Planet Industrials: Post dated Peckett...

The Hornby W4 Peckett 0-4-0st was the ready to run model that started it all! Hornby taking a punt at an industrial prototype showed others that there was a market in the diminutive and often overlooked. Followed by a Hattons Andrew Barclay, and later the Hornby B2 0-6-0st the original W4 continues to form a strong part of their range and is a well detailed and lovely running model...

I have been toying with a Peckett project for a while, and finally bit the bullet. Regular long standing readers may remember I picked up a MSC liveried example in the early days but it didn't fit with plans at the time and was moved on. The latest acquisition is the plain black example with later safety valve bonnet - which best suits a post dating.

The W class was nominally a 13", later 14" cylinder with 3' diameter wheels. The number after W denoted the revision, Hornby's is quite an early example with wooden buffer beams and the early style cab. I wanted to replace the buffer beams and cab for starters but wasn't sure how Hornby had engineered their model.

I needn't have worried, the buffer beams are pushed and glued onto tabs, the cab also just glued into tabs in the cast floor. That discovered I've run a micrometer over the vitals and knocked up 3D artwork for a replacement cab with brass roof, and two options of front buffer beams. These will all be printed on the Narrow Planet resin Formlabs Form2 we use for the production Andrew Barclay cabs already in the Planet Industrials range. 

The cab will press into the original slots, although the strengthening tab in the cab lower sides will need removing. The buffer beams will push on the front, and the buffers can be fitted from the original Hornby offering. I will also etch a replacement front tank support, which although will be incorrect in outline, allow you to model one without wings. I'm thinking about options for a shorter chimney and safety valve, along with a cut down cab option, and one with later style windows as well. Until the prototype parts are fitted though, there isn't anything else to be done. Keep an eye out on the Planet Industrials page for more information as things develop... More soon...