rebodying Stanier 2-6-4T

[Steve157]

Will a Fowler 2-6-4T body (L5269) fit onto Stanier 2-6-4T Chassis (R2635X)?

If so will it just interchange directly or does it require modification (if so - what do I have to do?)

Many Thanks,

Steve

[2e0dtoeric]

Probably a daft question, but why do you want to do that?

To answer your query, L is probably a Lima loco, and the R is of course a Hornby, but sorry, no idea! I've never tried it.

[Steve157]

 The body actually is Hornby (for R2224, I think), and the reason I want to do it is that I want to model a Fowler with the side windows (42395-42424). There is no model available off the shelf and the conversion kit seems to be no longer available. I have a DCC Stanier with side windows and a Fowler bodyshell without the side windows. I don't want to ruin the Stanier bodyshell in case I make a botch-up, so I thought I could make a conversion of the Fowler bodyshell and use the Stanier chassis to make the required composite loco.

[trainlover23]

Probably a daft question, but why do you want to do that?

To answer your query, L is probably a Lima loco, and the R is of course a Hornby, but sorry, no idea! I've never tried it.

No Hornby use an L prefix for some of their spares as well as S and X. Besides Lima never made a 2-6-4T in OO only an attempt at one in N

[LCDR]

 L prefix numbers were also used by Hornby to distinguish spare components.

 

R numbers are reserved for finished retail items but L,N,  S, X etc. prefixes could be found on all manner of spares. Screws were often S prefixes, but S was used for a variety of items, L prefix was often used for body parts. L7475 was for example a single chimney A4 body in blue.

 

We all know about X04 being a early motor (nowadays these are given four numerals so it would be X0004 if still made), and most of today's spares have four digit numbers prefixed X. but before production moved to China a lot of different prefixes could be encountered.

 

As to whether a Fowler body will fit on a Stanier chassis I think you may have a problem, as thelater  Stanier loco had a scale length chassis but the original Fowler was shorter than scale. I know that because I converted one into a Fairburn tank before Bachmann issued theirs and I was delighted to discover that the coupled wheelbase which was too short properly for a Fowler was just right for the Fairburn.

[Fazy]

Judith edge kits do a conversion kit. For the limousine cab Fowler. Did one last year. You could phone him or possibly get him on his topic page on RMweb. Its for the Hornby Fowler not the stanier.

 

 I think there's a pic of mine on here somewhere. 

[Fazy]

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[Steve157]

Thanks to all of you for your helping this poor newbie. Last evening I finally decided to try the logical step first and remove the body from the Stanier chassis and try fitting the spare Fowler bodyshell to it. Guess what ! - it fits directly with no modification !

So now I have to decide if I should disect the Stanier body to acquire the windows arrangement (which I don't really want to do, in case I mess it up and cannot replace it on my brand new DCC-fitted loco) or should I fabricate the modifications on one of my two spare Fowler bodyshells with Plastikard & Milliput as described in the Jun '81 issue of 'Model Trains' magazine.

I suppose what I really need is a spare bodyshell from a Stanier to cut up and use the windows from that, as that would not involve as much alteration as the Fowler. Unfortunately Stanier bodyshells seem to be as rare as hens teeth.

Thank you all once again. I am sure that I shall be asking all sorts of other silly questions in the future, now I have joined your marvellous Blog.

[Steve157]

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Thanks for the info about Judith Edge, I'll see if they have any in stock. A web search came up with none in stock, but that was posted in 2014, maybe they have more now.

Just as an aside about your model, which looks great (I hope I can get mine to look as good), shouldn't it have outside steam pipes, as it is in BR livery, therefore after 1948, when the outside pipes were fitted?

Please don't get me wrong! I'm not trying to be a nit-picker and I don't wish to offend, I am not usually a rivet-counter but it is just that I have been doing quite a lot of research on the Fowler 2-6-4T's and it was just an observation in passing.

[96RAF]

Good to know the bodies re directly swappable - good information that others may need.

 

With regard to modifying the bodies, I would take the least important body in terms of value or scarcity and have a go at that fist, then if the techniques pan out I would progress to the one I wanted to end up with.

[RDS]

Hi Steve and welcome to the Forum

Please do not hesitate to ask any question, however basic you think it may be.  I always work on the basis that if someone does not know the answer, it is a valid question.  

 

Your project sounds interesting and a lot more complicated than someone who describes themself as a newbie would usually attempt.  Let us know how you go on.

[Fazy]

No your needn't worry, it's not taken as nit-picking.  It's a stalled project  as it needs a xo3 motor (when i find one!) and windows fitting plus weathering. 

 

As for the steam pipes I'm pretty sure your right.  However I didn't realise the pipes were not on the body when bought, for the project. However I bought a white metal kit of the standard cab which as the pipes which will be used as a copy. Once I finish of all my black5! 

 

Out of interest the people behind the "Patriot Project" are planning to build a Fowler 2-6-4t limousine cab, once the Patriot is running.