Commission: Fourdees Leek and Manifold 009…

There have been a fair number of narrow gauge models through the workshop in recent months. Another pair of Fourdees examples were finished recently, L&M 2-6-4t Kitson in a freelance scheme…

This is not a straight forward ‘plonk’ on model - it is a kit initially designed by Dani for small batch production, and hence perhaps split into parts for painting/assembly rather than ease of construction. Despite this I find I’ve built enough of her models to understand the concept and thinking and can work my way around them in a way that suits me quite easily these days.

The models use the excellent Graham Farish class 08 chassis and feature etched valve gear with some 3D printed links and pins which can be a little fragile but I had no trouble with the four sets required here. The chassis side frames were a little out of shape but by gluing them to the upper frames rather than relying in clips, the deformation was all but eliminated. One of the advantages of a softer resin.

The kits really do capture the character of the prototype and I applaud the inclusion of various optional parts to allow you to model different periods, even stretching to a second body print with a higher coal bunker. My customer is planning a range of these larger models so he requested a custom livery, Ffestiniog green with dark blue and red lining. As I knew we’d be doing more it seemed sensible to have this printed from my own artwork as one piece decals - which have worked well and allowed a good level of consistency across his initial pair, and into the future. 

A fresh finish was requested so no weathering but a nice contrast between the matt black smoke box and the deep satin finish of the green bodywork.

If you’d like me to paint and finish a Fourdees kit, from any model in Dani’s range then get in touch for a no obligation fixed price proposal using the contact form here or via email on Facebook. In the meantime, more soon…

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