HOW TO SCRATCHBUILD A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE IN ‘ O’ GAUGE
PART THREE
With assembly of the Fowler ‘Compound’ 4‐4‐0 locomotive completed last month, Jim Smith turns his attention to the tender.
This final instalment details how the Fowler tender was fabricated from brass sheet, using similar techniques to those outlined in the previous two parts (see MR317 and MR318).
Once again, the process of building a working locomotive from simple raw materials may seem daunting but, when split into simplified stages, it’s not beyond modellers with an average level of practical competence. Accuracy is important, ensuring that the chassis frames are square and that the wheels and axles are correctly aligned.
Employing printed scale drawings, obtained from the Gauge O Guild, and with the help of books and reference images, makes it easier to get the parts cut and shaped to the correct dimensions, but there’s also a fair bit of trial and error involved, too.
PHOTOGRAPHY: JIM SMITH, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED
What you will need
SHOPPING LIST
◆ 0.5mm brass sheet, ¼in brass hexagonal rod, various brass strip, angle and wire
◆ Nuts and bolts Availability: Model/hardware stores
◆ Wheels, axles and bearings, buffers, cast metal axleboxes, springs, brake columns, tank vents, vacuum hoses and other detail fittings Availability: Slater’s Plastikard &
LG Miniatures Web: www. slatersplastikard.comand www.lgminiatures.co.uk
TOOLS
◆ Scriber
◆ Fret saw or powered band saw
◆ Needle files
◆ Tweezers and pliers
◆ Set square
◆ Steel rule
◆ Drill and bits
◆ Tap and die set
◆ Soldering iron and equipment
◆ Calipers and dividers
◆ Clamps