Some 2 years ago, I bought a used 9f (or 92'er, as we called them in my youth!) from Hattons. Unfortunately, it ran about 6 inches then vaulted onto it's side. On investigation, one of the crankpins had sheared off and the connecting rod dropped onto the sleeper ends resulting in the loco doing aerobatics. Although disappointed, I returned it to Hattons for a full refund, and never got around to looking for another until a few days ago when, back on Ebay again, I saw, bid on and won a 'non-runner', one of the fairly recent 'Made in China' reincarnations. Anyway, it arrived today, 15 minutes later it was a smooth runner (easy repair, one crushed brush spring meant no brush contact, hence a 'non-runner'), so after fitting a DCC decoder, crew and real coal in the tender, within the hour, it was a "Gud 'Un" again, £37 for the loco, a tenner for the decoder, and a great addition to my freight loco fleet. Keith. Attached files
It never ceases to amaze me that so many model railway enthusiasts have never attempted to take the body off a loco and have a look at the 'gubbins' to find out what's not happening, seemingly preferring to sell it on as a 'non-runner' cheaply for whatever they can get, rather than do a few simple checks. I guess those of us who have been able to get hold of these kinds of low priced bargains can't grumble, but I can't help thinking some folks must have more money than sense when it comes to it. To me, it just makes the point that if you are a member of most of the model railway forums, it's easy to ask the questions that could quickly solve many problems, as there's almost always some member who either knows the answer or can point you in the direction of someone else who can help, certainly a strong point on this forum! Keith. Attached files
jammy beggar .......... Always had a soft spot for the 9F loco's, even though I've never seen one in the flesh. Paul
Bargain buy Keith . I agree that a lot of modellers would not attempt a repair as they haven't been brought up in an age of make do and mend. So many things these days are not home serviceable. I had to take my van in for repair last week, a light came on the dash to indicate a problem, without the correct diagnostic gear I hadn't a clue what was wrong, and the thing that really annoyed me was the repair was something I could have done myself, some rewiring and soldering, £60 and 2 days work. It actually cost £208, and 10 days without transport, very frustrating! Rant over. Cheer's, Pete.
paul_l wrote: Having lived in Chesterfield near the Midland main line and in the coalfields, as a youth at school ( school grounds were next to the main line), 9f and 8f loco's pulling long trains of coal wagons were an everyday sight for me, and nothing out of the ordinary. If you've ever seen "Evening Star" in the NRM, Brunswick green and shiny, the ones on our line were always filthy, though presumably reasonably well maintained. Sizewise, the 9f's were always an impressive loco, and it was a real shame that loco's with a design life of over 30 years were scrapped after not much more than 5 years of use.........what a waste! Keith.
My childhood memories of 9F's (Ninnies!) was of long Colsterworth iron stone trains waiting in Grantham for a clear main line to Scunthorpe,Sheffield or wherever it was destined. They were usually in a bit of a sad state too! This the late David Shepherds 9F on the NNR this year.. Cheers Ron
Nice buy Keith, like Paul, my favourite locomotive, I did have 5 versions at one time and although I’ve sold 99% of my oo Gauge to fund the o gauge, I’ve still got two 9F Crosti boiler locos with DCC Sound, smoke and lights. She just needs some weathering now to finish her off
