Garrett 4CD Tractor in 6 inch scale

This article has been written to guide the builder through the construction of the 6 inch scale Garrett 4CD tractor designed by Chris d’Alquen. The writer has previously built a 4 inch scale Garrett and a 6 inch scale Foden wagon so has the benefi t of considerable experience in larger scale modelling. Most machining can be done in the average home workshop but the supplier from whom the castings and drawings are currently available is able to provide a machining service for the largest items if required.

- Chris Gunn

With most of the parts made by this stage, and the tender and belly tank painted, it was time to start the (hopefully) final assembly of the engine. At this stage in real time the engine was still on its trolley and the block and motion all pretty much complete after the engine had been test run on air. However, I had removed the crankshaft, painted the various parts and replaced it so the motion was still pretty much together. The front wheels, perch bracket and axle were also off the engine for painting. In addition, I needed to get the engine off the building trolley so I could finally fit the belly tank.

I had managed to fit the (unpainted) belly tank to the engine whilst it was on the build trolley and had followed this by the steering shaft, which was fitted to the belly tank by bolting it on as a second operation. However, I then could not remove the belly tank with the steering chain shaft fitted as there was insufficient clearance between engine and build trolley. As the belly tank was now fully assembled and painted with the steering gear in position I knew it would not go back on with the engine on the trolley. This could have been avoided but I was using an old trolley so I managed as best as I could. Photograph 547 shows the engine on the trolley before painting.

The rest of the engine was to be assembled in a semi preplanned order which meant that everything that had to go on before the wheels were finally fitted. It should be noted that I needed to put the rear wheels on to get the engine off the trolley but then had to remove the rear wheels again in order to finalise the brake gear and fix another problem which arose; of which more later.

The perch bracket with the newly painted front axle was the first to go on. This was preassembled and carefully slid into position and the perch bracket bolts fitted and secured, and the whole lot protected by some bubble wrap while I carried on.