I've been tinkering over the last few evenings on my Judith Edge Sentinel shunter.

I aquired some lead sheet from a friend and have filled both bonnets - running performance is vastly improved! I've also added the end handrails from 0.45mm wire - and the fiddly sand pipes on the chassis.

Eagle eyed viewers will note I've done a 'halfwit' (sorry Paul!) and got one ends handrails inconsistently bent - this has now been corrected (photos are always good at showing up defects). I've also got to fill some gaps in the join between the bonnet fuel tank and the cab - I was worried about soldering so close to the windows!

Once she's 'ready' I'll apply Maskol to the glazing and sent her to the paint shop to emerge in tatty faded MSC blue with wasp striping on the buffer beams and below the running board on each side Finishing touches will be the sand box covers, swords, Sentinel plates and window frames before adding Letraset numbering and an overhead warning flash.

Photos taken this evening in the garden - and as cruel close ups go they don't get much worse!

Questions and encouragement welcomed! As first kits go I'm pleased with what I've produced. I wish I could have done better in some areas - practice makes perfect. For my next kit I'm getting a new 25W iron as mine has been great but the tip is a little 'tired' and corroded! I'd also consider a better way to do press through the rivets - something I struggled with on this kit.