Dapol Austerity - part 1 introduction and references.

This is a very long term project, in fact I think that I started it at least 15 years ago... I tend to spend a few days working on it, get frustrated by the amount of work needed then put it away again for a few more months.

The Dapol (now Hornby) model isn't bad considering its age, but there's definate room for improvement as we shall see. Mine started life as the War Department liveried 'Warrington', the intention is to finish it as a typical hard worked poorly maintained workhorse.

I've converted it to EM using a Gibson conversion set, and having the correct pattern wheels alone make a big difference to the look of the loco. Coupling rods are from RT Models and compliment the wheels nicely.
Dome and water filler are also from RT Models, replacing the rather undersized moulded dome and extremely undersized filler cap. My model came with the fibreglass conical chimney fitted to locos fitted with an underfeed stoker, again RT Models supplied a cast replacement for the more usual type.
The moulded panel lines on the tank have been removed as I can't see any evidence of them in photos of the prototype.
The Dapol bufferbeams have seperate plastic overlays which have the wrong bolt pattern, so I fitted RT Models etched overlays, which also have the advantage of being significantly thinner thereby reducing the still overscale thickness of the bufferbeams. Before epoxying them in place I soldered Gibson buffers and Slaters coupling hooks in place. The bufferheads will be blackened and fitted after painting as per my usual practice.

The injector pipework below the bufferbeam has a rectangular strengthener moulded behind it, easily removed with a few minutes work with drills and files;

Note the rear of the chassis, as I don't use tension lock couplings I've attempted to reprofile the chassis block with a big file. Balance weights are included with the RT Models Chassis Detailing etch.

I've given the front of the chassis similar treatment;

 

At some stage I'll cut away the brakes from the keeper plate, again replacements are included in the RT Models chassis detailing pack.

Thats how far I've got with this project at the moment, there's a lot more to be done yet before I can even think about paint.

Some usefull reference material.

Magazines;
Modelling Railways Illustrated Vol.1 No.2 November-December 1993. An excellent profile article including superb scale drawings.
Locomotives Illustrated 61 - The Hunslet 'Austerity' 0-6-0STs.
Model Rail 179 March 2013. George Dent on detailing the Hornby model using RT Models parts.
Railway Modeller January 1986 - Ian Beattie drawing.

Industrial Railway Society publications;
Austerity Saddle Tank Locomotives, Industrial Railway Record 203
Continent Coalfield and Conservation - The biographical history of the British Army Austerity 0-6-0 saddle tank.

Books;
Hunslet Austerity Locomotives Spare Parts List. A reprint of an official Hunslet publication by Camden Miniature Steam Services.
British Austerity Saddle Tanks by Gordon Edgar, Amberley, ISBN 978-1-4456-3342--8

Almost every 'Industrial Steam' type book contains photos of Austerities as well, and Railway Bylines often feature them as well.

Paul.