Commission: Ruston in 7/8ths...

This 7/8ths scale (1:13.7) Ruston LAT has been assembled from a PDF Models kit. It's actually quite a small cute locomotive and has been finished in Ruston green, black chassis, with wear but looked after...

The model is fitted with radio control and sound, along with on board rechargeable NiMH batteries. It has been a labour of love to achieve a smooth finish on the 3D printed body and I've added a lot of extra scratch built detail including all the levers in the cab, bolt and rivet heads on the body, panel lines, the bonnet top plate and the brake shoes.

These photos were taken before the windows were fitted, and show the model which is finished in mid-bronze green over a black chassis, weathered and finished. It's a 45mm gauge model which is why it is perched awkwardly on my 32mm track!

The chassis bears witness to scrapes on the frame as well as rain washed dirt and brake dust. The buffer blocks are a little rusty and worn. The bodywork generally in good condition, a few rust spots and some oil leaking along with the odd patch where it's faded, but Ruston were not cheap locomotives and they would have been well looked after.

The cab includes a HGLW gearbox cover, fitted with a Model Earth tractor seat. The rest is scratch built in styrene and MENG bolt head details, knobs from beads, all based on photos of the prototype.

On the front the headlight has been plated over, and the Narrow Planet works plates finish the whole model off nicely. It's got a decent weight, sounds neat and should give years of service on it's new owners line. If you'd like me to build your dream model, in any material, scale and gauge, get in touch via the form on my website, Facebook or one of the forums. More soon...