5 inch Gauge 9F

[vulcanbomber]

I have started building a model of a Standard Class 9 (or 9f) steam locomotive. The model will run on a track of 5 inch Gauge, and will be around 6 feet in length with its tender.

The reason: quite simple really, I like big boys toys... and at the start of this summer I had a drive of EJParrots 3 1/2 gauge Lilla model. With me being a CNC machinist by day I have the abilities, the knowledge and the facilities to make just about anything. I also like learning and I will learn alot by the time the model is built. I will also have something to show for my efforts.


The Standard class 9 was the last class of steam engine built in Great Britain, indeed 92220 "Evening Star" was the last steam engine built in the class and also the last steam Locomotive built in Britain (Until Tornado and her boiler is German). The Class was designed by Robert A Riddles as a Fast, Heavy freight hauler and this it excelled at. The class was also found to be very good at express passenger services, it managed to run at 90MPH safely, at these speeds its wheels and valve gear are rotating at 8 1/2 times a second!
251 Locomotives were built, and 9 are currently still in existence in preservation, some are running some are not, They include 92220 Evening Star who now resides, in Silence at the National Rail Musem in York, 92203 Black Prince, who runs on the the North Norfolk Railway, 92212 who runs on the Water cress line in Hampshire, 92214 who runs on the North York Moors Railway. There is also 92134, 92007, 92119, 92240 and 92245 in existance either under or awaiting restoration.

I have made a start on the model but I haven't Photographed any bits of it yet, this I will endevor to do in the week some time and I will update this thread with them. I have drawings for the model, drawn by ex BR draughtsman Les Warnett but he's not made the model in the same way the real Loco was made so I plan to go one further and build the model in the same way the Original 9F was made.

[jma1009]

what a wonderful choice. les warnett was a brilliant model engineer IMHO and his 9F design plus a few others are superb. plus he knew his stuff about the fullsize locos. not sure how you can improve upon the les warnett design.
cheers,
julian

[ejparrott]

Lots Julian, the Riddle's 9F doesn't have great big gunmetal castings holding the buffer beams to the outside of the frames.....

[Deleted]

What's B I G, black and goes "clank" in the night ??---------- Yep, a slow 9F with shot bushes, hauling a loose freight of approx 100 mineral wagons past the back of my parents house at 3 in the morning when I were nowt boot yung scroat o' a lad --Appen !!( and I'm from Berkshire originally !! )...... Lovely choice matey !!--- Have a chat with PETERDEBEUS on this forum who's just finishing-off a Winsons kit one.....In my opinion building the Brits. was a waste of time (I know, I know--the 1950's..prestige loco, a time when the country needed "lifting", etc)---but the 9F was designed for BULK traffic at standard track speeds...A bit like the Concorde v Jumbo Jet scenario...PS}---does your avatar indicate an interest elsewhere ??----------- Welcome aboard, m'deario and do keep us posted ??

[vulcanbomber]

Nov 17, 2013 22:37:46 GMT jma1009 said:

what a wonderful choice. les warnett was a brilliant model engineer IMHO and his 9F design plus a few others are superb. plus he knew his stuff about the fullsize locos. not sure how you can improve upon the les warnett design.
cheers,
julian

Theres no doubting Les Warnett and his Design, there is plenty of 9f's around that run well and look brilliant.. However, things like the frame stretchers on his model are made from a casting which is not how the prototype was built, they were made from fabrications, these I intend to copy along with lots of other little bits.

[vulcanbomber]

I've managed to get some pictures of most of the (few) bits that I've done.

These are 3 of the 5 Brake beams, there made from 3 separate pieces silver soldered together, these need finishing off with a drilled hole in either end to take a split pin to hold the Hangers on.... this will become clear in a minute.




These are the Brake Hangers, I will hopefully finish these tomorrow evening, they have been milled from 1 bit of solid steel, and then the bottom diameter has been turned on a Lathe with the aid of a fixture.



Next picture is the Hangers and the Beams together, there is a £1 coin in the pic to give you an idea of the size.



This is the Rear Brake Shaft and its support Bushes, the shaft is 4 separate pieces, pegged to line everything up and then silver soldered to hold all together. The bushes are Phosphor Bronze.






Now onto a different part of the model, the next bits are all part of the Pony Truck, I am hoping to get the base of the pony truck soon as a laser cut plate, I will then, hopefully be able to put a few things together. These first bits are the Spring Beams.



Followed by the Lower Spring Seat.



The Horn Cheeks. These will bolt direct to the base, the Axle Box will then fit in the gap.



The Horn stays. These bolt on top of the Horn Cheeks to keep them in the right place.



These next bits are a Damper on the Pony Truck.



I have made a start on the Valve Gear, these are the Union Links.



I then got bored of turning and milling the small bits so I have done the Smoke Box Door Ring. (the smoke box door will fill the hole)



And these bits are the Buffer Heads and Buffer Stocks.




Hopefully thats enough to keep you going, I honestly thought I'd done more than that!

I'll do my best to answer questions.

Thanks for looking.

[Deleted]

That's a nice project you have chosen here Vulcan and some nice work going on.. I for one will be following your progress.. keep up the good work..

Pete

[jma1009]

beautiful work - well done!

i do like fabrications and your brake shaft and brake beams are superb!

cheers,
julian

[johnh]

Here's a bit of inspiration for you. This is our 9f at the end of a night run back in September. I'm looking forward to watching your progress..

John.

Attachments:

[ejparrott]

That's a really nice photo John

[vulcanbomber]

Nov 19, 2013 13:25:14 GMT ejparrott said:

That's a really nice photo John

2nded!

[vulcanbomber]

A little update.

This evening I managed to turn the last of the brake hangers.
The first picture shows the last one mounted on its fixture which is held in the lathes 3 jaw chuck and you can also see the grooving tool used to remove the metal.



And this Picture shows the bare fixture, the bolt is a standard 5mm cap head bolt, the diameter the bolt screws in is 6.35mm (1/4 inch) this located the brake hanger in the correct position to be turned.. The bolt used is very long, the bolt is the strength in the fixture not the location diameter, the fixture is only made of aluminum. You will then see that there is a peg close to the outside Diameter of the fixture, this is used to drive the Brake Hanger.

[ejparrott]

Eagle eye'd readers will notice the same lathe appearing in shots of bits of my engine being made....

[vulcanbomber]

Nov 19, 2013 21:24:32 GMT ejparrott said:

Eagle eye'd readers will notice the same lathe appearing in shots of bits of my engine being made....

Yes it is, its soon to be if it isnt already the most photographed Lathe in the world.

[Shawki Shlemon]

Superb work , I will keep an interesting watch .

[Deleted]

Nice to see someone's got a proper taper in the smokebox door ring !!Will the door have the correct design of sprung steel shape ??

[vulcanbomber]

Nov 20, 2013 16:54:05 GMT @4930hagley said:

Nice to see someone's got a proper taper in the smokebox door ring !!Will the door have the correct design of sprung steel shape ??

The door is half made (and looks a mess at the minute, hence no pics) its going to follow Les Warnetts design, but made of 1 piece not 3.

[peterdebeus]

Realy nice to see another 9F here, good luck with building! My boiler was also designed by less warnett .

[44767]

Hi Vulcanbomber,

You're doing a great job and I'm right there with you as far as using the modern techniques to make your model goes. Also I understand why you may want to improve on the Warnett 9F design. Don't get me wrong; it is a really great model design but as you pointed out it is not quite like the full size in the way it is built. I am designing and building the BR Standard class 3MT 2-6-2 Tank locomotive. I am having to purchase works drawings from which to design it as there is none preserved so photos and measurements can't be obtained. Therefore my model will be very close to full size in its construction. One of the first assemblies I'm working on is the front pony truck. Most of the parts for it were used on the 9F too. The only difference is the triangular frame was longer and of a different design on the 9F and the axlebox guides were bolted to it in a different way. Otherwise the other parts were common. Maybe I can help you with some castings I have? Here is the slide which is done in two pieces but when I produce more, the waxes will be joined before casting rather than machining and joining the castings to make the whole. In the background is the casting available for the 9F at the moment.





And here are the axlebox and guides




Here is the SolidWorks model of the pony truck assembly




Keep up the good work!

Mike

[marshall5]

44767, It is only partially true to say that no Std 3MT's were preserved as the chaps at Bridgnorth are building a 'new' one - 82045. Much of the chassis is complete and funds are now being raised for the boiler - progress can be followed on their website. Unlike some other 'new builds' this one is likely to succeed and will be a useful loco. I'm sure they will have all the drawings and would be happy to answer any queries you might have - it's a bit far from NZ to go and have a look. The 3MT will make a good looking model particularly if it was in 7 1/4!!! Regards Ray.