Loco Progress

The basic loco frames for the J52 are now ready to be profiled before assembly. I decided to make the rear buffer beam from 6 thou nickel sandwiching a wooden beam, an equivalent construction to that on the prototype. This concludes the basic kit of parts, excluding smaller items such as steps and splashers. Once the frames and spacers have been assembled , and the temporary top hat bearings have been soldered in, the coupling rods can be made to fit the jig axles.

A kit of parts for the J52

While making frames for the J52, I also made a set for a loco project dormant for nearly ten years, and ultimately destined for the St Donats 1963 diorama.

The GWR Hall project re-started

Both the J52 and the Hall will have twin-beam compensation on the middle and trailing drivers, with a rocking axle leading. The Hall frames also need profiling before assembly.

Modelling for Pleasure

After 18 years of modelling to deadlines with Kyle of Sutherland, and now St Donats 1963, some blue sky modelling is a very good idea. And there’s nothing like scratch building to restore one’s zest for life.

Nickel blanks for a GNR J52

Alan Sibley’s J52 article in MRJ 35 from 1989 supplied the drawings, photos and build notes. Transport Treasury supplied a couple of enlargements of the particular variant I wanted to make. The drawings were not dimensioned, but armed with the wheelbase and a few key dimensions from the LNER Diagram Book (thanks, Alex) I worked out a compromise scale factor.

The first 19 parts above, fretted and fettled from various thicknesses of nickel silver (8 thou up to a single part at 32 thou), will make the basic superstructure. Now follows a period of final shaping, drilling, riveting, and forming before some trial assemblies.

I use two riveters: a Dick Ganderton edge riveter (currently being refurbished) and a GW Models index riveter for arrays and patterns. No doubt the edge riveter, so vital for the footplate, will return soon. Meanwhile, there’s plenty to keep me occupied. Bliss.

Peckett Progress

My previous 4mm finescale layout, Kyle of Sutherland, was dismantled at the end of last year, so I’m re-posting a November 2019 progress report on the Peckett 0-4-0 from the Kyle of Sutherland blog to bring the story up to date here. Since last year’s Missenden Abbey Summer School, I continued with the Peckett as described below.

My track record with pick-ups is not brilliant, so I took the opportunity of building a split-frame chassis under the guidance of one of our local gurus (thanks, Frank). I already had a conventional P4 chassis underway for the Peckett (see "GWR 0-4-0ST 1151, 22 July 2018), so decided to experiment by way of making an alternative 00-gauge chassis to compare pick-up performance.

There are a number of potential shorts to resolve in a split-frame chassis, and here is one of them. The gaps in the split axles are off-centre, for example to avoid clashing with the gearbox. However, the gap entered the chassis top hat bearing, which had to be filed back to the frame. The space between the chassis and gearbox frames was padded out with fibre washers to maintain the central position of the gearbox. There are lots more gotchas still to come.

Starting The Layout

Cannibalising an earlier layout, Kyle of Sutherland, is a quick way to achieve the basic framework and supporting structure for St Donats 1963.

The main scenic element is a 3 foot long diorama, with 2 foot 6 inch cassette tables at either end. The cassette tables can be turned around to allow operation from either front or rear. Here’s the start of work on the scenic board with the foreground track sub-base being tested for fit and position.

As soon as there’s some track, here’s a GWR 16xx loco ready to go. That is apart from brakes, sanding gear and some minor corrective surgery. And a slight re-alignment of the handrail.

GWR 0-4-0ST 1151

I’ve opened the CSP/Agenoria box and made a start on 1151.

The real 1151 was well photographed and I now have prints showing the various details, which differentiate it from similar locos of the period in South Wales. I hope to progress the loco soon at the Missenden Abbey Summer School, where I will concentrate on the body before making firm decisions on the gearbox and compensation. This means putting the wheels to one side for the time being until I can be sure the chassis with gearbox and motor will fit easily inside the body.

Rolling Stock

Making a BR(ex-GWR) 16xx Class 0-6-0PT for my other layout, Kyle of Sutherland, brought the St Donats project back to mind, and got me thinking of rolling stock.

The 16xx pannier will need renumbering, perhaps to one of the many 87F Llanelly examples of the type that I saw in 1963. The Hawksworth tender at the back, or the alternative Collett tender in the Malcolm Mitchell box at the front, will eventually be paired with 5961 Toynbee Hall, another Llanelly engine. So far, the Hall consists of a footplate and cab modelled as described in Guy Williams’ scratchbuilding guide “The 4mm Engine” using measurements I made of 4920 Dumbleton Hall at Buckfastleigh. The box at the back contains a CSP/Agenoria kit for Peckett 0-4-0ST 1151, the last of its type in South Wales, which spent its final days shunting the Tremains yard near Bridgend. It’s just possible I saw the real loco when I went to Bridgend by train in September 1963. I would like to think so.

Then there’s a set of 247 Developments coach sides for a diagram G66 Special Saloon, which I’m looking forward to building. I measured, photographed and travelled in this coach on the South Devon Railway. I’ve also planned to make panniers 3753 of 88J Aberdare and 7413 of 84E Tyseley.

Water Colour Diversion

Water colour painting provided a welcome alternative to referendum thoughts on polling day.



Moorland Scene

This is the second day I’ve spent with local artist Celia Olsson experimenting with water colours. My hope is to develop a better colour sense and learn interesting painting techniques.

The palette is much the same as I’ve used with acrylics: ultramarine blue, cerulean blue, burnt umber, burnt sienna, raw sienna, gamboge (new for me) and lemon yellow. But no white and no black.