Something simple......David Andrews SECR E1

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
The E1 is a lovely loco. I have memories of travelling from Charing Cross to Ashford Works behind 31019 and a T9 - I think it was 30719 but I'll need to check my records. Dunno what year it was, but I remember it was April.

I'd like to do an E1 - the T9 is a distinct possibility as Finney7 will do one very soon. In the meantime I'll dribble over the E1 build.:)

Brian
 

FuntleyWorks

Western Thunderer
The E1 is a lovely loco. I have memories of travelling from Charing Cross to Ashford Works behind 31019 and a T9 - I think it was 30719 but I'll need to check my records. Dunno what year it was, but I remember it was April.


There are some pictures on Flickr of 31019 and 30117 at Ashford 4th April 1961 on a Ian Allen tour. That maybe the one Brian?

I have 3 T9s to do soon myself! Just started an M7 as well so it seems Southern elegance is much in demand!!!
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Well I'm blowed! That's the very one! I've never seen a photo of those two locos from that train previously.

It was the second rail tour I'd ever been on (too expensive to do very often on pocket money). I remember it very well. I'd need to check my records about the exact locos involved, but after the section from Charing Cross to Ashford we had a "Schools" from Ashford to Eastleigh and another from Eastleigh to Waterloo. I left my camera on the train - lost forever with all bar one of my photos at Eastleigh, although I had the Ashford ones on the previous film which was in my pocket.

Two of the earliest "Schools" to be withdrawn were at Ashford, 30932 and 30933 - I think that 30912 was actually the first.

Happy days.

Thanks so much for finding the photo.

Brian
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
This gets more wonderful by the minute!

I was actually unaware that 31019 probably never turned a wheel in anger after arriving at Ashford. Not surprising really, as the Kent Coast electrification was just complete. But it was clearly a loco with a good turn of speed, and I timed the train at one point at 70mph but I couldn't tell you where. In fact I may well be in at least one of those photos, but I'll need to study them in detail to confirm. I suspect I'll have been in school uniform, because that's what we did in those dim and distant days.

I remember at the time being rather disappointed that the train was hauled from Charing Cross by two old and decrepit locos rather than a pacific of some sort. It didn't take me long to realise just how lucky I had been.

Brian
 

Steph Dale

Western Thunderer
31019 was the star of the class. There's a well known Peter Handford recording of the loco on a fast run. It features the joy of the loco being knocked into full forward at sixty and emptying the firebox through the chimney!

The phenomenal steaming rate of the boiler meant that the loco was able to continue and with good pace too.

There's a description of the run in one of the Nock or Holcroft books which makes a very enjoyable read. I'll see if i can find it.

Steph
 

Duncan Chandler

Active Member
What a great build, do the instructions show the etches? I'm trying to do one in 4mm and am trying to work out parts like the cab front and the size of the firebox ?
 

P A D

Western Thunderer
Superb build Andrew!

Your work on the flares, particularly the joints on the corners is something to aspire to. It's an area I struggle with as I don't do them very often. Great painting by Warren as always. He must be getting fed up doing 4-4-0s and the D11 will be going his way soon.

It's a shame the David Andrew's kits are not generally available, as although not complex as you say, they do build up nicely.

Cheers,
Peter
 

FuntleyWorks

Western Thunderer
What a great build, do the instructions show the etches? I'm trying to do one in 4mm and am trying to work out parts like the cab front and the size of the firebox ?

Hi Duncan

No, David never included photocopies of the etches themselves in his instructions, so I can't help!!!

Hi Peter

Thank you for your kind words!! I will admit though, while forming these things it never feels it's going to work!!! David is collecting it at Reading, so if you are there you can have a look!!!

Many thanks

Andrew
 
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