Rebuilding a K’s GWR 1361 0-6-0ST

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

I can’t seem to leave old K’s kits alone at the moment. My current build is this old ebay specimen which has received a new chassis and some details. As it has reached the stage where it runs it seems appropriate to post a photo. I won’t be describing the build in detail as the loco has a thread on RMWeb, but this link will take you there:

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/178234-ks-gwr-1361-0-6-0st-rebuild-in-em-gauge/?do=getNewComment

 

 

 

[Paul TomlinsonParticipant]

Stuart, thanks for posting. For a number of reasons I tend not to frequent RMWeb, so I hope you’ll pop the odd photo on here for us to enjoy. I have a fondness for some of the old kits, probably nostalgia creeping in. Cheers.

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

Thanks Paul. I will post some pictures when progress is made in that case! I get a strange fascination from messing with old kits, even though they are frequently frustrating.

[Nick RidgwayParticipant]

Good stuff, Stuart. Keep it rolling!

[Nigel BurbidgeParticipant]

Stuart

I do love, and remain in awe of your skills in resurrecting old kits in this way.  It does go to show there is a more economical (and often more satisfying) way of progressing in this hobby than many of the ‘box acquirers’ can imagine.

Nigel

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

Thank you both. Something of a modelling hiatus at present, too much going on, but I will return to this as soon as I can!

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

Still made no progress but here’s some pics of the chassis – a CSP etch from their kit. The boiler and firebox sides have been added to it to allow the motor and gearbox to be hidden away and give a boiler with daylight underneath. High Level 90:1 gearbox and a cheap motor from China courtesy of ebay. It is 5 pole skew wound and runs very nicely albeit speedily, hence the 90:1 ratio!

 

[Paul TomlinsonParticipant]

Looking good. In the latest MRJ there’s a Manning Wardle where the builder has incorporated a similar boiler/firebox onto the frames, which seems a sensible thing to do. Handy place to secure the motor. I find views of the pickup arrangements interesting as it gives food for thought, so cheers. Looking at the whitemetal body, I’d like to mention that I’ve been quite pleased using rivet transfers. On my (7mm) build, I lost the etched-on rivets on the smokebox, and replaced them with transfers. You can just about see the carrier film, but not too bad. Mine were from Archer, but Railtec now do a large selection.

 

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[Stuart FirthParticipant]

They look superb – frankly I’m hoping to get away with it, but we’ll see once the primer is on.

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

Slow progress, but the body is nearly ready! Gibson safety valve and smokebox door handle have been added, some other details too.

 

 

[Paul TomlinsonParticipant]

Stuart, that’s looking very good. One thing that strikes me is how the overall look is just “right”, capturing the character of the prototype. A credit to the pattern-maker, and builder! Cheers.

[Nigel BurbidgeParticipant]

I’ll second that! Looking at that photo you wouldn’t believe it is a resurrected K’s kit!

Nigel

[Douglas FirthParticipant]

Hi Stuart,

You have done a fine job. If not told of the backgroung I would have thought that you were the first builder of the kit. It makes me think that I should rebuild my own 2nd hand version. It was built by the late Ted Thoday from West Australia  and the chassis is a superb runner but the body has suffered over the years. I gave it a quick tart up and use it as a spare.

Regards

Douglas Firth.

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

Thanks everyone, it has been a bit of a grind but there is great satisfaction in bringing something back from the dead!

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

There at last, excepting number plates, to be ordered, lamps, ordered, and vac pipes, forgot!

 

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[Paul TomlinsonParticipant]

Stuart, that lovely loco looks very much at home. Thanks for posting.

[Nick RidgwayParticipant]

Another good one, Stuart! I just want to know if it will go round that right-angled elbow of track between the buildings at Saltport.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Nick Ridgway.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Nick Ridgway.

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

Yes, and no – goes in but derails coming out. Perhaps because of the fixed rear axle.

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

We can try, as long as the Shedmaster at Birkenhead doesn’t get to hear about it !

Before anyone pipes up that they didn’t have any of these at Birkenhead, well, they did in my version of reality. In the 1970’s, they also snapped up some class 07 diesels that Southampton docks didn’t want any more…

[Nigel BurbidgeParticipant]

Stuart,

That looks lovely and just shows how, with some TLC and skill, it is possible to resurrect these kits and make them absolutely at home on a finescale layout.  Respect to you!

Nigel

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

I did finally fit those last details, so here’s a couple of photo’s. The Railtec 3D printed number plates are good, but a little bright compared to real brass. You can weather of course, if you remember beforehand…

Firstly, on Saltport, then, making the place look scruffy, at Express Daisy Sidings whilst at Chatham.

 

[Nigel BurbidgeParticipant]

Looking good Stuart!  Your work on old whitemetal kits has prompted me to dig out an old (early 1980’s I think) Millholme Models ‘mucky duck’ that I bought last year at ExpoEM in the members sales area for a very reasonable sum.  The tender is now pretty much finished (I have put a ‘free bogie’ on the leading two axles to aid Flexichas) and am currently working my way through the loco.  These old kits definitely throw up their own challenges!

Nigel

[Douglas FirthParticipant]

Hello Stuart, You proved me right. I you didn’t know an observer would think you built it from a new kit. Well done.

Douglas Firth.

[Stuart FirthParticipant]

Thanks both.Nigel, I find these old things both challenging and frustrating in equal measure, but a decent result can give a great deal of satisfaction!

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