As a result of a birthday and the kindness of my sister in law, a book has appeared,
which is very helpful in deciding what to do with the model up thread. Since the turn of the year it has just been too cold for the workshop so I've been doing other things including some spectacular valve monoblocks which in moving I managed to rick my back.
I have identified the principal visible variations which are,
2500-07 had straight sided bunkers, the tapering type on the rest,
2524 - 36 had the later cab roof cutout and the short cab doors from new.
This means the model as a start is of 2508 - 2523.
2505 and 2513 were fitted with domed boilers in 1937, and subsequently 2523 in 1943. This has major implications for the model in that it can't be 2505 because of the bunker and the casing over the top feed clacks on 2523 was a considerably more bulky effort, so 2513, a Shoeburyness engine for virtually all it's post war service, it has to be. The model also has the small step on the bunker shoulder which was made full length in the early 50s and the tank vents are not there but they disappeared very soon after the war. A rear buffer which I have needs refixed and a new front step replacement. There is also something odd in respect of the footplate in front of the smokebox. The model has the piano lid arrangement which is correct for the 2 cyl variant and also the Fairburn tanks, on the 3 cyl jobs the plate work follows the shape of the running plate outside the frames. Given that I believe the origin is Bonds I wonder whether you could have either version but a corner or two was cut to keep costs down? The model is I think possibly prewar, if so only just, but it is I feel intended to represent a late LMS engine so I wondered if there were any original livery elements remaining under the paint. I took a bit of fine wet & dry to a cabside,
which revealed nothing much at all. No sign of either crimson lake or undercoat, or any sign of an original number. What did appear is tinplate with brass beading which handily points it in the same direction the Fowler tank Warren is repainting. I don't suppose for one moment that mine has any connection with Mr Beeson, it's just not good enough in my opinion, however stranger things have happened. I am not going to strip the paint at the moment, it's protecting the platework well enough, and the weather will need to be considerably warmer to think of painting. There a of course all the mechanical bits to consider as well. Anyway some useful effort.
Kind regards
Martin