David Andrews Fowler 2-6-4 Tank & LMS suburban set for Leek

So on this project thread I'm going for a bit of a different approach, rather than detailing a specific loco build I'm going to add in building the coaches as well. Firstly the loco build is the enclosed cab version of the Fowler 2-6-4 tank which is a recent David Andrews re issue from six years ago. The coaches will be made from Ian Kirk LMS Period 2 non corridor sets with brass bogies and undergear. The sets were formed as a third brake, 1st 3rd lavatory composite and an all 3rd, these three coach sets ran on the Churnet Valley for many years and a few of the later build ones lasted with BR until around 1965, the Leek - Uttoxeter workman's service being a particular example. Anyway that's the basics of this project and once complete will be another train for the Leek station build. The following pictures are the loco etches and castings.

 

I've put this picture up on a new thread because its important to say that this kit will make a couple of different versions of the limousine cab engine... hence the two different length pre rolled smokeboxes depending on if the builder want the outside steam pipe version or not.



and the packs of lost wax castings and white metal ones too.

 

Hi Rob... I'm going to take my time and build these two kits together... but really wanted to enjoy the Princess Corponation kit as a long project.

 

Just realised I've not posted build pictures of this loco... ah well sorry about that. I'll post up some backdates, anyway the front fall plate was the trickiest bit to form as the valance shapes required a double bend coupled to the drop curve of the fall plate... it was important all radii were correct as otherwise it didn't fit properly. I go there in the end.

 

I've put the trucks together now and this is the rear one... I will fit lateral springing to the pivot bearer to hold the truck wheel alignment within the chassis frames and prevent over swing whenever the loco is lifted off the rails.



And the front pony truck... I'll form to shape the guard irons once the wheelset is fitted.

 

Finally for now this is where the build has reached so far... I'll post more pics of other parts such as tanks, cab, bunker and chassis as the build progresses.

 

The firebox is complete now... the safety valves are Laurie Griffin replacements, nothing wrong with the David Andrews ones except I couldn't find them on the lost wax tree at the time I needed them. Anyway in the spare box they go.



The bunker end is coming together, steps to add and trim the ends off the grab rail.



Some scratch making as the sand pipes and brackets are not included, a relatively easy job to do... I set up a production line to overcome the tedious nature of this task.



The brake harness assembly complete, I enjoyed this bit of the build.



The build so far, started work making up the slidebar and crosshead assemblies along with the rear cab wall. More pictures soon.

 

Thanks for the kind comment Paul... I still have to get a riveted tender for the Patriot... sometimes I'm tempted to just go with the all welded one it has currently and to heck with me being pedantic.

 

Agreed Paul, the Rebuilt Patriots wee originally pared with welded tenders so in that instance the kit is quite correct, however some of the final works overhaul ones were given riveted tenders by Derby works... 45531 Sir Frederick Harrison was one of those locos and the colour photograph taken by the late John Burgess at Leek station on a Trades excursion in July 1964 proves it. So my idea is still to purchase an 8F with rivet tender and swap tenders... thats the most cost effective way otherwise I'd end up with a spare tender and no loco for it... lesson to self... when buying again ask the trader if they can tailor the sale to suit needs.

I'll get some more done on this loco and post progress pics now all the workshop building alterations are mainly complete.

cheers Paul

 

Thanks Brian, I was surprised at its length myself, when put up against the Rebuilt Patriot the Fowler tank loco is longer with bunker end finishing about a quarter way down the tender length... and that is with a shorter boiler too. I can see now why these locos were preferred on suburban services and secondary lines with lower line speeds.

Cheers Paul

 

Had another spurt of progress working on the Fowler tank cab area, got the handbrake handle and the reverser handle to rotate, then I wondered about making opening cab doors, I've only done the one side so far but using 0.4mm wire and 0.6mm OD micro tubing I cobbled something which actually to my surprise works.

 

Now its nearing the time when the boiler / smokebox assembly can be permanently fitted to the footplate / cab area, once done this will be my next job tomorrow then the smokebox saddle can be completed and I can then start adding other bits like the tank straps ejector pipework, mechanical lubricators and other finite stuff such as lamp irons and footsteps.