Graham Hughes J50

[kirky]

I have a Graham Hughes J50 unbuilt kit that I found in the bottom of one of my modelling boxes. I bought this years ago. It looks like everything is in the box, instructions etc. I bought it years ago when I thought I might want to have a go at kit building. Well, probably 20 years later it remains unbuilt and I largely model modern image these days. However I might get round to building it for one of our club models.
So can any one offer advice on the difficulty of obtaining a suitable chassis, either in kit form or pre built?
Can anyone offer suggestions on the suitability of how difficult it is to go together, what to watch out for etc.
Anyone care to offer any pictures of one theyve built?

Cheers
Kirky

[austinbob]

I believe you can use the old Garish 57xxx chassis.
Dr All is the person who would know for certain, I think he's built one.

[kirky]

I believe you can use the old Garish 57xxx chassis.
Dr All is the person who would know for certain, I think he's built one.

Thanks Bob. I should have said I need to convert it to dcc too. I have used used the old digihats in the past but if a can motor will fit, I would prefer that for ease.

Cheers
Kirky

[Dr Al]

Hi,

I built (more accurately rebuilt) one of these a good few years back. It's mounted on a Bach-far 57xx pannier chassis, which is unaltered apart from a long shank front coupler.

There's plenty of space to DCC, so I'd stick with digihats, as the 57xx chassis generally run very very nicely.



Cheers,
Alan

[kirky]

Hi @Dr Al
Is it easy enough for a beginner in loco kit building? There doesnt appear to be too many parts.
Is your DCC?

Cheers
Kirky

[Dr Al]

Hi @Dr Al
Is it easy enough for a beginner in loco kit building? There doesnt appear to be too many parts.
Is your DCC?

Cheers
Kirky

It probably is reasonably easy - mine was a rebuild from someone's previous attempt, superdetailed as much as possible, so more difficult than a straight fresh build.

Having said that, Graham Hughes kits are*extremely* rare. So if you really want a J50, and a good one and you're concerned you still need to build up some skills then you might want to consider something else first, because you are unlikely to ever find another J50 on the secondhand market.

If so, then some of the kits by Langley are worth considering - there was another thread where basically a very similar question was asked, and my suggestion was a good starting model is actually Langley's Standard 4MT 4-6-0. These are still very simple and easy to construct despite being a larger loco, not available RTR so a useful addition to fleet, and ripe for superdetailing with separate handrails etc. They need a Farish black 5 chassis - pretty easy to come by old Farish black 5's - there are plenty about now that a new tool one is out, so you can pick them up for typically £40-50.

This is one I built back some years ago, and I actually have another on the bench just now. They have separate handrails and bufferbeam detail, but otherwise are fairly standard:



I also added an etched brass N-Brass locos front bogie with scale wheels - an easy solder build in brass from N-brass.

Easy to DCC also as there's loads of room at the front end of the boiler.

My J50 is not DCC but it would be easy to do so with all the side tank and bunker space available to locate a dinky sized chip such as one of the CT electronik range.

Cheers,
Alan

[kirky]

Hi @Dr Al
Thanks for your very comprehensive answer. I was actually aware of thread you'd mentioned, and it was in reading that, that I'd remembered about my old Hughes kit.
Funnily enough I have a use for both the Standard 4MT and for the J50 albeit on different layouts. And furthermore I have a couple of old black fives, one of which could become a donor chassis.
So if the J50 is rare, is it worth selling?

Thanks
Kirky

[Dr Al]

So if the J50 is rare, is it worth selling?

Thanks
Kirky

It may be - but if you have any potential use for a J50, I'd hold on to it, and build it, because as soon as you've sold it, you'll probably start kicking yourself if you decide you fancy a 'different' tank loco. It's something very unique to have.

Cheers,
Alan

[east anglian]

Read     with   interest,    I   got   up   at   3 am   to   bid    for    one   on   E Bay,    it   arrived    in   BR   Black   so   out    with   the   paint   and   transfers,    7   days    later   a    completely   transformed   ultra    rare   locomotive,     its    to   late   tonight   but   photos   of   this  locomotives    will   follow,   

[kirky]

Read     with   interest,    I   got   up   at   3 am   to   bid    for    one   on   E Bay,    it   arrived    in   BR   Black   so   out    with   the   paint   and   transfers,    7   days    later   a    completely   transformed   ultra    rare   locomotive,     its    to   late   tonight   but   photos   of   this  locomotives    will   follow,   

Hi East Anglian, Is it too rude to ask how much you paid for it?
My kit is still unmade in its box.
Cheers
Kirky

[east anglian]

Hi     kirky,
I   cannot   tell   you   what   I    paid   as   If   I    were   to   sell   it   I   would   ask    for    offers   over   £250-00,    it   is   a   genuine  Graham   Hughes   and    it    runs    like   a    dream,   Its    a    ultra    rare   kit   and    I    would    be    asking     for    at    least   £120-00   without    the    chassis,   I    will   try   to    send    some   photos   through   tonight   

[east anglian]

Photos    of   my   j50

[kirky]

Photos    of   my   j50

That is really very nice. It is certainly an unusual little loco. I'm wondering whether @Stevie DC has one for his LNER layout?
Thanks for the range of pricing as that is a very useful guide to value.
Cheers

[thebrighton]

As GH kits are so hard to find I did spot a 3D one available through Shapeways: https://www.shapeways.com/product/9D2JKFVQY/j50-standard-bunker-2mm-scale?optionId=58736623&li=marketplace
https://www.shapeways.com/product/ZD886EVYF/j50-4-with-hopper-bunker-2mm?optionId=58577567&li=shops

[Roy L S]

I have one of these too, I built mine over 25 years ago, it is plain BR black. It isn't a bad kit, but fitting the recommended 94xx Pannier chassis is tight and it sits too high so Dr Al's use of the later 57xx chassis makes a lot of sense.

I know Stevie DC does have one, naturally his own design and 3D print but I don't think it is one he ever made available commercially, his runs on a bespoke chassis which is I think part compensated and it runs like a swiss watch.

Roy