[UK] 4mm GWR 48XX/14XX questions

[JPUIG]

I am building a 4mm model of a GWR 48XX/14XX locomotive to P4 standards
using a Airfix/Dapol body and a Perseverance etched chassis. I have a few
questions that perhaps modelers in the UK who read this newsgroup can
answer.

I have been told the Airfix 14XX is a good model, but that it has two
problem areas, the chimney and the smokebox door. I purchased replacements
from Puffers, but I think that their smokebox door is too small for the
Airfix 14XX and it doesn't provide the hinge detail. Is a suitable part
available from another source or do I need to scratch build a new smokebox
door and hinge?

I want to include some detailing in the cab area, are there cab detailing
kits or at least backhead castings and seats that are suitable for this
loco?

I also have a question about the livery used by the GWR on the 48XX in the
30's. The Dapol model I have is finished in the lined green BR livery and
has the upper horizontal surfaces of the tanks and the footplate painted
black. I am guessing, based on a few B/W photos, that these parts were
green in the GWR livery, is this correct?

Finally, the Perseverance suggests two powering options: DS10 motor with
the Romford 40:1 gearset or the Portescap motor gearbox combo. I realize
that the Portescap option is the way to go for the best performance, what
I want to know is whether the DS10 & Romford will give *adequate*
operation.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Tony Puig
Miami, Florida

e-mail: jp...@aol.com or tp...@miamisci.org

[Nigel Cliffe]

In article <19970222011...@ladder02.news.aol.com>, jp...@aol.com
(JPUIG) wrote:

> I am building a 4mm model of a GWR 48XX/14XX locomotive to P4 standards
> using a Airfix/Dapol body and a Perseverance etched chassis. I have a few
> questions that perhaps modelers in the UK who read this newsgroup can
> answer.

I can't really help you with the model, not being familiar with the bits
you have to hand.

> I also have a question about the livery used by the GWR on the 48XX in the
> 30's. The Dapol model I have is finished in the lined green BR livery and
> has the upper horizontal surfaces of the tanks and the footplate painted
> black. I am guessing, based on a few B/W photos, that these parts were
> green in the GWR livery, is this correct?

I can't confim it 100% - I've no photos to hand which would prove it.
However I think you are correct.

>
> Finally, the Perseverance suggests two powering options: DS10 motor with
> the Romford 40:1 gearset or the Portescap motor gearbox combo. I realize
> that the Portescap option is the way to go for the best performance, what
> I want to know is whether the DS10 & Romford will give *adequate*
> operation.

There are some other options around, which I guess were not available when
the Perseverance chassis was designed.

Mashima make some rather nice motors at around 12 UK pounds each.
Gearboxes are available from many sources, and many ratios. Branchlines in
Exeter (UK) offer quite a range, along with drawings and dimensions (and
they also sell motors). Exactoscale and Ultrascale both make superb gears.

- Nigel.

--
Nigel Cliffe, mailto:ncl...@hfnet.bt.co.uk BT Labs, Ipswich, UK
Opinions my own, they may or may not be shared by my employers

[David Murrell]

jp...@aol.com (JPUIG) wrote:

>I am building a 4mm model of a GWR 48XX/14XX locomotive to P4 standards
>using a Airfix/Dapol body and a Perseverance etched chassis. I have a few
>questions that perhaps modelers in the UK who read this newsgroup can
>answer.

>I have been told the Airfix 14XX is a good model, but that it has two

>problem areas, the chimney and the smokebox door. I purchased replacements
>from Puffers, but I think that their smokebox door is too small for the
>Airfix 14XX and it doesn't provide the hinge detail. Is a suitable part
>available from another source or do I need to scratch build a new smokebox
>door and hinge?

I built my 48xx using the same source: Airfix body and Perseverance
chassis just on 10 years ago, and it is still going strong. It took a
few more years to get around to detailing and upgrading the body, and
I think most of the components came from the Puffers range, possibly
some of them originating from Ian Rice who did an etched kit, also
marketed by Puffers. As far as I can recall, dimensional accuracy was
not a problem. I will go and check it again and follow up if there is
aproblem. The Perverance chassis runs well, contrary to what many of
the critics maintain. I think they are an excellent starting point in
compensation, accepting that the current trend is perhaps moving back
to springing in P4. I have about a dozen compensated P4 locos (all
GWR) and have been impressed with the ease with which they can be
assembled, especially so for kit built locos such as Mitchell or
Finney. All are Portescap powered.

>I also have a question about the livery used by the GWR on the 48XX in the
>30's. The Dapol model I have is finished in the lined green BR livery and
>has the upper horizontal surfaces of the tanks and the footplate painted
>black. I am guessing, based on a few B/W photos, that these parts were
>green in the GWR livery, is this correct?

No. The GWR tanks were black on top, as were the footplates.

>Finally, the Perseverance suggests two powering options: DS10 motor with
>the Romford 40:1 gearset or the Portescap motor gearbox combo. I realize
>that the Portescap option is the way to go for the best performance, what
>I want to know is whether the DS10 & Romford will give *adequate*
>operation.

Why opt for adequate when you can go for a "Portescap"? Compared to
the time and effort put into building a model to these standards it's
surely worth going for the best you can afford.

David Murrell

Sydney, Australia