7mm Neilson Box Tanks

[Marc Dobson]

When will they be available?

 

[Sandy Harper]

When will they be available?

Hi Marc
John (Walsworth Models) and I are in the process of building the test etches, as of now, and are amending the drawing in light of our findings. We hope to finalise the drawing before Christmas and send it to the tool maker to have the etching tool produced before sending it to the etcher. The plan is to try and have it in kit form for the GOG spring show at Kettering. A lot will depend on the work load of the tool maker, the etcher and the caster. We lost our etcher when 'Photoetch' ceased trading last month.
Regards

Sandy

PS. Sorry for the rubbish photo but this is the test etch for the original wheelbase version. We will also be offering the extended wheelbase option for he rebuilt Findhorn engine.

 

[Overseer]

Hi Marc
John (Walsworth Models) and I are in the process of building the test etches, as of now, and are amending the drawing in light of our findings. We hope to finalise the drawing before Christmas and send it to the tool maker to have the etching tool produced before sending it to the etcher. The plan is to try and have it in kit form for the GOG spring show at Kettering. A lot will depend on the work load of the tool maker, the etcher and the caster. We lost our etcher when 'Photoetch' ceased trading last month.
Regards

Sandy

PS. Sorry for the rubbish photo but this is the test etch for the original wheelbase version. We will also be offering the extended wheelbase option for he rebuilt Findhorn engine.
View attachment 173668

A couple of things. The evidence suggests that Stroudley’s ‘rebuilding’ of the Findhorn loco was no more than an overhaul and fitting a new chimney, the list of changes in the RCTS book is based on two photographs of two different locos. The original condition photo was taken at the Neilson works of a different, currently unidentified, loco.

I think the trial build looks wrong, the distance from the cylinders to the leading axle is too great. This distance seems to have been quite consistent between locos and a shorter wheelbase meant a shorter boiler and overall length.

 

[Sandy Harper]

A couple of things. The evidence suggests that Stroudley’s ‘rebuilding’ of the Findhorn loco was no more than an overhaul and fitting a new chimney, the list of changes in the RCTS book is based on two photographs of two different locos. The original condition photo was taken at the Neilson works of a different, currently unidentified, loco.

I think the trial build looks wrong, the distance from the cylinders to the leading axle is too great. This distance seems to have been quite consistent between locos and a shorter wheelbase meant a shorter boiler and overall length.

The component parts were thrown together for a very quick photo and are only a test build which needs amending.
Although we have managed to scale a couple of the good photos the published information, particularly the dimensions, are very misleading.
Can I ask what prototype chassis length you used for your model, and the wheel diameter please?

many thanks
Sandy

 

[Overseer]

The component parts were thrown together for a very quick photo and are only a test build which needs amending.
Although we have managed to scale a couple of the good photos the published information, particularly the dimensions, are very misleading.
Can I ask what prototype chassis length you used for your model, and the wheel diameter please?

many thanks
Sandy

Sandy,
I will need to check the wheelbase, from memory it was the quoted dimension for the Highland loco but it is too long for the earlier photo of the other loco. Edit: on measurement I used 5'6" instead of the 5'9" quoted in 'The Findhorn Railway' by Ian K Dawson, and also in the RCTS book. I think it should be even less to match the early photograph. The wheels are 3’6” diameter. Ian Dawson seems to be the origin of the description of the rebuilding of the Findhorn loco as his book predates the RCTS book by a few years. The earliest suggestion that the Neilson works photo is of the Findhorn loco I have seen is the original 'A History of Highland Locomotives' where the works photo is published credited "Courtesy J.F. McEwan".
Fraser

 

[Sandy Harper]

Sandy,
I will need to check the wheelbase, from memory it was the quoted dimension for the Highland loco but it is too long for the earlier photo of the other loco. Edit: on measurement I used 5'6" instead of the 5'9" quoted in 'The Findhorn Railway' by Ian K Dawson, and also in the RCTS book. I think it should be even less to match the early photograph. The wheels are 3’6” diameter. Ian Dawson seems to be the origin of the description of the rebuilding of the Findhorn loco as his book predates the RCTS book by a few years. The earliest suggestion that the Neilson works photo is of the Findhorn loco I have seen is the original 'A History of Highland Locomotives' where the works photo is published credited "Courtesy J.F. McEwan".
Fraser

Thanks Fraser, The dimensions quoted have been a source of confusion, I went back to basics and re- scaled a couple of the best photographs and have now confirmed that there was indeed two (at least) chassis lengths! The drawing has been amended and we will produce two separate kits, long and shorter chassis and wheelbase versions.
Many thanks to all who have contributed to this discussion.
Sandy