So, I need other projects to satisfy the modeller’s itch. Now that the sow’s ear has been transformed into something vaguely silk-purse-like the workbench is looking forlorn and empty – or was. The post by KDRuthless on June 13th - http://ngrm-online.com/forums/index.php ... ent-533068 - showed a 4mm scale 3d-printed Heywood Ursula, and something stirred in what’s left of my brain …
Now, I know I said in my thread In a Bit of Estate that I didn’t want to build any more Katies after finishing the third one, but it seems to me that I might just find building an Ursula acceptable. I got out the Katie drawing I found back when I started on the Heywood path, photocopied it a couple times, and set-to with scissors and Pritt to produce an Ursula drawing. I have a table showing the dimensions of the various Heywood locos, and the main dimensional difference between Katie and Ursula is that the latter is 2 feet longer, or 1” in 1:24 scale. So, all I have to do is insert an inch into Katie – stop sniggering at the back, that boy ...
Of course, the other minor difference is that Ursula is an 0-6-0, so I trawled t’Bay for a suitable chassis, and ended up with these two buys for the princely sum of £10 inc. postage …

… and after hacking various bits off, lowering the rear upper surface to match the front, filling in various levels and squaring off the ends, and filling and painting the wheels, I have this …


I thought I might use an old motor, but in the end splashed out another £6 on a new one. As the chassis originally had the open frame X-04 motor and I’m using the newer Smokey Joe type I also had to raise the motor mounting so that the motor sits flat and the worm meshes with the gear wheel properly.
Now that Smallbrook have supplied a Katie kit I’m busy sorting out the usual Bilco mods to the footplate and body before getting the saw out and performing the ‘sawing a loco in half’ trick …
Hours of fun ...