FINISHING THE TOWER PRAIRIE.

A Step by step guide to painting and lining the ‘O’ gauge R-T-R- brass 45xx by Steven Lewis and Eddie Fisher.

In January of this year Tower Models introduced a ready-to-run G.W.R. 45xx 2-6-2T Prairie tank locomotive in unpainted brass. As supplied, the locomotive features a highly detailed body with excellent rivet detail, full backhead, compensated chassis powered by a Canon motor and even including couplings and sprung buffers. What’s more, you get all this for £399.99 that is a little more than the cost of a kit for the same prototype. This article details how to strip the locomotive down to its basic components, cleaning the parts, priming, painting and lining. It goes on to compare the quality of this low cost R-T-R item with equivalent kits from other manufacturers.

HISTORY OF THE PROTOTYPE.

Introduced in 1906 from a design by Churchward, which was a development of the 4400 class fitted with larger wheels. Used extensively on branchlines the 45xx was a versatile mixed traffic locomotive. A total of 75 locos were built and during G.W.R. days a number of modifications were carried out including extending the bunker, fitting steam pipes and a superheater. The first thirty locomotives (4500-4529) were basically identical with the last 45 locomotives differing slightly. The 45xx was a long-lived locomotive with 17 locomotives still being in service in 1961. Three locomotives are preserved these being 4555 (Dart Valley.), 4561 (West Somerset.) and 4566 (Severn Valley). Later developments include the 4575 (introduced 1927) and the 55xx class introduced as late as 1953, which were used for push-pull work. The small Prairies were classified by B.R. as 4MT tanks. It is not the intention of this article to give a detailed history of the class but suffice it to say there are plenty of books available giving full details of this superb workhorse.

BACKGROUND TO THE MODEL.

In 1996 Bachmann introduced a range of R-T-R brass B.R. Mk1 coaches. This was an interesting first for Bachmann for a number of reasons. Firstly Bachmann had not produced any British outline ‘O’ gauge models before. Secondly Bachmann didn’t actually make them. They were made in a Chinese brassworks that manufactured models for a number of companies in the States.

Graham Hubbard, managing director of Bachmann Europe P.L.C. had worked closely with the Chinese to produce a range of eleven B.R. Mark 1 coaches which were supplied ready-to-run in unpainted brass requiring only interiors, painting, lining and lettering to complete. They were an immediate success and Bachmann went on to develop a range of locos, coaches and wagons over the next few years. The range included Class 08, 24, 25, 101, 106 and 122 diesels, M.E.A.’s, H.E.A.’s and four petrol tankers along with a J94, 4F and a still to be released Crab.

In 2002 it was decided that as Bachmann were such a diverse company producing models in N, HO, OO, On30 and G that little time could be given to further develop this range. Graham decided to hand the marketing and development over to a specialist. Tower Models with 25 years experience as both a retailer and manufacturer of ‘O’ Gauge was an obvious choice.

David Brewer of Tower Models immediately set about re-issuing many of the now sold out Mark 1 coaches and in 2003 introduced the first new models in the range, these being a Super BG full brake and a G.W.R. ‘B’ set. The next step was to bring out a locomotive. Garden Railway Specialists had already developed a 45xx in standard ‘G’ gauge manufactured in the same Chinese factory. G.R.S. were good enough to let Tower Models use their research to produce the locomotive in ‘O’ gauge. Tower is very grateful for this assistance and hope to re-pay the favour in future by sharing some of their forthcoming projects with G.R.S. Tower are currently working on a G.W.R. 57xx Pannier and an L.M.S.

Jinty for release in the next year or so. Tower has asked to have noted their appreciation for the help they have received with these projects from Birmingham Railway Museum.

THE MODEL.

Steve Lewis pre-ordered the 45xx when it was first announced in 2003. He confirmed his order in January and took delivery a few days later. The locomotive arrived safely packed in a brown cardboard outer box. Opening this revealed a good quality red cardboard box. This in turn was foam lined and inside this a well made inner box which exactly fitted the locomotive. With this much care it is not surprising that the model arrived safely.

Removing the locomotive from the box revealed a very well finished and spotlessly clean model. Virtually no trace of excess solder could be found. Nothing was loose or bent and the locomotive looked like a quality build. Next came a quick track test. Straight out of the box and without any lubrication the locomotive ran very well from the word go. It happily ran around 6’ diameter curves and through a crossover formed from two Peco points. One siding had a five-foot diameter curve and this caused no problems either. Four coaches were then coupled to the loco and it effortlessly pulled them smoothly around the track. The layout has a one in twelve incline and even this did not slow the locomotive much. Very happy with the purchase Steve now decided to turn to Eddie Fisher for some help with finishing the loco.

DISMANTLING THE LOCOMOTIVE.

It took Eddie very little time to break the locomotive down to basic sections ready for painting. What follows is a description of Eddie’s method. It rapidly became obvious to Eddie that the construction of the model would lead itself to breaking down into suitable pieces. The cab roof could be removed, the body could be removed from the footplate, and the bunker complete with the rear of the cab could then be detached from the body (making painting the backhead much easier.) This would allow easy painting of the remaining sections and simple reconstruction.

At this point a second Prairie was obtained and Steve and Eddie each found their own way of doing things. Eddie is a very experienced modeller and wanted to obtain the best possible results. Steve wanted to find a quick and easy way. Both methods are now detailed and the reader can now decide which way he wishes to proceed.

DISMANTLING THE CHASSIS.

Turning the locomotive upside down remove the bogie and pony trucks. The body is fixed to the chassis by four screws. Remove these and the body simply lifts off the chassis. Steve did not dismantle the chassis any more than this and simply cleaned, primed and painted the chassis.

Eddie however decided to break the chassis down to its component parts. He proceeded by removing the brake rods by undoing the two long screws and de-soldering where they join the hangers. He then removed the wiring, unscrewed the lubricator which is held by a screw at the rear of the pump (this may involve unsoldering the front from the top of the cylinder.) and removed the horn blocks from the front and middle axle which are secured with eight screws. Eddie then pulled down the front and middle axles and slotted out the chassis between the middle and rear axle. It should be noted there is no need to undo the coupling and connecting rods. Next Eddie slid out the plunger pickups and removed the bogie and pony wheels from the axles simply by pulling them apart.

Eddie now had a pile of bits; Steve had a fully working chassis. Eddie’s cleaning and painting would be easier than Steve’s, but Steve would have nothing to re-assemble. This is the choice that has to be made. Once painted, simply reverse these instructions to re-assemble the chassis. If you follow Steve’s advice, just screw the body back on to the chassis and replace the bogie and pony in their relevant positions.

DISMANTLING THE BODY.

The cab roof can be removed by undoing the two screws located at the front and rear. Steve stopped at this point. Once cleaned and primed he could now paint the body and backhead without any further problems.

Eddie decided to break the body down to smaller sections. It is important to note at this stage whether the modeller needs to fit the outside steam pipes or not. If they are to be fitted it needs to be done now before the body is broken down. Simply fit the steam pipes in place and solder them to the footplate. There is no need to solder them to the smokebox. At this point make sure the smokebox supports are soldered to the footplate securely but free from the smokebox itself.

Now remove the fifteen screws to separate the bunker; cab and smokebox units from the footplate. There is no need to dismantle the body any further. It can be cleaned, primed, painted, lettered, lined and varnished at this point. To reassemble just reverse these instructions.

CLEANING THE COMPONENTS.

Again Eddie and Steve came up with different methods. Eddie used a fibreglass burnishing tool to lightly brush all the body and chassis parts. Cleaning is necessary as all of the brass parts are coated in lacquer. This prevents it tarnishing. However, long term it can also prevent sticking and paint can and will flake off sometime in the future if the lacquer is not removed.

Yet again, Steve went for the easy option. He took himself off to the local car accessory shop and bought a container of cellulose thinners. He then used an old container as a bath and dropped the body parts in to soak for a few hours. The chassis was cleaned using cellulose thinners applied with a brush and some cleaning with a fibreglass pen.

Both Steve and Eddie then thoroughly washed everything in soapy water. Washing up liquid is fine but if you have kept the chassis intact then avoid contact with wheel rims, pickups, motor, etc. The detergent removes any grease and any remains of loose lacquer. Now rinse the parts in clean water and allow the parts to dry thoroughly.

PRIMING AND PAINTING.

Both Steve and Eddie used a can of primer from the local car accessory shop. Steve had to hand paint most of the chassis (somewhat awkward behind the wheels but it can be done.) All the other parts could now be sprayed black. Eddie used Phoenix Precision Paints applied by airbrush; Steve used an aerosol tin of Railmatch. Once dry the black parts were masked up with low tack masking tape. This takes time and patience is required for a good finish but it is worth the effort.

Once masked up the remainder of the locomotive was painted green. Again Eddie used Phoenix B.R. locomotive green applied by airbrush whilst Steve used a Railmatch G.W.R. aerosol. The buffer, backhead, whistle, chimney cap, safety valve were all now picked out by hand with a brush. Eddie used Fox Transfers waterslide lettering and lining and Steve used H.M.R.S. Pressfix lettering. Both locomotives were sprayed with satin varnish and Guilplates number plates were fitted.

COMPARISON WITH 45xx KITS.

There are some railway modellers who only want models they have built themselves. Others don’t have the time or the skill to build a kit so would appreciate a ready-to-run locomotive such as the Tower prairie. However it was felt necessary to compare the Tower 45xx with currently available quality kits. Although there are others available, the two most obvious choices would be Springside and Malcolm Mitchell.

The Springside prairie kit includes wheels (Springside’s own), a Buhlar motor, gears, sprung buffers and couplings. The chassis is in heavy milled brass; the majority of the body parts are cast white metal with milled motion. The kit is now around fifteen years old and is tried and tested. Construction would suit a modeller with limited experience and is straight forward. The finished model is heavy and therefore has good traction. Finished overall appearance is good and it seems to be accurate. The kit has a recommended price of £365.00

On the downside the Buhlar motor is no match for the Canon in the Tower prairie and to replace this with a Canon gearbox motor would cost £65.00, taking the finished price to £423.00. This would make it £30.00 above the price of the Tower brass locomotive.

The Malcolm Mitchell 45xx is mainly brass. It would be difficult to fault the quality of the castings in this kit and the overall accuracy appears excellent. However, this is not a kit for a beginner. Building is fairly slow and requires a reasonable level of skill. The kit does not include wheels, gears, motor or couplings. The basic kit costs £230.00 (wheels, couplings and Canon gearbox motor add a further £129.00 making a grand total of £359.00)

On the downside this kit requires you to roll your own boiler (or pay someone else to do it.) Given the fairly high price this is quite surprising considering most budget priced kits now include pre-rolled boilers. So if you buy the Mitchell kit you will save £40.00 against the price of the Tower Brass. However, this price comparison is only fair if you intend to build the kit yourself, and you didn’t value your time. If you expect to have it built professionally you can probably double the price of the complete kit and painting will probably cost extra. So you pay your money and take your choice.

CRITICISMS AND CONCLUSIONS.

The only thing that Eddie and Steve could fault on the Prairie was the chimney and safety valve. It is not that they are bad, they could just be better. But it is simple to cure if it bothers you. Springside produce an excellent copper topped chimney for £6.95 and a superb brass safety valve for £10.95. So for less than £18.00 this very minor problem can be easily remedied. Another really minor point was that on one of the two locomotives the vacuum pipe was right next to the coupling on the rear buffer beam making coupling a little difficult. This was cured in a couple of minutes with a soldering iron. But this is all Eddie and Steve could find to fault, it is minor, certainly will not bother many people and can be easily altered.

To sum up, the Tower Brass Prairie is superb value for money. When tested on Rainhill Model Railway Club’s layout it ran successfully around four-foot radius curves and performed smoothly and virtually silently. All members present at the time were impressed with the quality of the finish and the smooth running. Last word should perhaps go to Pete Waterman who when he had chance to inspect one commented, “It costs £399.99, you take it out of the box and it works, what more can you ask.”