For a long time I have been planing to get on with the missing coaches for my down Cornish Riviera Express formation, so now I have a Comet A20 and H26 awaiting building, just requiring a C73 composite (and the purchase of a Hornby Hawksworth third) to complete the rake.

The A20 is an older kit from eBay which does not have the tumblehome formed, so this can wait until after the H26. Instead I've made a start on the H26 while I pluck up the courage to form it. I have long had a fascination in the 70ft coaches, so its good to finally make a start on them.

The first job was to drill the holes for the hinges, why these cannot come pre etched I really cannot understand. Surely a far better design would be pre etched holes, along with 3 hinges on a single etch as per the end steps! Anyway, a great deal of time (and a lot of 0.4mm drills later) they were soldered into place.

This was followed by adding the droplights, again I much prefer this task to be avoided as per some of the more recent Comet kits. This gives a good view as to how awful my soldering is! I am using Carrs Red Lable flux, 60 / 40 Lead / Tin solder and a temp controlled Antex iron. and trying to get a clean surface before I start.

This is where the build has progressed to this evening, with the sides added to the ends and the roof glued into place.