Wright writes.....

[MarkC]

4mm Jidenco/Falcon Brass? I built a Midland 0-4-4WT over 17 years ago, and it runs beautifully. It saw many shows as part of the fleet operating on my exhibition layout. What does let it down isn't the kit but my poor attempts to hand line it out back then. (It's in pre-1907 MR livery). I must strip it and repaint it properly at some time.

 

At the same time I bought a Jidenco/FB MR steam railmotor and trailer. Whilst the coach parts were easy enough, the mechanicals beat me, and I have never got it to run. However, salvation may be at hand, as John Redrup will sell me a kit of his new version of the power unit. So this should be (finally) up and running ere long.

 

Mark

Edited September 13, 2019 by MarkC

[jrg1]

5 hours ago, gr.king said:

I suspect that some "notoriously unsatisfactory" kits can perhaps make good models in the hands of those who proceed warily, checking everything, trying temporary assemblies and making careful alterations compatible with other parts of the kit, when required. In the hand of those who "just build", soldering up solidly from square one, expecting everything to fit (or very nearly so), the same kits are bound to produce poor models or to prove impossible to assemble.

I think the time and effort factor comes into play here-spending a week's modelling time to produce an acceptable result when a plastic kit would give the same or better in a couple of hours tends to depress me.

I also have a Jidenco LNWR 0-8-4T.  This is half built, and looks quite good-all square and good etches.  However, the bunker is a scale foot short, and the cab roof follows a profile that could be described as wistful, and needed to be drastically altered to conform to the works drawing.  Also, the splashers and footplate openings are too close together for P4.  apart from that, all is well.

[jrg1]

5 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

Thanks for that. I've also got one of those, still in its box. Based on your comments, I think that's where it will remain.

I did  a build description for TCH; if you are interested I can go into more detail.  The topsides are absolute rubbish, but the underframe can be tarted up satisfactorily.

I only realised recently that the end tank covers should be convex, and not flat-I never spotted that during the build.

I have a series of build photographs, but these are not uploading, for some reason.

[jrg1]

5 hours ago, Michael Edge said:

My records show that I've built 17 locos from Jidenco/Falcon kits plus a couple for my own use, most of them are too far back to have been photographed digitally but here are two examples.

 

 

 

 

 

In case anyone is wondering these are 3mm scale/TT gauge. 

I would like to know how you achieved such a good result with these kits-I am aware that the quality of Falcon/Jidenco varied enormously, but these are outstanding

[St Enodoc]

5 minutes ago, jrg1 said:

I did  a build description for TCH; if you are interested I can go into more detail.  The topsides are absolute rubbish, but the underframe can be tarted up satisfactorily.

I only realised recently that the end tank covers should be convex, and not flat-I never spotted that during the build.

I have a series of build photographs, but these are not uploading, for some reason.

Ah, I half-remember that. If you can give me the TCH number I can dig it out! Any additional info woudl certainly be interesting too.

 

Thanks.

[Michael Edge]

3 hours ago, jrg1 said:

I would like to know how you achieved such a good result with these kits-I am aware that the quality of Falcon/Jidenco varied enormously, but these are outstanding

With any kit built loco I replace or modify whatever I know is wrong, I don't just put together what I find in the box. The vast majority of loco kits I have built, from nearly all sources, have had something which needed altering, the exceptions are mostly Finney/Mitchell in 4mm scale (although they have their own problems) and Dave Andrews in 7mm.

3mm presents its own problems but I have built a lot over the years, these two were done "fully detailed", most of my 3mm work has a lot less detail to keep the cost down for some customers. With etch reductions like this the only giveaway is the axle end diameter, TT uses 1/8th axles and they do look very oversize.

That's my own painting on those two as well, not nearly as good as Ian Rathbone or Dave Studley who paint a lot of my work.

[dibateg]

Jidenco…. shudder!

I build full time.. am I a professional? No, don't answer that question!

My only experience is the coal tank, that I believe was Falcon>Jidenco>Shedmaster (7mm ), I ended up scratch building half of it. Far too much effort to get a good result. Never again!

 

Warren painted and redeemed it.

Edited September 13, 2019 by dibateg
Comment

[Tony Wright]

11 hours ago, cctransuk said:

 

 

Once again, I don't seem to be able to open a new post without an old one coming up. It must be me!

 

Never mind. Thanks for all the comments on 'difficult' kits. The pictures show what can be achieved, and they're brilliant. 

 

Clearly, Jidenco/Falcon Brass kits can be built into satisfactory models, but the skills required are way beyond me (if my experience is anything to go by). 

 

Speaking from my own experience, the various metal kits I've built (both locos and rolling stock) down the years have usually been all right (accepting that it's usually more than a case of just 'shaking the box' to put them together.

 

From memory, I'd list them (in no particular order) as such.....................

DJH: I've built hundreds of their locos. Earlier (Banbury) ones can be tricky, but for OO and EM I consider the range to be among the best.

SE Finecast: again, I've built loads of these. Earlier Wills ones were compromised, but later ones are excellent.

London Road Models: not so many of these built (just into double figures) but superb.

Nu-Cast: good for their day, but not with a white metal lump for a chassis. Dozens built, either with scratch-built or etched chassis. 

Little Engines: a few built, and generally very good. 

Pro-Scale: a couple of good ones, then ummm: a V2!

Anchorage: excellent. 

Brassmasters: one 0-8-4T; as designed, the chassis way beyond my abilities.

Redcraft: one B&M saddle tank was enough!

Magna Models: basic, but OK, provided one made a brass chassis.

McGowan/Cornard: who'd make a chassis completely out of white metal, including rods and motion? 

Bristol Models: plenty of white metal.

Millholme: even more white metal!

K's: fine, if one chucked the mechanical bits away.

Jamieson: what a wonderful introduction to making locos in sheet metal.

Jidenco: as mentioned, beaten!

ACE: just one 4mm loco built. Interesting! The holes in the valve gear etch were huge. In fact, many had 'escaped'!

Comet: brilliant carriages; Caprotti Five a bit of a challenge, though. Scot and Ivatt 2MT very good.

Alan Gibson: generally no problems.

WSM: the J6 and the C1 proved 'interesting'!

MTK: you're kidding!

Q kits: more kidding!

MJT: marvellous.

BSL/Phoenix: excellent starting points for carriage builders, though detail is minimal.

Kemilway: excellent, if complex.

Isinglass: a very good LNER milk van.

D&S: superb rolling stock kits. 

Crownline/PDK: generally OK, but not the resin boilers in some in my view.

DMR. One K1, and very good, too; though the cab proportions are slightly out. 

Craftsman: a few C12s, a couple of MIdland 0-4-4Ts and an A5; jolly good.

MPD: a 3F; very nice.

Mallard/Blacksmith: some experience needed.

 

There must be several more, but I can't readily remember. 

 

Anyone got any other stories, please? 

 

[Tony Wright]

35 minutes ago, dibateg said:

Jidenco…. shudder!

I build full time.. am I a professional? No, don't answer that question!

My only experience is the coal tank, that I believe was Falcon>Jidenco>Shedmaster (7mm ), I ended up scratch building half of it. Far too much effort to get a good result. Never again!

 

Warren painted and redeemed it.

'No, don't answer that question!'

 

Ah, but Tony, I will,

 

In my view (and I'm not alone in this), you're currently one of the finest professional builders. 

 

I've rarely seen such wonderful work.

 

Thanks for posting.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[thegreenhowards]

11 hours ago, jwealleans said:

 

 

 

This GC composite had picture windows all along its length, so the one where the door between first and third class is hung had to be remade as two smaller windows.  The bogies are also awful and I still haven't replaced them.

 

Nice looking model Jonathon,

 

I bought one of these unmade at a show recently, but after the comments on the last couple of pages, I'm wondering whether it should go straight onto eBay! Did you write up your build anywhere?

 

Regards

 

Andy

 

PS. Tony, hope to see you at Woking on Sunday.

[Clive Mortimore]

16 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Once again, I don't seem to be able to open a new post without an old one coming up. It must be me!

 

Never mind. Thanks for all the comments on 'difficult' kits. The pictures show what can be achieved, and they're brilliant. 

 

Clearly, Jidenco/Falcon Brass kits can be built into satisfactory models, but the skills required are way beyond me (if my experience is anything to go by). 

 

Speaking from my own experience, the various metal kits I've built (both locos and rolling stock) down the years have usually been all right (accepting that it's usually more than a case of just 'shaking the box' to put them together.

 

From memory, I'd list them (in no particular order) as such.....................

DJH: I've built hundreds of their locos. Earlier (Banbury) ones can be tricky, but for OO and EM I consider the range to be among the best.

SE Finecast: again, I've built loads of these. Earlier Wills ones were compromised, but later ones are excellent.

London Road Models: not so many of these built (just into double figures) but superb.

Nu-Cast: good for their day, but not with a white metal lump for a chassis. Dozens built, either with scratch-built or etched chassis. 

Little Engines: a few built, and generally very good. 

Pro-Scale: a couple of good ones, then ummm: a V2!

Anchorage: excellent. 

Brassmasters: one 0-8-4T; as designed, the chassis way beyond my abilities.

Redcraft: one B&M saddle tank was enough!

Magna Models: basic, but OK, provided one made a brass chassis.

McGowan/Cornard: who'd make a chassis completely out of white metal, including rods and motion? 

Bristol Models: plenty of white metal.

Millholme: even more white metal!

K's: fine, if one chucked the mechanical bits away.

Jamieson: what a wonderful introduction to making locos in sheet metal.

Jidenco: as mentioned, beaten!

ACE: just one 4mm loco built. Interesting! The holes in the valve gear etch were huge. In fact, many had 'escaped'!

Comet: brilliant carriages; Caprotti Five a bit of a challenge, though. Scot and Ivatt 2MT very good.

Alan Gibson: generally no problems.

WSM: the J6 and the C1 proved 'interesting'!

MTK: you're kidding!

Q kits: more kidding!

MJT: marvellous.

BSL/Phoenix: excellent starting points for carriage builders, though detail is minimal.

Kemilway: excellent, if complex.

Isinglass: a very good LNER milk van.

D&S: superb rolling stock kits. 

Crownline/PDK: generally OK, but not the resin boilers in some in my view.

DMR. One K1, and very good, too; though the cab proportions are slightly out. 

Craftsman: a few C12s, a couple of MIdland 0-4-4Ts and an A5; jolly good.

MPD: a 3F; very nice.

Mallard/Blacksmith: some experience needed.

 

There must be several more, but I can't readily remember. 

 

Anyone got any other stories, please? 

 

Hello Tony

 

Some of the above might not have been the worlds best, but without those willing to have a go at designing and producing kits many of us would not have the locos, coaches and wagons we wanted. Not everyone is a scratch builder.

[Jol Wilkinson]

17 hours ago, jwealleans said:

 

Bill has said he wants to move away from etching, but there are plenty of others who still do it.  It's becoming easier to do, I think - I know of a couple of people (Nick Easton for one) who have done short runs of very esoteric wagons mainly for themselves.  There doesn't seem to be the mass demand, but it isn't completely dead.

 

Some Nick Easton BIWO wagon kits are available from London Road Models, but tend to be the large, more unusual, LNWR trolley wagons.

 

16 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

I think the point is pure economics, Jacko,

 

It's just too expensive for the niche traders to take stands at some of the major shows. Glasgow's not unique. Try to buy metal loco/wagon/carriage kits at Ally Pally as well. 

 

Is it a chicken and egg situation? Not enough punters who actually make metal things to make it viable, or/or, because knowing there are few 'specialist' traders, 'specialist' punters don't attend? 

 

My observation (in general) is that there is a preponderance these days at 'major' shows of 'box-shifters'. Clearly it's worth their while, and, because of the size of their stands, they'll pay a lot more than the kit-manufacturers. Fortunately, there are still some 'larger' shows where one can get metal kits. Just off-hand, there's Stevenage, York, Railex, Warley (of course), Wigan and a few 'smaller' ones as well - Railwells, for instance. There are probably many more, and, even though the metal kit-makers are absent, Glasgow (in particular) is always worth going to; as is Ally Pally. 

 

Generally, though, if one wants 'specialist' goods, then the scale/gauge shows are the ones to go to. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

In my experience the "best" shows for the specialist traders are, as Tony points out, the Society run events such as the S4ums, ExpoEMs, GOG and a few others such as Tony has mentioned. I would add the South Hants one day Portsmouth show but wonder if the Warley event is too expensive for many of the small traders, while my experience of Stevenage is that it is becoming a more family/general show with fewer customers for the kit manufacturers.

 

Clearly there are others of which I have no experience but as a committed (no puns please) 4mm model builder because I choose to model the LNWR, these are the shows I find enable me to obtain my modelling requirements without gong online. At the same time, I can talk to the suppliers and discuss future developments.

 

 

[bbishop]

From some firms, I would only consider inside cylinders and valve gear.  I have a Jidenco LSWR T1 in 7mm, whitemetal blobs replaced by John Hart's turnings and various modifications to move the kit from 1891 to 1931, but it is an acceptable representation.  Perhaps 30 years old, but without the Jidenco kit I wouldn't have one .....

 

Bill

[jwealleans]

Andy, the build was on one version of RMWeb, no longer accessible, but it's also on the LNER Encyclopedia forum where you can see how I made the missing windows.  It was by no means as hard as I expected.

 

I have some 10' MJT bogies to replace the present pair, I'm just awaiting a source for the cosmetic sides.

Edited September 13, 2019 by jwealleans

[Barry Ten]

40 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Once again, I don't seem to be able to open a new post without an old one coming up. It must be me!

 

 

 

 

That's started happening for me as well, Tpny  - I'm not sure why.

[grahame]

4 minutes ago, Barry Ten said:

 

That's started happening for me as well, Tpny  - I'm not sure why.

 

And me. Although not every time. I've no idea why it happens or how to stop it but occasionally it clears itself.

 

[cctransuk]

28 minutes ago, Clive Mortimore said:

Some of the above might not have been the worlds best, but without those willing to have a go at designing and producing kits many of us would not have the locos, coaches and wagons we wanted. Not everyone is a scratch builder.

 

Precisely !!

 

These kits have to be considered in their context - as pioneers of the sophisticated etched kits that we now have.

 

The very fact that they didn't fall together forced us to use our initiative, and find solutions and techniques which stood us in good stead when we started scratchbuilding.

 

They were - and are - a challenge; but not an insuperable one, given imagination and persistence.

 

You were obliged to think ahead. Is this going to work as intended? Can I devise a better way? Not a bad lesson to learn early on in one's modelling development.

 

There are still plenty of these kits unbuilt and for sale - it would be unfortunate if they were tarred with the 'unbuildable' brush, when they should merely be regarded as a challenge.

 

Regards,

John Isherwood.

[Bucoops]

46 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Once again, I don't seem to be able to open a new post without an old one coming up. It must be me!

 

Never mind. Thanks for all the comments on 'difficult' kits. The pictures show what can be achieved, and they're brilliant. 

 

Clearly, Jidenco/Falcon Brass kits can be built into satisfactory models, but the skills required are way beyond me (if my experience is anything to go by). 

 

Speaking from my own experience, the various metal kits I've built (both locos and rolling stock) down the years have usually been all right (accepting that it's usually more than a case of just 'shaking the box' to put them together.

 

From memory, I'd list them (in no particular order) as such.....................

DJH: I've built hundreds of their locos. Earlier (Banbury) ones can be tricky, but for OO and EM I consider the range to be among the best.

SE Finecast: again, I've built loads of these. Earlier Wills ones were compromised, but later ones are excellent.

London Road Models: not so many of these built (just into double figures) but superb.

Nu-Cast: good for their day, but not with a white metal lump for a chassis. Dozens built, either with scratch-built or etched chassis. 

Little Engines: a few built, and generally very good. 

Pro-Scale: a couple of good ones, then ummm: a V2!

Anchorage: excellent. 

Brassmasters: one 0-8-4T; as designed, the chassis way beyond my abilities.

Redcraft: one B&M saddle tank was enough!

Magna Models: basic, but OK, provided one made a brass chassis.

McGowan/Cornard: who'd make a chassis completely out of white metal, including rods and motion? 

Bristol Models: plenty of white metal.

Millholme: even more white metal!

K's: fine, if one chucked the mechanical bits away.

Jamieson: what a wonderful introduction to making locos in sheet metal.

Jidenco: as mentioned, beaten!

ACE: just one 4mm loco built. Interesting! The holes in the valve gear etch were huge. In fact, many had 'escaped'!

Comet: brilliant carriages; Caprotti Five a bit of a challenge, though. Scot and Ivatt 2MT very good.

Alan Gibson: generally no problems.

WSM: the J6 and the C1 proved 'interesting'!

MTK: you're kidding!

Q kits: more kidding!

MJT: marvellous.

BSL/Phoenix: excellent starting points for carriage builders, though detail is minimal.

Kemilway: excellent, if complex.

Isinglass: a very good LNER milk van.

D&S: superb rolling stock kits. 

Crownline/PDK: generally OK, but not the resin boilers in some in my view.

DMR. One K1, and very good, too; though the cab proportions are slightly out. 

Craftsman: a few C12s, a couple of MIdland 0-4-4Ts and an A5; jolly good.

MPD: a 3F; very nice.

Mallard/Blacksmith: some experience needed.

 

There must be several more, but I can't readily remember. 

 

Anyone got any other stories, please? 

 

 

Only one I can add is Stelfox - my N7 is coming along but has had to have quite a lot of fettling and some of the brass castings need a lot of work or replacing. However apart from a DJH J50 twenty years ago I can't say if that's the kit of my skills as that's all I've done. There are still a number of Connoisseur models in 4mm around, but I've not started one - they are all reductions from 7mm kits rather than designed for 4mm which will no doubt have resulting issues.

[thegreenhowards]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

Once again, I don't seem to be able to open a new post without an old one coming up. It must be me!

 

Never mind. Thanks for all the comments on 'difficult' kits. The pictures show what can be achieved, and they're brilliant. 

 

Clearly, Jidenco/Falcon Brass kits can be built into satisfactory models, but the skills required are way beyond me (if my experience is anything to go by). 

 

Speaking from my own experience, the various metal kits I've built (both locos and rolling stock) down the years have usually been all right (accepting that it's usually more than a case of just 'shaking the box' to put them together.

 

From memory, I'd list them (in no particular order) as such.....................

DJH: I've built hundreds of their locos. Earlier (Banbury) ones can be tricky, but for OO and EM I consider the range to be among the best.

SE Finecast: again, I've built loads of these. Earlier Wills ones were compromised, but later ones are excellent.

London Road Models: not so many of these built (just into double figures) but superb.

Nu-Cast: good for their day, but not with a white metal lump for a chassis. Dozens built, either with scratch-built or etched chassis. 

Little Engines: a few built, and generally very good. 

Pro-Scale: a couple of good ones, then ummm: a V2!

Anchorage: excellent. 

Brassmasters: one 0-8-4T; as designed, the chassis way beyond my abilities.

Redcraft: one B&M saddle tank was enough!

Magna Models: basic, but OK, provided one made a brass chassis.

McGowan/Cornard: who'd make a chassis completely out of white metal, including rods and motion? 

Bristol Models: plenty of white metal.

Millholme: even more white metal!

K's: fine, if one chucked the mechanical bits away.

Jamieson: what a wonderful introduction to making locos in sheet metal.

Jidenco: as mentioned, beaten!

ACE: just one 4mm loco built. Interesting! The holes in the valve gear etch were huge. In fact, many had 'escaped'!

Comet: brilliant carriages; Caprotti Five a bit of a challenge, though. Scot and Ivatt 2MT very good.

Alan Gibson: generally no problems.

WSM: the J6 and the C1 proved 'interesting'!

MTK: you're kidding!

Q kits: more kidding!

MJT: marvellous.

BSL/Phoenix: excellent starting points for carriage builders, though detail is minimal.

Kemilway: excellent, if complex.

Isinglass: a very good LNER milk van.

D&S: superb rolling stock kits. 

Crownline/PDK: generally OK, but not the resin boilers in some in my view.

DMR. One K1, and very good, too; though the cab proportions are slightly out. 

Craftsman: a few C12s, a couple of MIdland 0-4-4Ts and an A5; jolly good.

MPD: a 3F; very nice.

Mallard/Blacksmith: some experience needed.

 

There must be several more, but I can't readily remember. 

 

Anyone got any other stories, please? 

 

Tony,

 

While I have built a handful of locos thanks to your tuition, my experience in brass is mainly building coaches.

 

I have built kits/ sides from the following MJT, Comet, Southern Pride, and Mousa.Of these MJT are probably the best designed and go together very easily. But you pay a premium for that and their range is small. I prefer those which come with preformed tumblehome/ turnunder. Southern Pride are fantastic value for money, and I particularly love their Thompsons which come preformed and of which I've built getting on for 20. The latest is shown on my thread below.

 

I have Kemilway, D&S and Jidenco (see above) in the roundtuit pile, so may be able to report on them next time this issue comes up.

 

Andy

[Tony Wright]

18 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

 

Precisely !!

 

These kits have to be considered in their context - as pioneers of the sophisticated etched kits that we now have.

 

The very fact that they didn't fall together forced us to use our initiative, and find solutions and techniques which stood us in good stead when we started scratchbuilding.

 

They were - and are - a challenge; but not an insuperable one, given imagination and persistence.

 

You were obliged to think ahead. Is this going to work as intended? Can I devise a better way? Not a bad lesson to learn early on in one's modelling development.

 

There are still plenty of these kits unbuilt and for sale - it would be unfortunate if they were tarred with the 'unbuildable' brush, when they should merely be regarded as a challenge.

 

Regards,

John Isherwood.

I'm in agreement with you here, John,

 

With just one caveat.  I wonder just how many 'challenging' or 'unbuildable' kits down the years have been responsible for some modellers giving up the hobby? Or at least giving up building things. Too many times when I've spoken to folk who've 'failed', having told them that the fault's with the kit, the answer is usually 'I thought it was me!'

 

Regards,

 

Tony.  

[APOLLO]

BEC ? - I made several BEC TT gauge locos back in the 60's. J72, J50, 4F all on Tri-ang chassis. Also a BEC Brush type 4 with two powered Tri-ang A-1-A bogies, looks awful these days but will pull anything. The bees knees at the time.

 

GEM - A GWR King, again Tri-ang chassis & tender. Nice loco though wrong for my West Riding layout back then. Gem seemed better quality castings than BEC.

 

I still have these locos, they all still run, awaiting a small plank type layout.

 

In OO I have two BEC J11's once again utilising the Tri-ang 0-6-0 chassis.  Not built by me but nice, inexpensive & useful locos. i've detailed them a bit. At least they pull a decent load, unlike my Bachmann J11 which just looks nice whilst the wheels spin !!

 

When I went OO back in 1972 I bought a few MTK diesel kits. The body shells made up decent but I could not fathom the complex bogies required for the EE Type 4 or Peak - so they have been in their box since then. A Q kits resin "Kestrel" is unbuilt - the one piece body casting is very poor (even to my standards), and has a slimy surface on the inside -  Thankfully Heljan brought one out - my favourite diesel of all time.

 

Later on I also went American O scale - cheaper than OO (back then), and certainly then as now far cheaper than UK O gauge. I have to say it - O scale has that certain thing about it (weight, size, presence, etc) which, to my mind, OO / HO will just never have. I now scan ebay for unmade O scale railroad car kits, not too fideley to build , and around £25 will buy you a superb very detailed Inter-Mountain kit -  same price as many RTR OO 4 wheel wagons. Takes a couple of relaxing days to build. And - NO Painting / lettering  (my nemesis !).

 

 

A cheap pair of reading glasses helps immensely !! I've forgot what the lump hammer was for !!!!

 

 

I wouldn't dream of carrying out this sort of detail in OO - even in kit form.

 

Brit15

 

 

Edited September 13, 2019 by APOLLO

[thegreenhowards]

47 minutes ago, Jol Wilkinson said:

In my experience the "best" shows for the specialist traders are, as Tony points out, the Society run events such as the S4ums, ExpoEMs, GOG and a few others such as Tony has mentioned. I would add the South Hants one day Portsmouth show but wonder if the Warley event is too expensive for many of the small traders, while my experience of Stevenage is that it is becoming a more family/general show with fewer customers for the kit manufacturers.

 

I'd agree with that. And for me, one of the highlights of going to such shows is the 'retail therapy'. Maybe the organisers should pay the traders to attend?! It's particularly sad that Wizard have decided to stop attending all shows from next year (https://www.wizardmodels.ltd/wizard-models-news/). A browse at Andrew's stand is always one of the highlights of an exhibition for me.

 

Andy

[Jol Wilkinson]

31 minutes ago, cctransuk said:

 

Precisely !!

 

These kits have to be considered in their context - as pioneers of the sophisticated etched kits that we now have.

 

The very fact that they didn't fall together forced us to use our initiative, and find solutions and techniques which stood us in good stead when we started scratchbuilding.

 

They were - and are - a challenge; but not an insuperable one, given imagination and persistence.

 

You were obliged to think ahead. Is this going to work as intended? Can I devise a better way? Not a bad lesson to learn early on in one's modelling development.

 

There are still plenty of these kits unbuilt and for sale - it would be unfortunate if they were tarred with the 'unbuildable' brush, when they should merely be regarded as a challenge.

 

Regards,

John Isherwood.

 

Jidenco were notable for a very large range and low prices.which led many, me included, into trying one. Despite being a relatively simple  4-4-2 tank loco it wasn't straightforward and when I discovered several dimensional errors I gave up. Likewise with a LNWR van I later tried to build, having gained some more experience, but that had design defects that made it difficult to build and it sits on its own,  in my "unlikely ever to be finished" box.

 

The range and pricing probably led many modellers into trying a Jidenco kit as their first build etched kit. While you could argue that it was a good way to develop your skills, I would counter that by asking how many people did it put off and to what extent did it create an image that etched kits are too difficult.

 

 

30 minutes ago, Bucoops said:

 

Only one I can add is Stelfox - my N7 is coming along but has had to have quite a lot of fettling and some of the brass castings need a lot of work or replacing. However apart from a DJH J50 twenty years ago I can't say if that's the kit of my skills as that's all I've done. There are still a number of Connoisseur models in 4mm around, but I've not started one - they are all reductions from 7mm kits rather than designed for 4mm which will no doubt have resulting issues.

I'll add,

 

CSP, mainly small industrial locos.

Judith Edge Kits.

Lochgorm Kits.

ACE kits.

Branchlines.

Worsley Works (including a V1)

 

I am not sure  but did not Stephen Poole produce some loco kits (GER).

Edited September 13, 2019 by Jol Wilkinson
Spelling

[Tony Wright]

13 minutes ago, APOLLO said:

BEC ? - I made several BEC TT gauge locos back in the 60's. J72, J50, 4F all on Tri-ang chassis. Also a BEC Brush type 4 with two powered Tri-ang A-1-A bogies, looks awful these days but will pull anything. The bees knees at the time.

 

GEM - A GWR King, again Tri-ang chassis & tender. Nice loco though wrong for my West Riding layout back then. Gem seemed better quality castings than BEC.

 

I still have these locos, they all still run, awaiting a small plank type layout.

 

In OO I have two BEC J11's once again utilising the Tri-ang 0-6-0 chassis.  Not built by me but nice, inexpensive & useful locos. i've detailed them a bit. At least they pull a decent load, unlike my Bachmann J11 which just looks nice whilst the wheels spin !!

 

When I went OO back in 1972 I bought a few MTK diesel kits. The body shells made up decent but I could not fathom the complex bogies required for the EE Type 4 or Peak - so they have been in their box since then. A Q kits resin "Kestrel" is unbuilt - the one piece body casting is very poor (even to my standards), and has a slimy surface on the inside -  Thankfully Heljan brought one out - my favourite diesel of all time.

 

Later on I also went American O scale - cheaper than OO (back then), and certainly then as now far cheaper than UK O gauge. I have to say it - O scale has that certain thing about it (weight, size, presence, etc) which, to my mind, OO / HO will just never have.

 

Brit15

 

 

Thanks,

 

I'd forgotten the BEC kits and the GEM kits I've built. I built a BEC J11 decades ago, and fitted it on to a Tr-ang chassis, immediately becoming a 'scale' modeller by fitting Romfords to it!  There was also a J17 and a J52, somewhere along the line. 

 

GEM? Super D and a 'Jumbo', the latter in EM - both on scratch-built chassis. Oh, there's also a Mercian  Super D, and what about the CSP/Agenoria kits I've built? 

 

I must remember to try and remember.........................

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[queensquare]

The only one I can add to the list that hasn't yet been mentioned is Backwoods Miniatures - mainly narrow gauge prototypes in 4mm and 7mm. Ive built several including things as diverse as  DHR B class, Welsh Highland Garratt and little sugar plantation Fowlers. I like them, I've just taken on a Darjeeling pacific which I'm looking forward to.

 

Jerry