The Square Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I've got plans to purchase a couple of Backwoods kits over the next year or two, specifically the NGG16 Garratt, and both single and double Fairlies. My kitbuilding skill is nowhere near good enough to tackle these, can anyone recommend a good kit builder who can do justice to these fine models and would be willing to do a full build and paint for me? The Garratt should be fairly easy from a paint point of view (plain SAR/WHR black as per No. 143), but the Fairlies will be very much more difficult with the lining. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted December 3, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 3, 2009 Do I not recall that on the Backwoods site there is reference to a Garratt that they built for a customer, and so liked they hardly wanted to sell it? You might try asking them if such a service is available - and if not, you can bet they know a man - or lady - who can! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastworld Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 A similar question was asked recently on ngrm online - if you aren't a member you should consider joining. If you're already a member, then the thread you want is http://ngrm-online.com/forum/index.php?topic=1233.0 Stu Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Speak to Mozzer Models of this parish! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
invercloy Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 There are some people who specialise in building Backwoods kits and getting them to run well, NGRM is the best bet as posted by Stu above. I've built (well, started) two and it's not rocket science, you just have to work methodically, the method for building valve gear is simple and not difficult to achieve a smooth running chassis. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
60B Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Speak to Mozzer Models of this parish! Hes focusing on coaching stock as I'd reccomended him before. He might still do it if you get in touch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Square Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Thanks for all the advice folks, much appreciated! I know the key to good kit building is to be patient and methodical, but my kit building skills struggled to cope with a Langley Double Fairlie on the recommended SD-40 chassis..... I have a Backwoods 'K1' kit, having looked through it again earlier (it has been in storage since I bought it at Warley 2000!) I know why it is well beyond what I can do. I've already been in touch with Backwoods, they don't have time to build me one and their recommended builder apparently has an 18 month backlog! I'll head onto NGRM and contact Mozzer Models - sounds like they are my best bets! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Bigcheeseplant Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I would be interested in building, as I am currently taking on commisions. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Square Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Hi David, could you PM me with details of estimated build time, cost, etc? Thanks very much! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick White Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I've got plans to purchase a couple of Backwoods kits over the next year or two, specifically the NGG16 Garratt, and both single and double Fairlies. My kitbuilding skill is nowhere near good enough to tackle these, can anyone recommend a good kit builder who can do justice to these fine models and would be willing to do a full build and paint for me? The Garratt should be fairly easy from a paint point of view (plain SAR/WHR black as per No. 143), but the Fairlies will be very much more difficult with the lining. Thanks! Hi David : Sluggish though it might be at the moment, i have started a blog here on the build and detailing of a 7mm scale version of the Backwoods NG/G16 garratt. Hope you can find someone to build your kits for you ... couldn't we encourage you to build them yourself? Best regards, Rick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AER_2263 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Square, If money is no issue and you really don't have the confidence to tackle these kits then by all means seek out a professional builder. However, you mention the Single Farlie kit and in my opinion that is one of the more simpler kits in the Backwoods range - it features a fair bit of bending and an introduction to annealling BUT you don't have complex valve gear to deal with and its only an 0-4-4! There is plenty of clearance in front of the leading crank pin and the gearing/drivetrain is much simpler than it looks. Oh yes, and it is not an outside framed loco so quartering is easier and jigs can be employed to deal with that. Personally I would start there and see how you get on. I've built that kit, the B Class and Linda and haven't found anything too bad. With the Garratts, there is nothing too difficult with the body work but the chassis are quite tricky with limited clearances, and everyone's favourite Belgian valve gear x4! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chameleon Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 I have one of the garrat kits and I've not been brave enough to tackle it yet, that and I have a never ending list of german stuff to build! I have built a couple of the IVks with 4x valve gear though the Bemo stuff crimps together and is much easier to build than the riveted stuff. I will give it a go sometime... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
invercloy Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Don't be scared of it, the first thing I attacked with a soldering iron was the Backwoods Darjeeling C Class chassis and valve gear, if i can do it then anyone can!! Give it a go yourself, the instructions are very good and it's all methodical. There are a lot of steps but there's nothing that complex. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Square Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Thanks for the encouragement everyone, this weekend just gone I have bought a Chivers Finelines whitemetal kit for the NWNGR 0-6-4T Single Fairlie 'Snowdon Ranger'. I'll see how I get on building that, and then depending on how well it goes, i'll find a nice simple brass kit to build before I attempt Taliesin. I'm perfectly happy working on 12":1ft scale stuff, but anything fine or fiddly can be quite a challenge. I'll keep you posted.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrattfan Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Thanks for the encouragement everyone, this weekend just gone I have bought a Chivers Finelines whitemetal kit for the NWNGR 0-6-4T Single Fairlie 'Snowdon Ranger'. I'll see how I get on building that, and then depending on how well it goes, i'll find a nice simple brass kit to build before I attempt Taliesin. I'm perfectly happy working on 12":1ft scale stuff, but anything fine or fiddly can be quite a challenge. I'll keep you posted.... errrm, I may be a little late in the thread, but I am currently building the Backwoods OO9 NGG16. Actually it is not difficult but simply a darn heap of work. See the project on my site. I soldered the Walschaerts valve gear, this works really fine, far less toruble than rivetting. Take a look at the detailed description Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Bailey Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Regards the Backwoods kits, I've built quite a few, 7 steam, 4 diesels (inc 2 railcars) and one crane. I have awaiting 4 more kits when I've time. Word of warning, the Canopus kits look an easy starter but I had problems with the cylinder positions on both kits I built, but damn good instructions on soldering brass kits. The other problem I've had is getting my wheels onto the axles square so all my locos wobble a bit. Don't let the valve gear worry you, just read the instructions and take your time. My NGG16 Garratt has been running for 10 years now and even Pete from Backwoods commented that it runs smoothly. Andy, Avyn-A-Llyin 009 layout Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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