7mm On Heather's Workbench - a Trans-Pennine Odyssey

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
As I type this, Mrs Mojo has bimbled off somewhere. When such things occur, I find it useful to fill the aching void with research on upcoming commissions. I don't know how it happened, but reviewing the groaning shelves reveals five loco builds and umpteen coaches waiting their turn on the bench. That's not including the four locos and various coaches already occupying it!

Anyway, enough of my problems.

I had already taken on a commission from this client, a build of 10001 in original 1948 condition, and documented elsewhere. He asked me if I'd consider building an L&YR Aspinall 2-4-2T as well. Not wishing to disappoint, I agreed. Initially, it was to be an elderly kit, from the George Norton stable. Upon inspection, however, it became apparent the kit wouldn't build what the client actually wanted - leaving aside the thick milled brass frames…

What was required was a motor-fitted, short-bunker, Belpaire firebox, saturated boiler 2-4-2T. This was not what the Norton kit provided for, and rather than resort to extensive surgery it was agreed we would buy in a Lanky Kits version instead.

This is what we did. What do we get in the box?

A comprehensive instruction booklet, A4 size and spiral bound. Good start.

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Etches in nickel silver. Pre-rolled boiler. Nice. There seem to be parts missing, but we'll come to that in due course.

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Brass and white metal detail castings, including alternative parts (and spares if those are boiler gauge glasses!). A set of turned brass and steel sprung buffers, and handrail knobs.

Those missing bits. Yes, well, confession time. As regular readers know, I know my limitations regarding some of the more complex engineering and electrical jobs. A full set of working Joy's inside motion and valve gear falls into that zone. I commissioned a fellow Thunderer to do the work for me.

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And a thing of beauty was returned to me from Paul (@Locomodels). I won't go into detail about how much of the LG Miniatures inside waggly bits kit was, shall we say, rebuilt from scratch. Paul may opt to throw light on that in his own good time. It's the sort of thing that confirms my view I'm better paying someone else to do this kind of work. While he was about it, Paul also made lovely working radial trucks, and had to fit the footplate and so on to make sure everything was ticketyboo. I like to just place the chassis on the bench and gaze at it from time to time.

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I can only hope my efforts above the footplate will match the marvels below.

I am currently in the research phase. I have several books with images, some loaned volumes with further information, and the internet. There is a preserved 2-4-2T in the national collection, and if I can't make time to visit it at the NRM I may crave indulgence for photos of bits like the cab details in due course.

The finished model will be finished in LMS plain black livery, numbered 10650. I have a photo! It has already revealed I must swap out the Aspinall buffers for the later form. Ah, the joys of engine picking!

This build, hopefully, will kick off relatively early in 2017. Watch this space!
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
I had the privilege to study this piece of art during the summer... absolutely stunning work and a marvel to behold as the wheels go round.
 

Overseer

Western Thunderer
Heather, with a beautiful chassis like that on the bench, how have you resisted the temptation to build the body? If it all fits together it should only take a day or two to finish. Looks like a good mojo finding project to me.

I am interested to see how Paul has done the radial axles as I have a couple to build, one of them is a rebuild because I am not happy with the first version.
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
It is tempting to wield the soldering iron in its direction, that's for sure. There are, however, other builds in the queue that take precedence.
 

Dikitriki

Flying Squad
I am interested to see how Paul has done the radial axles as I have a couple to build, one of them is a rebuild because I am not happy with the first version.

That chassis is a thing of beauty and craftsmanship. I have 2 to build, and would like to second the request for Paul to show his radial axlebox build.

Richard
 

Locomodels

Western Thunderer
Thank you for the kind remarks about the Aspinall 2-4-2T chassis.

OK chaps I will write it up for you but it will take a little time so please be patient. As I am currently working on another chassis, which has indirect Stephenson's valve gear, that needs to be finished for the Reading Trade Show on the 10th December, to hand it to the client. Time is precious but I will try to get round to it within the next couple of days.

My interpretation of the radial axle box is really quite simple as you will see. Fortunately though I did take some pictures as I built them.

Richard,
Does that mean that you have two radial axles to build or, as it sounds, two L & Y Aspinall tank locos?
 

Dikitriki

Flying Squad
Hello Paul,

I have 2 L&Y Aspinall tank locos to build. Or rather 1 1/2. One is from an old George Norton etch (I think) and the other is to replace a chassis on a built example. The built one is chalk and cheese. The body is very well built and beatifully painted. The chassis is as bad as anything I've seen, almost as if 2 builders were involved. I also have inside valve gear to install in all 3 locos. Did I say 3? I have a nicely finished tank running on Heyside that I haven't got round to putting inside valve gear in. I have built Joy's valve gear (from Sanspareil castings) so that holds no fears, it's just that the Aspinall tanks descend down the 'to do' list despite my best intentions:( So, with 6 radial axles to do, I have more than a passing interest.

Richard
 

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
I have a part built 2-4-2 (LNER F8) that I started to make radial axle boxes so I would be interested in your methods too Paul. Plus I have another couple of 2-4-2's in the to do pile - F3 and F5
 
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