Yes and no. Bits of the design are very simple indeed - that's Paul Hill's trademark, in a way, because he designs for robustness (look at the way he designs valve gear and motion, for example) rather than finescale.

The terms monocular, binocular, and trinocular refer to the different types of microscope heads, each offering a distinct way of viewing the specimen.

Illuminate your subjects with brilliance. Our microscopes feature advanced lighting technologies, providing the perfect balance for optimal observation, even in low-light conditions.

Provides high magnification (up to 1000x or more) and high resolution for viewing fine details of cells, tissues, and microorganisms.

Today I had a look at the diagrams for both classes. The Q is slightly longer at the front so the running plate needs extending. The cabs are different, the boiler mountings are as well. The wheels on the Q are 5ft 1in and the 4 F 5ft 3in is it worth rewheeling? There are minor dimensional differences with the internal measurements of the boiler, how much that translates once the cladding is in place I don't know. They of course hauled tenders that didn't look alike but have the same wheelbase, so even if using a old Airfix tender drive loco it should be possible to make a reasonable looking Q from the 4F model.

I'm pretty sure it was in Model Trains as well, as I wasn't a regular reader of MRC at the time. I wouldn't say it was worth rewheeling as 2 inches of difference is barely noticeable and must be close to the margin of error allowed for wheel wear.

If you examine the L1, E1 and D1 locos they also show a striking resemblance to the 2P 4-4-0s built by the Midland for much the same reason.

Yes and no. Bits of the design are very simple indeed - that's Paul Hill's trademark, in a way, because he designs for robustness (look at the way he designs valve gear and motion, for example) rather than finescale.

A stereo microscope, also known as a stereoscopic or dissecting microscope, provides three-dimensional viewing of larger, opaque specimens through dual optical paths with objective lenses. It offers lower magnification (typically 5x to 40x) than compound microscopes but enhances depth perception. Ideal for tasks in biology, geology, and manufacturing, it allows comfortable, extended viewing with ergonomic adjustments.

Here's my attempt, as far as it's got at the moment  -  obviously still quite a bit to do.   Old Airfix 4F body with Crownline conversion kit (which included new tender). Loco chassis also replaced

Progress of sorts is being made.  Last week's job was to enhance those cylinder bolts.  A jig was made that landed 0.5mm holes on the half etched rivets - so far so good, yet 0.5mm wire when fitted ap

Compound Magnification is calculated by multiplying the magnification of the objective lens by the magnification of the eyepiece.

Microscope objectives are vital lenses that determine the magnification, resolution, and quality of the images produced by a microscope. They come in various types and magnifications, each suited for different applications and levels of detail, making them indispensable in scientific research, medical diagnostics, and educational settings.

Magnification is the process of enlarging the appearance of an object, making it look bigger than its actual size. In optics, it is the ratio of the size of the image produced by a lens or microscope to the actual size of the object being viewed.

I was able to take advantage of one of those 'Lets sell off stuff at stupid prices!' times Rails or Hattons do. This meant the price of the C was reasonable.

If you use the Airfix as a starting point you are still stuck with the Airfix Tender drive which has great traction but in my experience jumps about like an over excited frog and makes the track filthy.   Maybe a Bachmann 3F chassis under the loco would be better?  The Triang 3F is 8ft +8ft 3" so 3" too short but looks al right under the Wills Q if you close your eyes to the magnet in the cab or trim the motor short by using a stack of small Chinese super neo magnets in place of the standard block.

A monocular microscope head is a basic type of microscope head with a single eyepiece, ideal for cost-effective and straightforward applications. It is particularly useful in educational settings and for beginners, but it can lead to eye strain over long periods and lacks the depth perception provided by more advanced binocular and trinocular heads.

Visually the differences as I see them are, 1 bigger smokebox door, maybe LN or Schools size?   2 Cab, maybe adapt a schools (or LN) as stated above, 3 Running plate.  The Q has almost no "lip" at the top, very straight sided as is the tender and forms a straight line from loco buffer beam to tender bufferbeam in every photo I have seen.   The 4F has a pronounced overhang of the top surface of the running plate.

You an get really cheap Lima 4F's on that well known auction site, Going usually for a few pounds. I know they are H0 scale, But that should make the wheels nearer the correct size. It would be a good start for the chassis.

Capable of high magnification, which is achieved through the combination of the objective lens (typically 4x, 10x, 40x, and 100x) and the eyepiece (usually 10x).

To date I have managed to get hold of photocopies of the Roche series of loco drawings for both the 4F and Q and their tenders. There are obviously some differences between locos and tenders but not enough to put me off having a go at a basic conversion. David has summarised these differences in his post above but I will still have a try.

Uses two separate optical paths with two objective lenses to provide a stereoscopic (3D) view of larger, opaque specimens.

Hi all, following to a recent visit to the Bluebell Railway I was struck by the resemblance between their Southern Q Class and the LMS 4F.

A pretty minimal 'kit' which can all be done for near nothing from plasticard, and the joy of it is that the necessary parts can all be made off the model with lots of 'cut and try' until correct. Only then does the model get cut as required to allow the restyling parts to go on. A really good first project if nothing like this has been previously attempted.

Thanks to everyone for the replies and suggestions. "Looks like" is always good enough for me, especially if I can try out any changes in advance without damaging the body.

A phase contrast microscope is an optical microscope designed to enhance the contrast of transparent and colorless specimens without the need for staining. It works by exploiting differences in the refractive index of different parts of the specimen, transforming these differences into variations in light intensity.

Unfortunately nothing will be happening soon as we are going on holiday tomorrow so work will be put on hold until we get back but I will try to keep anyone who is still interested informed of progress.

4  Firebox, the Q is much more curvaceous, the 4F very straight especially at the front top corners.  5 wheels, the Q wheels look smaller than the 4F and the splashers are noticably smaller.  Most models I have seen seem to have oversize wheels though the 20mm Airfix are very nearly the right diameter.   The 4F Splashers hide the frames the Q don't and the shape of the frames can be seen behind them.

Hi all, following to a recent visit to the Bluebell Railway I was struck by the resemblance between their Southern Q Class and the LMS 4F.

A binocular microscope head utilizes two eyepieces for simultaneous viewing with both eyes, providing enhanced comfort, depth perception, and superior image quality. Ideal for professional and research settings requiring detailed observation, its design minimizes eye strain and enhances ergonomic support compared to monocular microscopes.

The Wills kits were quite basic and the Southeastern Finecast examples are un-revised and still use the Southeastern Finecast etched brass (tender version) Jinty replacement chassis, which is an updated revised kit with brake gear, older more basic Wills Finecast etched kits still pop up.

Commonly used in biological research, medical diagnostics, and educational settings for detailed examination of specimens.

Navigate effortlessly through magnification levels and focus adjustments. Our microscopes feature intuitive controls, allowing you to concentrate on your research without the hassle of complicated settings.

Way back in the 80s Vivian Thompson wrote an article on converting a 4F to a Q in Model Railway Constructor. I am sure someone will tell which edition.

Be careful when buying 5 pole XO4 lookalikes. Some are intended for slot cars and go like sh*t off a shovel but consume lots of amps.

Hi all, following to a recent visit to the Bluebell Railway I was struck by the resemblance between their Southern Q Class and the LMS 4F...

I intend to model the result as 30541, not because it is preserved but because it seems to be the only one of the class which is recorded as running on the S&D, I think on a goods train to Blandford Forum. There may have been others but no-one bothered about them, possibly thinking that they were 4Fs.

Magnification works by bending light through lenses or using digital technology to enlarge the appearance of an object, allowing for detailed observation and analysis.

Crownline used to produce a conversion kit many years ago. It eventually became a full loco kit in itself and is now available through PDK.

The Wills/Southeastern Finecast SR Q class loco is reasonably common on sites like eBay, normally in the former with Triang/Hornby chassis at quite modest prices. The Triang/Hornby chassis are quite bullet proof and can lend themselves to be upgraded with MRRS 5 pole motors and or Romford/Markit wheels and might be a bit more reliable than the Airfix mechanisms> I would guess the PDK kit to be a bit superior, but far harder to build

5 Front overhang, part of this is a longer smokebox, part forward of the smokebox.  The only drawing I have access to at present is very wrong about the shape of the frames at the front but it looks like someone decided to leave enough room for someone to stand on the frames to undo the smokebox lugs, which the 4F does not really have.   6 Boiler side gubbins, the Q has lubricator pipes and an ejector pipe  on the boiler side in addition to the Handrails.  The 4 F has them buried.

Used in fields like biology, geology, entomology, electronics assembly, and manufacturing for tasks requiring manipulation and examination of objects in three dimensions.

I was thinking that some find gluing whitemetal easier than soldering etched kits, though soldering whitemetal is my preference

A darkfield microscope is a type of optical microscope that provides high contrast images of unstained specimens by using scattered light. The specimen appears bright against a dark background

If I was modelling the SR I would have ago at this conversion, one it looks doable and two when I visit the Bluebell and the Q is in steam in it is my favorite of their locos.

If I was modelling the SR I would have ago at this conversion, one it looks doable and two when I visit the Bluebell and the Q is in steam in it is my favorite of their locos.

A microscope is a scientific instrument used to magnify and observe objects that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. It works by focusing light or electrons to create an enlarged image of the specimen.

Witness the microscopic world in stunning detail with our high-quality optics. Every slide comes to life with crystal-clear clarity, allowing you to delve into the intricacies of biology, chemistry, and beyond.

AmScope exclusive ALL-IN-ONE 3D DIGITAL INSPECTION MICROSCOPE. View different angles and perspectives of objects with ease.

Now looking a lot more like a Maunsell 3500g tender!   The top eyes for the handrails were added to the sides and then sides and ends were epoxied on.  As noted before the fit of parts

A specimen is a sample or example used for scientific study. It can be anything from biological tissues to materials, examined under a microscope or other instruments for analysis.

A trinocular microscope head combines the benefits of binocular viewing with the capability to capture digital images or videos of specimens. It is particularly suited for advanced research, educational purposes, and industrial applications where precise imaging and documentation are essential.

Compound microscopes are suited for detailed examination of microscopic structures, while stereo microscopes are more appropriate for observing larger objects in three dimensions and for tasks that involve manipulation and dissection.

A Compound Microscope is a type of optical microscope that uses multiple lenses to magnify small objects. It consists of two sets of lenses: the objective lens, which is closer to the specimen and provides the initial magnification, and the eyepiece lens, which further magnifies the image for the viewer's eye. Light passes through the specimen and is magnified by the objective lens, then further magnified by the eyepiece lens, resulting in a highly magnified image visible to the observer. Compound microscopes are commonly used in biology, medicine, and other scientific fields for viewing cells, tissues, and other small structures.

Golden Arrow do a resin body for the loco and tender to fit the 4F running gear, I have one in my ever growing "to do" pile.

The Triang/Hornby chassis are quite bullet proof and can lend themselves to be upgraded with MRRS 5 pole motors and or Romford/Markit wheels and might be a bit more reliable than the Airfix mechanisms>

This resemblance has a lot to do with the fact that one of Maunsel's long time assistants (James Clayton) cut his teeth on the Midland Railway.

Way back in the 80s Vivian Thompson wrote an article on converting a 4F to a Q in Model Railway Constructor. I am sure someone will tell which edition.

We have a Wills Q on a Triang Chassis with Hamblins wheels.  Built probably 40 years ago. Awful tender coupling which requires a Fireman of Commonwealth games long jump standard to get from loco to tender, (on the to do list for 20 years)  Very powerful, better than Bachmann ROD Hornby 28XX etc   smooth, essentially useless like the real thing, it sits in the display cabinet waiting for a chance to perform on a summer Saturday extra off the Southern.....

Hi all, following to a recent visit to the Bluebell Railway I was struck by the resemblance between their Southern Q Class and the LMS 4F.

If 'looks like' is close enough, three overlays on the cab, spectacle plate and two cab side sheets, moving the front step forward about 2mm, changing the sand box shapes, a capuchon for the chimney, and giving the loco a SR or BR(SR) number does it as far as the loco is concerned.

Today I had a look at the diagrams for both classes. The Q is slightly longer at the front so the running plate needs extending. The cabs are different, the boiler mountings are as well. The wheels on the Q are 5ft 1in and the 4 F 5ft 3in is it worth rewheeling? There are minor dimensional differences with the internal measurements of the boiler, how much that translates once the cladding is in place I don't know. They of course hauled tenders that didn't look alike but have the same wheelbase, so even if using a old Airfix tender drive loco it should be possible to make a reasonable looking Q from the 4F model.