jazz

Hi again. After a very enjoyable Guild event at Bingley Hall plus a couple of extra days spent around Stafford area, the DMR J17 is finally ready for delivery. Just waiting to meet up next week for the next batch.

Hi Paul. I have never had any problems David Andrews kits they go together very well. I have very little experience of the DJB offerings. Personally I'm not a fan of the pewter castings. They do go together OK though. PS. I got confused between DJB and DJH kits. The DJB kits are just fine kits to build.

More on the body done. There is still a fair amount of detailing to do on the cab and under the running plate. Plus other bits and pieces to still add. So, here she is so far

The J17 body is very slowly underway. Still trying to spin completion out until after Guildex. Not going together very well needing lot of adjustments to get things to fit. Patience is key there.

I have slowed right down with the builds until I meet Geoff for the next batch. This will be after Guldex. This one is A DMR Products J17. A first for me of this brand. I do like the fact that all bends and rolling is pre done. Some off the etched holes are way too large which does let the kit down. I have done the tender and awaiting the loco to be completed before sorting out the drawer bar assembly. (It does need a little touch up on the beading the photo shows up.)

I do not keep notes of issues encountered. I do remember issues I came across in the builds and tend to use the remedies in the builds of other kits. I do not use the order of construction as found in build instructions and mostly just use the diagrams in the instruction sheets.

The Jubilee 'New Zealand' is now ready for delivery. Construction went quite well (but then I have built a number these locos)

It's been a while since I posted any progress on the WB. A two week holiday and a new kitchen has taken up my time. During the kitchen installation and repainting the walls and ceiling after the electricians replaced the original ceiling light with LED spotlights I did manage a bit if time on the WB to complete the Gladiator Jubilee class. Here is a photo with it ready to paint today. (Now looking forward to the visit to Guildex.)

Hi Paul. Apologies for the delay. I've been away. I have not built that kit but others I have built marketed by Slater's have been very good. Sorry I cannot be more helpful. Ken

Hi Paul. I also only use the GW 10" rollers. I have asked a couple of my colleagues and they have no idea where you can get bigger ones. Theirs are very old ones now.

Accidently posted this. (Look on previous page for the intended post😏)

The kitchen is now installed and all back to normal after finding new places for everything. My tiler is coming on Tuesday to install the tile and grouting on Wednesday. We are delighted with it, everything is perfect and would certainly have them again should we ever move house. (That's unlikey we will move though) Anyway, I have just completed the Jubilee chassis. (It was all an odd half here and there whilst the installers were here.) The chassis was, as ever with Gladiator, no problems in assembly.

Nice work. The white primer is the same reason I always send my models to Geoff in grey primer. It quickly shows minor faults that would spoil the finish.

That's one reason I'm not using their installers. These guys I'm using refuse to accept faulty parts. I have seen their work and had even the slightest fault change immediately.

Thanks Jeff. Wren are not doing the actual installation , we have our own excellent installers doing it. They are very meticulous with their workmanship.

apologies Jeff. We have spent a week in Newcastle and surrounding places of interest. Pleased David answered your query about the smoke deflectors. Now it's onwards with another Jubilee class again a Gladiator kit. That will be a bit slow as the Wren kitchen arrives on Thursday then installation a few days later.

The Rebuilt Royal Scott is now finished. The usual Gladiator kit that goes together very well. Now for a week away from the WB. We are preparing the kitchen for the new one. Amazing how much you have in a kitchen until you come to move everything out. Anyway here is the Scott.

Thanks Steve. The Black 5 looks very nice. Regarding painting the chassis on my builds (I only prime the models and then just paint the chassis black for Geoff. He has his own painter for the bodies) I do completely paint all models for my own collection though. Back to the chassis. I always spray paint them. The wheels are removed first and the are also spray painted. The valve gear is masked with tape and masking paint. They also are removed where possible complete with the cylinders. When reassembled all the remaining valve gear is added and then out comes the paint brushes to touch in where needed. The Scott chassis is how far I get before cleaning and painting of it starts. Hope this all helps. Now for the Scott loco. I got the s/box, boiler and firebox assembled. Now for all the detailing.

Body is now underway. The cab requires the inside doing and rainstrips and vent. The s/box/boiler and firebox might be assemble by end of tomorrow, assuming the long haired one has no other plans of course.

The loco chassis is almost at the painting stage followed by adding the rest of the valve gear etc. Going well at present. (The bogie front wheels need the correct ones added when I get them)

The Royal Scott loco chassis is now well under way. It being a Gladiator kit no problems so far.

At last got the PC sorted out and now working correctly again. So now onwards with a Gladiator Royal Scott class. As usual starting with the tender. Sorting out the buffers tomorrow and starting on the loco itself. I decided not to load the various stages as I have done so many it's all in builds of this class of tender.

Desk top still refuses to allow me to remain logged into some sites like this and emails. Very frustrating.

At last the Dukdog is now completed. There has been far too many delays to get to the WB of late. The computer has been playing up and spent four days trying to get it running right.

It's been a very busy time of late but in dribs and drabs I have got the next loco under way. This is a Javelin kit of the GWR Dukedog. One of my favourite locos. As usual with Javelin kits it's going together very well, the most difficult part being the tender side flares. These require annealing to make it easier. Looking a bit scruffy right now as it need a good cleanup.