NSR Class M from Taff Vale Models

And this is how I did the pick ups, a besppoke design using 0.7mm nickel silver wire contacting the tyre edges and supported in Plasticard supports. Current is collected from the forward wheels from within the long cut out in the side frame and from the top of the second driving wheel where more space exists behind the side tanks. The circuit is made with silicone wires and the motor is held firm with a wire hoop soldered to the motor support on the chassis frame.

 

I know I'm always banging on about following the detail and how much it pays to study original photographs and for any good scratch builder and detailing modeller there can be no better advice offered. The old photo below (sorry unknown photographer also copywrite expired owing to the 70year rule) shows the very last in service NSR M class tank number 51 or LMS 1436 fresh from overhaul at Crewe, the loco lasted until 1940 and this is how my model will be finished. However there are a few shortcomings with the Taff Vale kit particulally in the castings department, I'm not quibbling about the geometry of the loco... that seems fine but the kit's chimney and steam collecting dome are certainly not right, either for the early short frame M class or this latter long bunker ones built in 1920. Luckily I've spotted the fault just in time and have ordered the correct castings from Laurie griffin Minatures, with luck these lost wax castings will arrive in the week and I can then sweat the white metal ones off. I've also noticed the position in which the steam heat pipe and vacuum brake pipe is fitted onto the buffer beam, I've got replacement Laurie Griffin ones ready to fit now along with a nicely detailed pair of cylinder lubrication cups which will go on the cover plate below the smokebox door. Another interesting feature showing in the picture is that 1436 is now being classified as 3F, but that the livery appears to be LMS crimson with no black panels and straw lining although the wheels appear to have been painted black. The lettering is definitely gold counter-shaded in black and appears to have been set at 27 inch centres (common for smaller tank engines at that time) and the fact that this engine is turned out without the LMS crest suggests the overhaul can be dated to somewhere post 1928 but before 1936 when the then standard yellow and red shaded lettering was introduced.

Now all I need to source is a supplier for Sans Serif smokebox numberplate styling or maybe I should explore getting my own etches done... we shall see. Anyway its off the the workbench now for a good couple of hours.

 

So back in from the workshop having soldered on most of the lamp brackets except the top one in front of the chimney which needs changing, drilled the beam for steam and vac pipes and soldered them in too, made up a set of Laurie Griffin screw couplings and completed the fabrication to one of the side tanks. I also scratched a temporary cast numberplate from some scrap etch just to see what it would look like, cylinder lube pots are also in place now... so here we are so far. As the photo shows the steam collection dome is utterly wrong and the base of the chimney leaves a lot to be desired too.

 

And some work done on the bunker end of this loco... one thing I'm quite pleased with was getting the flair curvature on the bunker top done, particularly forming the curved corners. That was a touch and go moment.

 

I have decided I'm going to investigate the possibility of getting my own etch smokebox number plates done in nickel silver, so once I've done a bit more homework I'll make an announcement here if it is feasible. I'm thinking of steam loco numbers which are not available via Severn Mill and certainly not namer engines, LMS or BR ones it doesn't matter its whatever will go on a sheet. The crude plate I've knocked up here is just a test to see what it would look like.

 

So the replacement lost wax chimney and dome castings for the M Class loco arrived from Laurie Griffin and I duly set about putting things right, the steam dome is an SE&CR design and the chimney is a reduced height Adams design one, both are correct as per original photos of this engine. Anyway here is NSR number 15 on the 'work in progress' Elton Crossing layout, next job is to fit the Laurie Griffin Wakefield lubricator and order a set of LNWR round sand box filler lids while sit on top of the integral front wheel splasher.

 

Now this portrait pose shot is for all the Knotty fans out there... I think this is the limit I can get to make this loco as near as possible like an NSR engine bar for the smokebox door hinge which shouldn't be like that, bearing in mind this loco will run as LMS 1436, not to worry I have ideas for another one too.

 

Cheers Mr S ... the crossing keepers house is lacking the porch entrance. I am going to spend a bit of time getting this layout over the line... it makes a great photo diorama backdrop if nothing else.