ROSSPOP

Thanks for the tip re the sandpipes Coppercap..................... I still think it is a brilliant RTR model of my favourite GWR loco despite some design choices. The coreless motor has prevented me from playing at the moment until i fit a sound decoder. I`ll wait until someone else fits their own first though. And still n0body has produced a decent sound file, that I`m aware, for what must be the most popular model loco ever. I shall bring the number plates on mine back to life with some Phoenix /precision enamel brass paint....,

Why o Why ! are you all twittering about the number plates when there is a more glaring problem........................................ about sanding the permanentway

Hatchette wheels up and running....... surprisingly well........................ Also, a very level and accurate chassis etch................................ Now my wife understands why I got a glass kitchen table.......sod to keep clean.....ace to test rollling chassis.....simples rerally.....

they are not missing Dan, but are parts that hatchette decided not to produce as they are hidden behind the valence presumably. Working conjugated valve gear is also not easy to get right for novices. It is only an issue if you are modelling this project with valences removed.

I used a basic axle alignment jig to position the main bearings. The centre bearings have been shortened to accomodate the motor and gearbox. I have used the Hatchette replacement wheels set, having shortened the length of the wheel retaining screws to give a stronger hold. I aligned the wheels using the spokes to fine tune wheel quartering. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the etched coupling rods provided but to save some time I have used those by Premier Components. As I had hopes the large Sagami motor is very powerfull and the simple 36.1 gearing has bedded in well and runs very smoothly. Yes ,of course, darling I totally agree with your suggestion of a glass kitchen table........................................ simples......

No.... But my build has begun..............................................................................

The one I cancelled in December 2015 arrived today......................................................................................................................... it`s only the number plates that fall short of outstanding.......................................................................................

I was never interested in Hatchettes expensive offering that looks too small for a working model. So, being the tight fisted old modelling git that I am I came across a large Sagami motor and later a `Home of O Gauge` 36.1 ratio fold up gear box on ebay some time back £30 max. The motor is about 1.5mm narrower than those cylindrical chassis spacers so I will have to modify the axle box detailing on my chosen driven axle. Today I built it up and ran the gearing in...................................... should do the trick................. Comparison with an ABC Maxon motor and reduction gearing in a Dave Andrews Castle chassis I`ve built. The kit construction will be 90% soldered with the exception of very small `whitemetal/mazak` details cab etc and those parts to be attached to the plastic tender body. So this means removal of body casting factory finish paint for which I found Polycell advanced paint stripper the strongest and most effective. And this is all you need to strip the varnish off the etches (1 hour dipping max) using good old Wilkos paint and varnish stripper, plus a brush, water and wire wool. The basic frames are completed and this evening I plan to fit the bearings, wheels , motor and coupling rods

nice try Coppercap!!! but I hav`nt cancelled my Kernow GWR steam railcar pre-order so she will eventually have a playmate. I`ll just have to get some of that new Peco bullhead track now................

Ha Ha ........ Me too..... Pre-ordered April 2015........ Cancelled December 2015...... Sold all my 4mm stuff December 2016... but mine still arrives tomorrow !!!!!! You can never escape the GWR inquisition !!!!!!

Well on the plus side Paul it is a lovely kit. I snatched mine on ebay as DA had withdrawn the kit. Mine had a couple of issues. The etched cylinder holes are `wellout` amd will be a problem if you want working valves........ I had to fettle mine into a working set up.... The pre etched upper firbox washout holes are too low......... A bit of a fag to change..... wish kits did`nt have them pre-done..... john

Sorry, late for the party. Do stick with the correct wheels for this kit and not the King. you will have less fettling to do at the piston end as the correct wheels have the correct `throw` Things are close just like the prototype but the kit can take it.......... You will need to make sure the `ride height` of your sprung bearings match the kit`s tolerances to avoid problems with the motion slide bars. but the right wheels fit ok!! Regards John

I know Andy..... it`s a very broad church exhibition which I`ve done a couple of times. john

Thanks for that Mark. I shall look forward to the show.

May I ask.... is this a new modelling group in the area?? John

I did exactly the same as you John. Started with Tower Brass RTR and Lionheart locos, but I never seemed to maintain the emotional attachment and I ended up selling them to fund loco kits. After 40years of modelling though a good kit built loco will always out perform an RTR loco and the personal satisfaction is priceless. I started in 2008 and bought one of those Digital Soldering Stations( that are really only designed for the electronics industry). It did`nt like being used at the high wattage end of the spectrum and gave up the ghost one month over the 1 year warranty ( waste of £150). It only coped with two brass etched loco kits. I reverted back to the tried and tested Antex soldering irons. 40watt and 80watt plus a gas/flame torch........ sorted. I have also got a 150watt iron but has been a waste of money as it`s never been needed. Cheers John

Hi john Glad you`ve snaffled up a kit, I needed an 80watt iron due to the thickness on the superstructure. The beading is a bit of a challenge. I`m not an absolute follower of fitting `the exact loco sound` file to my locos. I am a great fan of Digitrain productions though. The J94 sound file is for all two cylinder `shunting` 1F type locos whereas the Jinty is a 3F and has sounds that a 1F would`nt probably have, at leasts thats my reconing....still excellent though. I`ve snaffled up a Sevenscal Pug kit ( now produced by Springside) and am looking forward to fitting Digitrains `pug` sound file. John

Thanks Jeff, I shall await your results..................................

I`ve remained open minded about this enterprise. Hatchette specialise in kits for the absolute novice and so I`m not surprised they hav`nt included the `conjugated valve gear` which wont be seen on a valenced version. Lets be honest, a novice would be hard pressed to get it working in any case. There are plenty of O gauge models around with non moving inside valve gear and I for one will be content to finish with skirts removed ( because I like the look of A4`s this way) but will obtain as many missing castings from LG as he produces. ( I had a bonus sell up on ebay over Christmas) I`m sure in the future I will get a lot of my investment back when I sell on and by then it will have all been forgotten. A decent coat of paint will hide a multitude of sins......... However, it has put me off completely in signing up for any more of their locomotive projects.

Hi Re Sprung hornblocks. I use these from HobbyHolidays almost exclusively on all my 7mm locos and can recommend them ( but not with split axle pickups) They have only about 0.5mm height adjustment using the screw, so you need to consider where the axle centre line is designed to be on the sideframes ( ride height) and locate the cutouts accordingly particularly with reference to outside valve gear. Probably not so much a problem on an A4 compared to a proper GWR loco Thet are pricey £20 per axle but are easy to assemble and have no slop in the hornguides. ( on my DA Castle kit) John

I don`t usually make a comment over RTR offerings...but in this case I`m glad I`m not a prisoner to them. Terrible buffers,,,,, a mess of a footplate edge.... round sausage shaped lamp irons, moulding pips a plenty to most of the fittings and a cylinder that needs filing smooth. A reasonable effort at 3D printing I suppose....... Merry Christmas

So.............. This I found on ebay some time back.....no idea what kit....but just to familiarise me to what I`m missing........ Laurie Griffin then for some of the parts.............................

A pity. Silly decision by Hatchette to `spoil the bake for a ha`penth of flour` right at the last lap. particularly when they have diligently supplied all the axle box detailing between the frames. I don`t suppose `mass complaints` will make any difference as they would probably produce the parts over a further ` 12 issues` Ragstone models appear to produce the missing part, but then there is a ` detailed lump` required the other side of the cylinder and I can`t track that piece down. Oh well, mine will be a `full skirted bint` so has saved a lot of filing and no more expence on the project. Merry Christmas to all ` Hatcheteers` John