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Hi Amanda, Just being cautious! Hope that you have a go and please ask for help if you need it, there are many knowledgeable loco builders on this site. Kind regards, Richard B

Hi Amanda, I have always found Alan Gibson (Colin) SEFinecast (Dave) very helpful. You may wish to consider Nucast Partnership which are updating and re-releasing the Nu-Cast kits. This is a joint venture - Branchlines and SEFincast. I built their C2X kit last year and very good it was too. Without wishing to patronise you or stir up controversy, a whitemetal kit with a brass chassis kit is a good way to start building loco's. That is how I started. It is really rewarding but generally more expensive than ready to run. Good luck! Kind regards, Richard B

You "Youngsters" - 72 at the end of the month. JB you need a bigger Yeti then? Kind regards, Richard B

Given all the comments I thought I might reiterate my opening statement, in no way do I see myself as an expert loco builder but I do think that my skills are improving with each new build so I am always trying to learn something new. I would say though that this London Road Models kit is complex. The etches are tightly packed with a host of some very tiny parts so great care is required in removing them from the etch. Perhaps related to this is the very high number of "bridges" between larger parts and the surrounding parts which results in much cutting and filing before they can be used. I should add that I am happy to work my way through all the challenges because I think the result will be a very good model of the prototype. I would not though recommend it to a beginner or to someone who has built whitemetal kits. Best to start with a brass/nickel-silver kits from someone else. I have no desire to offend anyone with these comments but it is well to perhaps avoid someone buying a kit and then giving up and never progressing through to one of the most rewarding parts of our hobby, building loco's! A little progress, we have been away to Leeds for Opera North - recommend there current production Handel's Giulio Cesare. Kind regards, Richard B

The model will be 00 and the wheels are Alan Gibson. Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Kind regards, Richard B

Wow! A tricky picture to interpret! I can't help with GW stuff I'm afraid. I agree the loco could be a J39 but it looks like its attached to a GE tender? Its not a J19/20 since they did not have a vacuum(?) pipe running under the boiler handrail as this loco seems to have. I would go for a B17 but stand to be corrected! Kind regards, Richard B

Thanks JB I can see the logic of what you say. On other builds using a similar jig I have usually removed it following the attachment of the valances without detriment. Whilst the K2 is particularly tricky given its split running plate etc I plan to use the two body/chassis fixing points on the main running plate as a reference point to the chassis to ensure that all is level and square. I tend also to use the cab spectacle plate as a reference point whilst fitting the boiler assembly. I will report back and I have no problem with admitting I got it wrong! I appreciate your help. Kind regards, Richard B

Have now started the K2/2. It is a complex kit and the etches are very tightly packed. In particular the "jig" to support the delicate side valances on the main portion of the running plate is absolutely packed with many parts you need later in the build so be very careful bending the jig and secondly separating it from the running plate after you have soldered the valances to same. Because you have no access to the inside of the valance I used solder paste to tack the valance to the running plate applying the iron to the top of the running plate. When secure, I separated the jig from the valances and then re-soldered from the back of the valance. Running plate and jig. Running plate, note spigots joining valance to jig, some careful filing required! Completed and after initial clean up. Kind regards, Richard B

Many thanks Bucoops. Enjoyed building it. Taken your advice and ordered a 1TB drive for back up. Too many family pictures to loose! Kind regards, Richard b

My final update on the G6 build since it is now complete. Main computer has been out of action for a week or two due to hard drive nervous breakdown but local computer repair shop has manged to fix and save all my data so well done them! A few pics then: Complete prior to painting and fixing of buffers. With its SEF sister number 30277 this loco completes the G6 roster for Basingstoke. Couldn't resist showing you my, now, fairly old scratch built model of an Adams 0398. Runs fairly sweetly and is a nice contrast with the 700 class. Have now started building a London Road Models K2/2 for Bentley Model Railway Group's Kannotburn layout. Initial impressions of the kit suggest that this will be a lengthy process! Kind regards, Richard B

Dear All, I have come to the conclusion that whilst it will be fun to lay the track, wire up the point motors etc... life is too short and there are many out there that are much more experienced than me. Besides, I like building my loco's too much. Can anyone recommend someone who can reliably and at a reasonable price complete these tasks for me? I have the track and many point motors and a motorised turntable. I am happy to do the scenery. The track plan is Basingstoke Shed yard with the SW main line running past and a fiddle yard at one end. It is simple DC only. Hope someone can help! Located about 12 miles west of Salisbury in rural Wiltshire. Kind regards, Richard B PS Just ignore this plea, as my wife and four daughters seem to do most of the time anyway. I am progressing the layout and enjoying the tasks.

John R - Latest list has full cost of body and chassis kit. Have a look at the website. Kind regards, Richard B

Thanks pH - I did add G&SW and HR but deleted because I thought the point was made! Main point being that Scotland (and the Drummond family in particular) produced some great engineers. Although Dugald did struggle a bit with his 4-6-0s and it took another great Scottish engineer Robert Urie to put that right! Kind regards, Richard B PS - Great pictures pH - some good views of Basingstoke shed too! Good to see unsung loco's like the J37s and J38s feature too. Thornton Junction shed was full of them for the Fife Coal Field trains.

Yes I wish Jim all the best with his new enterprise. Those NBR loco kits sound very good. I may be a Southerner but I'm well travelled and like those Scottish locomotives. The Drummond's set there stamp on the LSWR as well as the CR and NBR so perhaps that the attraction. Those ribbed cab roofs may be tricky to make but they do look distinctive. Kind regards, Richard B

So Jack, in 4mm scale the N15X is a good performer unlike the prototype! Re lubrication - there are many very light oils that are suitable, Dapol do one that I use and I guess Bachmann and Hornby do something similar. Have a look at :- https://eileensemporium.com/index.php?option=com_hikashop&ctrl=category&task=listing&cid=1109&name=evergreen&Itemid=189 Regarding the N15X and compensation - I have very limited experience of compensated chassis but I suspect that it would not improve performance around sharp curves or points. This is more a feature of the wheel profile and flange depth. Perhaps someone who has built compensated chassis can offer some advice? Kind regards, Richard B

My pleasure David. You are correct about Modelmaster, Jim is still in control and is as helpful as always. I hope you do move on to building a loco, Jim's approach is a resin body (so not much construction required) and a brass chassis which is more challenging but achievable. It is also very rewarding. I would suggest that the quality of your building and scenic work suggests you have the skills! All the best and keep up the good work! Kind regards, Richard B

You missed so much - SW always seemed to be the premier Division to those of us whom did work there!

David, A really great piece of work, I am a big fan of Loco Shed themed layouts and yours is one of the best. St Margaret's was a great shed to visit and no model of this shed should avoid having a J36, which you haven't! I seem to recall seeing a few N15's too, 69128 rings a bell. I notice that Modelmaster JacksonEvans a producing a series of ex NBR loco kits in 4mm, including an N15 so maybe, when you have some time, you could build one! The details are: After considering various options and 'testing the water', here is the final list of Loco Body & Tender kits being produced:- MMR001 Class N15 0-6-2T £67.50 (deposit £15) MMR002 Class J37 0-6-0 £97.50 (deposit £20) MMR004 Class D29/D30 4-4-0 £107.50 (deposit £25) MMR006 Class D33/D34 4-4-0 £107.50 (deposit £25) (Reductions in price for 4-4-0s will be applied to orders already placed) this has been made possible by combining together kits MMR003 & 004, and MMR005 & 006, thus radically reducing the production costs of making four 4-4-0 kits instead of two. ALL of these kits will be produced as advertised, but I'm getting a few modellers asking if I can produce a N.B.R. Class G (L.N.E.R./B.R. Y9) 0-4-0ST. I can, but only if I get orders for 50 kits, otherwise I can't afford to fit it into what is a very tight production schedule over the next few months. Obviously, if I don't get 50 orders within a reasonable time frame, then all deposits will be returned. https://modelmaster.uk/ Hope the info is of use to you. Keep up the good work. Kind regards, Richard B

Many thanks for the pictures of "Blazingstoke"*, you can never have enough really. Sorry I didn't reply earlier, missed it. Kind regards, Richard B * Copyright Oldddudders

Thanks JB - will take care when I get to the smokebox saddle/frame. Kind regards, Richard B

Delivered G6 DS 682 to Jack Benson today. Some progress with 30258 today too. Added some detail and completed, although not fitted, the cab roof. Kind regards, Richard B

Me and my old Maserati 4.2 Coupe. Bought it new in 2007, my grandson's thought it was wonderful but then they didn't have to pay for its annual service! Left me a couple of years ago, but I still have my GTV which I have owned from new. It still looks very good and runs very well. Kind regards, Richard B

Thanks so much Tony and John. Such tips make such a difference. It will be a week or two before I can report any progress but will keep you posted. Kind regards, Richard B

I have now assembled all the parts necessary to start building a London Road Models K2 2-6-0 kit. I will construct the K2/2 side window cab version that operated on the Scottish Region since the completed model is destined for the Bentley Model Railway Group's "Kannotburn" layout. I am using Alan Gibson wheels, a Mashima 14/20 motor and a multibox two stage gearbox supplied by Branchlines. I do have the small matter of completing the Alan Gibson ex LSWR G6 kit but as soon as this is finished I shall start. I do not claim to be an expert or anything similar more an "improver" working through a large-ish collection of white metal and brass loco kits and learning much from each construction. An image of the prototype follows, interesting loco's designed and built before the great Gresley became enamoured of three cylinder engines ( I'm not forgetting the J38/9s). Kind regards, Richard B

Looks to be a lovely piece of work.