Hi

After a furious bout of layout building I have returned to my workbench for a rest.

I am assuming that my layout Heyside will be on the exhibition circuit next year, and I have identified 3 locomotives that I need to assist in setting the location - on the Oldham Loop just up the road from New Hey. They are an Aspinall 0-6-0 saddle tank, an Aspinall A class 0-6-0 tender loco and a 2-6-0 Horwich Crab. I'm starting with the easiest first, the saddle tank, which started out as a Chowbent Kit.

Those familiar with Ressaldar's work will recall he built one of these in double-quick time, and between us, we came up with a full set of instructions, and exchanged notes at various times. So thank you Mike for your assistance. My kit is not complete either, being a sort of hybrid; part etched, part milled and very confused. So I'm missing the etches (because they are on the etched chassis sheet, only I have a milled chassis) for the brake hangers and shoes, brake spreaders and pull rods and ashpan sides, and some white-metal castings. Nothing is a huge problem, and with a resin smokebox/boiler/firebox/saddle arguably the hardest work is done for you. In fact, assuming that the kit contents are sorted out, and the kit is listed as a current JLTRT kit, it would be an ideal beginner's kit.

As is my wont I shall be adding extra detail, replacing castings etc, but in truth they were fairly clean simple locos.

The following 2 photos show the components I acquired with the box:

and the motor was disposed of and replaced with an ABC motor and gearbox (??94)

The only thing I'm not sure of is whether I want to fit inside valve gear. The A class will have inside valve gear, but it's not really visible in the saddle tank, and I'm unsure where to anchor the anchor link to with the Joy's gear. Anyone have a drawing/photos of between the frames?

Richard