This is the last of my MR/ LMS loco kit builds.

I bought this kit last December and started it this month.

It has`nt been the easiest of builds and this has been a combination of my own attitude to some of the kit`s idiosyncrasies and a subsequent dip in my assembly skills perhaps.

This is a kit that you will definitely need an 80watt soldering iron as it has thick nickel silver chassis etches and thick brass etches for the bodywork.

There is no provision for any chassis compensation but there are half etched hornblock lines and ride height markings.

The brake hangers and blocks look good, but the brake rod adjusters and controls are a weakness in this kit.

I`m not a fan of etched axle springs either but fortunately Laurie Griffin makes a number of lost wax castings for this particular loco class.

I`ve chosen sprung hornblocks and for the first time a Branchlines 40.1 fold up gearbox with a Cannon motor.
Assembly is simple with the use of basic axle jigs and coupling rods.

After preparation of the chassis sides the kit makes a very strong chassis framework.

The bogie is a straight forward non compensated assembly.

I shall be using Laurie Griffen parts to complete a more substantial brake assembly than is provided for in the kit.