de Selby

Always been a favourite of mine, this loco. I built the DJH version a few years back, so your build will be an interesting comparison. Looks impressive already!

Alan

Looks absolutely magnificent. What a good reason to try to make it along to Member's Day (not that any excuse is really needed.....).

I recently happened to be reading about loco working on the Somerset and Dorset (Footplate over the Mendips). It occurred to me while looking at the photos above that these engines would have been ideal for the S&D in many ways.

Thanks for the compliment Ian, I am glad to play a small part in what is a fascinating project.

I really need to make sure the rest of the loco is up to this standard now

From what you have done so far this is not going to be a problem.......

Will wait for the next developments with great interest.

Regards,

Alan

Watching this with great interest as I am (still....) putting the finishing touches to two of these locos. (thread here )

It is certainly possible to produce a pleasing model from this kit, though there are a few things to look out for!

• It is difficult to get the footplate to sit just right - there are so many different curves and levels. The cab and firebox area can be used as a reference point, and the front frames / smokebox saddle adjusted until it sits right on the chassis. Check and recheck as you add parts (such as the splashers).
• You will probably have to remove a fair amount of metal from the front bogie / cylinder area to allow curves to be negotiated.
• Fitting electrical pickups to the tender will help the running no end.
• If I were building another one, I would consider lightening the tender as much as possible - for example the cast tender top plate could be replaced with a piece of thin sheet metal (or even plasticard).
• On the plus side, there's room for quite a large motor high up in the boiler. I used a Mashima 1628 with a High Level "Highflyer" gearbox and a brass flywheel.
• If you want to portray a particular loco, consult the relevant Yeadon's register or similar reference. The K's model represents the locos fitted with a smokebox saddle (many weren't) and coupled to a tender with a cutaway at the front. The Ramsbottom safety valves seem to have been generally replaced by Ross pop ones in the early LNER years.

I have a 1983 vintage blow by blow account of how to build one of these kits; (including the K's exploded diagram). I can send you a copy if it's of interest to you.

Good luck with your build - looks very good so far.

Regards,

Alan