The LNER Encyclopedia

Hi all,

I was wondering if people might be able to give me advice on the following, especially considering there seem to be some talented modellers here.

Ok here goes, after buying many RTR models I decided id like to have a bash at re-building a RTR model into a different class. My modelling skills are limited so I wondered what would be possible in terms of re-building the following model. I recently purchased a tender drive old Flying Scotsman Hornby model as I had wanted to convert it into a different LNER/BR eastern region loco class. On this basis, is there any class it could be re-built into (thats not an A1/A3)? and if so how would I go about it? Id originally had the idea of converting it to a Peppercorn A1 however there seem to be too many obvious details stopping this!

any ideas......?


Thanks

Greg

I'm not a OO person, and I don't know the Hornby model. However I suspect there are better models for a beginner project.

The Pacifics would be the easiest. What about the Thompson A1/1 rebuild of "Great Northern"? Unusual - although this is mainly due to its unpopularity.

If you want to some serious hacking (ie. fitting a new chassis and tender), then the boiler would be suitable for use on a P1 Mikado. You may need a continental chassis to do that. The P1s had both the A1 and later the A3 type boilers.

Richard

With 'limited modelling skills' as you put it, I would start by converting a model into a class that is almost identical to the parent model, but with minor but obvious diferrences. An example of this would be converting the Hornby 'Smokey Joe' tank into an LNER Y9, which was almost identical, except with a lack of buffers, a difference cab style, various other fittings, and in most cases the addition of a tender butchered from a coal wagon. I suggest taking on projects like this to build up skills and confidence before tackling models that require more major restructuring to be made.

No matter how big the project, it is probably a good idea also to use an older RTR model as a starting point (even better if you can get it second-hand on the cheap). Models from older mouldings are sturdier and less delicate than more recent toolings, and you can always super-detail the model once the major work is completed.

The Y9 would be a good choice - they're a popular little engine. I've seen pictures of them with dumb buffers - these would be easy to fit (I'm about to make my own in 7mm but for a Y7).

I agree that a different donor would be a good start. I wondered about the B12 - but most of the variants had different boilers. The Y9 would be an easier start, I should think.


Richard

I agree that a Y9 would be a good place to start. I converted one from a Smoky Job back in my OO days which turned out really well. With regard to the Flying Scotsman, I don't think that there are any easy conversions other than the A1 to A3 or vice versa which would involve heavy surgery to the model.

A P1 is possible, I'm making one in N gauge out of an old Minitrix A3 body, a Fleischmann 2-8-2 chassis and a tender drive. With this I've scrapped everything below the boiler and made a new running plate out of sheet metal. You could pick up a HO chassis second hand if you keep an eye out and I'm sure that a Hornby tender drive with the right wheelbase is availalbe but would only use the body of the loco and leave you with the chassis and tender left over. I believe that Bachmann does a A1 (Peppercore or Thompson?) in their range which might be an alternative.

Another thought (depending on the era you're modelling) is one of the Raven A2's which were rebuilt by Gresley with A1 boilers and (non corridor) tenders. Again you'd have to lose the running plate and replace it as well as move the front bogie forward a little, removing the valve gear and replacing the cylinders but otherwise keep a lot of the existing components of the Hornby model.

One loco that seems to lend itself to a number of conversions is the Hornby B12. I've seen this model rebuilt into something approaching original condition; to scale length with different firebox and cab, be shortened into a D16 'Claud Hamilton' 4-4-0 as well as a Ivatt Atlantic in one of the old Railway Modeller magazines.

I hope that the above gives some food for thought and hasn't put you off. I'm a relative novice to scratching/bashing locomotives but I like to have a go and I gain more experience with every project I do. I've made some mistakes and had a few failures but have really enjoyed myself and I like to try a new technique every time I start a model. I would agree that something simple would be a good starting point but it's really up to you on how confident you feel cutting up a model and putting it back together again.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

I see that the August 2008 issue of Hornby Magazine has a modification article - modifying the "Smokey Joe" (Caley Pug) into a BR-era Crewe shunter. This is probably a good place to start. The LNER examples were also built by Neilson but initially sold to the NBR (instead of the Caledonian). Reference books would include the RCTS "Greenie" (don't have the relevant volume handy), and Yeadon's will have lots of photos (I think it is Vol.32 or 34 - the one with the Singles, 0-4-2Ts, and virtually all the 0-4-0s).

As an aside, amazing to see the local Barnes & Noble having not one, but TWO British railway magazines!


Richard