Mol_PMB Posted February 6 Author Posted February 6 Here's the next section of the instructions, as far as I've got in reality! Making an E401 - the bonnet top and exhaust cowl.pdf Busy day at work tomorrow, but I'll try and finish the last two steps of bonnet plumbing after work, and then I'll have some model photos to illustrate those stages too. The next build stage after that is the cab. When I received the etches today, I actually got an etch and a half. It looks like there had been some sort of production problem with the first one and so they had re-run the job. They sent me the duff bit anyway, nicely gift-wrapped! The full etch I received was perfect, but I also have a free spare bonnet etch. So I do have the option to repeat everything I've done so far but with some of the other design options, such as the later grilles and no exhaust cowl. I get the impression a few people might be tempted to build one of these for themselves. Possibly one or two others might like me to build one for them. And there have been noises (OK, whispers) about a 7mm scale option. Early days yet, let me get a complete prototype first. I'm sure we can work something out. I have a full time day job so there are limits to what can be offered. Cheers, Mol 6 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 7 Author Posted February 7 Some more progress to report. I have added the plumbing to the bonnet: And I have made a good start on the cab: Next job is the cab headlights. I have also found the first mistake in the etch. Fortunately it's a minor one and easily corrected. 12 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 7 Author Posted February 7 I've got the cab assembly virtually completed now, and we can begin to see what the loco's going to look like. The cab headlight parts turned out to fit perfectly and were much easier than I expected. They were a tricky detail to reproduce. Tomorrow, the footplate and frames... 8 6 Quote
Horsetan Posted February 7 Posted February 7 On 6/2/2025 at 8:29 PM, Mol_PMB said: ...I get the impression a few people might be tempted to build one of these for themselves. Possibly one or two others might like me to build one for them. And there have been noises (OK, whispers) about a 7mm scale option. Early days yet, let me get a complete prototype first. I'm sure we can work something out. I have a full time day job so there are limits to what can be offered. I'll only bother you for one if you decide to try doing the "421" variant, so you're quite safe 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 Attached are a completed set of the bonnet top instructions (including the plumbing) and a newly-written set of instructions for the cab. Making an E401 - the bonnet top and exhaust cowl.pdf Making an E401 - the cab.pdf Now I can start work on the footplate and frames. 3 Quote
MD220 Posted February 8 Posted February 8 14 hours ago, Mol_PMB said: I've got the cab assembly virtually completed now, and we can begin to see what the loco's going to look like. The cab headlight parts turned out to fit perfectly and were much easier than I expected. They were a tricky detail to reproduce. Tomorrow, the footplate and frames... This is looking fantastic. Great job! 2 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 This morning I've done most of the footplate and fuel tank subassembly. Quite pleased with how this has worked out, especially the steps. I still need to tackle the cosmetic frames and a few other details, as well as writing the next chapter of the instructions. However, I couldn't resist bolting together the main parts to see how it looks. I'm sure there will be some more fettling needed but this gives the right sort of impression I think. 8 7 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 44 minutes ago, jhb171achill said: Outstandingly good! Many thanks. I have to confess this is going together better than I expected. There are a few minor issues I would change with the benefit of hindsight but nothing major so far. Just waiting on IRM to piss on my chips with an RTR version! Seriously, I don’t think there will ever be a mass market for an E401 but maybe there’s a handful of people on here who might be interested in making one, and I could mention it on RMweb I suppose. Once I’ve finished the body kit I will have to develop the chassis. Several options and that will depend on who is interested and what gauge they are working in. 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 I’m idly wondering what to do next. NIR 1 class is another notable gap to fill, but the lack of dimensions and drawings is a problem. Something else built at Inchicore at the same time as the E401s? Very niche but arguably better than 36001. 1 Quote
exciecoachbuilder Posted February 8 Posted February 8 7 hours ago, Mol_PMB said: This morning I've done most of the footplate and fuel tank subassembly. Quite pleased with how this has worked out, especially the steps. I still need to tackle the cosmetic frames and a few other details, as well as writing the next chapter of the instructions. However, I couldn't resist bolting together the main parts to see how it looks. I'm sure there will be some more fettling needed but this gives the right sort of impression I think. Wow, fantastic. Well done. 1 1 1 Quote
flange lubricator Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Looking great certainly brass gives very sharp detail compared to other materials very interesting thread any thoughts on what motor and chassis yet 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 9 Author Posted February 9 8 minutes ago, flange lubricator said: Looking great certainly brass gives very sharp detail compared to other materials very interesting thread any thoughts on what motor and chassis yet Thanks! I know what I'm going to do for my own model(s) and can make this available for others. That will be an etched chassis with the capability for fitting hornblocks and suspension/compensation for 21mm gauge. Designed for use with High Level motor/gearbox but I'm sure there are other options. It will also be buildable for 16.5mm gauge and I can include 2 sets of frame stretchers to suit the different gauges. I think fitting in the power transmission as well as the hornblocks will be difficult in 16.5mm gauge but I'm sure there's a way! I think a cheap and reliable RTR solution for 16.5mm gauge is the Fleischmann V60 chassis. I've now purchased an old one of these although I haven't got it yet. I will check that it fits and design some brackets to mate it to the loco body. An option that's intermediate in cost, complexity and fidelity is a custom BullAnt chassis based on their diesel motor bogie. Unless the V60 turns out to be unsuitable, I won't be taking the lead on the BullAnt option but if someone else wants to try this out then I'm happy to help. 1 1 Quote
Galteemore Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Fabulous stuff and you obviously have real skill as a kit designer! You should be well pleased at how this is turning out. 1 2 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 9 Author Posted February 9 I've been making some progress on the frames this afternoon, though I'm not going to get them finished today, which had been my target. Some of the details are a bit fiddly: the spring hanger brackets seemed to be particularly prone to pinging off somewhere and being eaten by the carpet monster. Fortunately I had forseen this and included some spares on the etch! They look neat when done though. I've also put some strips of lead flashing into the fuel tanks which have added a useful 25g to the weight. The underside now looks like this. By design, there is a compromise in the position of the frames - they ought to be about 2mm closer together in reality, behind the buffer centres. In the model, the combined effects of 21mm gauge wheelsets with slightly overscale width treads, the extra sideplay needed for a 3-axle loco on trainset curves, and the need for the wheels to be electrically insulated from the frames, all meant that I had to place the frames a bit further apart than the prototype. That does have the secondary advantage of the buffers not being directly aligned with the frames, thus enabling sprung buffers to be fitted. However, for a 16.5mm gauge model the frames could perhaps be placed closer together. I've now started playing with the axlebox castings. These are intended for LMS Ivatt tenders and they are the closest I could find, but they're a little bit too deep and wide for the E class. I'm sanding them down to fit. Combined with the frames being slightly further apart, the axleboxes seem to stand out a bit more than on the prototype, but I hope it won't be too noticeable when complete and covered in some grime. There are still quite a few fiddly details to add to the frames and footplate; this stage is taking longer than expected but I'm still pleased with how it's looking. 12 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 9 Author Posted February 9 Axleboxes soldered in place, and wire fitted for spring hangers. That's all for this weekend, there may be more tomorrow evening. 7 Quote
Horsetan Posted February 9 Posted February 9 7 hours ago, Galteemore said: Fabulous stuff and you obviously have real skill as a kit designer! You should be well pleased at how this is turning out. The thing I find difficult is getting the CAD software to work. Quote
Galteemore Posted February 9 Posted February 9 14 minutes ago, Horsetan said: The thing I find difficult is getting the CAD software to work. I’m more of a bounder myself 1 Quote
Horsetan Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Just now, Galteemore said: I’m more of a bounder myself "The worst kind of swine", etc 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 A quick reassembly to pose with a couple of trucks. Looks big compared to the van, but they were, as shown in Ernie’s photo: Suppose I’d better turn it round… 10 4 Quote
Westcorkrailway Posted February 11 Posted February 11 It’s a shunter id love to have despite the inherent ugliness 2 E class were tried on the west cork. One of them failed before it even got to courtmacsherry and the other deemed a failure 1 Quote
Horsetan Posted February 11 Posted February 11 8 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said: ....2 E class were tried on the west cork. One of them failed before it even got to courtmacsherry and the other deemed a failure So, a 100% result there! 2 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 53 minutes ago, Westcorkrailway said: It’s a shunter id love to have despite the inherent ugliness 2 E class were tried on the west cork. One of them failed before it even got to courtmacsherry and the other deemed a failure Do you happen to know which ones? I know E414 spent some time working in Cork and E410 was trialled at Fenit. Quote
Westcorkrailway Posted February 11 Posted February 11 From memory it was E404 that failed at crossbarry and E411 that actually got to courtmacsherry but seemed to be not practical 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 That’s interesting. I had seen a reference to E404 in Cork but not seen any photos. If E411 was down there as well then there were at least 4 different locos in the south west in the silver era. Probably not all at the same time, but it does indicate they got about a bit more than people might expect. 1 Quote
Westcorkrailway Posted February 11 Posted February 11 E414 was one anyway. I can’t remember the photos I have of others 1 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 3 hours ago, Westcorkrailway said: E414 was one anyway. I can’t remember the photos I have of others If you do have any photos of the E401s outside Dublin, or can point me towards where they are published, I’d be very interested. I’ve seen 4 pics of E414 in Cork, and one of E410 at Fenit. And E407 I think at Newbridge. All are referenced in my photo list spreadsheet upthread. Otherwise they’re all in Dublin area. Cheers, Mol Quote
Westcorkrailway Posted February 11 Posted February 11 looking at some of my photos tonight E417 is another one for your list 1 Quote
jhb171achill Posted February 11 Posted February 11 (edited) On 11/2/2025 at 5:28 PM, Mol_PMB said: If you do have any photos of the E401s outside Dublin, or can point me towards where they are published, I’d be very interested. I’ve seen 4 pics of E414 in Cork, and one of E410 at Fenit. And E407 I think at Newbridge. All are referenced in my photo list spreadsheet upthread. Otherwise they’re all in Dublin area. Cheers, Mol E's are not generally associated with Cork - either type of them. I saw E425 in Limerick once, I think about 1975. As for the E401s, there WERE more sightings of them than one might think down in Cork, both at Glanmire Road and Albert Quay. Something in the back of what little grey matter I have left suggests E's making various forays down the DSER at one stage, probably to Shelton Abbey - where even a G was to be seen for a short time. Edited February 12 by jhb171achill 1 Quote
MD220 Posted February 12 Posted February 12 E428 was based in Limerick for quite a while and I've seen photos and film footage (on the IRRS YouTube channel I believe) of 429 shunting oil wagons in Cork. 2 Quote
Mol_PMB Posted February 12 Author Posted February 12 Agreed, E428 was allocated to Limerick from 1962 to 1974, possibly substituted by another of the class from time to time. I've seen several photos of E428 in Limerick. Incidentally here's two shunters together at Limerick: https://www.flickr.com/photos/irishrailwayarchive/53445965287 Also, two E421s went to Cork around 1962: E422 and E429. E429 was based there until 1974. I've seen photos of both of those in Cork. I think it was E421s that worked at Shelton Abbey, though I haven't seen any photos. However, for this thread, it's the E401s I'm more interested in. It seems that several of them were used in the Cork/Kerry area in the 1958-1962 period. E414 appears in several photos from that period, including this one from Ernie: We can also add E403 to the list, here it is shunting at Rocksavage in a photo in the NLI archive: https://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000304718 3 Quote
Westcorkrailway Posted February 12 Posted February 12 I was looking for that NLI photo last night! The one other photo I can’t find but I wasn’t to check is an Ariel photo of Kennedy quay where an E class can be seen shunting in the runaround. 1 Quote
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