Building the SE Finecast LMS 4F - Brass/Whitemetal

While I was building the Craftsman 1P 0-4-4T kit, I came across an old SE Finecast LMS/BR 4F kit on Ebay, which I thought would be a good kit to move up to from the 1P. A bit more challenging as its mostly WM and has a tender.
The kit appeared complete except wheels, gearbox and motor and was won for a reasonable cost. Additional items were placed on order as soon as the kit arrived (Romford wheels from Markits, two-stage 50:1 gearbox/ Canon 1620 motor from Comet) and once the 1P kit was complete, I moved straight onto the 4F.

The motor is mounted vertically in the chassis and sits nicely inside the firebox with what appears to be room for the DCC Concepts Nano DCC chip with stay alive. 

The chassis has been constructed and tested for smooth running and all appears to be good after a little fettling. Body is coming along, and now at the stage where I am starting to add detail such as the chimney, dome, hand-rails, etch plates etc.

Since the below picture was taken, I have addded on the brake gear, sandboxes and painted it matt black.


Since below pictures was taken, I have added on the chimney, dome and cab hand-rails. The body was placed on the chassis just for the pic so isnt lined up as it will be when fully assembled.


Extras added on over the weekend included interior cab detail (boxes & reverser) and the rear etched detail plate which hides the back of the chassis


And on this pic, front buffer and inspection etched plates, smokebox door and hand rails have been added.


Enjoying the build so far, but difficult to get the details correct to match the exact protype due to sheer number of variances between the protypes. I was going for number 3916, based in Skipton during the late 1930's. I have the Lcomotive Profile book on 4F's which is definately helping with the detail! 

Making good progress of late and almost completed the build. Fixed a few detailing parts and gave the body a coat of etching primer followed by Hycote Double Acrylic primer and satin black. Now working on tender while waiting for wheels and other parts to turn up.

A bit more progress over the weekend. Painting complete, fitted DCC chip and pick-ups, road-tested and programmed.Added a few more details such as the Ross Pops/whistle and some etched plates from Fox and 247 Developments.

Almost complete after a bit of light weathering, adding in real coal, tools etc. Just the sandbox pipes, crew and glass to go. Unfortunately, due to the tight radius of the track intot he fiddle yard, I had to fit the tender further back from the engine that what I would have liked, but, such is life. Overall I am happy with the end result. A few mistakes and damaged parts along the way, but not many. Weathering skills need to be refined, but I know they will improve with practice and time.

Great work Ian !

Lovely looking loco that you can be proud of. :thumbs :thumbs

Thank you Dave. I enjoyed the build and happy how it turned out.
Ian

Hi Ian,

Tight curves. The issue is usually the foot plate rubbing against the tender sides. Just cut or file an angle around 60 degrees at the side corners to reduce the width at the tender end. Unless looking down at 90 degrees the modification is not noticeable.

Great looking model!

Nigel

Thanks Nigel. I will take a look when i get chance.  

Very pleased to see another one of my pics making it to the home page. Thank you moderators!!! Ian