jazz

A few things really. The valve gear is very thin and the joints so weak. The white metal footplate and boiler were a very poor fit and not nice to work with either. I'm not against white metal casing for , say, the s/box and saddle etc but far to much on a loco this size. The tender by comparison was a delight to build all being etched brass.

A couple of days building this Javelin Models L & Y Coal Wagon. All white metal, except floor which is not supplied so I used plastikard. I think it would have been a nicer model etched brass, just a personal thought.

Thankfully this is now finished.

It's been a slow build so far. I've never been a fan of these DJH kits but I almost there now. Shame it looks so dirty at the moment, the white metal had got splash marks from the flux. A good scrub will brighten things up when I've added the final parts.

Nothing done on the WB yesterday, but have done the bogie & rear section done today. So now it's on with the body build.

That's the first stage of the chassis done, now for the other parts to assemble and attach.

These are the only w/metal body castings.

Made a bit of progress on the chassis. Took ages to try to figure it out as the instruction are basically an exploded diagram and none of the many parts are numbered. So a lot of head scratching.

After the little break, it's back to the WB. I've spent the past couple of days completing this DJH Peppercorn A2. A bit of a beast to build. That's the easy bit done. Start the loco itself tomorrow. (I really must try and sort out the focus on this camera)

This is the Buffalo loco. It was finished quite a while ago. I full photo will be added if you would like it.

I couldn't resist finishing the Ex Taff Vale Kitson V Class. Finally got the number plate from Narrow Planet. Well worth the wait though. A Taff Vale Models kit and pleasant to build. Powered by the Taff Vale gear box and their 1833 motor.

All boxed off for delivery. The tender cross braces are left off until the painter has done his magic. Now for a break to recharge my batteries

I see, thankfully we have soft water here.

That' why I use it, the abrasives clean it up very well. I never use bleach.

Thanks bluestag. I dunk the lot into hot water (but not hot enough to melt any low melt solder) add some washing up liquid then using 'Barmans Friend' with an old toothbrush and scrub away. For the awkward areas I use an old artists chisel paint brush. Then soak each part in clean warm water in the second sink followed by a rinse under the tap with a clean soft paint brush. Place in the airing cupboard for a while then it's ready for the paint after any masking required.

Turning back to the Jubilee, today I've stripped it down and give it a good scrub ready for the paint shop tomorrow.

Interesting, as I found quite the opposite. Dropping rosin cored solder some years ago made my tips last quite a long time. Using a tip cleaner there is no problem with picking up the solder. I guess what works for each individual is just fine.

I use solder Sn50Pb32 Cd18 500g reel (£59.99 inc delivery) Flux Z60 watered down 50/50. Good on brass, nickle silver and steel. Kind to your soldering tips too.

I always solder from behind /under parts where possible. The areas that cannot be done then solder will be visible. I use various sizes of scratch brushes to remove as much as possible. Re the tender above this post, there is some showing on the tool box door. Also it's being able to keep the amount down when going along a joint. This it where a really good flux comes into play. I always use MBO products fluxes and solders.

Chowbent never did produce the Class B although he did purchase that from me along with the New L.

Hi. Yes, I did design and produce the North Staffs B class and the New L class back in the 1970's. I sold it all to another kit producer after a short to concentrate on narrow gauge kits. The B class was never produced by the new owner but did add the L Class to his range. So I cannot say what happened to the artwork etc after that. I did find both unmade kits a while back on ebay after my return from a spell living in Florida and restarting my 0 gauge interests. Out of interest a shot of the NG outdoor section with two of my kits there were quite a few other coach a loco kits too. (Apologies for the poor quality of the photo, taken today from an old photo from the 1970's)

Moving on with the Jubilee. The chassis is now at the cleaning and paint stage before the final assembly is achieved.

I'm not sure Angus. I do know I have six or seven waiting to be built.

Another Gladiator Jubilee underway. As usual starting with the tender. All going well again.

Finally got the Mogul painted and ready for the off. Also built this Gladiator LNWR fitted goods van and primed it today.