GRS Kerr Stuart Kit Build

[Hobo]

In case anyone's interested, I thought I'd present a battery loco conversion based on a GRS kit rescued from evilBay and a Toytrain "Otto" chassis.

First job was to dismantle and fettle the already started GRS kit parts before tackling the chassis.
Here's the chassis being worked to fit the new body and pony truck;

Before stripping down ready for the paint shop

Then the body assembly was started. I've gone for on-board batteries which go inside the (removeable) saddle tank, the square section supports are to hold the tank base in position, take the weight of the batteries and support the white metal cast chimney which will be atop the plasticard smokebox.

Here's the smokebox with L section added to secure to the running plate being trimmed to fit the toytrain chasis.

The loco starts to take shape - I hadn't tried removing the steam dome and filler cap for fear of damaging the saddle tank, but this was to change (I didn't like the dome!)

I do like the backhead detail with the GRS kits. The reverser was missing from my aquisition so I replaced it with one from a Playmobil loco, and added some Cambrian "bits" in the cab.

Here's the chassis back from the paint shop and reassembled,

and the cab gets painted

The dome was removed and filler repositioned (without too much hassle) and the smokebox detailed and painted.

And it's all taking shape - primed for paint!

and fresh from the paint shop

The controls are simple Fwd/Off/Rev 3 position switch and a Cambrian speed controller circuit

Suitably disguised!

and here's how they work....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9deXfMwBuo

 

[jameshilton]

That's a great set of photos and shows the build well - thanks for sharing. She looks great! I might be tempted to paint the brake mechanism black if she were mine though
How much cutting/shaping/filing is involved with these GRS kits? Have you considered a more sophisticated control circuit? How long do you get from the battery?

 

[ge_rik]

She's turned-out really well, lovely paint-job - thanks for the photos showing the construction.

I like the way you've disguised the speed control knob - neat!!

Rik

 

[Hobo]

Thanks very much guys, your feedback is muchly appreciated
James I think you're right about the brake gear. I left it as an experiment to make her underparts look "busy" (as we know, black tends to make detail disappear), but they do look a bit too stark so I'll tone them down.
As for more sophisticated control, I just used what I had since "times is 'ard guv" and she's not destined for much work - just there really for a quick fix when I don't have time for a steam-up or the diesels don't do it
The GRS kits go together pretty well all things considered and are just ripe for detailing (again something I've kept basic on this loco).
Battery life? at the moment quite short thanks to that Bueler motor, but plans are afoot to replace it as I did last time I used a Toytrain chassis..... watch this space

 

[3Valve]

Nice

 

[persistent_bodger]

Really nice, I think this is one of the best looking GRS locomotives. I think I might have bid on this item when it was listed on ebay. You can get some really good buys, even if they're not put together well the robust nature of the kits makes them easy to disassemble and rebuild. You've made a really nice job of it

best
Tim