Mini Leek & Manifold Kitson

[howardclowes]

Thanks Rod. I wasn't aware of this chassis - Branchlines seem to have a very minimal presence on the internet. A bit late now in any event, as the project is nearly finished. But my next project is the "proper" Leek & Manifold 2-6-4, which I haven't really started yet. I've got the Meridian Models kit and a Minitrix 2-6-2 chassis, but this chassis has inside frames. I see from other threads that the Roco or Farish 08 chassis have been suggested. Ted Polet's modified Backwood's chassis is excellent, but the skills required would be beyond me. Another of Ted's threads details how to construct false outside frames, so this might be a possibility, although anything that might compromise smooth running would have to be approached with extreme caution.

But, so get back to the current project (and conscious to avoid thread drift)-

The body was made from 30 thou plasticard. As the two sides were identical, I tacked two layers of card together, and cut through both layers at once. The exact size of the windows wasn't that important - but they had to be the same on each side! I used a similar technique for the cab front and rear.

The second picture shows the loco assembled. It's beginning to take shape. 

Next, we'll see if the chassis fits.

[howardclowes]

I've always found that fitting a scratchbuilt body onto a chassis is difficult, and I was keen to avoid the "blu-tack" method. In the end I used two small screws down from the footplate into the cylinder block. The screwheads will be visible, but I hope won't be that noticeable when painted black. Also a couple of small screws up from a "false" bufferbeam into the cab floor. It ended up looking like this. 

Now was the time for extensive running trials. If I had to make any alterations to get good running, best to make them before the finishing touches are added. So for a while, there was a very odd looking new loco on my layout. 

I was particularly worried about the rear pony truck. The rather unconventional arrangement using an O ring, visible in the earlier photos, worked quite well. Unfortunately, it set the pony truck too far back, so I had to resort to a more conventional method, but one in which the pivot point was far too close to the line of the axle. In the event, it was OK, but at this point I abandoned the idea of a truck-mounted coupling. It actually looks a lot better with the coupling body mounted, but I had been worried about its performance on the very tight curves of my layout. I need not have worried - I use Kadee N gauge couplings (now branded Micro-Trains), and these are amazingly tolerant of tight curves. Just don't try coupling or uncoupling on a curve!

I ran the loco for quite a long time in this unfinished state, and once I was satisfied it was running OK, the time had come to improve its looks.

[rod335]

One thing I would do before going any further is shorten the smokebox as it is disproportionately long for the size of the boiler.

[JulienW]

Like Rod I would also shorten the smokebox to get it in proportion with the boiler.

Coming back to the 2-6-4 tanks RT Models make a set of frames (catalog number 4NCP051) and valve gear (NGLP022) for the L&M locos to fit the Farish 08.

[howardclowes]

I can't shorten the smokebox - the chimney needs to go there. I suppose in the real world, the smokebox would be smaller and the lamp would be hung out in front on a bracket. Too late to do that now - the lamp is hard wired in! It's the same size as the "proper" Kitson.

The 08 looks a distinct possibility for the Meridian kit, so thanks for the link. But Hattons label the 08 as DCC incompatible (although I'm sure it's possible). So it's that or stick with my Minitrix and see if I can add false frames as Ted Polet's thread from March last year.

[rod335]

I think the 'DCC incompatible' tag really means either you can't just plug a decoder in or in the alternative there isn't room in the 08 body for one. As best as I recall. the 08 chassis fulfills the basic requirement for DCC operation of having the chassis insulated from both sets of wheels. It is a nicely running chassis, far better than that Minitrix junk. I know which I would use. And it already has the flycranks etc.

[JulienW]

I've seen a fair few Farish 08 locos on sale on eBay that have had DCC chips fitted.  As Rod says there isn't a plug on the chassis for a chip which techincally makes it incompatible for the plug in chips.  Get a chip with wires on though and whilst it might be more work with wire cutters and a soldering iron it would appear that the job can be done, and with some of the really small chips available can be done within the 08's body.

Fitting the chips to the older style Farish 08 is another matter, but as that's got inside frames (unlike the new ones) it's not the one you want so there is no need to worry.

Finding space for one in the L&M 2-6-4T should be a doddle, and having fitted a chip to a Lifelike 0-6-0 under a Paul Windle Hunslet 0-6-0T which also has an illuminated headlamp not unlike your Kitson the job is probably no harder than wiring up track.

[howardclowes]

You're right - a quick Google reveals that it's quite possible to fit a chip to the Farish 08. It's just that it's a hard-wired job rather than a straightforward plug-in. Looks like I'll be getting one for my next project!

Returning to my current project, time to complete the body and add the fittings. Tank tops and fronts, and the roof were from plasticard again, taking the opportunity to fill any available spaces with Liquid Lead. Chimney and dome were from Parkside Dundas (if I remember correctly) and the smokebox door was from the Minitrix 2-6-2 which is (was!) to be used as a donor chassis for the full-sized L&M kit. I forgot to take a photo at this stage, so the next picture is of the loco in a fetching shade of grey primer.  

This really shows up the imperfections, so it's quite a long job with filler and very fine wet & dry to get it smooth.

[howardclowes]

This post brings progress virtually up to date, so it might be a while before the next one - it depends on how much time I can find to finish the model off.

I quite like the L&M's original livery of light chocolate. Finding the right shade wasn't easy, but eventually I settled on Humbrol Brick Red (!!!). Of course, nobody's quite sure of the exact colour, as all photos taken during this period were black and white. 

Still a bit of work to be done to get the paint finish right. Also, the fiddly bits - whistle, handrail, filler caps, glass in windows, and of course the crew to try to hide the motor and DCC decoder.

Then the lining and decals. I can't think of any way I could successfully carry out the lining in the original L&M colours - a thin red line bordered in white - so I think I will probably go with plain off-white lining. 0.35mm from Fox Transfers.

[MickT]

A very attractive little engine Howard, and it is unique! Well done indeed.

Mick

[howardclowes]

Done a bit more work on this now. A few more refinements to do before I can declare it finished - the twisted wire handrail knobs need replacing, the roof needs fixing in place, and a little light weathering. The wheels need to be all the same colour. Nameplates are on order from Narrow planet - the name will be E.R.Brewer, a colleague of Messrs Calthrop and Earle.

Next project will be the full size version from a Meridian models kit. Thanks for the advice on the chassis. I will now probably go for the outside framed Graham Farish diesel rather than use the old Minitrix chassis I have.