SNCF 241.P "Mountain" steam locomotive, Kitmaster, OO Gauge

[Matt Bacon]

Another nicely detailed early 1960s kit of a big and impressive original! These beasties were the flagship steam locomotives of the SNCF (French Railways). Unfortunately, unbuilt complete kits are pretty rare, and command high prices on eBay, so to get this most unusual and impressive Kitmaster model on display, I had to resort to buying a built-up model. It was only missing one set of cab steps (and seeing how easily they are knocked off by the swinging rear bogie, I can understand why!), which I scratch built. It had been pretty reasonably painted, albeit in silver and olive green rather than the more prototypical steel and Brunswick Green:

 

 

Anyway, aiming for an "in service" but not "uncared for" look, I weathered it as though someone took an oily rag to the green bits every now and then, as befits a locomotive hauling Blue Riband expresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... yes, it is a big so and so...

 

This one really brings home the issues of OO/HO Gauge: the track suits 1/87 scale prototypes, but is really too narrow for 1/76 scale. On a big loco like this it's clearly noticeable that the body is really too wide for the chassis, and it would certainly look better with the wheels more outboard. The difference is 19mm in 1/76 versus 16.5mm in 1/87, which is pretty significant. Not much I can do about a pre-built model, but I have a few for which I have kits, and I might see if I can do them with a 3-4mm increase in track width... it's not as if they have to run on any layout!

 

bestest,

M.

[cobraman]

Well done. I never built a train model.

[grayghost]

Wow Matt this is killer.Super detail.

All ways loved the trains.

[XJ6]

Very,Very well done be nice to view a WIP on  magic Carpet made of steel ?

[Jim B]

Very nice looking locomotive.  Well done.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Beautiful engine. I love steam.

[Agent G]

SAWEET!

G