlarged the window to match the etch. Looking at photos both the front and rear windows on the airfix 14xx are too short and too narrow, so the next job will be opening up the size of the front windows. See the prototype here. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/image/46668-left-hand-tank/ Before gluing the etch in position the final job was to cut new windows to fit (before putting away until after painting) For the 57xx it was a little easier as the windows were more or less the right size, I am however tempted to try and model the front windows open... Will try and add the model photos tomorrow...

Dam you Rob I am even more tempted to get a 72 now!

And sales shift from the local shop who wants a credit card number or deposit to the big box shifter who can absorb the cancelations

I should have mentioned that given that for my layout all the fruit vans and siphons will be used on the front / rear of passenger workings I don't know the practices down in Devon, but certainly in Somerset they were attached to b sets.