JamieR4489

Tony, At the weekend, I made a start on the horsebox you gave me (thanks again) and it has definitely been the most challenging kit I've ever built! It looks very messy at the moment but at some point I'll give it a good clean up with a fibre-glass pencil. Regards, Jamie

With the J6 out of the way, I made a start on the D&S horsebox at the weekend. This is where I'm up to now: It just needs the brake-gear finishing off and handrails, roof and white metal castings fitting. Jamie

29 is back in steam

Evening Tony, I've got the J6 finished for now (it still needs crew and lamps but I haven't got any to hand at the moment). The balance weights in the end came from a Markits 4F detail pack. Excuse the poor photo plank. Regards, Jamie

I'm calling the J6 finished for now. It still needs crew and lamps but I don't have any of those ready at the moment. Jamie

Thanks Manna, I've had my eye on a J6 for a while and I didn't think it would look good if I tried to scratchbuild it. The balance weights arrived today (Markits products for a 4F) so I'll get them fitted soon. The cab and tender sides and front bufferbeam have been gloss varnished ready for transfers. Jamie

And another one kicked off the last post. Next it's transfers and balance weights. Jamie

The J6 has been painted in my weathered black mix and the bufferbeams and cab details have been picked out in the relevant colours. Excuse the rather poor photo plank; It's just a stand from a GBL model which has been painted. Jamie

34081 92 Squadron at Wansford 9/4/2016

Precision Paints does Marlborough and Garter blue. For my Coronation set I just mixed various Vallejo and Humbrol paints together. Jamie

Thanks Tony, Jonathan has given me another suggestion so I’ll give that a try first and then look at buying some. Regards, Jamie

Evening Tony, The J6 has been primed and is now running very sweetly. As I'm sure you know, the kit doesn't include balance weights so I was wondering, where did you get yours? Regards, Jamie

I primed the J6 yesterday so the next thing to do will be to paint the loco and tender bodies. The balance weights need to be added and then there'll be final painting of the chassis. Regards, Jamie

I was half expecting to see a picture of 45015! 48305 and 92214 at Loughborough 22/10/2016

I received some screws from Chris at High Level Kits today so I have managed to progress with testing the J6. As I predicted, there were a few shorting issues with the body but these were solved with careful filing and putting tape on the inside of the boiler and firebox. The loco had its first test run this afternoon and I'm pleased to say it went well. The loco is a bit screechy intermittently but I think that's because I haven't properly lubricated the chassis yet. Here you can see the loco in action: The next job is to attach the coupling rods permanently and finish off the brake gear. A goalpost coupling also needs adding to the back of the tender and the pickups need tidying up. Regards, Jamie

I think the reason for the bogie being so far in front was because Thompson wanted the middle cylinder to drive the leading driving axle, whereas Gresley always drove off the middle (in the case of locos with six driving wheels) or the second axle (in the case of the P2s). This pushed the middle cylinder further forwards. Jamie

Thanks for the kind comments, Manna. I think it was mostly due to your thread that I started building locos. My first scratchbuilt locos (J3 and O1) were inspired by the ones you’ve built. Regards, Jamie

Evening Tony, I've been doing loads on the J6 lately and this is where I'm up to now: It's going to be 3591 of (I think) Hitchin shed. The chassis is almost working; I'd got to the stage where I was testing it under its own power but I had a few motor issues and in all my fiddling to sort the issues I lost the grub screw for the gearbox. I've emailed High Level Kits for a replacement so hopefully I'll be able to continue testing soon. I got to where I am now in the space of about 3 weeks and the body and tender are now finished apart from adding small details and cleaning up excess solder, etc. Regards, Jamie

It's been a long time since I last posted on here but I've still been doing lots of modelling. At the end of May I went to Sheringham for a week and this allowed me to do a bit of research on the North Norfolk Railway for my Weybourne project. This did mean that I couldn't do any modelling for a week however it was my birthday and a few models turned up (Bachmann C1 and D&S NBR horsebox). I'd been doing quite a bit on the signal for Ramsey and although it was ready for the exhibition at Soham it wasn't needed as the old signal was coaxed back into life. I bought a Nucast Long Tom kit a little while ago as well so I have that to do after the J6 and horsebox. Speaking of the J6, I made a start on the tender first just to get a feel for chassis building and soldering large white metal castings. No problems were encountered so I made a start on the loco chassis. I had a few issues with the motor but those are now sorted. Unfortunately I lost the grub screw for the gearbox so testing was put on hold and a start was made on the body. After about 3 week's work this is where I am now: The loco will become 3591 as I found photos showing both sides of the engine and it towed the asymmetrical wheelbase tender provided in the kit. I haven't deviated much from the original kit although I changed the chassis fixing points slightly and used the wire provided for the ejector pipe to make the vacuum pipe running along the right hand side of the footplate valence (3591 had the ejector pipe on the inside of the boiler). It's now at the stage where I'm mostly just cleaning bits up or making very small details. Hopefully I'll be able to get the chassis running soon and I think there might be some shorting issues with the body that I'll have to sort out. Regards, Jamie

WATERbeach

That’s what my mum and I did last year. I think we’ll probably drive this year. I have mock exams in November so that will affect what I can and can’t do. Regards, Jamie

Couldn't agree more! I might be going to Warley. I'm going to Spalding 3 weeks before so my chauffeurs parents might not be willing to take me to two exhibitions so close together. I really enjoyed Warley last year though so I'd love to go again. It would be an honour to meet you. Regards, Jamie

I turned 15 yesterday. Tony, you always seem to know how to encourage people. It’s posts like your last one that give me all the inspiration and motivation I need; Thank you. Regards, Jamie

Evening Tony, I'm sorry it’s taken so long for me to get round to posting this but it was really nice to see you at the Ely show. Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. Today my parents handed over the D&S horsebox you gave me as a birthday present back in February. I can’t wait to get started on it so thanks again for being so generous. You might be interested to know that at the weekend I bought a Nucast Long Tom kit. I know Nucast kits aren’t the greatest but for £25 including wheels, motor and gears I couldn’t resist it. I’ll keep you updated with regards to the horsebox, J6 and Long Tom. Regards, Jamie

Mallard got a corridor tender 05/03/1948. Jamie