I wondered if the A1 Models 009 Kerr Stuart diesel kit could be bashed into a freelance O9 loco. Click on a photo for a larger version.
The starting point is a nice brass and plastic kit.The Bachmann Plymouth chassis came via the 009 Society sales.The body was unclipped to reveal the ‘old school’ split chassis.The kit contains a plastic footplate.Filling and squaring up the gaps between the tabs and the holes felt like a lot of work.So I made a new footplate from plasticard, cut off the tabs and glued the pieces together.It fits 🙂The bonnet is a single piece of brass that you fold up.I soldered the edges together.Then glued detailing parts on with superglue.It fits 🙂I had intended to make an open cab loco.But the driver sat rather awkwardly on the chassis and didn’t look right.Instead I made a cab from 4 pieces of plasticard.It’s really a simple box, with ‘cut outs’.In position it looked too tall.So I made a Mark 2 cab that was shorter and slightly longer.This looks better !A cut down figure will provide the driver.The roof from the 009 kit can be reused.There’s much to do, but it has potential 🙂
This has been a refreshing change from electrics !
There are lots of joins to clean and square up, and more details to add (an air intake, an exhaust and perhaps some rivet detail).
However, it’s heading it the right direction and is well worth completing.
The inside of the cab will need to be hidden. I’m thinking a makeshift door, from an old piece of sack or canvas, could work well.
This build reflects my usual approach – start with an idea and make things up as you go.
Steve's Narrow Gauge Railway Adventure 
Nice job. Got to love a KS loco. I’ve got several in 009.
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Hi Chris,
Thanks! I think this will be a Frankenstuart loco by the time I finish it. Almost a Kerr Stuart, but with lots of other parts thrown in 🙂
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