7mm Gladiator LMS/BR Fowler/Stanier 4P 2-6-4T

[LarryG]

Lovely model as usual. I always considered the window-cab Fowlers were swish machines right down to the Stanier bevel-rim wheels. Hornby did the early cab version and unfortunately their Stanier 2-6-4T inherited the same chassis with Fowler wheels.

From what I've seen, there were two styles of lining on the bunker although it is probable the lining to the top of the bunker was the more common.

 

[P A D]

Many thanks Larry.

I agree, they were very impressive beasts. A more modern chimney to go with the windowed cab would have made them more handsome engines, but Stanier improved things even further with his own design. When it's all done and dusted I'll put up some comparison images with my David Andrews Stanier 4P.

I had a problem with the valve gear knocking after reassembly, but reducing the throw on the return cranks solved it.
Cheers,
Peter

 

[P A D]

These images from Vol. 5 of LMS Locomotives by Essery and Jenkinson show the two styles. This is the type with lining to the top of the bunker.


But I prefer the lower lining version so will be going with 42417.


Cheers,
Peter

 

[P A D]

This afternoon I made some progress on the detail painting. It's been a nice evening here in Leeds so I took some images on the garden table after the sun had moved around to the front of the house.


Cheers,
Peter

 

[Dave Holt]

Looking very nice indeed, Peter.
Dave.

 

[P A D]

Many thanks Dave.

Didn't have much time today but managed to paint the buffer beam hoses and add the buffer heads and couplings. The latter are from Dapol, which although not as accurate as cast options, pass muster for me and don't require fettling before fitting.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[P A D]

I've now added the final external details to the Fowler 4P and will put it to one side with the Ivatt 2P, awaiting the lining fest that will begin when I've got the Horwich Mogul to the same stage.

The mechanical lubricators are very nice 3D printed items which include the lettering on the lids, which can be read with a magnifying glass! Unlike cast metal items they are easy to drill with a pin vice for fitting the oil pipes. I use 0.3mm copper wire which although overscale, looks the part and is very easy to form the pipe runs. On the 4P the lubricators were mounted on a plinth so I added this from plasticard, along with a spigot for holding while painting and for mounting on the running plate. In BR days a priming handled was fitted to the outside of the lubricators so I've added this along with a longer operating lever due to the printed part being too short because of the plinth.


After first fitting the piping I mount the part onto a block of wood with the edge representing the inner edge of the running plate. This facilities the forming of the pipe runs and soldering the pipes together. I leave the two front pipes until the side pipes are formed, otherwise it's like handling a 10 legged spider!


Here they are after removing any excess solder with a steel wire brush in the mini drill.
The runs are handed with the extended part of the piping tucking behind the support for the sand filler pipe.


A dry run showed all was well.


And after painting and fitting. I've also added the three feed oil pot (from the spares box) which is not included in the kit.


It's a shame these locos had to make do with the spindly Fowler chimney.


I overlooked hhe fire iron stowage bracket at the building stage, so to ensure a robust fitting, I soldered the bracket to a small brass plate and epoxied that in place after painting. I did the same for the rod at the cab front. As far as I can tell there was only one rod on which the hoops of the fire irons were stowed, but I may be wrong on that.


And a few gratuitous images to finish off for now.



Now on with the Horwich Mogul.
Cheers,
Peter

 

[Dan Randall]

Routing the lubricator pipework on a piece of wood before fitting to the loco, is rather ingenious! I’m going to see if I can do something similar, when I get around to piping-up my MOK Ivatt 2-6-0.


Regards

Dan

 

[P A D]

Thanks Dan.
I've been working all three of my models today, Ivatt 2, Horwich Mogul and now the Fower 4P.

Again I'm using the Fox Transfers dedicated set for this loco. As usual I marked out the perimeter of the panels with Tamiya low tack masking tape and then started on the corners and filled in the straights afterwards.


The set is only dedicated to the original Fowler version, so some modification of the panels is needed.


Here's the main tank side completed.


And after removing the masking tape. I used 2mm cut from a wider tape to space the lining from the edges.


Then bunker was done.


Here's where it's at so far on a piece of track on the garden table.



I've got the boiler bands done as well.


I would recommend that anybody building this kit make the ejector removable for adding after lining. It must have taken me a dozen attempts to get the lining low behind the pipe work on this side! I had to make a small wedge from a wood clothes peg to force the piping outwards to get the transfer in behind. Needless to say I didn't attempt to do it in one piece, using three sections in the end.


I see I've chipped the paint on the rear edge of the smokebox. The dust is from sanding down the wedge to fit behind the pipes.

All being well, I may get it done tomorrow.
Cheers,
Peter