Adams O2 from DJ Models

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Dave Jones is a relatively new entrant under his own brand to the manufacturing side of the hobby but as many will know he previously worked for Dapol and was responsible there for the class 22 and 52 diesels which are widely acclaimed as among the best ready-to-run models going.

The latest arrival from DJModels is a Kernow MRC commission comprising seven versions of the O2 from Southern green to late BR and including a couple of the well-known Isle of Wight examples.

The loco is designed such that the cab unit comes away readily in order to fit a crew rather than having to poke them through the side opening.  The front has a locating lug and the rear requires two small screws in the bunker, below the moulded coal which easily drops out, to be removed.  A Bachmann crew has been fitted; the positions of fixing screws and locating lug are apparent.



The level of detail in the cab is perhaps unprecedented for a RtR model and it's a shame that some is hard to see once the loco is actually running.



After a brush-over with weathering powder things aren't quite as pristine.



The detail pack includes loop couplers, pipework (which must be trimmed if the couplers are fitted) and headcode discs.  the latter are moulded to fit over the lamp brackets rather than having to be perched onto them as flat pieces.  



The reassembled loco has received a basic weathering of browns, greys and blacks and looks a bit more "used" as indeed it should.



Weathered front end with as much of the pipework as can be used when the supplied couplers are fitted.  The disc in this position indicates "Seaton Junction to Seaton" or "Plymouth to Turnchapel" both of which were O2 push-pull workings.  



The front three-quarters view shows the intricacy of the factory-fitted Westinghouse pump and push-pull gear.  I've never seen its like on such a small factory-produced loco.



What remains to be done is some detail streaking, rust spots and the removal of excess powder from couple of areas.  Fire irons are also supplied in the bits bag and I also add lump coal to my locos so those details will also feature once she's running.

Rick
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Great photos Rick and I suspect you are as happy with the model as I am.  :thumbs

One great design built into the model is the location of the DCC decoder plug, right behind the smoke box door. The smokebox door comes off quite easily, which is fixed with two small magnets. The inside of the door has locating guides so that the door can be repositioned correctly.'



Cheers, Gary.

ps. Very nice weathering on your model, as we have come accustomed to. ;-)


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Delighted with the model and she runs superbly.  I have a weathered Hornby push-pull set which I can pair with 30182.  In tomorrow' daylight I'll try to grab some shots of that on the layout.

30225, the late logo non push-pull version, is in the mail and will be a regular runner and I have one of the IoW pair coming as well largely for display purposes.

Rick
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Stunning, especially the cab detail and the way you've 'dirtied' it Rick :thumbs

(I was going to ask where on earth do you put a decoder Gary)



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Decoder in the smokebox.  Speaker in the bunker.  You can see the pre-fitted wires in the bunker void in my pics.  There's a moulding is in the bits bag for a sugar-cube speaker.  Dave Jones seems to have thought of everything.

Rick
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The next O2, 30225, is due any day and is a late-logo mainland example.  My third and final one is Isle of Wight 16 which has landed from China and is in transit to Camborne for onward shipping to Australia!!!

In the meantime 30182 has been completed with the addition from the as-supplied condition of the crew, lump coal, general and detailed weathering and the couplers, headcode discs and pipework fitted.  I have chosen to not use the supplied fire irons on this loco at least for now.

I reckon this is one magnificent little loco and as good as we've ever had in ready-to-run.  And at a very respectable price too.  

These views are posed in strong sunlight which usually show up any and all flaws mercilessly.









And with a Hornby push-pull set in tow



For comparison I then brought out another Southern 0-4-4T type, the Hornby M7, and coupled that to a recently-arrived Bachmann SR 4-wheel van in front of the push-pull set.  The M7 itself is quite small but significantly larger than the O2.


Rick
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I love your weathering on the O2 (and the M7, for that matter). I'm going to use your photos as my inspiration when I get around to treating my yet-to-arrive O2 (also 30182).

Jeff Lynn,
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Thank you Jeff.  Coming from an acknowledged expert on matters Southern that means a lot.

In the past couple of days completion of this job has also kept me sane following the loss of Penhayle Bay's resident feline after a short illness.

Rick
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Wow ! Both the Adams 02 and the M7 look terific. :doublethumb

The attention to detail with your weathering is outstanding. I will be studying your pictures when I come to do my models.

Excellent job Rick. :thumbs

Cheers, Gary.
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The second O2 has arrived.  This is 30225 which is a mainland example not fitted with the push-pull gear.  It would have worked branch lines and probably shunted yards with no need of a turntable but would have had to run round at a terminus.  Back in its day many had suitable loops to do so.

DJ Models has ensured that the detail differences between individual locos have been captured in the models so aside from the glaringly obvious absence of Westinghouse pump there are tiny detail variations around the loco.

Of note also this loco does not feature the tank reinforcement as on 30182 and which can be seen in my photos above as a line along the lower part of the tanks.  

Once again I have added a Bachmann crew, suitable bits from the bag and lump coal.  The headcode disc is set for Exeter Central - Sidmouth Junction - Sidmouth or Plymouth Friary - Turnchapel.

Similar weathering has been applied though with a little smokebox washout residue on 30225 instead of tank filler rust as on 30182.  There's also a little white residue around the whistle on this one.









And to show how effective the coal can look when compared with the manufacturer's plastic moulding:



These tiny locos were never intended to haul long trains.  On my layout, which has steep gradients, they run well on their own but will grumble with two or three coaches on.  30225 "picked up her skirt" slightly when starting smokebox-first with a load on.  This is a railway term meaning the weight transfer shifts away from the driving wheels causing loss of traction and spinning. She's had some air-dry clay added to the smokebox void as ballast with good results.  She starts and runs better with a modest load and the clay being inert will not affect the electrics inside.

Making headway with the Maunsell set





And tackling a short parcel train with the driver giving the photographer a jaunty wave!


Rick
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Hi Rick.

I'm new on here and have touched base with Gary. So good to see your fine work with the Adams O2 which I have just received.
Model 30225. Coincidentally I have the same Bachman crew posed in the cab ready to be stuck down.

My particular interest is the Callington line.

Love the weathering. I had my first attempt with powders a couple of weeks ago with mixed fortunes. Are they Humbrol?

Kind regards,

David


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Hi David and welcome.  

Thank you for your kind comments.  I normally use AIM weathering powders though also Carrs when I can find them.  I dislike Tamiya as they are greasy and loathe Humbrol's powders as they are coarsely ground, poorly mixed and don't seem to grab on anything.

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Rick
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Hi Rick,

Thanks for coming back to me. I have only Humbrol at the moment but that will likely change now given your advice :lol:.

Before applying the powder to the 02, did you spray on anything for adhesion? Or did the powders you used 'take' naturally?

Incidentally I don't know if you are interested in the first trains to run out of Callington in 1908, but there is one man in the world who makes Etched Brass kits of them. I have just bought the Hawthorn Leslie 0-6-0T.

A bit out of my depth here so I am meeting the gentleman concerned (Roger Slade) , at a show in Southampton on Jan 30th to get some tips.

Web site here:- www.cspmodels.com

I am going to use your pictures of the Adams 02 for guidance when I have (a) Found AIM products, and (B) Plucked up the courage to have a go :???:

Kind regards,

David
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I found the powders took well enough that no base layer was require for adhesion.

I also don't seal mine though I know many modellers do so.

Rick
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The last of my O2s arrived soon after Christmas but has had to wait until now for attention.  It's an Isle of Wight version with the enlarged bunker those locos had in order to avoid a need for daily coaling.  It is also fitted with some of the detail bits.  I have removed the front coupler and fitting entirely as this loco is unlikely to be run in both directions on a layout and is intended more as a display piece purchased because I remember them in service and chose to support the commissioning retailer in this venture.  The bunker end has the loop coupler fitted for occasional use. The head-signal disc is set for Ryde - Ventnor all stations while the number 1 plate on the bunker is the loco duty which was sometimes (but far from always) displayed on Island engines.  Its use was even less frequent in later years.

Etched nameplates, the duty number plate and an optional RCTS railtour plate are supplied as are (copious) white head-signal discs, fire irons, dummy couplers and pipework.  The cast number plate on the bunker is a factory-fitted detail.  As before the cab roof was removed per supplied instructions to fit a Bachmann crew and weather both them and the cab interior.

These photos were taken inside on the workbench and consequently suffer from poor illumination and grain.
 









Rick
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Hi Rick
They certainly do look lovely models and your weathering is superb - makes me want to get one if they are still available and I have enough pennies!
Thanks for the tip about powders.
Ray
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Gwiwer wrote:
Decoder in the smokebox.  Speaker in the bunker.  You can see the pre-fitted wires in the bunker void in my pics.  There's a moulding is in the bits bag for a sugar-cube speaker.  Dave Jones seems to have thought of everything.
Hi Rick.  I was very interested to read this, I have had one for quite a while. It does have a regular Decoder in the boiler, but I didn’t realise that a speaker would fit into the bunker, and provided that one can paint the Driver and Fireman so they don’t have a permanent smile on their faces, they could be fitted. Once all that gets done, if ever, I could then think about following your example. Best wishes Kevin 

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Hi Rick.  I liked your appraisal of Dave Jones and his Adams 02,  but, it is a pity that he has gone out of business.I also liked your tutorial on DCC Sound I have been running my 02 without sound, and the wiring going straight to the bunker is a great idea. Would you please tell me which sugar cube speaker and which decoder were used to do the job . Best wishes Kevin

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[user=1801]Passed Driver[/user] wrote:
I … liked your tutorial on DCC Sound ….. Would you please tell me which sugar cube speaker and which decoder were used to do the job
Hmmm.  Was that from me?  I run DC and don't use sound.  I did mention the ability to fit such things.  The models were commissioned by Kernow Model Rail Centre.  Their website only shows the method of fitting a decoder but not which components were used.  You might get a reply to your question if you were to call or email them via their website "contact us" link.  KMRC Locomotive - LSWR Adams O2

Rick
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Hi Rick.  Thank you for your reply, and Yes that was for you. I have already contacted Kernow, but they couldn’t help me, and put me onto the company that supplies the sound, they either couldn’t or wouldn’t help me. Best wishes Kevin

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