Mr Grumpy

Thanks to everyone who has so far contributed to this thread. I'm a tad technophobic, but with Andy Ys help, I'm going to try to post my past, present and future builds under 'Grumpys workbench'. Achieving this could prove more difficult than any kit I have so far attempted! Back to my dogfish, I'm hoping to crack on and get the transfers ordered. I'm going to experiment on the weathering on a 'donor' kit that I have lurking under the work bench.

I gave the doggie a good scrub down and have applied the etching pimer. I will give it a couple of days then spray with Halfords satin black. I won't be able to add any weathering until I have some transfers applied. Just couldn't resist this pic of the tankers to show what lovely models these MMP kits make.

Thanks Ian. Who's kit would you recommend?

Thank Jeff, I don't know about 9, but definitely a few more but also a catfish or two. I must have a look for a couple of different wagons to make up in to a shortish realistic PW train.

Thanks Peter! Name change depends on how the 14XX goes..... Although I'm smiling now :-)

Well.....almost there! I will give the wagon a good scrub over tomorrow, then if the weather is fine add the primer. Ok, so a little over indulgent with all the pics, but to be honest, I'm rather chuffed with how it turned out. So to answer my initial question...."can someone with limited experience of etched brass kit building build one of these wagons?" has got to be yes! Perhaps not perfect but I'm very pleased and will definitely build some more, but perhaps the MOK 14XX first......

I Got the remaining operating wheels complete today, I may re visit the middle one tomorrow. I found them very fiddly. Needed both pairs of specs for this job! I will also try to do the hand rails tomorrow. I hate hand rails. Generaly for every successful one, several hit the bin!! I saw a hand rail template on Eileens Emporium site which may be useful. The 14XX kit has one for the rear window coal bars which will be helpful.

I have made a start with the operating wheels and the wheel framework. I found the wheels a tad fiddly, and as the workshop was freezing, I called it a day after completing one. I thought I would add a couple of pics after todays session before I cleaned up. Makes quite a difference!!

Ouch!! Fortunately I think the only thing that was drunk was the soldering iron operative :-) Thankfully, the hopper is square and true and the angle irons and legs are now in their intended position. It didn't help that I had the wagon up side down and forgot to transpose the angle irons. :-(

Not immediately obvious unless you have built one of these.... I managed to solder the outer angle irons with the left one on the right and vice versa. Twit......

Shhhhhh!!!! (Whisper) I have managed a brief peek!! Doesn't nickle silver look great!! The castings look equally as magnificent. I'm under orders to finish the thumper after this wagon.......

I found this part probably of assembly the most difficult in terms of fiddlyness. I could not get the cast vacuum cylinder brackets level or straight and took them off many many times! I just couldn't get a hold on it and I could not think of a way of clamping. Still, it's done now, and the next one will be much easier. I managed to solder the chequer plate in without getting any solder on the top so quite pleased with myself. I wish I had bought a bulk pack of wagons now as this is just so enjoyable (even if a tad fiddly!) Have to wait until the modelling bank balance is looking a tad more healthy!! On to the operating end and then the steps. Perhaps I will have to have a go at the shark kit that Brian built at some stage.

Look what the postie brought today!! With reference to top left of the box, my wife says the kit has been specialy made to match my abilities! I have been forbidden to open the box until my dogfish is complete! Talking of which, the vacuum cylinder end is coming on nicely and I will post some pics later. Now I need some evidence of a 14XX on a ballast train......

Hi Brian, Please can I jump on the band wagon and bring my 47? If ok, I would need the location please :-)

Hi Graham, Prior to start fitting the L shaped strips to the end, all was ok. When I soldered them on, I lingered too long with the iron and a joint parted on the hopper. I soldered it back, but found thre was a very slight gap, which being lazy I filled with solder. Looking end on, from the vacuum cylinder end, the R/h corner was raised by 1-2mm. I gave it a gentle twist but this resulted in the chassis twisting also. I straightened the chassis and removed the solder from the hopper joint using solder wick. I then soldered the joint together, but still not quite level, so very carefully re soldered each jount in turn. Perhaps this took the tension out of the hopper?Prior to this, I could not get the corner stantions to fit properly. I didn't remove any of the 6 feet on the sides and kept the hopper attached to the chassis. The hopper was just about square again, so I fitted the corner stantions and made 100% certain they were located in the flats on the angled strips. I just gently tacked in place until I was happy with the position of the feet on the chassis and then just fluxed and ran the iron round. The hopper is now spot on, apart from the strip that has come away at the top corner, but that's not a problem. If the above had not worked, I would have resorted to taking the hopper out completely and soldered the corners on the bench with 227 degree solder, and 145 as usual for the stantions. Hope this helps!!

Following a little surgery with the soldering iron (didn't need the crow bar!!) normal service has been resumed. Having said that, looking at the photos, I have just noticed the hopper top trim needs to be re-soldered. I got very little done today, as I wanted to make sure the hopper was straightened without twisting the chassis, so took my time. Also I got distracted trying to chose a prototype for my forthcoming 14XX. As I originated from Reading, I'm sure it will be one of their allocation. The rest of the vacuum end should be complete tomorrow!!

........where's the crowbar when you need it?? :-)

Just picked up a very slight twist on the hopper...possibly kept the iron in a little too long. I will report back after some head scratching....

I noted you had done so on your thread. I meant to do it myself, but old age got the better of me and I forgot. It's a pity as it does show from this angle :-(

Finished the inside of the hopper today. I have cut out all the parts ready for the vacuum cylinder end and hopefully get that assembled tomorrow.

The hopper is finally permanently attached to the chassis. It went on 1st attempt without any faffing or fuss. Also got the buffers fitted and sprung, using phosphor bronze wire in an L shape, through the stem of the buffer and soldered to the chassis side girder. The instaner links were laminated and hooks and lamp brackets fitted. I shall probably leave the steps at the hopper operating end so as not to bend them while fitting out the rest of the wagon. Once I Finnish fitting out the inside of the hopper, I will fit the vacuum cylinder and flooring. In this view, the ballast chute door operating gear boxes can be seen. I think the self contained buffers really suit this wagon and seem to beef it up a bit!! Doubt much will be done tomorrow, off for the old root canals to be filed and faffed

Seems a shame to paint them!! I love kits in brass!!

In between chores, I managed to get the buffer stocks soldered on. The buffers are loose at present until I add the wire spring from behind. (The black dots are to make sure all the buffers go in to their respective stocks)

Talking of keeping 0 gauge kit building alive, I have succumbed to one of these gorgeous little locos from MOK....