The last 7mm kit build..... has to be GWR

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A Modern Outline Kit 14/48XX Auto-tank loco

This kit was purchased back in 2013 with my long service award dosh for 40 years at the sharp end of the NHS……………..so… thankyou GB tax payers !!


Although growing up in ex Midland Railway territory my first serious railway modelling was of the Great Western Railway, kicking off with  Kay`s  whitemetal 14XX Autotank.  I could`nt afford a loco kit and a camera back in the 1970`s so nothing was recorded of my exploits back then.  It does`nt matter really as I never managed to get the thing working properly and eargerly awaited the Airfix RTR offering.  By the time it was produced I had been converted over to the wonders of etched brass and nickel silver loco kits produced by Mallard models.






It took me a year to complete this 517 loco  and was before the realms of  cleaning flux off thoroughly and before etched primers!!!




                                                   1978


It was also before small electric motors that did`nt protrude into the cab and fold up gear box kits.








I then moved away from all things Western and did`nt return to it until I moved over to 7mm modelling in 2008.








So….. 39 years later…. I`ve finally built what I always wanted  A GWR 48XX Autotank…………………..






The chassis left the paint shed yesterday and just needs balance weights attached.  This is to be my last 7mm locomotive build as I have now completed a stock of  10  GWR and LMS locos to play with in retirement.


Also age has taken it`s toll on my fingers and thumbs  (arthritis).  So I`ve got to get a move on !!








I seem tyo have left the best till last as this is the most excellently designed kit I have ever built.





She has brilliantly designed wheel compensation system 













….and a tab, slot and twist in place method of construction that will minimise soldering.














Details such as lamp irons are already pre-etched into the design and really the kit favours a late GWR or BR version.  I needed to modify things in order to build a 1939 version of No 4851 but with original push -pull fittings and not the usual `hood cover` on the buffer beams you usually see modelled .






….this is what I mean……………………
















So after studying many photos on line and in books I came up with these modifications to the kit.








I replaced the etched lamp irons with those cast by Peter Roles Components as the kit favours the tool boxes to be forward of the wheel splashers whereas mine needed to be central and with the lamp irons moved in front position.
The kit does not provide any push-pull fittings but are also produced by Peter Roles. I modified these parts to make up the early version.










The kit comes with excellent cab detailing which takes time to complete………………






 The kit has very robust instructions and photos but these favour the BR period with boiler top feed
so I needed to modify the backplate fittings to replicet a non top feed version.












My preferred chassis finishing is Clostermans black etch primer……………..








…………..with chemically blackened wheels and coupling rods etc….






















The superstructure is now locked away in the painting shed and will reappear in due course………………………




Twobolt John
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:doublethumb

Now I've finally started a model railway…I've inherited another…
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Words fail me John, you've done a stunning build again.  :chicken Thanks for sharing.  I've always admired the 0-4-2.

I'm wondering if you should say this is the last one though.  There's usually something else that comes along that must be built.

John

John
 
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That is an astonishing build, John. A credit to your kit building skills.

Absolutely first class workmanship.


Please don't stop at that !


Allan
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Thankyou kindly John and Allen,
But, this will be my last locomotive kit build…. I`ve already comlpeted four others over the past 18months and have completed  five others over the preceeding years so i don`t really need anymore locos. Plus I can`t keep affording them !!

I`ve got some coach kits to build and I`ve already completed all the wagons and vans I will be needing in retirement.

So it will then be down to layout building and play time…….. all before the Grim Reaper calls !!!!!

cheers

John

Twobolt John
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Now for a sulk....
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Well OK John.  I hope you'll share your builds of other rolling stock. :cheers  A lot of people seem to acquire locos just for their own sake, having a plan is a good thing.

Cheer up Allan.

John



John
 
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Hi John,

I have to admit, with OO scale I'm vexed,
With detail like that, O scale must be next,
My space is limited, the room is quite shallow,
Enough already, the gauge will be narrow.

Great modeling. I'm moving up to the senior scale.

Nigel

©Nigel C. Phillips
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Nigel,
We won`t need to bet
As you`ll never regret
That a move up to `O`
Is the way you must go

john

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About time Nigel, I've never been happier in my modelling since I changed to 0 gauge.   :chicken  I've seen a lovely standard gauge layout built in just 9' incl. sector plate.

A poet as well John.   :hmm

John

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Nigel, as you may probably have seen on here, I've built several O Gauge layouts on a door and you'd be surprised at just how much you can cram in.

So let me say, wise move, one you'll never regret and all the good luck in the World for when you start. 


Keep us informed. Any help you may need, you know where to come.


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Hi All,

All came back while I was writing an article on Tate & Lyle, the sugar and syrup people, for my local NMRA division group (long story). I used to model in O narrow gauge a few years ago, so it's more of a return than a new start. Being challenged for space was stopping me, seeing what Allan does with a door and John with nine feet, plus Max's opus, as well as the increasing frustrations of OO and EM, and outrageous postal rates from the UK…

Enough, this is John's thread, I'll start a new one. And get selling the OO and EM items (one year rule, use or loose it applies when you live in a condo apartment and no basement).

Nigel

©Nigel C. Phillips
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Welcome to O16 Narrow gauge, Nigel.

I've got a small mint collection of boxed and unused Bachmann Spectrum O16 NG  for disposal if you're interested.


I built an American mining layout on a door but somebody bought it before I could run any loco's on it !! Can post pictures if you want.


Allan
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Awesome modelling John, well done. I know what you mean about arthritis getting into the finger joints, makes me wonder how much longer I will be able to do it.


Cheer's, Pete.

it was already on fire when I got here, honest!
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Hello John,

Now that's a loco build to be proud of and a lovely one to rest easy with and contemplate while you play trains.

I remember your decision to switch from 4 to 7mm, particularly as I made one of my UK visits last week and picked up your Shirescenes etched brass kit for a 4mm GWR single horsepower delivery wagon. Thanks John, I'll enjoy assembling and painting it, one of my more enjoyable ebay purchases.

Many happy years to you playing with the big boys. The level of detail one can incorporate in truly impressive.

Very best wishes,

Bill  

Last edit: by Longchap


At 6'4'', Bill is a tall chap, then again, when horizontal he is rather long and people often used to trip over him! . . . and so a nickname was born :)
 
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Thanks Bill,
Glad it`s gone somewhere to be enjoyed.



Meanwhile back at the paint shed…………………


The body has been primed with Clostermans and followed by an undercoat of very old Humbrol No 80 to highlight any blemishes,








I`m pleased with how the push-pull gear is looking……………………….
















I shall be using Tamiya low tack tape and this quality masking solution to seperate colours as I continue……






Twobolt John
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John, that is totally and utterly amazing. Have you ever tried walking on water ?  :shock:

Allan
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Ha Ha Allen
Yes of course , but I found I had to reach up and cling on to my Halo…….. :lol:

John

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Museum quality work, John, but even better…you'll be running it!

Deeply impressed,

Doug

'You may share the labours of the great, but you will not share the spoil…'  Aesop's Fables

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" - Benjamin Franklin


In the land of the slap-dash and implausible, mediocrity is king
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Wimper… reaches for a tissue to mop up the drool.
A rose of an engine.

Marty

Marty
N Gauge, GWR West Wales
Newcastle Emlyn Layout.
Newcastle Emlyn Station is "Under construction"
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