LaScala

Superb Dave, A top model ably enhanced. Considering your shots above must be 3-4 times life size, it really is impressive. Now if only it had an etched bonnet..........

Looks terrific Sandy, please show us more of the DD.

The pic is from Festipedia and was clearly in Minffordd yard in the late 70's. That is a Princess wedge in the background. Much more comfortable than the Baldwin but that's about the only positive comparison!

The bottom of the V must rise vertically perhaps in trunnions, but let's not challenge Dave to model it, it's almost invisible.

The shoes must hinge at the top and expand from the bottom looking at this pic which would suggest the lower "shaft" lifts on a cam perhaps?

Ozz, Surely you have a spare Dean era chimney to help Ken on his way?

Are you sure it's not one of these Beyer Goods, see post 153? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/20801-nu-cast-kits/page-7 They did not have the same wheelbase as the Dean, in fact it's a lot longer and causes some issues with curves. I have a 7mm version (Mega/Gateneal) and it's really only the boiler and tender that is the same.

Will be interesting comparing the Andrews Vs Javelin kits. You would imagine the Javelin kit to be at least 10 yrs older. I can only comment on the GCR 4000gal tender that Gladiator and DA do and I have done both. The latter is marginally superior but there's not much in it. DA does Duke too and that's the one I want.

More than one sort of acid around here!It does seem odd but if nothing else it did draw a comprehensive list of fluxes out of those that care.

MRJ 221 & 224 detail exquisite build of Mitchell 517 that must be a scaled version of the gem being tackled by Ozzyo on this forum right now.

Had the same problem with my Springside 45xx. They were so malleable that in the end I soldered some nickel silver waste etch onto the outside of each bar, far enough back to not be seen, and also onto motion bracket..

Thanks. I assume you anneal the rod first to prevent it breaking as it is bent to the sharp radius needed? I have some 0.8mm rod that looks promising.

Great work George. Are those spectacle frames etched or did you cut them? They look very good either way. I'm about to do them on my LNER D9 and don't know whether to use fuse wire and flatten it after soldering or fretting/cutting 5" brass. As a sometime scratchbuilder yourself, what do you reckon?

Here are the narrowed frames on the 12" to foot workbench

It's a bit like kitbuilding or more accurately converting from Scale4/EM to OO. They have had to cut all the frame spacers and narrowed them to take up the 150mm slack. I like the pics of the frames on the bench at Boston Lodge. Just like anyone on here would do but they needed more than fingertips to lift into place. They also remove the wheels and change the axles for shorter ones. The team apparently wanted to "do" Mountaineer but were refused so they bought their own loco. Should easily handle a loaded train on the 1:40 to Aberglaslyn.

Great shots! Is the loco related to this by any chance? http://c2project.org/index.php?page=history

When I put gloss black on my O4/6 it looked ridiculous. On with the transfers and added a bit of filth and it looked almost plausible. The recent MRJ article using acrylics was most useful especially adding a drop of two of retardant to Tamiya X57 buff give you plenty of messing time.

Weathering looks the business, those big 2-8-0's never look convincing left clean

Amazingly, Adrian is a member of this parish which initially gave me hope, but does not answer PM's either at least in my experience. I would buy ABS stuff at the drop of a hat if I could find him! (I'm in Australia so don't attend shows) His RMW name is logically enough adrianbs

Wow Rob, are you sure Martyn Welsh didn't sneak in and do the weathering? You better half has a subtle touch and adds to your already top notch work

Very impressive, batch building that actually happened as intended, well done.

The handrails are an absolute pain with the Peco toad too. I reckon whatever time spent on the rest of the kit was exceeded by those rails. Same with Parkside horse box

Should be a doddle for a scratch build given your talents George. No need to pay 20 notes when some scrap wire and waste can be used! Rob, those Roles tools are seriously good as is the 4F though............

Same with my Springside 45xx. I used piano wire so the inevitable waste was low cost.

There's a lot to be said for laundry marker.