Yellow Aster Porter in 009…

This tiny 009 model, the prototype of a forthcoming kit is now complete. It has been great fun working on such a variety of models over the holidays (N gauge project, H0 GP7 and this 009 model)...

It all started after Dan Quine's article in the review - and the model is a mix of 2D etch and 3D printed materials based around a Bachmann N gauge Percy chassis. The saddle tank and smokebox are one part, with a plug in chimney. The front buffer beam is two parts, the cab one part with etched overlays. Various details include the sandboxes, safety valve and cylinder tops, all 3D printed. 

These cruel close ups are many times larger than real life - the etched overlays on the cab allow full rivet detail and the separate parts in the 3D print allow these to be cleaned up before assembly. The saddle tank and smokebox are hollow to allow lead shot to be added to aid traction and improve performance.

The cut down cab allowed the prototype clearance at the mine under various gantries and conveyors, and those reasons make the model useful for other prototypes too - or just because you fancy something curious!

Here you can see the etched lettering on the smokebox, which is just about legible to the naked eye. It is these touches which show the beauty of blending materials. The 'kit' nature of the product is also good fun, a beginner could achieve the end result, but equally, the parts reward the care of more experienced modellers. I have finished the model in a dark grey with a smokebox painted in a lighter metallic grey. Weathered to suggest a hard working existence with water staining from the saddle tank filler and numerous rust spots, finished with soot from above in the airbrush.

To give you a feel for her diminutive presence, I also had this old Minitrains Plymouth on the bench, which is typical in height for 009 model. The Porter is 009, not H0e, and so will suit 4mm scale figures and would look great with some Minitrains skips or WD Models side tippers. The kit is now in production so should be available before Easter - keep your eyes on my Friday updates for news. Until next time, more soon...

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