A West Midlands Works
- Thread starter Scanlon
- Start date
Scanlon
Western Thunderer
Mike, thanks for your support. Detailing the engine body will be a drawn out affair. Some castings are quite big and may require a little of my earlier work to be undone to accommodate them. Well it was never going to be an easy loco. I've little hair left nowadays but could soon be completely bald!
Roger
Roger
Scanlon
Western Thunderer
Patients is a virtue but this build is really taxing my patience
.
The cab has been finished with the roof ventilator in place and the cab doors fitted, unfortunately the latter will have to be raised slightly as they catch on the tender fall plate. The cab profile on Seven Models kits is incorrect and is too flat. I'm considering trying to rectify this but currently it is on the too difficult list to do!
When detailing a loco I start from the smokebox and try to work back to the cab, first on the driver's side and then the fireman's. Early in the build the instructions say to fit the etched steampipe covers, this resulted in an unsightly gap between it and the casting on the smokebox, also the long whitemetal casting for the steampipe to the preheater would not fit into the recess on the boiler. Out came the gas gun and the etched casing was moved forward and in towards the boiler, the steampipe now fits in place and there is only a small gap to fill. With this hurdle passed I could start on the brake ejector valves which also meant I had to install the manifold to get the pipework correctly positioned. Originally I used 0.5mm copper wire for the pipes for the brakes but this was too small and I have substituted 0.8mm brass wire. The delivery pipe to the clack was formed up and I used some heat shrink material to replicate the thick lagging around it.
The only detail to install on the driver's side is the regulator rod, reverser, the drain cock valve and vacuum brake pipework under the cab.
On the fireman's side detailing of the delivery pipes to the clacks has been finished, steps up to the chimney and associated handrail have been installed as has the steam lance valve and its pipework. There is much to do on this side not least the injectors and "Titanic funnel" which will take most of the coming week to build.
.The cab has been finished with the roof ventilator in place and the cab doors fitted, unfortunately the latter will have to be raised slightly as they catch on the tender fall plate. The cab profile on Seven Models kits is incorrect and is too flat. I'm considering trying to rectify this but currently it is on the too difficult list to do!
When detailing a loco I start from the smokebox and try to work back to the cab, first on the driver's side and then the fireman's. Early in the build the instructions say to fit the etched steampipe covers, this resulted in an unsightly gap between it and the casting on the smokebox, also the long whitemetal casting for the steampipe to the preheater would not fit into the recess on the boiler. Out came the gas gun and the etched casing was moved forward and in towards the boiler, the steampipe now fits in place and there is only a small gap to fill. With this hurdle passed I could start on the brake ejector valves which also meant I had to install the manifold to get the pipework correctly positioned. Originally I used 0.5mm copper wire for the pipes for the brakes but this was too small and I have substituted 0.8mm brass wire. The delivery pipe to the clack was formed up and I used some heat shrink material to replicate the thick lagging around it.
The only detail to install on the driver's side is the regulator rod, reverser, the drain cock valve and vacuum brake pipework under the cab.
On the fireman's side detailing of the delivery pipes to the clacks has been finished, steps up to the chimney and associated handrail have been installed as has the steam lance valve and its pipework. There is much to do on this side not least the injectors and "Titanic funnel" which will take most of the coming week to build.
Scanlon
Western Thunderer
Work has recommenced on the fireman's side with the chimney built up and installed. A very accurate drawing is provided to assist building this brute and was a great help. The castings themselves were not of the best quality and required considerable cleaning up, thank goodness much of it will be behind the deflector.
It was suggested the entire chimney assembly was constructed separate from the loco and installed as a unit. I chose not to do this and first built up the chimney ( L56 to L60) and fitted it to the running plate parts. This allowed me to get levels correct and ensure the running plate was in line. Having achieved this the grease separator for the exhaust injector could be built up and joined onto the exhaust steampipe whitemetal casting. This proved to be a challenge as the separator is supposed to be level but the casting was trying to dictate otherwise. A lot of work was required to level everything out and the pipework required considerable alteration. I got the separator and its pipe installed first (L61)then tackled the exhaust pipe (L62).
The deflector has been built up and test fitted. There are three straps behind the deflector which should wrap around the handrails but they don't, I foresee some creative soldering coming up. So this is what the loco looks like tonight.
Still much to do on this area before I can start on the injectors. By the way and before fellow readers start shouting about the cab, I assure you it is level. Too much telephoto distorting the picture - well that's my excuse!
It was suggested the entire chimney assembly was constructed separate from the loco and installed as a unit. I chose not to do this and first built up the chimney ( L56 to L60) and fitted it to the running plate parts. This allowed me to get levels correct and ensure the running plate was in line. Having achieved this the grease separator for the exhaust injector could be built up and joined onto the exhaust steampipe whitemetal casting. This proved to be a challenge as the separator is supposed to be level but the casting was trying to dictate otherwise. A lot of work was required to level everything out and the pipework required considerable alteration. I got the separator and its pipe installed first (L61)then tackled the exhaust pipe (L62).
The deflector has been built up and test fitted. There are three straps behind the deflector which should wrap around the handrails but they don't, I foresee some creative soldering coming up. So this is what the loco looks like tonight.
Still much to do on this area before I can start on the injectors. By the way and before fellow readers start shouting about the cab, I assure you it is level. Too much telephoto distorting the picture - well that's my excuse!
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
I do like the original Crostini 9Fs, and it's a pleasure to see a 7mm scale one coming to life.
Scanlon
Western Thunderer
I'm slowly getting towards the finish line with this build. At the request of the owner wherever possible fittings in the kit have been replaced by Ragstone castings. These have greatly enhanced Dave Ennis's etchings. Castings were added throughout the build and during the last two days the injectors were installed together with all their associated pipework and the final etches were put in position. 
Detail work has centred on pipework and fitting the reverser rod and regulator rods. The reverser rod is a two part whitemetal casting and proved to be 4mm too short. This was built up prior to fitting. For the regulator rod I used tiny yokes from the Ragstone range to improve the look of this part and also fitted a drain cock operating valve under the running plate, the latter not being provided in the kit.
On the fireman's side the injectors have been tidied up and the deflector for the chimney added. I prefer to fit the injectors to the body and added a simple backing strip to hold the injector support frame. The original position of this frame was too far back and I moved it forward by 6mm. There are two sandbox fillers behind the deflector but now hidden from view.
Over the weekend I intend to fit the DCC chip and test the loco. As it has the American pick-up system I will change the metal fall plate on the tender for a plasticard one and also replace the cab doors with the same material. There is outstanding pipework to fit under the cab plus minor super detailing. Then to get it ready for the paint shop!
So what is next in the erecting bay?
Detail work has centred on pipework and fitting the reverser rod and regulator rods. The reverser rod is a two part whitemetal casting and proved to be 4mm too short. This was built up prior to fitting. For the regulator rod I used tiny yokes from the Ragstone range to improve the look of this part and also fitted a drain cock operating valve under the running plate, the latter not being provided in the kit.
On the fireman's side the injectors have been tidied up and the deflector for the chimney added. I prefer to fit the injectors to the body and added a simple backing strip to hold the injector support frame. The original position of this frame was too far back and I moved it forward by 6mm. There are two sandbox fillers behind the deflector but now hidden from view.
Over the weekend I intend to fit the DCC chip and test the loco. As it has the American pick-up system I will change the metal fall plate on the tender for a plasticard one and also replace the cab doors with the same material. There is outstanding pipework to fit under the cab plus minor super detailing. Then to get it ready for the paint shop!
So what is next in the erecting bay?
oldravendale
Western Thunderer
How d'you do it so quick, Roger? Looks great too. No problems with the crank?????
Brian
Brian
Dikitriki
Flying Squad
Hi Roger,
Just stick some strips of sticky black plastic around the bottom edge of the fall plate. The doors can be dealt with by taking a little off the bottom, and angling them in a bit.
Richard
Scanlon
Western Thunderer
No problems with the crank?????
Hi Brian,
Well yes! The drivers side return crank became detached twice while under trial on DC. I've now used electrical solder and that appears to have overcome the issue. The fireman's side has not given any problems so far, oh I may just have tempted fate!
Keep the news coming on your build please.
Cheers
Roger
Hi Brian,
Well yes! The drivers side return crank became detached twice while under trial on DC. I've now used electrical solder and that appears to have overcome the issue. The fireman's side has not given any problems so far, oh I may just have tempted fate!
Keep the news coming on your build please.
Cheers
Roger
Scanlon
Western Thunderer
Another day another dollar or should that be another month another loco?
The Crosti is now waiting the paint shop so I can turn my attention to a smaller conventional machine. In this case a Chowbent Stanier Cl.3 2-6-2t. I purchased the kit earlier this year in the knowledge some of the castings were missing but all the etches were present. A thorough check of the contents revealed this to be true with just a couple of casting sprues missing and Laurie Griffin has come up trumps with replacements.
Usually I build the frames first but I am awaiting parts so decided to start on the bodywork. The etches are excellent quality and the running plate built up very quickly, formed of three main pieces plus valences and bufferbeams. The side tanks are beautiful half etched affairs only requiring three rivets on each side to be pressed out. Unfortunately the slots and tabs did not accurately match up and the tanks appeared to taper towards the front bufferbeam. The cab front was located and temporarily fitted in position to give at least one datum point. Next the tabs were slightly modified and side one tacked in position using a straight edge. Side two followed shortly afterwards.
Tomorrow I hope to construct the cab and bunker.
The Crosti is now waiting the paint shop so I can turn my attention to a smaller conventional machine. In this case a Chowbent Stanier Cl.3 2-6-2t. I purchased the kit earlier this year in the knowledge some of the castings were missing but all the etches were present. A thorough check of the contents revealed this to be true with just a couple of casting sprues missing and Laurie Griffin has come up trumps with replacements.
Usually I build the frames first but I am awaiting parts so decided to start on the bodywork. The etches are excellent quality and the running plate built up very quickly, formed of three main pieces plus valences and bufferbeams. The side tanks are beautiful half etched affairs only requiring three rivets on each side to be pressed out. Unfortunately the slots and tabs did not accurately match up and the tanks appeared to taper towards the front bufferbeam. The cab front was located and temporarily fitted in position to give at least one datum point. Next the tabs were slightly modified and side one tacked in position using a straight edge. Side two followed shortly afterwards.
Tomorrow I hope to construct the cab and bunker.
Scanlon
Western Thunderer
"Did you see this fantastic picture in the latest Steam World magazine? I never knew that the contraption on the side was the chimney.. Have to look into these a little more.. Where's that black book...."
Hi JB,
Thanks for the photo, I'll have to get a copy of the magazine for my records especially as the build will be 92028. As for the black book - there's nothing about a Crosti in it!
Cheers
Roger
Hi JB,
Thanks for the photo, I'll have to get a copy of the magazine for my records especially as the build will be 92028. As for the black book - there's nothing about a Crosti in it!
Cheers
Roger