Jump to content
 

Connoisseur Kit's LNER J68 Part 2

Norton Wood

Entry posted by Norton Wood

462 views

 Share

I'm back once again, 

 

This update is mainly to bring you to speed with the build...

 

IMG_1657.JPG.3fe5a5bc04f79cb15d178918c5abdaaf.JPG

 

With the cab, tool boxes, backhead (removable) and other controls fitted, the loco is starting to come alive!!

 

Sadly I have reached the stage where I have in fact made a mistake with the back of the cab(which you cannot see). However, Nothing is ever permanent and brass is so forgiving as I have found out, that I will correct the back of the cab to get the back into the right place!! It's all about learning, but thinking now, having worked on the footplate you would have thought I would have noticed this mistake, must be the lack of actual footplate work I haven't done in the last 4 months!! 

 

IMG_1647.JPG.c602c0f91ffc45c527c2ac09b3d75e94.JPG

 

Once the cab was built up, I quickly moved onto building the Smokebox, the non-riveted GER early LNER type, once completed the boiler is fitted with the boiler bands and the brass strip which splits the boiler and smokebox apart...Something to paint in brass once the kit is painted!!! This then moved to fitting the top of the tanks and preparing for the cab roof and foot steps. 

 

IMG_1664.JPG.5a3b2523067cef76f28eb2b751d0ece1.JPG

 

With those things completed, a test fit was in order, sadly this was the point where I had run out of 145 solder, the cab was completed and the footsteps put in. The only major parts I could do were the white metal castings and the start of clean up!!

 

IMG_1662.JPG.92520bfb60cd72177e0079c3ef2168e2.JPG

 

However, I had plenty of electrical solder, this meant I could get on with getting the motor moving the loco, firstly I began with putting the loco between the lid and bottom of the box to see where the tight spots are on the wheels. I did this by loose fitting some wires to the motor then testing it, following the problems being resolved I fitted all the wiring to the pickups. After running and filing for while the loco was prepared for operation with all the axles, bearing and connecting rods receiving oil, allowing me to put the J68 on the track and ran for the first time without assistance!! I must admit for a first brass kit I was very proud, further proof will come in the form of my You Tube video's of this running in the future!!

 

IMG_1672.JPG.eceb2409ded11e83f0bfcfb5fa602974.JPG

 

As you can see the loco is starting to look rather nice, this is how the kit now looks, as of the today ( 12/07/2020) I was kindly given the decals I require from fellow club members, which are the correct type I require for the tank-sides!! More clean up is certainly required, but I am steadily getting though it all, I should have it finished by the next part in terms of the build then it will be one big clean up job before the etched primer goes on and of course PAINT!!

 

Anyway thanks again,

 

Tom

 

 

  • Like 3
 Share

2 Comments

Recommended Comments

brossard

Can I make one comment?  I suggest you apply your scraper and fiberglass pen to some of those solder joints.  The joins around the tanks and boiler bands look kind of rough to my eye.  I spend a lot of time on my kits trying to get as much of the excess solder off as I can.  Otherwise, you are to be applauded for the loco so far.  I can't recall a brass kit that I built that was perfect.  As you say, the nice thing about brass is that it is endlessly forgiving.

 

John

  • Agree 1
Link to comment
Norton Wood
49 minutes ago, brossard said:

Can I make one comment?  I suggest you apply your scraper and fiberglass pen to some of those solder joints.  The joins around the tanks and boiler bands look kind of rough to my eye.  I spend a lot of time on my kits trying to get as much of the excess solder off as I can.  Otherwise, you are to be applauded for the loco so far.  I can't recall a brass kit that I built that was perfect.  As you say, the nice thing about brass is that it is endlessly forgiving.

 

John

 

Hi John, 

 

Yes it's only my list to do, I solder the dome in place on the 3rd photo, and I have removed it as it looked a mess!! Now it looks so much better! I was thinking the joints on the tanks and around the sanders needed clean up so not to worry it's a job to do. 

 

But thanks for the help, it's all taken on board for the "To Do List" 

 

Cheers 

Tom

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...