Whiff the Garbage Engine - OO Gauge

The long awaited project is finally complete, it has taken a couple of months to build the loco completely out of plastucard, using exisiting components and accessories from various OO kits and s/hand rtr locomotives. Whiff is the third model that has been built out of plasticard, the first model being Harvey the Crane Engine, who was then followed shortly by Billy the Tank Engine, who was built a couple months before i started the Whiff project.

I am really chuffed with how the model has come together, it has been a very enjoyable project to do, and i am pretty sure that this is the only model to exist in scale OO (4mm), Whiff's design is based on that of the LNER's Class X1 2-2-4 Tank Engine, No.66 was designed by Wilson Worsdell and built by Kitson in 1851 for the Great Exhibiton.

The model bascially uses parts from a Bachmann J72 0-6-0T, a Hornby M7 0-4-4T and some smaller parts from the old Hornby Thomas and Percy mouldings, it took time to get all the parts to make this model possible, and although there are still some parts to be done in minor places, the model is basically complete and ready to run.

Historic Information on the LNER No.66 'Aerolite' 2-2-4T

In 1854 this entered the ownership of the North Eastern Railway (NER) who used it to haul the Mechanical Engineer's saloon coach. This was completely destroyed in a collision in 1868, and a replacement was built in 1869. This new locomotive would eventually become the X1 No. 66 Aerolite, built as a 2-2-2 Well-Tank, but with extra side tanks and the number 66 added to the coal bunker.

In 1892, the locomotive was given a major rebuild which probably only kept the original wheel centres and a boiler from 1886. The wheel arrangement was changed to a 4-2-2T. The side tanks and bunker were enlarged, and the well tank was removed. In 1902, another rebuild switched the wheel arrangement from that of a 4-2-2T to that of a 2-2-4T. This resulted in the locomotive which remains to this day.

No. 66 Aerolite is preserved as a part of the National Collection in York at the National Railway Museum.

Images copyright © Daniel Snell

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to one and all.


Today has been very enjoyable, lots to do, great fun and games with the family aswel as some great new DVD's to enjoy, this Christmas, even though we are facing a global reccession, has been alot better than expected, yesterdays christmas drink with some of the boys down town was one i will never forget, as it was the happiest afternoon i have had in a very long while.

I've enjoyed the presents i got, my new Bachmann BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 in weathered lined green livery runs like a treat, these locomotives aswel as the standard fives look remarkable, and some also ran on the southern and western regions of the UK. Bachmann's attention to all the major and minor details of the models they produce never fails to amaze me, and i look forward to the many new models that they are set to produce next year, including the long awaited Peppercorn Class A2 pacifics.


Coming up in 2009, i have planned alot of new models for the 'Adventures On Sodor', series, and it is set to continue in early March/April from Episode Thirteen onwards, and for those who are wondering, Edward and Mavis are et to be featured, but when is uncertain at this time. Though i can say that some new characters are set to appear, those being Billy, Whiff, Hank, Stanley and a few other new engines that are currently in the works.

Arthur the LMS Tank Engine - OO Gauge

Arthur is based on a BR/LMS Standard Class 3MT Class 2-6-2 Tank Engine that was designed by Robert Riddles and built at Swindown Works in 1952. These particular engines ran on many western and southern branchlines throughout their working lives and some forty-five locomotives were entered into service from Swindon. Hornby Railways produced a model of the 82000 Class 3 Tank Engines, which has sadly, been discontinued in the range since the early 90s, but, there are hopes that a new re-tooled model will be proudced sometime in the near future.

Historical Information about the Swindon Built Tanks

The genesis of the Swindon-built Riddles Class 3 engines (82000 prairie tanks and 77000 moguls) is somewhat different from that of many of the other BR Standard designs, which were essentially developments of LMS types. As no existing LMS boiler was available which would suit a Class 3 loco, it was decided to use a slightly adapted version of the Swindon No.2 boiler (the barrel was shortened by 5 13/16 inches) as fitted to the GWR Large Prairie and 56XX 0-6-2 tanks.
The result was a neat, well-proportioned tank loco and an (arguably) elegant mogul. It is true to say that both types displayed a certain originality of design, and they may be regarded as Swindon's final fling with steam.
The 82000 class started to appear in 1952 and worked on branch line and secondary main line duties, widely distributed throughout England and Wales. The locomotives were destined to have a short life - not in any way due to their own shortcomings but simply because they had come along too late in the day - and unfortunately were prematurely taken out of service and all scrapped in the final years of British steam.

There remains in certain quarters the opinion that the Riddles Class 3 tanks were not very good engines, though this is not borne out at all by many of the men who worked on them. They were generally welcomed wherever they were sent - allegations of poor steaming were ascribable to poor shed maintenance - and what is particularly telling is that the hard-bitten GWR crews of Machynlleth after initial hostility came to accept them as worthy replacements for the 45XX and 55XX Small Prairies they had driven and fired for so many years and achieved some fine performances with them over the Cambrian, almost until the end of steam in that area.

These Locomotives were built for light passenger work and were derived from the GWR 6100 Class with almost identical boilers.They were later developed into the 7700 Class. Forty-Five engines were built at Swindon. They were mainly based on the Western and Southern Regions.


Images are copyright © Daniel Snell

Neville the New Engine - OO Gauge

Neville the New Engine, is based on what can be called the last working mainline 0-6-0 steam locomotives designed by O.S.V. Bulleid for the Southern Railway Company in 1942. My model of Neville was made using a Hornby Q1 0-6-0 that already exists in the range, with some slight modifications, the removal of the southern 'C' number and the lettering from the tender, and the addition of the running number '33010', and a plaster moulded face which was formed using a basic latex mould from a trackmaster Neville model.

Historical Information on Bulleid's Q1 Locomotives

The Q1 was fitted with Bulleid Firth Brown driving wheels of 5' 1" diameter, the design first seen on the the Merchant Navy class. The boiler was the largest that would fit, using the boiler plates from a Lord Nelson class. The stepped light-weight external cladding was minimalist 'streamline' styling again, and not having running boards reduced the weight further. The 1942 design that emerged was the most powerful 0-6-0 steam locomotive that has ever run on Britain's railways. Powerful and light, the forty Q1s formed the backbone of the Southern's heavy freight capability.
Although built under the wartime 'Austerity' regime, which stressed functionality first, the styling can also be attributed to Bulleid's modern streamlined boxy look.

But this loco was also designed to be driver/fireman friendly, including an enclosed cab which both protected the crew and reduced the chances of being spotted by enemy aircraft. The tender's sliding shutters also revealed water fillers accessible to the footplate, saving the fireman from always having to go the top of the tender.

All of the forty Q1s were built during 1942; half were built at Brighton (C1 - C16), and half at Ashford (C17 - C36), there being distinct differences between the two builds. After the war the shed allocation varied in the main between Guilford, Feltham, Eastleigh and Tonbridge, and later Three Bridges; just a few being placed at Nine Elms and Hither Green sheds.
Most worked for over 20 years, though their war-time weight saving caused some problems in later life, when thin steel plates became rather porous. I have been told that in latter days some crews were instructed to shut off the regulator when entering stations, so that they didn't blow ash out of the sides of the smokebox on to passengers !
Bulleid's Southern Railway Q1 was a great success, the ultimate development of the British 0-6-0 freight engine, and remains the last class of 0-6-0 main line steam locomotives built in Britain.


Images are copyright © Daniel Snell

Harvey the Crane Engine - OO Gauge

This was the first scratchbuilt model i had ever done, again using plasticard and a few useful bits and bobs from some donor locos.

This little locomotive was built by Dubs & Company at Glasgow Locomotive Works as their number 4101 in 1901 and was delivered was made to Shelton Iron & Steel Works Limited, Stoke-on-Trent. It was purchased for preservation in April 1970 and was transported to Cranmore in September 1973. Harvey is numbered 27 in the television stories and has proved to be one of the more useful characters as he can work anywhere on the Island of Sodor. Like Whiff, Harvey's main body was formed and made using plasticard and a printed off computer template, the same method to build Harvey can be found by reading through Whiff's construction log, gluing the bodyparts together and letting them set.

The Crane arm is the hardest part of the model to form, and it took some doing to get it to look right, it's not so much the modelling of it, it's trying to glue it and make sure that is does not start to form small gaps that is the hard part, if you choose to model Harvey in this way, i would advise holding the parts together with glue for at least 5 - 10 minutes to allow it to properly bond, once that is done and you are happy that everything looks right, then comes the painting part.

A suitable chassis to use would be the Hornby 0-4-0 Caledonian Tank or a Branchlines Chassis Conversion kit for the Hornby 0-4-0 Caledonian Tank. Either way the body should nicely fit with a few slight modifications to the chassis, i would reccomend gluing the body onto the chassis if you do not want to just leave it sitting losely incase you need to clean or re-motor the model.

Harvey to me, is one of my more successful models, although the crane arm only moves by hand, it can be turned in either direction, some parts like the smokebox and safety valve were taken from a Wooden Railway Harvey model and the boiler of the Caledonian 0-4-0 Tank.


Images copyright © Daniel Snell

Bluenose - OO Gauge

Bluenose, was originally thought up after watching a few episodes of TUGS, the show featured a tugboat who had a strict attitude towards other vessels and belonged to a naval base somewhere near Bigg City Port. The idea was to base him on a steam engine instead of a harbour vessel, originally, he was to be based on a War Department 2-8-0 that had been designed and built by Robert Riddles, but i could not bring myself to buy a brand new model and start painting over it, so instead, i turned to a second hand model of a LMS 8F 2-8-0 instead, although it was not really what i had wanted for Bluenose to look like, it has actually turned out really well.

The 8F has a good hauling capacity, and it is tender driven (although i may look into getting a loco driven model in the future). The colour is World War One Blue, it looks nice and although none of the real life 8F locomotives carried this livery during their working lives, it seemed and suitable colour for him, i didn't really want to be painting him the same colour as Thomas or Edward, i had thought more of a dark grey at first, but, i stuck with WWI blue.

Bluenose face, is basically the Bachmann James version moulded in plaster, only with the nose modified and the eye-holes widened, it looks great and suits the model perfectly, i used this method with most of my models, you will see more faces also on Arthur, Murdoch, Patrick and many other models i have instore.

Images copyright © Daniel Snell

Whiff - OO Gauge, Nearing Completion!

This project has been going on since October of this year, and it is nearing completion.

I have read quite abit about the London & North Eastern Railway's Class 'X1' Tank Engine, known as No.66 'Aerolite', with thanks to the info on the LNER Encyclopedia website and some useful info found at the Exe Model Rail Society in Exeter.
It was quite tricky to make the body, since i have never built any models from scratch before, but this one has been a great challenge, it is abit of a shame that there is not yet any models of this particular class in the 4mm scale kit range, and it has been a rather enjoyable project, so i am very happy with the results and look forward to having it in good running order.

The Models Construction

The actual body aswell as the running plate, buffer beams and coal bunker are all made from plasticard, these were drawn onto the card using a scale template which was printed off on the computer, the templates were then placed carefully onto the card and using a permanent marker, i drew around the template, making sure that care was taken as it is a real pain to get permanent marker marks off if the lines become smudged. Once the lines were done, i then carefully cut around the lines using a craft knife, and also cut out the holes for the cab, front and rear, and also cut out the shape of the cab door/entrance.

Once i had cut out all of the plasticard bodyparts i then began to glue them together with some plasticard super-bond, making sure that each part of thr body was alligned and looked accurate, this took some doing, but eventually, all the parts gradually came together, so then, after letting the glue set, came the next part of the project, building the boiler.
The boiler was made using an old discarded pen tube from a permanent board marker, along with some useful bits and bobs from a Tri-ang M7 Tank Engine and a Bachmann J72 Tank Engine, from the J72 model, i used the smokebox and dome to make the accurate looking boiler as seen on the real life 'Aerolite' locomotive, originally, i was to use a Hornby 14xx smokebox, but it proved to be too overscale and when the wooden railway Whiff face was placed onto it, it looked truly out of line, and so, the 14xx tank smokebox was scrapped.
However, the J72 smokebox proves to be alot more realistic, the wooden Whiff's face, when placed over the front of the smokebox door mould, fit's perfectly, so it was decided that the J72 was the perfect donor for this project.

The drive wheel diameter of the X1 Tank Engine is 5ft 7.75in, i tried to find a suitable set for this project, and eventually, found that the M7 0-4-4T drive wheels were perfect, so after dismantaling the M7 chassis, the wheels and axle were then added to a chassis i had borrowed from a Titfield Thunderbolt kit, which was just lying around and not being used, this chassis is perfect now that it has the wheels i required to make it, the leading axle was borrowed from an old tender kit and the trailing bogie has wheels that were used on the Hornby James and 9F goods locos in the early 80s, these matched a magazine image i had of Whiff perfectly, so now, all of the chassis is just waiting to be motorised.

Painting the model, i used Railmatches 'Br Steam Locomotive Dark Green', (with thanks to SimierskiUK for showing me the railmtach precision paint range) and some HMRS LNER locomotive lining transferes, these have always come in handy when lining a model, i have often painted the lines on, but they more often than enough look terrible, so i stick with HMRS all the way. The Body was given four coats of Dark Green, which were allowed to set for a whole week, before lining was then applied, the tricky part with lining is that you cannot always change it once it has been placed on, so my tip is that if it looks off, paint over it and try again, it works, and is hardly noticeable...
Lining the tank body, cab and bunker was the hardest part of all, in the picture i have, it shows Whiff with a single white line and a thick black line running along the top edges of his body, these were done using the HMRS loco lining, but painting over one of the white lines with a satin black by Humbrol, this method took almost five tries to get right, at the time, i did not have alot of patience with the model, and itmesed up big time, so, i just had to calm down and do it carefully, making sure that my hand was kept steady when painting the black band to match the picture.

The running plate was painted with a spray primer and left to settle for two hours, when it was touch dry, i then painted the buffer beams a scralet red and the wheel valances were painted a dark reddish colour, i'm not too fussed about the colour of the valance covers, as they will be weathered once the model has ben motorised, same with the body and running plate.

So, there you have it, Whiff has come a long way and i am proud that my modelling has also come a long way too.

Season's Greetings to all

Welcome to the Thomas Modeller Blog.

This is the first time i have ever made a blog online, so i'm still trying to work out how to use and edit each of the new features here, this is where all new images and posts about the latest projects will be made, aswell as photos of my holiday's to Wales, East Anglia and much more.
So i wish you all a very merry christmas, and hope you all have a happy new year.