Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Regular readers will know I have a client in Australia, for whom I build broad gauge coaches. Well, another Australian client was sent my way, only this time he wanted something, still GWR, but a little more modern and to standard gauge.
This build is a replica of Collett "2251" Class 0-6-0 No 3205. The eagle-eyed will note the number is the same as the single preserved example of the class. The commission is to build 3205 as preserved, with one or two caveats: the tender water pickup gear will be fitted, ATC gear will be fitted (I think), livery will be to GWR plain bronze green with suitable lettering, and although technically the safety valve bonnet and chimney ought to be painted green and black, the model will sport the traditional shiny brass bonnet and a copper capped chimney.
To kick this build off, here is what you get in the box.
Beginning with the loco, here's the brass etch for the bodywork. Running plate parts, with assembly jig, cab parts, buffer plank, cab roof and alternate cab sides and roof for the locos built without side windows, or with windows plated over.
Under the running plate comes a chunky nickel silver etch of frames, overlays, coupling rods and cosmetic internal valve gear, brake shoes and rigging. Some of these parts are, happily, replaced by cast versions as I am lucky enough to have the super detail kit in the box.
Cast parts. I won't name all of them, but you can see there is some duplication in the cab area. This is down to the various sprues having alternate parts for other kits, but it is a bonus for the Bits Box. Resin parts for the boiler and firebox, reversing mechanism block for the front of the cab, roof (saving some rolling at least) and a box which I can't immediately identify. I have spotted a whistle box, which would have been handy for the recent 4200 build. I shall file a note to the effect such components are available from JLTRT for the asking!
While we're on the loco, here is the SDK for the working inside motion. I reckon I can actually build this. Don't look surprised. The reason I think this is because it's been designed so you don't actually have to split an axle to fit the eccentrics. We shall see…
Right, tender:
First the chassis. The preserved loco is running with a 3000 gallon tender, so that's what we have in the box. There's a compensation system built into the bits here.
The running plate, floor, side frames and sundry details.
The cast parts include a lot of brass bits, some rather indifferent white metal bits which I might be tempted to replace with third party parts, and a hollow resin block for the main bodywork.
Also in the box are various lengths of nickel silver wire, copper wire, some brass rod, the usual supply of springs and bearings, and buffer heads. The latter, again, I may source elsewhere, as I'm not a fan of the JLTRT thing of a head with narrow shank plus a collar to fatten it up. I've got the Slater's wheels ready to be fettled.
So, aside from plates, crew, tools and the motor/gearbox and electronics (DCC and sound on this one, which will be fun with little space available to hide it all), we're good to go.
What I shall probably do is begin work on the loco chassis to get a rolling 0-6-0. While that's under way I will source a suitable powerplant, and consider the waggly bits between the frames and how they'll interfere with current collection and side play sufficient to get round some rather tight curves.
Worth noting that I began a thread asking idiot questions about the loco I shall be modelling. Brian Daniels generously shared his detail photos of 3205 in that thread, so here's a link to it (WT members only, I'm afraid).
This build is a replica of Collett "2251" Class 0-6-0 No 3205. The eagle-eyed will note the number is the same as the single preserved example of the class. The commission is to build 3205 as preserved, with one or two caveats: the tender water pickup gear will be fitted, ATC gear will be fitted (I think), livery will be to GWR plain bronze green with suitable lettering, and although technically the safety valve bonnet and chimney ought to be painted green and black, the model will sport the traditional shiny brass bonnet and a copper capped chimney.
To kick this build off, here is what you get in the box.
Beginning with the loco, here's the brass etch for the bodywork. Running plate parts, with assembly jig, cab parts, buffer plank, cab roof and alternate cab sides and roof for the locos built without side windows, or with windows plated over.
Under the running plate comes a chunky nickel silver etch of frames, overlays, coupling rods and cosmetic internal valve gear, brake shoes and rigging. Some of these parts are, happily, replaced by cast versions as I am lucky enough to have the super detail kit in the box.
Cast parts. I won't name all of them, but you can see there is some duplication in the cab area. This is down to the various sprues having alternate parts for other kits, but it is a bonus for the Bits Box. Resin parts for the boiler and firebox, reversing mechanism block for the front of the cab, roof (saving some rolling at least) and a box which I can't immediately identify. I have spotted a whistle box, which would have been handy for the recent 4200 build. I shall file a note to the effect such components are available from JLTRT for the asking!
While we're on the loco, here is the SDK for the working inside motion. I reckon I can actually build this. Don't look surprised. The reason I think this is because it's been designed so you don't actually have to split an axle to fit the eccentrics. We shall see…
Right, tender:
First the chassis. The preserved loco is running with a 3000 gallon tender, so that's what we have in the box. There's a compensation system built into the bits here.
The running plate, floor, side frames and sundry details.
The cast parts include a lot of brass bits, some rather indifferent white metal bits which I might be tempted to replace with third party parts, and a hollow resin block for the main bodywork.
Also in the box are various lengths of nickel silver wire, copper wire, some brass rod, the usual supply of springs and bearings, and buffer heads. The latter, again, I may source elsewhere, as I'm not a fan of the JLTRT thing of a head with narrow shank plus a collar to fatten it up. I've got the Slater's wheels ready to be fettled.
So, aside from plates, crew, tools and the motor/gearbox and electronics (DCC and sound on this one, which will be fun with little space available to hide it all), we're good to go.
What I shall probably do is begin work on the loco chassis to get a rolling 0-6-0. While that's under way I will source a suitable powerplant, and consider the waggly bits between the frames and how they'll interfere with current collection and side play sufficient to get round some rather tight curves.
Worth noting that I began a thread asking idiot questions about the loco I shall be modelling. Brian Daniels generously shared his detail photos of 3205 in that thread, so here's a link to it (WT members only, I'm afraid).