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Connoisseur Kit's LNER J68 Part 1


Norton Wood

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So with the last parts of my degree finished, I can give myself a few weeks before I move to pastures new...

 

So it's worth mentioning what has happened too me since writing and planning for the Hattons A3, I had a sudden realization that getting something

such as a RTR A3 would actually cause more hassle than it would be practical. Of course the original intention for the A3 would be to operate at a friends garden railway. 

Which is still very much the case, however, in the time since finishing my degree it has become very clear to myself that getting something smaller for a operational layout would 

in fact be better, the cost of owning and running the A3 would in fact be harder as it would probably spend more time in the box rather than running, in addition it has allowed me to look

into investing my money into more rolling stock, as plans develop for a kit of an LNER Sundry Van or LNER Fruit Van.

 

So, much like previous projects where I have changed my mind, which I find myself fully entitled to do! 

 

History

 

Briefly the J68's or GER C72 Class were built in 3 Batches of 10, producing a total of 30 engines, the first 10 were built for passenger services in mind ( Fitted with Screw link couplings, Screw reverser's, Vacuum and Air breaking)  and the last 20 were build with shunting duties in mind.  The first 10 are where my interest lie's, as the locomotives flexibility  can allow the engine to pull small passenger & mixed freight trains. 

 

The Kit

 

What has struck me is the ability to develop these kits, looking through the instructions it is very clear that a locomotive can in fact be modified to appear in multiple different forms,

in this case the locomotive can have Ross Poppet Safety Valves, Ramsbottom Safety Valves, Condensing gear and GER or LNER type Chimney's. It's very clear that attention to detail is key here,

although most modelers would take this kit to the next step in development by looking to purchase extra components to adapt the model to look and perhaps operate to a higher standard. For

those who follow my modelling and know my M.O. it was almost destined that I take the kit as it came and develop it further to become a better kit overall.

 

Replacement parts

 

This is where we begin with the first major parts that I am replacing between the kit and other small companies, in this case I have replaced the buffers from the white metal versions to 

turned brass & sprung buffers by Markits for GER Tank Engine Locomotives. The next major change has come in the form of the couplings, as Connoisseur produce a basic coupling for show more than anything else, however I went to H&A models and got myself some working screw link couplings. The final major part which I have replaced is from Ragestone Models,  in which case we have the replacement Ramsbottom Safety valves next to there counter part and the replacement reversing wheel, regulator & gland. 

 

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The only part not being used is the GE whistle which can be used for other project's in the future. 

 

Frames

 

Any solid base for a model or even a real locomotive lie's in the frames, as per the instructions we will focus on the frames and get them to a good state before I even look at doing the body. surprisingly this was rather easy to sort out. However this being my first O gauge kit I thought right I'll take my time anyway. I am rather impressed how quickly the instructions move to get the frames together for the loco, after 4 major segments of the instructions I had the frames together and ready for major assembly. Swiftly moving to fitting the rest bar the brakes everything was rather straight forward.

 

 

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Body

 

Following this the body was a pure joy to build nothing too complex other than the beading which fits into the cabsides and the smokebox but after stopping and thinking all came together rather easy.  The tanks all fairly easy to put together. All in all it has been rather enjoyable to get the kit to this point. 

 

 

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The kit is very quick moving once you reach this point

 

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Anyway that's all for part 1 I will produce part 2 tomorrow and bring you up to date as to how the locomotive looks right now...

 

Thanks 

Tom

 

 

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This is a really impressive build.  I haven't done a 7mm loco yet, focusing instead on wagons and getting the layout done.

 

If the picture at the top of the blog shows your workbench you appear to have all the right kit.

 

The sub assemblies look really good.

 

Wondering how you got with soldering large parts like frames.  When I built a D&S van some while ago, I had a lot of trouble getting my 50W iron to work.  My problem might have been using 188C solder instead of 145C.

 

John

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16 minutes ago, brossard said:

This is a really impressive build.  I haven't done a 7mm loco yet, focusing instead on wagons and getting the layout done.

 

If the picture at the top of the blog shows your workbench you appear to have all the right kit.

 

The sub assemblies look really good.

 

Wondering how you got with soldering large parts like frames.  When I built a D&S van some while ago, I had a lot of trouble getting my 50W iron to work.  My problem might have been using 188C solder instead of 145C.

 

John

 

Thanks John, 

 

I must admit I started with building a few wagons, firstly for friends as I wanted to get into 7mm, and at the time wasn't able to get anything in 7mm then I built the GE PO Wagon for myself. The soldering was easy, using Carr's 145 & Carr's Green Flux. If your not sure what your solder is buy some 145 from Phoenix Paints as they do the solder and the flux, I think it cost me £20 for the lot and I've not run out of flux nor solder yet although I will need to get some more solder very soon. But  the 145 & Green Flux really made the job easy to do. If your not feeling confident I'd recommend starting with the Connoisseur Starter kit, reasonably cheap and the instructions are so simple. To be fair this is my first kit and it's been hard in some places and I think I have gotten a few things wrong ( In terms of the cab back wall) but it's been fine to build. 

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Cheers, I must have built a couple dozen kits both in plastic and brass.  I build a lot of kits for friends too.  I use non acid flux (I used to use Carrs Green but it goes up my nose) and have a lot of solder.  I have a Weller 50W soldering station with tip temp feedback - a really excellent bit of kit.  Also a Weller 35W stand alone.  I find the trick to effective soldering is a clean shiny bit.  I've been using brass wool which is a really good tip cleaner.

 

I did build a Connoisseur NBR Brake Van that was a pleasure - also for a friend.

 

I have a Slaters 1F kit that someone started so got it for a good price. 

 

Good luck with the build, I shall be watching.

 

John

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23 minutes ago, brossard said:

Cheers, I must have built a couple dozen kits both in plastic and brass.  I build a lot of kits for friends too.  I use non acid flux (I used to use Carrs Green but it goes up my nose) and have a lot of solder.  I have a Weller 50W soldering station with tip temp feedback - a really excellent bit of kit.  Also a Weller 35W stand alone.  I find the trick to effective soldering is a clean shiny bit.  I've been using brass wool which is a really good tip cleaner.

 

I did build a Connoisseur NBR Brake Van that was a pleasure - also for a friend.

 

I have a Slaters 1F kit that someone started so got it for a good price. 

 

Good luck with the build, I shall be watching.

 

John

 

It's always fun to build for friends, the good thing is we are a club, but we don't go through the formality of forming and building a club we're just a group of mates all between 23-28 so a good bunch. Thanks always nice to hear people are watching, this blog is being written after 75% of the work is completed. Right now the model is running, with all the pickup's etc I'm just playing catch up, with the blog and the You Tube video's which I am doing tied with this RM Web Blog. 

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Yes, I belong to a club here, about a dozen guys.  It is more formal with a clubhouse and club layout.  Formal clubs bring administration, dues and rent.  A bit of a pain.  There are some videos in the Facebook link.

 

John

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