Perhaps because you've done all the interesting bits (soldering, forming, painting) and you're already thinking about the next project to immerse yourself in? And you've proved a point with this build (I can do P4, I can build an etched kit) and now your looking for the next challenge? I try not to start a new project until the current one is finished, however that is not easy (6 locos on the go at the moment, some just need painting, one needs a complete re-think). Painting for me is difficult, I spray outside but here in Buxton the weather allways seems to be against me so another build starts before the preious one is properly painted (4 locos need painting). But even when the're painted I usually put of weathering...

However, your so close with this loco you really ought to finish it one evening.

Perhaps because you're chuffed with her (and rightly so!) and feel that anything else would put that feeling at risk? Or perhaps you don't want your "relationship" to end . I'm a great one for picking up something else; I have SO much to do, but I was also looking at a Class 37 tonight... and there's no way that the Blackwall branch would tolerate one of those! And I'm SUPPOSED to be doing OU stuff, as well!

I have great difficulty with this too; it's a race between the enthusiasm for starting and the inevitable newness of the next idea.

You definitely aren't alone - finishing things is really difficult.

At the beginning of a project, I hem and haw and dodge around it because I don't want to make the first cut. Once I'm started things go quickly - everything makes the model better. As I get to the end I get more and more nervous because (like Jan says) there's more to spoil if I go wrong! Sometimes I just get stalled due to indecision - my little Ruhrthaler sat in a box for nearly a year because I couldn't figure out what to do with the axle boxes!

Blaming Hattons is fair game though - I do exactly the same thing, plus check the New Releases list *far* too often to see if the Autoballasters have come in

I think it's the curse of railway modelling. I'm forever getting so far with a project, then moving on to something else.

I think Mikkel has summed it up completely - it is inevitably one of those reasons why I move on and start something else, or I get seduced by the idea of something new and exciting.

It's about challenges with me and a desire to learn. So far I've learnt about re-wheeling, building track, weathering (still learning that), designing etched parts, and miniature engineering (essentially that's what the 37 is), amongst others. I can do those now, so the next things to learn are 3d design, and moulding/casting. After that? Who knows, but there will be something!

The Sentinel looks fab BTW B) B) B) - I'm really looking forward to building my 7mm scale one

I've decided to not let myself start a new project until I finish at least one of the part worked models - hence no modelling! There must be a way to finish something.

Dear all - thank you for both your kind words, and your musings! Yes I think Mikkel has nailed it - so at least that justifies me shopping around for either a 47 or an 08 for Paxton Road despite having a myriad of unfinished and half started jobs.

I do intend to follow up this kit with another - I hope to tackle a sprung 0-6-0 Sentinel for this layout - that'll take the challenge on one step!

James, A late response from me ... sorry about that. The Sentinel looks great.. but sometimes you just have to slow down to admire the acheived results and progress a little more slowly to the end.. you don't want to overshoot. A critically damped response to finishing a project is no way to go about it... so I think that an inverse exponential rule probably applies... after all, is a model ever finished?

Now, an 08 or a 47 would be nice - out of interest, whose 08 and47 would you coose - I've been looking and looked seriously at the Bach 08... like the Bach 47 too - have the Blue Domino one - but wondered about Vi?

Sprung locos seems to be a serious step that P4 seems to promote... I just hope that I can do without it as it looks far tooooo tricky for me right now.

But, keep up the good work...

Now, how about a 66 update... I've been wondering how it's been going.

Hehe the 66 fuel tanks is done, as are the cab interiors... but that's another post and another topic.

I'd probably use the ViTrains 47 - the headcode marker lamps look too big on the Bachmann model to me... the model would be a Railfreight Distribution European livery (the ones with 'Railfreight Distribution' spelt out along the body sides).

As for an 08 - I've 3 Bachmann models and I do like them - as by adding some detail they're really lifted and that seems more of a challenge then just weathering and renumbering a Hornby one! However I can't find a panelled bodyside version for less than £50 at the moment - and since I'd be repainting it to model 'Lenny' (one of the Didcot pets from the early noughties) I can't justify the outlay. Mind the Hornby one with sound, now there's an idea!

Reminds me of my Loco collection as well, was cleaning out my room the other day, and found another box to store them in.. after reshifting them, I realised alot of them were in bits or just needed a coat of paint, I guess its a case of just finnishing these locos through, and after seeing my lot in bits im determind to finnish them all, that said on the ooposite end of the spectrum I have a baccy Freightliner 66 nearing completion!

NL