Newbie to 009 first loco kit builds

[PUASHP]

Here is the photo of the chassis without the body showing the slide bar arrangement clearly

Paul

[tedp]

That's a very neat piece of work, Paul. Fitting connecting rods and crossheads to an existing chassis takes some care to prevent binding.

My only comment is that the cylinders are positioned slightly out of line with the outside steam pipes and the smokebox. But you couldn't have done much else given the position of the front wheels, and in the assembled locomotive it doesn't show too much. It's a good compromise - the loco looks nicely balanced from most angles.

I keep thinking that this would make a nice 2-4-0 if someone could replace the front coupled wheels with small diameter carrying wheels. But that would need some careful balancing of the whitemetal body to keep the weight on the rear wheels.

[PUASHP]

I know what you mean about the steam pipes but the problem was clearance over the front crankpins.  If you look closely they don't line up with the chimney either so it's probably the steam pipes in the wrong place, however I shan't move them now the kit is complete.

I have now added some detail including coal rails, injector top feed and steps for the driver.

Next up is painting which I shall probably do by hand followed by a sprayed coat of satin varnish to keep the paint safe.

I shall then add driver figure, coal, lamp, nameplates and a bit of weathering.

Completed picture to follow when complete.

Regards

Paul

[tedp]

No, I didn't mean you should move them - I'd leave them as they are if I were doing this myself, and it's your loco! It's coming along very well with all the detail. The bunker is very nice with those coal rails. It's a good touch I haven't yet seen on a Jeanette.

[berryr99]

Hi Paul

I am a total newbie (at the age of 61) to any form of loco construction but I am working on a couple of Chris Ward 3d printed growler locos

I have to say the last batch of photos look really good.

Would I be right to think the coal rails are brass wire and plate that you have formed into the required shape ?

Also the handrails - I'm assuming this is brass wire that you have formed with maybe a pair of pliers ?

I wouldn't mind knowing because I am stuck at this point on my own build

Thanks

Bob

[tat2drod]

Equally: how thick is the wire that you used for the handrails? Tx.

[PUASHP]

Bob

The handrails, coal rails and top feed pipework are all from 0.5mm straight brass wire.

All I do is drill some holes (0.6mm) with a pin vice, bend the wire with some pliers and superglue it in.  Drop a bit of superglue on a piece of card and then apply at the back of the handrail (ie inside the cab) with the end of a coctail stick.  The alternative method is to use Alan Gibson short handrail knobs with the 0.5mm wire soldered to them and trimmed to length however threading them onto the wire can be difficult and it depends how good you are with a soldering iron.

The coal rails are 0.5mm brass wire soldered to an offcut of brass from the scrap box, with the assembly superglued to the rear bunker.  The top feed is a 4mm handrail knob with the wire soldered into it, drilled and superglued into the top of the boiler.

Paul

[berryr99]

Paul

Thanks for the information - I will try this method

Bob

[tat2drod]

The handrails... ...from 0.5mm straight brass wire.

Tx muchly!

[JulienW]

Fitting cylinders to the chassis has improved the look of the loco no end!  Have you considered doing an article on it for 009 News?  I'm sure that all the members who are not members of this forum would be interested in the conversion.

[Hugh Norwood]

I second that! Would be very useful

[PUASHP]

I have a second loco to convert (Peco James) and I would be happy to write an article with some photos for the 009 NEWS, although another member has recently written in using a Farish 08 chassis and 4P cylinders.

It's encouraging that others are taking an interest and maybe can learn from my experience (and avoid the mistakes I made along the way).

Paul

[JulienW]

I have a second loco to convert (Peco James) and I would be happy to write an article with some photos for the 009 NEWS, although another member has recently written in using a Farish 08 chassis and 4P cylinders.

It's encouraging that others are taking an interest and maybe can learn from my experience (and avoid the mistakes I made along the way).

Paul

Please write the article as it is always useful to have more than one way to do something, and not everyone will have some Farish 4P cylinders to use...

[PUASHP]

Another update.

Almost finished painting the Peco Jeanette today so I thought I would post a photo (sorry for the poor quality).

All painting has been done by hand using brushes, including the lining.  I'm sure once the loco has been weathered the imperfections will become less obvious.  I still have the buffer beams to paint, nameplates to add, coal, driver figure and lamps.

Paul

[Isle of Stoner]

I think that is the nicest 'Jeanette' I've seen. (Except my wife , of course)

Really impressed with the paint job.

John W