The LNER Encyclopedia

Hi all, I've just started scratchbuilding an N7/3 in 7mm scale, and come across a small problem.

I have the drawing from the GER Society, but this shows the earlier frames with the radial truck rather than with the later pony truck which means of course that there will be slight differences in the shape of the frames at the back.

Before I go to the NRM for some drawings, I thought I would check on here first to see if anyone has any drawings of the later frames and pony truck and springing etc..

I would be very grateful for any information you might have..

Kind regards,

Jonathan.

Scale7JB wrote: I have the drawing from the GER Society, but this shows the earlier frames with the radial truck rather than with the later pony truck which means of course that there will be slight differences in the shape of the frames at the back.Jonathan.

Jonathan, Hi,
have you tried the Isinglass range? Excellent drawings, available in 7mm. I haven't got the N7 drawing but experience with other drawings (various J50s, N2, J6 etc) indicate that he was pretty good at covering variations.
Are you aware of Jim McGeown's Connoisseur range of etched brass kits? He includes an N7 in his range, which I have built and I can thoroughly recommend it. Unlike some kit ranges that include LNER locos (no names - no pack-drill) his kits fit together properly and are fun to build. He does have a website which might be worth a look (sorry can't remember the sites address - a quick google should throw it up).

Chaz

chaz harrison wrote:Jonathan, Hi,
have you tried the Isinglass range? Excellent drawings, available in 7mm. I haven't got the N7 drawing but experience with other drawings (various J50s, N2, J6 etc) indicate that he was pretty good at covering variations.
Are you aware of Jim McGeown's Connoisseur range of etched brass kits? He includes an N7 in his range, which I have built and I can thoroughly recommend it...

Chaz

The reason Jonathan is scratch-building an N7 is because Jim withdrew his N7 kit a few years ago. Whilst John Edgson's drawings are good, they will not have the level of underframe detail that JB will probably need. This is the man who has working brakes and valve gear on his locos...

65447 wrote:

chaz harrison wrote:Jonathan, Hi,
have you tried the Isinglass range? Excellent drawings, available in 7mm. I haven't got the N7 drawing but experience with other drawings (various J50s, N2, J6 etc) indicate that he was pretty good at covering variations.
Are you aware of Jim McGeown's Connoisseur range of etched brass kits? He includes an N7 in his range, which I have built and I can thoroughly recommend it...

Chaz

The reason Jonathan is scratch-building an N7 is because Jim withdrew his N7 kit a few years ago. Whilst John Edgson's drawings are good, they will not have the level of underframe detail that JB will probably need. This is the man who has working brakes and valve gear on his locos...

Wow, there's a reply I wasn't expecting, my reputation precedes me

Hi chaps, yes as 65447 mentioned, Jim has stopped the production of his kit sadly as a lot of the moulds for the castings had worn out, and because the demand for the kit wasn't as high as some others, according to Jim they wont be rectified for a good few years yet.

Also this is going to be built in Scale7 with correct width frames. In the kit the frames above and below the footplate are seperate to allow for the narrower 32mm gauge, where as mine will be one piece. We've worked out that the distance between the backs of the wheels and the frames will be around 0.55mm either side, so it'll be close, but it should hopefully work.

Here is an image of a plasticard template that will be used on a Pantograph milling machine to cut out the frames.. It has been drawn up 3x the size needed for the 3:1 ratio on the milling machine. You can see that I have copied the radial truck cutout at the rear of the frames, but this was only present on the earlier versions of the N7 class. I think, if there is no luck with on this forum, that I shall either have to head to NRM to get the drawings, or tootle up to the North Norfolk Railway and get underneath the engine to see what's what..

Just for Chaz I thought I would add the video of the aforementioned K2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgZokNwuCYo

Regards, JB.

I haven't got the N7 drawing but experience with other drawings (various J50s, N2, J6 etc) indicate that he was pretty good at covering variations.

The drawing shows an elevation of the N7/3 frames but as pointed out, the Isinglass drawings are aimed at creating a model - not a finescale engineering replica. I'll check to see if I have a frames GA for the N7/3.

Andy

2562 wrote:

I haven't got the N7 drawing but experience with other drawings (various J50s, N2, J6 etc) indicate that he was pretty good at covering variations.

The drawing shows an elevation of the N7/3 frames but as pointed out, the Isinglass drawings are aimed at creating a model - not a finescale engineering replica. I'll check to see if I have a frames GA for the N7/3.

Andy

That would be fantastic Andy, and would you have any drawings for the pony truck too ?? Cheeky I know..

JB.

Scale7JB wrote: Just for Chaz I thought I would add the video of the aforementioned K2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgZokNwuCYo
Regards, JB.

Wow, most impressive, and several notches above my standards! I can see that you might need a bit more info than an Isinglass drawing gives.
I hadn't realised that Jim's N7 had gone from the range, sorry. Still, if you have access to pantograph milling you don't really need etched kits do you?

Chaz

G'Day Gents
Just watched the K2 video, only one thing to say-----Fan--B*****--Tastic
Be another 50 years before Hornby try that??
manna

Thanks Chaz and Manna..!

Thought I would pop one more video on here for you.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8fypHlVtYQ

This is the K2 so far... you'll have to excuse the reversing gear having a bit of a moment, as the beam which stretches across the frames snapped during transportation, though it has been fixed and reinforced now.

Other than decorating the frames, just needs some numbers and plates, and some SERIOUSLY heavy weathering!!

JB.

Hello Scale7JB. Love the K2. I remember seeing a couple at Boston on a day out (with bucket and spade!) to Skegness.
Could you tell me please about the sound you are using. I have fitted DCC sound to four of the diesels on my layout and most convincing they are but I have yet to start on fitting the steam locos. Obviously I can't obtain recording-based sounds in a decoder for a J50 or a K3 (so these will have to use substitutes), but an N7, J52 and N2 might be possible. Sadly "Green Arrow" failed just before South West Digital were going to make their recordings.

Chaz

Hi Chaz,

I'm using a Zimo Mx690 chip which is the sound chip as well as having the servo control for the brakes and reversing gear.

The sound that is currently stored is actually quite european, which a number of people have mentioned upon, but after picking the brains of the genius' on the Zimo forum (yesterday in fact), I have now found out how to upload new sounds to my chip, which I'm looking forward to doing in the near future.

JB.

Thanks for the info' JB. How will you source recordings for a K2 I wonder? Substitute some other 5' 8" 2 cylinder loco sounds or will the sounds be synthetic?

Chaz

It's a good question, but there are the K1 and K4 (although the K4 is 3 cylinder) still in steam, so they could be the most accurate possibilities..

There are though a couple of sounds that I could get from anywhere to make the current effect more accurate... Mainly a UK whistle, and also a decent sounding injector.. Also thinking about it a UK Westo pump would be nice, as the european versions seem to work at a much faster rate than those here in blighty.

JB.

a UK Westo pump would be nice

Don't forget the sound of an irate fireman beating it into life with a lump hammer.

Hi JB,

does this help ? The drawing indicates its for Makers number 305 to 324 (N7/2)



Andy