WRRC Forum

Does anyone etch numberplates for the ADR in 4mm? Specifically I'd like 35 (or the other Kerr Stuart 0-6-0T, the number of which eludes me at the moment).

Penrhos1920 has done one himself so may be able to help us with instructions and encouragement at least...
http://www.penrhos.me.uk/adr14.html (bottom of page)

AFAIK no one does etched number plates for any ADR loco. My number plate for 14 was home made.

It probably isn't practical to do home made any more as it requires a 35mm film camera. You simply draw the number plate and photograph it. You then get you brass, coat it with photo-etch and do a contact print using the negative and expose in the sun for a few hours. The brass is then developed in caustic before finally being etched in ferric chloride. It took several attempts to get it correctly exposed and etched.

Since I'm modelling several more ADR locos I do intend to etch more number plates and 34 or 35 are on the list. Do you have a good photo of the number plate? The only photo I have shows that it is oval. Most ADR number plates are oval. Most have "ALEXANDRA (NEWPORT)" above the number and "DOCKS & RAILWAY Co" below but some have two lines of text above the number.

Andy and Richard

Thanks for your responses. The 14 plate looks the business, Richard. I guess doing it now you would adopt a CAD approach.

I did have a decent postcard print of 35 a few housemoves ago I'll have to see if I can find it again but I do recall an elliptical plate (looking very much like that on B&MR 35!)

I suppose the question is how much interest there would be for etched plates, either in 4mm or other scales, because once the artwork is done it is easy to adapt it for other scales.

Newport_rod wrote:Andy and Richard

Thanks for your responses. The 14 plate looks the business, Richard. I guess doing it now you would adopt a CAD approach.

I did have a decent postcard print of 35 a few housemoves ago I'll have to see if I can find it again but I do recall an elliptical plate (looking very much like that on B&MR 35!)

I suppose the question is how much interest there would be for etched plates, either in 4mm or other scales, because once the artwork is done it is easy to adapt it for other scales.

Is number 35 the only ADR loco you're interested in? Or are you planning to model Newport Pill shed? I've heard that ADR 35 and B&M 35 have been confused in the past, but a good scanner will resolve that.

The modern approach is to use CAD and use one of several companies who do the etching straight from your cad file.

Penrhos1920 wrote:Is number 35 the only ADR loco you're interested in? Or are you planning to model Newport Pill shed?

Yes, for the moment just 35. I did a while ago have a plan to model Machen and might one day revive it (let not breath be held).

I've had etches made successfully from my own CAD drawings before but the problem would seem to be lack of interest. Is it just me and thee?

BTW was 14 the only loco with a rectangular numberplate?

Newport_rod wrote:

Penrhos1920 wrote:Is number 35 the only ADR loco you're interested in? Or are you planning to model Newport Pill shed?

Yes, for the moment just 35. I did a while ago have a plan to model Machen and might one day revive it (let not breath be held).

I've had etches made successfully from my own CAD drawings before but the problem would seem to be lack of interest. Is it just me and thee?

Andrew is interested in other ADR number plates, but not I think 35. Andrew & I have been talking off line with another Andrew about ADR number plates. I'm thinking - only thinking, about drawing some and having them etched. There appear to be at least 3 styles of Oval ADR number plate. It is likely that 35 had the same style as 37 which was bought the following year, but without a good broadside photo its difficult to tell.

Newport_rod wrote:BTW was 14 the only loco with a rectangular numberplate?

32 and 33 also had them, both were ex GWR and they were bought in 1912 & 1913 (14 was bought in 1911). But 27 & 28 were also ex GWR, saddle tanks like a certain B&M loco, and they got oval number plates.