Building a Spaceship

A loco type I've always wanted to build is a 9F and an impulse purchase at Guildex after a conversation with Jeff Ennis on the Scorpio stand had got one, so the dosh was exchanged and a promise to forward me some items that hadn't been packed was made, true to word Jeff sent forward the neccessary pieces about a week later. I hadn't planned to build this kit but the torrential rainfall, cold wind and a workshop refit in progress helped confirm the decision so out came the Xurcon snips and Part 1 and 2 were cut from their frets to be cleaned up.

So the 9F kit comes with a BR1C tender which puts the range of loco numbers allocated to that type of tender as being 92015-19, 92045-92059, 92077-92086, 92100-92139, 92150-92164, however some locos in the early 920XX range were fitted with air compressors to work the discharge doors on the Tyne Dock Consett ore trains, so those were out with this kit. I wanted to model a Crewe built example allocated to the London Midland Region so that set the number range at either 92100-92139 and 92150-92164, now looking a photos for detailing I've studied 92136 and 92162... great and I saw 92134 at Barry so it becomes a matter of personal choice really.

So I put the main frames together and in true Scorpio Seven Models fashion these frames go together with a minimum of jigging to make a straight and balanced unit, I chose the double beam axle compensation arrangement as opposed to a rigid frame.




Here is the compensation arrangement with the first driving wheelset fixed, there are three laminations which affix onto a spring outline set on the frames which make each spring representation four layers... a bit of a long process with five axles to process.

 

The cylinder saddle was relatively straight forward to assemble, the design calls for the saddle to be slotted in from the underside and this forms a strengening beam to the front end of the frames...I don't see this as a detachable item because the motion bracket and slidebar supports are indepenent items and fixed to the mainframes in positioning slots. It would be unsightly to alter the design by making a carrier frame conneciting the brackets to the cylinder saddle because this part of the loco is highly visible through the space below the boiler. I'll make the cylinder block fixed... what could possibly go wrong.




Here are the tiny parts which make up one slidebar bracket... I've assembled the left side one already.





Finally here is the cylinder block now dressed with components, the valve guide frame was a two part lost wax casting which needed some careful dressing before soldering together and then drilling for the valve spindle to slide into place. The con rods have also been laminated together and drilled... the next job will be to make up the cross heads and slidebar assemblies... but that's another post for later.





The footplate etch has also been dressed, snadbox lids need to be drilled ready to take some thin wire to represent the lid handles then they can be fitted onto their carrier plates. Thefront end is also mainly complete now and I chose to represent the later full width smokebox access step plate. I'm going to use buffers fron Invertrain and drawbar couplings from either Premier or LG Minatures.

 

Well you could always cut one in half Dundee if it was too big To be fair Paul the LMS 8F footplate is only 35mm or so shorter than the 9F in length... so its only a scale five feet.

 

Yes thanks Andy I did know that... I saw 134 at Barry along with 92085 all those years ago. I make a rule of not modelling engines in their preserved condition for the reason that very often modifications alter their appearances. I got thrown once when studying photos of a BR Standard 4 tender in preservation ... cannot recall which one but a new tank was constructed where the rear grab hand rails had been shaped and welded, no big deal but the original construction called for rear grab handles to be fitted with handrail knobs.

 

Doesn't have enough wheels under it

 

H iKen, Sorry for a late reply, yes so thank you for the motor details as I was wondering which sort would be best... I had a number of ABC helical motor gears combs but used the last one on the Fowler tank. I'll give Dave at MOK a shout thanks.

cheers Yorkie.

 

I'm presuming these locate on the four axle which is nearest the firebox?

cheers Paul

 

Turning attention to building the tender as this is always a good approach because it helps ensure the loco build is correct hightwise... not much could go wrong when following instructions but I find making the tender is a good visual aid, so taking a slightly different approach I built pieces as individual sub assemblies as opposed to following the build instructions to the letter. Adding on small pieces on first such as lamp irons, grab handles and other bits seemed a lot easier since the last BR1C tender I built for 73142 was made adding detail difficult if thebody was made first. Anyway here is the front bulkhead and tank rear face dressed with detailing... the access ladder will be added later... its only placed dry for visuals.



Now forming the curve on the sides was fun since I couldn't find my bending bars which had been so diligently packed away into store whilst the workshop in refurbished, they were eventually located so forming the curves could be done. Using the tank end piece I marked the radius of the curve and scored a feint line 7mm allong below the top of the tender side... I used the centre rivet line of the tank end against the centre rivet line on the side to prove the curve. correct. The bend was started in the bars and then carefully worked with a 6mm dia brass tube as former until a good profile was reached.





Next the tank end was tack soldered to the righthand side and checked square, the profile of te bunker top was used to check the curve on the tank side. It doesn't look like much but forming the two sides was nearly a days work.

 

So a new thread as we are now looking at the tender running chassis, this was a straight forward put together as I've built a few BR tenders and even the LMS ones aren't that much different, however I decided to leave the water scoop until the last and prefered instead to focus on the brake rigging. The centre wheelset is Slaters sprung hornblocks, again all run of the mill stuff ... I didn't take photos of this process as it has been covered on other of my builds... I think the Britannia and the Standard Class 4 describes that process. The BR1C wheels are Slaters code 7839BR.




Discarding the buffers supplied in this kit I opted to purchase a full set of replacements from Invertrains who I think have taken over the former NMRS range... I've used these buffers before and they are very sharp castings. Still got components to add onto the chassis but I'll finish it with weekend... sadly the right side tiny gusset angle came off... I saved it and will sweat in back into place when the tank is located finally.





So back to the tank again and now we have a complete item which sits square... thank goodness that's a relief. Just for fun I soldered 8BA nuts to the rear of the hand and scoop winding handles so they actually rotate... another advantage of component sub assembly making... I could never have done that if following instructions to the letter.




Since this photo was taken earlier today I've since fitted the coal bunker floor and sides and I'll add some lead pieces to the underside to add weight. Grab handles still to fit on the front steps and these will be fitted along with the tender footplate. More pictures in a day or two.