ArthurK

Not really, only four!. Top cylinder, steam in and regulator pipes both from cab on the left, exhaust to smokebox on right. Lower cylinder air in on left (no pipe) high pressure to air reservoirs on left. There were sometimes two high pressure pipes from the box on the lower right. ArthurK

Further to my comments on the J27, one thing that I didn't mention was the sandwich buffer beam which was widespread (but not universal) on NER locos, These had a baulk of timber in front of the true bufferbeam and with a steel plate in front of that. This sandwich was attached with Hemispherical head coach bolts. These latter were very visible. This addition gave a degree of flexibility. ArthurK

On the subject of the Oxford Rail J27 model no. 1010, it is very unlikely to be sporting a smokebox with mushroom rivets in that livery. They weren't used until the war years. The NER (and Darlington in the NER period) used flush rivets whenever they were clearly visible, that includes the bufferbeam. ArthurK

Hi Mike, We both know that there are a number of issues that I have to address on this one. However it looks fine and with the wheels in place it is beginning to look complete. I have done a redesign of the cab internals by extending the tanks through into the cab. This raises other problems on the wheels protruding into the cab. I have often wondered how the prototype got over this problem as the wheel BTB is slightly more than the distance between the tanks. Careful study of the GA reveals a small dished splasher inside of the cab. This is not enough, even in P4 but it does suggest a way forward. I have added an adjustable splasher to suit P4. EM and OO. I think this will be an ideal solution Keep up the good work. Unfortunately I am no longer able to try out these things for myself. I can dream up new designs but I have to rely on others to show that they work. ArthurK

The suspension is similar to my model of the Tennant but with a swinging rear truck at the rear. In both the front axle rocks on a central pivot, ArthurK

If you spend enough time and effort it is possible to get a half decent result from Jidenco kits. I have another two unbuilt but I am never going to build them now! ArthurK

NORTHEASTERN KITS J25 A short delay as I have been back to the Northeast for a short break but the first batch of twelve J25s are definitely ready to go. ArthurK

The early cab roofs of NER locos had steel supports over the width of the cab. The roof was 1" timber which did not quite reach the edges of the first and last support girders so giving the two layer effect. The roof was canvas covered. This was held down with battens, one at each supporting girder and one along each side. These further enhanced the appearance of there being two layers. More modern cabs used a single steel plate. The giveaway (wood or steel) was the presence of the battens on the roof. Many locos had the wooden roof replaced by steel. ArthurK

Your name is already on my list ArthurK

I will order a batch of three Any one else want one please let me know. ArthurK

I have (I believe) six N10 bodies in stock but only four underframes. Four are reserved. I can re-order underframes to make up the deficit, That will take about two months. There are six underframes on a sheet but only two bodies. If the demand is there I can even things out with a further four bodies. ArthurK

The sharp eyed Will notice the there are two slots close together on the lower footplate etch. The inner of these take the tags for the tanks. the outer ones are there to enable the valance to be bent without putting too much stress on the area close to the bend. I had a similar problem with the D20 footplate at the rear which forced a redesign with separate valence. ArthurK

NORTHEASTERN KITS An Update Despite the all problems associated with the lockdown things are still progressing but times to get bits etched have increased to around eight weeks. New eches and re-orders are therefore taking longer. J25 However the good news is the the first batch of twelve J25s are no ready to go. The first on the list will receive notification of this in the next few days . F8 I have received the first test etches. It now being test built by Mike Megginson and the build will appear in these pages. The has required anew lost wax casring for the springs and front valve covers. the remaining castings are already in my range. Q7 I have reluctantly given up including full valve gear. It is just not practical. Instead I will concentrate on those bits that can be readily seen f rom above. Both boiler styles will be catered for. C6 Slow progress. Tennant I have a new batch of four of these. I have a number of other kits in stock. I will check and list them. I know that the is one Q5, first come first served. ArthurK

My remarks about the clack valves being inline with the dome centre applies to the locos without side tanks. The front of the tank of classes N8, N9 and N10 were built with these in line with the dome on the barrel centre. On these the clack valves were moved forward by about 6" the clear the front of the tank. As an aside 1643 was an N9. These appear to have retained prominent tail rods to the valve spindles. It is believed that only two N9s retained the smaller tanks with which they were buit ArthurK

Mike The N8s and contempory designs (J21, J25, N8 and others) carried a Dia. 67 boiler when built.These had the dome in the forward position and used clack valves on the centre ring of the boiler in line with the dome. During 1930s many NER boilers were redesigned and the boiler diagrams were redesignated by adding an 'A'. thus new boilers became Dia 67A. On these the dome was moved 1' 9" to the rear. These boilers were not fiitted with clack valves on the boiler but instead water was delivered via a combined steam/water valve on the backhead. Rivetted smokeboxes appeared in late LNER days (I believe the early 1940s). This gathered pace during the war years and into BR. the straps on the smokeboxes also became riveted at about this time. Another visible change was the acquisition of the Doncaster style of smokebox door. The more domed than the flatter style used by the NER. It pays to have a good photograph of the loco that you intend to mode and in the period of your intended build. There are a lot of pitfalls waiting for the unwary. ArthurK

I saw Airborne many times on Tyneside. Fortunately not in the state of the last sighting, abandoned and awaiting the end on the scrap line at Blaydon. Surprisingly It still had its nameplate intact. ArthurK

Sent by mistake

Mike, I have never been a hundred percent happy with the B15 chimney the radius below the lip is too big. Never had the opportunity to make amends! ArthurK

Here is another view of that hole! The gubbings in front of it looks like it may be a cover for it. ArthurK

The photo of the cab interior above clearly shows a hinged plate folded back against the front cab sheet. my photo shows it closed. ArthurK

I wish that I had been able to photograph these locos. I used to see them whilst cycling to and from school in the 1940s. Unfortunately I didn't possess a camera in those far off days. ArthurK

I think that this topic is going around in circles and whereas I have added my own comments, I do think the these discussions are not appropriate for this thread. Would the participants please post further comments elsewhere. ArthurK

You appear to forget that the GC rebuilds were a Darlington design and the dimensions are an exact match to those of NER 4125 gallon self trimming tenders. Why produce a new design when one already exists.. The footplates of the 3940 gallon trenders were 8' (the loco footplates were 8' 6"). The 4125 tender footplates were 8' 6". ArthurK

Hi Richard, So many pipes! The Dreadnought Valve is the thing silhouetted in the right cab window. The gadget above the right cab opening is the Westinghouse brake valve. This was retained for those locos that retained air-brakes for loco and /or train. For comparison I offer a photo of the preserved J21 taken whilst at Marley Hill. The Exhaust pipe to the smokebox is Lower right behind the mounting bracket. The main body is at centre, Unfortunately the operating lever is out of shot. There are excellent cab views in Ken Hoole's book "An illustrated history of NER locomotives". ArthurK .

NER Vacuum fitted locos used the Dreadnought brake valve. This was a complex unit. The Vacuum ejector pipe from the smokebox entered this though the cab front sheet. There was a second smaller steam pipe from this unit to a manifold on the firebox. Sometimes this pipe was external from the shoulder of the firebox and entered the cab about 6" above the ejector pipe. I have the Dreadnought in my range of castings. ArthurK