N Gauge Thomas Hill Vanguard Diesel Shunter

The Thomas Hill company was founded in 1937 but made its name in the late 20th century building and rebuilding small diesel locomotives. Its most successful designs were the Vanguard class, produced between 1960 and 1990 with various engine, transmission and wheel arrangements. Vanguard locomotives have been widely used in the steel, oil and chemical industries, as well as by the British Army and Defence Logistics Organisation.

NOTES

• The body is a snug fit, so some careful filing might be necessary to sit the body properly.
• Handrails are printed below the bodyshell at the minimum thickness supported. They will be fragile but etched N Brass Locos etched nickel-silver straight and 45° sloped guardrails will be stronger.
• Buffers are printed below the body shell.
• Two different prints are available:
  
  SMALL
  • This body shell is designed to fit the Kato 11-109 or 11-110 0-4-0 chassis.
  • The upper plastic cover should be removed from the chassis (hooks at both ends and at the centre). The motor must be secured in the metal motor block to prevent it moving and damaging its gears. This can be done by gluing down and weighting the motor using adhesive lead tape available from eBay. (See photograph)
  • The sides of the Kato subframe can be removed if both copper conductors are drilled centrally and screwed to the chassis block. (See Sentinel photograph)
  • The Kato coupling pockets can be fitted into this model.  Some trimming might be necessary to clear the chassis.
  
  MEDIUM
  • This body shell is designed to fit the Graham Farish (Bachmann) Class 03/04 0-6-0 diesel shunter chassis. A "J" is printed under the bodyshell at the jack-shaft (extended coupling rod) end. Although the model's design should permit the chassis to operate as supplied, for best results remove the coupling rod extension and jackshaft fitting from the chassis.
  
  UPDATE HISTORY
  • Aug 2020 - Initial release.