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Just heard from Peter Mullen at 62C models. If you check out his website he is planning to introduce a kit for a Holmes G7 0-4-4 T. This would be perfect motive power for the coaches. They were originally based around Glasgow but had been moved around to other areas by the start of WW1 Like the plan for Bervie Sam, could you do something similar for me on a couple of other possibilities sometime? Like many country branches Bervie took up a surprisingly big site. St Cyrus on the same line has been done by a few people. As I said in the previous post I think the city and suburban branches in the central belt are a better proposition in O gauge.

If you check out Peter Mullen's website, 62C models, you will find he is planning to release a kit for a Holmes G7 0-4-4 tank loco later this year. This would be perfect motive power for a train of the six wheel coaches.

If you set the layout in the later NBR period (1920 ish) you have more options loco wise, including some available from kits. By the end of the period, what becomes the LNER C15 Atlantic tanks (NBR class M?) were in use on some of the smaller branches around Edinburgh, and a kit is available from Jim McGeowan at Connoisseur Models. Even the larger C16s were sometimes seen (62C models), and the J83's and J36's (both Connoisseur) were sometimes used on passenger trains all of which are available in kit form. The six wheel coaches lasted into the LNER period as well, so they are appropriate for the post first world war war period too. Some of the urban and suburban stations around Edinburgh and Glasgow were on very cramped sites. The disused stations website is a good source of inspiration. Mark

I am using the 8 foot springs from Laurie Griffen. ( 36 030 in the catalogue) I would think that any similar spring would be fine - but they will need a bit of fettling and trimming to make them look the part, and a few bits adding for the J hangers on the central one.Nothing specifically NBR available. I am also using his axle boxes, The LBSCR Ones 36 - 031 - as I said in an earlier post Holmes coaches were pretty much based on earlier Drummond designs which were very much Stroudley influenced. (Roxy Mouldings may have some alternatives as I know they do LBSC stuff. His LNWR T door handles are also a good match 36 038 For gas lamps, brake pipes and door ventilators look on Peter Mullens 62C site. Hope this helps Mark

Thank y

Apologies for the lack of progress postings. I have finished the brass work on both the First and Brake Third, and have started the Third. However, due to work and family issues progress has been very slow. I have also not had time to photograph the work but will do so in the coming weeks. I have also been waiting for the castings to become available from Peter Mullen at 62C Models. If you check out Peters website these are now available. He can supply the gas lamps and door vents and westinghouse pipes. He also has the styrene roofs available for the coaches. Buffer shanks are being cast. Just search 62C Models or use the link on the GOG website. I was hoping to source some castings from ALBA models, but they are temporarily closed for family reasons. Therefore for axle boxes I am getting HR/ LBSCR ones from Laurie Griffen. These are a fairly good match given the Stroudly/Drummond influence on NBR coaches in this period. He can also supply springs. His LNWR door handles are also a fair match. However grab handles in the correct size are proving a problem. Might have to do these from scratch - ideas anyone? Have to go now as facing impending OFSTED inspection this week. Last one - voluntary redundancy beckons at the end of this final term.

I too have really enjoyed following your thread. Please keep posting on any new builds. While the experienced builder can provide advice and expertise, very often its threads like yours that can encourage people to have a go, and that skills are learned not something you are born with. Your reflections on the build were really interesting. As a relative newcomer to kit building I found that in many ways the first loco I built was in fact the most expensive. On moving on to the second and third I found that I already had a lot of the tools and extra material I needed, and that I had learned where I could save money by improvising. Mark

I agree Mike, the work is completely inspirational! However, don't let it put you off the joys (and frustrations) of kit building. As a returner to railway modelling in my fifties, I think I would have given up a second time if it had not been for a demonstration of loco building at York show. Now three loco's and two coaches down the line, I have not yet the time or skill to produce something of Mike's standard. But they are getting better, and the thrill of seeing something you have built and that is different to anyone else's can't be beaten, despite its imperfections. The important thing is to take pleasure in your own progress however modest, lean from the experts who so generously share their expertise on this site, but don't compare your work. If you would think that your efforts would not stand up against your ready to run, why not build an alternative set of models perhaps from a different era? Mark

Hi Jamie, Happy New Year to yourself and Beth, not forgetting the Green Ayre team. Had a very hectic Christmas with a house full of family and lots of social activity! Back to work and reality tomorrow! I did manage to sneak in some progress around the festivities. The Horse Dock has been cut down and strengthened. It just needs to be repainted now in the places where the work has been done. Made more progress on the Royal Train Shed. Both sides and one end now planked. Just the front and the doors to do. I am tempted to plank the front vertically to make it match the photograph we have now found. If that had just come to light six months ago! On a related topic I also finished the soldering on the NBR break third. New year modelling resolution is to start no more new projects until I have completed the ones I am on at the moment! Hope to be down at the club next Friday. Mark

I said progress would be slow, but there was a chance last Saturday morning to move the build on a little more. The lower foot board presented an interesting challenge as the hangers are etched scale size and are very thin. I did wonder about using some more substantial wire, but decided to give it a go. Removing the parts and cleaning them up was tricky, and I was pleased that Jamie had included a couple of spares on the etch. Once the parts were prepared I folded the bottom ends, and then strengthened the right angle joint with some 188 solder. This gave the hangers a more solid feel. The same was used to attach them to the solebars. I then used 145 solder to attach the lower foot board. I was quite surprised how square and rigid the construction turned out to be. For the photograph I have mounted it on the wheel sets we used for the original test etch to check heights and clearances. I anticipate a couple more morning sessions will get me to the point where I am looking to source the detailing parts from Peter Mullen at 62C once they are available. On the subject of things NBR, I had been looking at the second hand stands at O gauge shows hoping against hope that one of the NB Models 7mm kit for the Scott or Glen would turn up as I was under the impression they were discontinued. I was therefore delighted and surprised when Norman Blackburn's website re appeared again recently, and I released the kits could still be ordered. The result has been a joint family present and a D30 Scott is on its way to me for Christmas!

I got an unexpected chance to do some work on the Brake 3rd this weekend. I completed the second of the two sides,and prepared the ends. Finally I soldered the whole lot together to complete the body shell, and its made a very solid job. The edges went together much easier than on the original First, and only a small amount of filling will be needed. I used 179 solder for attaching the overlays, this flows very easily and is perfect for the job as you don't have to use too much. I am grateful that on Jamie's redesign the door hinges are already on the drop lights and I wont have to solder them individually.

It was great to meet everyone on the Scottish Societies Stand yesterday at Telford. What a friendly, helpful group of people. Loved seeing Ian's 4mm stuff - I was almost tempted to change scale for about ten minutes! Its great to see what can be achieved with some sharing and cooperation. I now just need a bit of time to get the coaches built but the implications of the start of the new term keep getting in the way!

Thanks for the help Peter. I will give this a try when I have got the next part of the build complete. I love the two NBR wagons!

I couldn't work out how to get the picture into the text - I could upload the file - but it wouldn't copy it. Help please! Mark

I said that progress would be slow, but this afternoon I was able to get a bit of building done for the first time in about three weeks. ( A combination of work, illness and family). I have now completed the side of the break third which Jamie had started, adding the hinges, droplights and the lower paneling. First I fitted the hinges, which is perhaps the most time consuming job. The lower paneling was an a very good fit all round and was secured by soldering through from the back as we did on the First. This part of the construction went very well. This time I had the droplights which were accidentally omitted from the first test etch. These were soldered in place, using the hinges as locators. However, I did had have to file the notches in the droplights quite a bit to make sure they were centered. As they are, they are too far over to the right of the window. This might be something for Jamie to check, especially if he is to incorporate the hinge onto the droplight in the next version. 3rd class coach.docx I won't be able to work on it for for the next couple of weeks so any (bad weather) model making will be restricted to card or plastic! (another building for Jamie's giant train set!) I reply to Peter's last post, the W irons for the centre axle are on the etch - and always were - if you check back to the pictures of the First you will see them.

I have just come across the thread, read it through and looked at the video clips. Please keep this going, your explanations and demonstrations are spot on. Thanks!

Good to hear that you are making progress Jamie. Nothing happening here yet due to work stuff. Been making the big move to the new premises at college this week, and then off on the DOE Award expedition next week. Looking at the original test build I think that widening the step supports is a good idea. Being exact to scale is one thing, but the practicalities of producing a model that will stand up to the wear and tear of handling is an important consideration. After all, we model a world where it is company policy to stick large electric motors in steam locos, and araldite long serving loco crew to footplates! I am also jealous of the hospitality of your host - a tooth abscess and antibiotics, as well as a lack of model making opportunity has made it a fairly miserable week! Mark

Just a quick up date Jamie has gone on his holidays and so passed the two test etch coaches on to me for completion. They are destined for my eventual NBR layout after all. I will keep everyone updated on the build, and any problems encountered - there may also be the odd cry for help on occasion! Progress is likely to be slow as an unfortunate thing called work does get in the way! I also have to work out how to get pictures onto here. Mark

Hi, as Jamie's co conspirator I thought it was high time I got on the forum. As Jamie said in his post, the etches were made for me to build a rake of NBR six wheelers to go with the C15 I am currently building. I was originally going to do them in plasticard, but Jamie kindly offered to do the etched sides both to save time and compensate for my limited skills. Its in no way a commercial venture, just us saying, we have these, would anyone else like some while we are doing it? Ian's 4 mill coaches look great, and I have checked out the website. Would there be any possibility of making these available in 7mm in the future? The NBR is well served for loco kits and wagons in 7mm. (Connoisseur, 62C, Dragon, Parkside) , but coaching stock seems to be more of a problem. Problem is that their distinctive looks makes it difficult to pass off something else with a re paint! I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the NBR study group for providing information to put the etch together. As a new comer to the forum, I am in West Yorkshire. My interests is in the pre grouping and early grouping period, especially the Northern and Scottish constituents of the LNER. (lots of family connections to the GC and Mexborough shed) i would like to get on with building a layout but family, work, and helping on Jamie's giant train-set keep getting in the way! I model in 7mm and despite limited skills enjoy having a go at kit and scratch building. Mark