LNER WD austerity 2-8-0

Another arrival today on Pix Valley is an ex LNER WD austerity 2-8-0, picked up yesterday at the exhibition a reasonable price from Keith’s model railways for £70.  One minor snag was the pin on the tender failed a small length of 2.5mm polystyrene rod purchased for the peppercorn A1 which suffered from the same issue.

After an hours running in this afternoon was spent stripping the loco and hard wiring a chip then fiddling it all back in the boiler, in any case its job done and tested. Running well just a few tweaks to the CV’s I’m considering investing in a SPROG II, but not just yet, if anyone reading has used one I would like feedback.

0-6-0 WD Austerity “Royal Engineer”

Finally it’s chipped and running, the name plates are fitted. Tomorrow is the 32nd Annual Model Railway Exhibition Etonbury Academy, Stotfold Rd, Arlesey SG15 6XS this will be my first show as a helper if anyone reading this is there say hello. Hopefully I can ge a few items off my tick list fingers crossed.

Rawcliffe delivers

Arriving today on Pix Valley is an ex GWR AEC railcar, unfortunately the driver was arrested at the MPD for carrying illegal passengers! The model is Lima which will be re-motored when the motor arrives from Finland. A DCC socket has been made ready for conversion.

0-6-0 WD Austerity “Royal Engineer” and new airbrush

My replacement Gravity Airbrush arrive this morning £14.98 how can they sell them so cheap? Saying that it worked a treat; 3 coats of green on “Royal Engineer”. Detailing the black on the smokebox and running plates took up most of the late afternoon. 

0-6-0 WD Austerity “Royal Engineer” the green engine

It’s into the spray shop for a coat of green paint. Two coats on the boiler one on the lower section and cab the inner seal in my airbrush split! Its to old for spares so I have had to order a replacement. You guessed the job is on hold. 

0-6-0 WD Austerity “Royal Engineer” pump and tank

The turned brass Westinghouse pumps arrived and has been fitted to the support bracket. An air tank has been fitted to the left running plate.

Tomorrow is Remembrance Parade I shall be paying my respects at my local war memorial, then off to IWM Duxford for their Remembrance Day opening, no modelling tomorrow.

0-6-0 WD Austerity “Royal Engineer” handrails and pipes

This afternoon new cab handrails to replace the moulded were made, first after removing the moulded rails and the end trued up a 0.5mm hole is drilled though the base and top where the wire rail will be fitted. Short lengths of ½ mill florist wire is pushed up through holes.

Also I removed the moulded pipe form the injectors and fashion a replacement fro the florist wire. 

0-6-0 WD Austerity “Royal Engineer”

Stripped the loco removed and modified the steps and repaired the damaged rear cab sides and bunker, dusted with a first coat of white from a “rattle can”. I need two “Westinghouse pumps” and four “Wakefield lubricators” I found some nice turned brass Westinghouse pumps on line so I’m waiting for them to arrive in the post. I guess that will wait ‘till the Annual Model Railway Exhibition in 3 weeks time to search for some detailing parts.

Name plate bracket fitted to the running plate and work is progressing on the air tank and pipe work.