Dapol Kitmaster 9F as 92214

[Redstaff]

Hi

Although I'm a volunteer at a heritage railway, I'm not into model railways, so after a bit of a heads up on suppliers etc

I was given the later Kitmaster models of Evening star and City of Truro a few Christmases ago and this seems to be the ideal excuse to build one (or both if time permits). However I fancy building the 9F as a normal black loco (possibly 92214) and don't know where to get cabside and smoke box numbers etc. any help would be welcomed.

 

Many thanks

Ian 

[Dave Swindell]

10 hours ago, Redstaff said:

don't know where to get cabside and smoke box numbers etc. any help would be welcomed.

https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/index/?q=92214&scale=2235

https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/transfers/cabside-numbersets-for-br-standards-59718

https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/transfers/br-standard-smokebox-numberstes

[Redstaff]

56 minutes ago, Dave Swindell said:

https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/index/?q=92214&scale=2235

https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/transfers/cabside-numbersets-for-br-standards-59718

https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/transfers/br-standard-smokebox-numberstes

Thanks for that

I'll have a look later  

 

Ian

[PeterB]

Back in the 1980's when I did most of my railway modelling I always used the PC Pressfix/Methfix range for both locos and rolling stock. These are mostly still available through the HMRS site, though you may find the "normal" waterslide decs from Fox easier to use. If you do decide to model City of Truro you may want to get some etched brass nameplates and cabside numbers. Most of the old manufacturers seem to have stopped trading, but I bought the ones I used more recently from Modelmaster (ex Jackson-Evans) 

https://modelmaster.uk/17-4mm-00-gauge-etched-name-number-plates-steam who seem to have set up a new website recently and it is still incomplete. However I think Fox do have some as well.

 

Pete

[Deve]

18 hours ago, Redstaff said:

However I fancy building the 9F as a normal black loco (possibly 92214) and don't know where to get cabside and smoke box numbers etc. any help would be welcomed.

 

Steve at Railtec does options for custom loco sets - cab numbers, smokebox numberplate and shed plate on one sheet.  Far easier and cheaper than multiple Fox packs if you're just doing one loco.  Put the order in, you'll get a reply about what number you want and usually turn around is less than a week.  

 

https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=3637

[Redstaff]

17 minutes ago, Deve said:

 

Steve at Railtec does options for custom loco sets - cab numbers, smokebox numberplate and shed plate on one sheet.  Far easier and cheaper than multiple Fox packs if you're just doing one loco.  Put the order in, you'll get a reply about what number you want and usually turn around is less than a week.  

 

https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=3637

That looks like a much easier option, plus I don't have loads of extras that will never get used  

 

Thanks

 

Ian  

[Redstaff]

Right

Thanks for the help, decals on order from Railtec for 92214.

As there are a couple of Evening Star versions being built, I thought I'd build it with a different approach. As I'm a volunteer at the GCR, 92214 is an engine I have been privileged to drive and fire over the last 10 years it seems an appropriate choice. I've got plenty of reference pics and the engine is still in one piece awaiting its next overhaul, so let's see how accurate the kit is to reality 😀

Just need to stock up on black paint 😅

City of Truro is waiting in the wings if time allows. I was lucky to have fired this many years ago when it visited the GCR, so this will also have a connection.

Ian 😀 

 

[Mjwomack]

On 26/09/2025 at 18:40, Deve said:

 

Steve at Railtec does options for custom loco sets - cab numbers, smokebox numberplate and shed plate on one sheet.  Far easier and cheaper than multiple Fox packs if you're just doing one loco.  Put the order in, you'll get a reply about what number you want and usually turn around is less than a week.  

 

https://www.railtec-models.com/showitem.php?id=3637

I didn't realise that they did steamy things, always think of their diesel collection which is very good.

 

Good to see a black 9f in the mix, for sure.

[Redstaff]

Decals all sorted now from Railtec, the owner Steve is very helpful and has kept me in touch all the way through the process, thanks to @Deve for putting me on to his services  

He mailed me today to say that they are printed and on the way. I've made a little bit of progress in minor assembly and priming some parts so far, but nothing major, just the engine frames and tender wheels as they all need to be finished and painted before assembly can commence.

 

Ian  

 

[Redstaff]

Got some black paint laid down and some red on the insides of the frames and tender and pony truck wheelsets. After one coat on black the red looks grimy and oil stained as it should, so that's how it's staying. Main wheels are in black, awaiting the red axles then they can be fitted through the frames. Started picking out detail in the cab and I've realised that there's a lot missing, like seats and some more controls, also the floor is moulded as steel plate whereas the front section is wooden, so these things need to be addressed, there are no cab doors either which need adding as well if I can.

All in all though, it's quite enjoyable at the minute actually building something you have a personal link to.   

Ian  

 

 

[Mjwomack]

1 hour ago, Redstaff said:

All in all though, it's quite enjoyable at the minute actually building something you have a personal link to.   

 

Call me a soppy old sentimentalist but I think they're the best ones. Even as a spectator on others in GB I prefer the ones with a personal connection.

[Bengalensis]

22 hours ago, Redstaff said:

Got some black paint laid down and some red on the insides of the frames and tender and pony truck wheelsets. After one coat on black the red looks grimy and oil stained as it should, so that's how it's staying. Main wheels are in black, awaiting the red axles then they can be fitted through the frames.

Following with interest.

So, the inside of the frame on these machines where actually red (before some serious running of course)?

 

22 hours ago, Redstaff said:

All in all though, it's quite enjoyable at the minute actually building something you have a personal link to.   

20 hours ago, Mjwomack said:

Call me a soppy old sentimentalist but I think they're the best ones. Even as a spectator on others in GB I prefer the ones with a personal connection.

Agreed, those builds are often the best,

[Redstaff]

1 hour ago, Bengalensis said:

Following with interest.

So, the inside of the frame on these machines where actually red (before some serious running of course)

Hi as far as I'm aware BR standard locos were painted signal red (same as the buffers) to aid visibility for oiling up and routine inspection of the frames for cracking as they would be easier to spot in the red rather than black frames in a dimly lit inspection pit.

Ian 😀 

[Redstaff]

Boiler cladding and smoke box door now in gloss black and I've made a start picking out details in the cab. Think I need to add cab sides to see how much room I have so I can try and add more missing detail.

Wheels are fitted through the frames so I need to sort out the motion over the weekend as well.

Ian 😀 

 

[Bengalensis]

13 hours ago, Redstaff said:

Hi as far as I'm aware BR standard locos were painted signal red (same as the buffers) to aid visibility for oiling up and routine inspection of the frames for cracking as they would be easier to spot in the red rather than black frames in a dimly lit inspection pit.

Ian 😀 

Thanks a lot, that makes perfect sense, I'll follow your example.

 

Good progress! 👍

[Mjwomack]

15 hours ago, Redstaff said:

Hi as far as I'm aware BR standard locos were painted signal red (same as the buffers) to aid visibility for oiling up and routine inspection of the frames for cracking as they would be easier to spot in the red rather than black frames in a dimly lit inspection pit.

 

 

I did not know this! (suspect I'm not alone in that regard). Even assumed the wrong colour and thought it was red oxide and an economy measure to save a coat of black paint. I suppose the Germans were the ones who took this to it's logical conclusion (of course) with red underframes, and in that regard we wait to see if @Rob Sutto has succumbed to the Wonderland offer on Revell kits and picked some up of their German loco kits

[Rob Sutto]

On 03/10/2025 at 10:33, Mjwomack said:

and in that regard we wait to see if @Rob Sutto has succumbed to the Wonderland offer on Revell kits and picked some up of their German loco kits

 

There is a German loco in my possession, but I'm still very undecided what I'm building for this one 

[Mjwomack]

20 hours ago, Rob Sutto said:

I'm still very undecided what I'm building for this one 

 

You're only kidding yourself

 

Be honest with yourself and say 'I'm undecided which I'm building...'

[Redstaff]

Quick update before sleep takes over.

Motion both sides is done, a little bit more details to pick out then a bit of light weathering to tone it down a bit. Gave up with the trying to get it all to move scenario you're supposed to be able to achieve as it's way too fiddly and fragile, so all glued together now to beef it up. A little bit more cab detailing done as well, seats are made and in paint and a vacuum brake handle has been made and fitted to the top of the pedestal. I think I've found a solution for the windows as well with an old mobile phone screen protector that should be just right 👍

Ian 😀 

 

[Beardybloke]

It's certainly looking very impressive so far! I hadn't realised just how long a 9F's smokebox is - it's surprising what the smoke deflectors will hide. 

[Redstaff]

Not much time this week for progress, but I have got the cab assembled and the smoke deflectors on to go alongside the more or less completed chassis and tender. I was going to paint the outside of the wheels a silver colour, but the way it has been moulded with 3 wheelsets flangless (rather than just the centre one in real life) would look wrong.

Hopefully assemble it all in the next week or so. There's the Warley model railway show this weekend at Statfold Barn which is only 15mins  from me, I might take the wife out for a treat on Sunday 😉 

Ian 😀 

 

[Bengalensis]

Looking very nice indeed!

Yes those flangeless wheels, you're probably right it will look better not to paint the metal surfaces. I had put that question aside in my mind.

[Redstaff]

Well here we are waiting for decals, or rather here we were as it looks like scrolling through ebay while consuming alcohol let's you find things you didn't know existed or that you needed 😉  So in the post is a set of cab doors, some p/e covers for the tender bearings and some couplings as the kit ones are moulded with solid links which I couldn't cope with. 

So let's see what the postie brings 😀

Needs a bit of weathering as well once the decals have been added, then some track and maybe a little display base for a bit of interest, not sure how or what yet, but the little scenes on here are making me want to have a go 🤔

I'd already got the loco lamps.

 

[johnlambert]

That's looking really smart. It's like a loco at the works just waiting for the final lining and number plates. But I think a bit of weathering  and a nice base will make something outstanding.

[Mjwomack]

On 07/10/2025 at 11:49, Beardybloke said:

It's certainly looking very impressive so far! I hadn't realised just how long a 9F's smokebox is - it's surprising what the smoke deflectors will hide. 

Wikipedia tells me that they were nicknamed Spacehips because of how big they were- not something I'd ever heard but there again I don't know many steam loco nicknames