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New Aster 9F (from newsletter)

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#41 ·
Customers in the UK may wish to check an excellent announcement on

http://asterhobbies.co.uk/

Anyone located in the UK who wishes to record their interest in a possible purchase should get in touch in the usual way. There is no obligation either way and if you have already given an 'expression of interest' then you do not need to do so again.

I do not know what the distribution arrangements will be for customers outside the UK. I am sure details will follow shortly.

Happy Christmas!

AsterUK
 
#43 · (Edited)
Yes, black only.

Of the 251 members of the BR class 9F, only one was painted green with orange / black / orange lining. This was 92220 Evening Star. Aster made this model in 2007 and it was a great success. They also made an example in plain black with double chimney. The black loco was identical to the green loco with the exception of colour.

The latest 2018 version has a single chimney and different tender and looks distinctly different, so Aster Hobby Co will keep their 2007 limited edition integrity.

Whatever Aster do in their new relationship with Accucraft is something I may have less input into. I hope they will respect earlier Limited Editions.

AsterUK
 
#44 ·
Andrew,

I like that price if it is right. If it gets the thumbs up then I already have the cash in the bank. A genuine UK freight loco.

Hope you do get to put some input into the joint venture. Without yours and others there would not be such a good selection of models from the UK. Maybe there could be a joint redesign of the Accucraft "Black 5" with piston valves. Who knows !.

DougieL
 
#45 ·
Hi Dougie,

If present Exchange Rates hold then a UK price with tax of less than GBPounds 4000 should be valid. Fingers crossed.

We wait here expectantly to see what Aster / Accucraft have made for us. The kit is sure to look and feel 'different' from regular Aster Hobby Co productions but 'different' is OK. Remember some parts are made in China and other parts in Japan. Until we get our hands on these sample kits, which I am assured have been randomly selected, we wont know.

The 'vibe' from Mr Bing (Accu) and Mr Fujii (Aster) says that it's going to be good!

Seasonal Regards to all.

AsterUK
 
#48 ·
My new project, and curious question

The kits were just delivered to Union City yesterday, and I got the call. Picked up serial #3 and rushed home to check out the blue boxes! YEA!

Now for a question on markings. When reviewing the boiler casing, I noticed a prominent decal on both sides of the casing above the row of holes forward of the cab. This decal states "Danger - Overhead Live Wires". I have looked at a number of videos of the 9F and could not see this visible in any of these. I am surprised that this would make it onto the G1 scale model, in such a stand-out fashion.

I would assume that these warnings may have been installed as the tracks were getting electrified to prevent an engineman from an unpleasant surprise, but I could be wrong. Does anyone have an explanation for why this detail is as prominent on the kit?
 

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#49 ·
I would assume that these warnings may have been installed as the tracks were getting electrified to prevent an engineman from an unpleasant surprise, but I could be wrong. Does anyone have an explanation for why this detail is as prominent on the kit?
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The notices are standard for locos working under electrified wires in the UK, as you surmised - and not just as they were getting installed: forever after, i.e. until the locomotive was scrapped. In practice, there was very little overlap, as electrification was done after dieselisation, which was after steam power.

The 9Fs were the last breed built, so I have no problem believing they got the notices and worked 'under the wires'. There are a few freight lines that were overhead electric before the 9F came along, such as the Woodhead route over the Pennines.

No idea why they are so prominent, when they don't show up on other photos of the kit model!
 
#51 ·
Does anyone have an explanation for why this detail is as prominent on the kit?
Click to expand...
As Dougiel says, a few had the signs, presumably because they worked on/under electrified lines. However, I did come up with another explanation .

I know there are 2 working locos in restoration - "Evening Star" at the NRM and 92203 "Black Prince". (I was astounded to discover there are actually 9 examples saved from scrapping, though several are too far gone to restore.)
Anyway, to run in restoration they have to travel on the mainline which is now electrified, and therefore would have the decal applied. Maybe Aster/Accucraft took their prototype info from a restored locomotive which has the decal.

Anyway, it's a good theory until Andrew gets back to work next week and debunks the whole thing!
 
#52 ·
Pete Thornton said:
Anyway, to run in restoration they have to travel on the mainline which is now electrified, and therefore would have the decal applied. Maybe Aster/Accucraft took their prototype info from a restored locomotive which has the decal.

Anyway, it's a good theory until Andrew gets back to work next week and debunks the whole thing!
Click to expand...
Pete, This was my baseline thinking, unless of course the Accucraft guys had a few decals laying around that needed to be applied to something. :p

Overall the kit looks pretty good. Will be interested to put my 9F next to an earlier Aster and see the differences (other than the obvious double vs single stack).
 
#53 ·
Guys

Two kits arrived here Friday and first impressions are favourable. As predicted there are differences compared to a regular Aster kit but I have found nothing so far that sets off alarm bells. Remember, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

One feature that has worried folks is the quality of fasteners and O rings. These appear to be standard Aster issue.

One kit is going for rapid build by highly experienced builder David Stick. He will write a full magazine review. The second kit is going for a slower build to check through everything in detail.

All being well I would hope to have the first delivery of 9f's in January. UK customers should note that kits coming here will have no decals applied at the factory (including electrification flashes.)

Happy New Year

AsterUK
 
#54 ·
Pete, most of those pictures show the overhead warning signs including most of the single chimney variants. They are also fitted to the rear of the tenders. Therefore it is, I think, correct to assume they were fitted when built regardless of where the loco was based and whether it ran under overhead wires or not.

The preserved loco's would carry them as they were fitted when running for BR. Evening Star would have to be fitted as it did a stint on the mainline and it was compulsory for steam loco's to be so fitted when running on any part of network.

I think Aster Accuraft have got this right.

DougieL
 
#55 ·
Morning Andrew,

Roll on 2018 !!!!.

Thank you and Happy New Year to Bing San, Fuji San, Andrew and all others involved with this project.

Now, must try and get the A4 and 140 C finished. I think I may have a busy year ahead.

DougieL
 
#56 ·
Evening Star Blue Disc on Cab

I have a poster of Evening Star purchased in UK. It shows a blue disc under the number.

This blue disc is also on the Aster model the Evening Star. However, it is not shown on the Accucraft 9F model.

I believe that the GWR used a disc colored system to designate axle load.

I have two questions,

1. Did the Evening Star 9 F operate on the GWN but other 9F's did not?

2. I have the Aster RMN which has a yellow triangle on the cab. What does this designate?.

My BR 5 has neither a disc or triangle.

Gerald Pierce
 

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#57 ·
Gerald, the 9Fs allocated to Western Region had the GWR 'blue dot' route identification (axle weight) badge applied to the cabside like all western locomotives. It is nice to note that the only single chimney 9F to survive, No. 92134, is under restoration at the East Lancs. Railway and the boiler is nearly finished at Crewe.

The yellow triangle on the MNs denoted water softening equipment fitted. Actually this is a slight misnomer since the TIA (Traitement Integral Armand) chemical feed-water equipment actually caused the precipitation of the solids out of the water so they could be blown down. We use a similar dosing technique on Tornado today, a lovely mixture of tannin is added to prevent scale forming and this is then blown down or flushed out of the mudhole doors.

Graham.
 
#58 ·
Just a comment that the locos were in service for many years and run in restoration, so the decals, paint, and even the numbers can vary. (Yes, the preservation guys change engine numbers occasionally!)
 
#59 ·
Pete;

Those kinds of modifications happen on both sides of the pond. I can remember when a Reading T-1 4-8-4 became a D&H 4-8-4, complete with smoke lifters beside the smokebox. The occasion was the centennial of the D&H. Then there were the T-1 repaints for the American Freedom Train and the Chessie steam specials. Since I am a Reading fan, I am more aware of those modifications, but I suppose it has happened to other preserved locomotives in North America.

Regards,
David Meashey
 
#60 ·
...if we are talking about variants, apart from double/single chimney 9Fs there is always the *attractive* Franco Crosti boilered version left to do.....

Graham.
 
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dougiel
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