More kits purchases from Guildex 2023

As the title says I got another two kits for the stash, this time a Scorpio 9F with BR1C tender and a Gladiator 8F with Stanier 4000 gallon rivetted tender. I'll do a swap between tenders with the Rebuilt Patriot and 8F which will then allow me to complete the Patriot build to the spec I want, basically I'll swap the high platform on the welded tender over onto the rivetted tender as the 8F has a low platform and the Patriot a high one due to the differing cab footplate levels.

The 8F kit looks a fairly straight forward build which will make the sloping throat plate version and with a welded tender would be a Crewe built example... so that will put the number within the 483XX range. I need to do some research on the proposed 9F identity.

 

Not sure 9F locos worked into Leek, Bob Hart once told me they on rare occasions worked up the Cauldon or maybe only as far as Leekbrook on the trippers... I cannot remember exactly, they certainly worked over the Lawton Junction - Hassal Green - Elton branch on the Middlewich Murgatroyd tanker trains, abate in their final days only in the Up direction due to derailment damage on points at Hassal Green. Down trains were routed via the underpass at Crewe.

To be honest Andy I'm not sure I will keep this one when its eventually built, I saw a display model of it on the Scorpio stand and I'm in two minds as yet.