Model description
Based largely on the ARM1G design this has a modified boiler with a working dome that feeds the remote safety valve and increases water capacity. The cab is mostly clear with a low mounted poker burner and the regulator below the footplate. There is no backhead as this is barely visible within the cab and would have pushed the cost up. This could be provided 3D printed in a high temperature tolerant plastic resin (at extra cost) if you really want it – I have not got round to modelling it yet. Only needs a driver figure & fireman to complete the effect. They would also help to hide the poker burner. It would be good to have the driver leaning out of the cab with a rotating head linked to the reverser so that he looks in the direction of travel – no prizes for the first to do it!
Like all of my current models this is entirely made of nickel silver with lost-wax brass castings made from 3D printed masters, copper boiler, thick walled brass gas tank and, in this case, cast-iron wheels. The boiler uses a single flue with a poker burner that is remotely adjustable for idling.
The model is radio controlled only – no manual option – it would have involved too many compromises.
See here for more details of the R/C system. It provides controls for the regulator, reverser, idling the burner and uncoupling. It also provides feedback on speed, boiler pressure, water level and battery voltage with warnings when pressure goes too high, or voltage or water level too low. The system is fully integrated at no extra cost.
Specification
Boiler 42mm diameter x 6.46" long, single 0.75" flue
water capacity 6.6 cubic inches - almost identical to the ARM1G design
regulator valve - radio controlled, mounted below footplate
Burner Poker type for 3/4" flue - similar to the Roundhouse type
secondary gas control valve for idling - radio & computer controlled
Gas tank Rectangular brass filling the bunker - approx. 2.8" x 1" x 1.5"
gas capacity 3.4 cubic inches - 60% of ARM1G capacity
primary gas control valve (on/off) - top feed
Cylinders ARM1G design - some improvements
2 x 11mm bore x 17.6mm stroke
remote reversing & variable cutoff via Southern valvegear - radio controlled
Alternative oscillating steam motor (OSM)
2 x 11mm bore x 12.4mm stroke Double acting, 1:2 reduction gear
remote reversing via shuttle valve - radio controlled
Radio controlled couplings
Construction - etched nickel silver sheet, lost-wax brass castings, customised transfers to user requirement
Painted to customer's requirement Operation
Unlike the majority of Gauge 1 locos which spend their entire time going round in circles (usually at excessive speed) this locomotive has been designed from the outset for use on an end-to-end branch line. Of course it can still do the above mentioned circles.
The objective is to remotely control the loco so that it can do everything that a real life branch line loco can do – e.g. running round the train at each end of the branch, shunting mixed goods at intermediate stations, waiting in “idle” mode for connecting trains at the branch junction station,
acting as station pilot – all easily done with an electrically powered model, but rarely emulated with steam power.
Availabile now to order
Note the radio control system is operated by a user supplied mobile phone or tablet
There is a strong possibilty that I may get round to producing a 1/32 scale version of this.
This is my most popular model – hopefully the 1/32 version will be even more popular.
My LMS PI Suburban carriage set kits for this will be available mid 2022.
SPECIAL OFFER – this 10mm scale prototype will be available for sale at the next show – see here for details.
References
Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LMS_Fowler_Class_3F
Hunt, Essery & Jennison LMS Locomotive Profiles No. 14 – The Standard Class 3 Freight Wild Swan The definitive guide
NRM Works GA drawings – also in the above book
Preserved locos – too many to mention – see the above Wikipedia page for current status and location
Downloads
Click here to download the following from Google Drive –
LMS 3F loco instructions pdf
LMS 3F loco specification
Common loco instructions – see below
Generic loco parts instructions pdf – see below
Southern valvegear instructions pdf – see below
Radio control instructions pdf – to be added later
Click here to download the punching rivets PDF from Google Drive and other common PDF documents
Click here to see my detail photos of the preserved LMS 3F – to be added later
Click here to see transfers – to be added later