Sentinel 8805 Update (2)

I visited the Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition on 19th October 2012. Norman Smedley had Emailed me to say he was exhibiting his completed 7.25 inch gauge model of the unique Doble Sentinel shunter. I've described the model before in a previous article so here are some pictures of the completed item. Click pictures to enlarge.

Interesting coal-bunker feature in the cab!

Well done to Norman for producing such a superb, rare model of this Sentinel locomotive. A model to be proud of.

Sentinel 8805 Update (1)

I spotted a familiar model of Sentinel 8805 at the Midlands' Model Engineering exhibition at Warwick on 15th October 2011.

Sentinel 8805 with its condenser vent at the front

The beading around the cab window looks identical to that on 7109
(from which the dimensions were taken!)

Norman Smedley has clearly been busy lately on his model of 7192 which I featured earlier in 2011. Click here to view. Keep up the good work Norman; I look forward to seeing it run!

Radstock Sentinel Model is ready

Roger Slade of CSP models has been beavering away on an etched brass model Radstock Sentinel loco and it has now come to fruition. It is a superb model as is obvious from the pictures.

CSP Radstock Sentinel Model 

Roger's announcement (slightly edited for this context) is below:

S&DJR/LMS/BR. Sentinel 0-4-0T Steam Shunter.

Dorset based CSP Models in Dorchester have launched their long awaited 4mm etched brass kit for the Sentinel Shunter.

The project was started 2 years ago by CSP and Zenith Works. It was a challenge to produce an accurate and buildable kit for this quite complex locomotive. It wasn’t just to be a model but a lasting record of what these delightful little locos were.

With the priceless help of Andy Chapman and his long term lover “Joyce”, a set of somewhat doubtful works drawings, a fistful of photographic evidence and a great deal of optimism we set to work.

After a number of visits to MSN with a ruler and a camera we had our first set of drawings. A test etch was produced in November 2010 and a prototype produced. It looked OK but we found a number of inaccuracies. Andy let me see all the boiler fittings and with a set of drawings we decided to add a fully detailed boiler, ashpan, superheater and chimneys. How they went together was another matter but with the help of one of our most enthusiastic customers, Richard Roper of Emborough, who sketched a working model of the chimneys, we managed to get it right, we hope!!!!!

The chassis is driven by a “High Level” Gearbox through a series of spur gears to all 4 wheels. With the chassis weighted by the ballast in the boiler and ballast in the front chain box, yes it even has that and an etched chain! Maximum adhesion has been achieved.

The chassis, “00” or EM, with provision for compensation for P4, is Nickel Silver and the body a fusion of Nickel Silver and Brass. All the fittings are lost wax brass. The kit comes complete with wheels, gearbox, gears and motor. It also has etched number plates for both LMS and BR eras. All that is required to produce your own little masterpiece is hours of patience, some black spray and some decals.

There is a comprehensive, 16 page set of instructions with exploded diagrams of every stage of the construction. It is an eminently achievable project for people with average skills of kit construction. The cost of the complete kit is £135.00 + £5. 50 p&p; we can supply the basic kit for £95.00 for those that have their own ideas for motorising it.

We hope that it be well received by all S&D modellers. It has been a very difficult project to bring to fruition but we are happy with the outcome. We hope you are too.

A similar kit for “Joyce” in 4 & 7mm is nearly finished and will be available early in 2012.

It's very kind of Roger to acknowledge my assistance in the project. More so, I'm really pleased that he is working on a Joyce variation.


More pictures of this superb model are here below:

Incredible boiler detail!

The little engine that could...or maybe could not?

My OO gauge Sentinel Y3 model arrived from Model Rail Magazine (9th Aug 2011) as pictured.

MRM (Dapol) Y3
(with a distracting back-drop from another interesting book I've found lately)

The supplied instruction sheet set me wondering due to the comment that the model was produced from detail obtained from Isebrook at Quainton road.

Extract from instruction sheet

However, Isebrook is a single geared type as with the Y1!

Isebrook's chains drive from the crankshaft sprockets

So is the model actually a Y1 or Y3? I'll leave it to you to figure out; this posting might help. In reality, it's not important; it is a fine, tiny model which runs very nicely. For more information have a look at the Model Rail Magazine's website.

Here is a small video of Isebrook in preserved action on YouTube at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road. The occasion was the Sentinel Drivers' Club 'Noggin & Natter' held on 10th April 2011.

Sentinel 8805

In February 2011, I attended the Sentinel Drivers' Club AGM in Basingstoke. In conversation after the formalities, I met Norman Smedley who proclaimed that, in the boot of his car, he had a 7.25 inch gauge model of the unique LMS Sentinel-Doble shunter numbered 7192.

Not the normal car boot contents I thought (with raised eyebrows) and, at Norman's invitation, went to have a look.

Although 7109 is a 12 inch to the foot scale, I've long admired the amazing amount of time and effort that goes into model locos. This was another moment of admiration.

Car boot contents (1)

Car boot contents (2)

Amazing detail (and not just the boot catch!)

Right hand side

Norman sent me this photo recently of the model nearing completion and what a fantastic model it is! I'm very much looking forward to seeing it in action.

Nearing completion (June 2011)

The 'prototype' for Norman's model was the only true Doble loco built by Sentinel, works number 8805, and delivered to the LMS in 1933. It was driven by two 150 HP Doble engines, one for each axle, and had an oil-fired 1500psi boiler and condenser! Whilst it performed well, it was too complex to maintain and was withdrawn in 1943. (Norman's model will be battery powered!).

Sentinel 8805 (Photo Tony Thomas)

And again (Photo Tony Thomas)

As 7192 numerically follows Radstock's 7190 and 7191, this is the reason why 7109 will not carry the number 47192. See also 7109 Restoration.