Matti8

Looks great, John. After a quarter century you don't show a bit of rust! Silver Tay Models on eBay do some fine looking nameplates/numberplates all in one etch. Unless you have the equipment to do that sort of thing yourself, of course. Matti

I have cutout a few pieces already. The running plate is made of two layers in order to provide enough strength. The marks on the top are burns from solvent based adhesive which I will be very wary of when using again. Thankfully it did not cause any real damage as I was able to sand it smooth. The cab front is alright although it still needs some tweaks like opening up the spectacles a bit. I also did one side of the front splashers. I can't believe that it looks so nice but I am not looking forward to making another. A few more bits were made for the cab but not worth pictures. And yes, I realise that this is not enough material to warrant a post but I just wanted to. I am going to work on this almost everyday so finally I can actually post consistently. Best wishes, Matti

Sorry for there being no updates as I've had very little time in the past few months. Finishing up school has been my main priority. I am still waiting on solder! In the meantime I got so fed up of sitting around that I decided something had to be done. Of course the obvious answer was to start another project (eye roll). This one will be a Caley 652 specifically 17631 as numbered by the LMS. I am using plasticard because I was really inspired by @Londontramand his charming scratchbuilds. Matti

I've been looking for one with no luck. It doesn't matter if it's built or unbuilt. Condition as well is not really a factor I'm prepared for any work even if you don't have the whole kit! I don't know if I'm right but I'm guessing that those who look on here sometimes assume that people are asking for something free but if it was even a question I am willing to pay. Thanks -Matti

What is the axle spacing? That would help. Matti

The GNR type tenders were all spoked. The Gresley tenders started out with spoked as well but were soon substituted with disc. Hope that helps. Matti

Here is a great choice for a branchline loco: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/sparkshotcustomcreationsscc?section=4mm+L%26YR+Loco'+Bodies&s=0 Send him an email, he scales things up or down on request. There is also someone on Instagram who has just designed what your looking for but in 4mm. I asked him if he would rescale. Otherwise I would gladly scratchbuild a body for you to fit on a Märklin or Rokuhan chassis for probably much cheaper then cost to 3D print. My projects are on hold at the moment until I can get some soldering supplies.

Do you have any specific locos and/or rolling stock in mind? I know some people who might scale down their designs for you.

Jol is, as I have read, quite the fierce opponent of moulded boiler bands! However he is probably right. In theory they would be .001 in thickness to scale. But yes do as you see fit, I know of many people who prefer using electrical tape or Alan Gibson's offering. Matti

I love your work with this. It's fantastic that such skilled people continue offer affordable 3D prints as they are a real blessing. Life is too short to scratchbuild every loco I want! But in my opinion you should really tone down those boiler bands as they look a bit Triang like. Matti

Trix is Märklin's 2 rail DC range which offers the same locomotives. Their quality has really stepped up recently and I am very happy with what I have from them. Lilliput of course is excellent being a branch of Bachmann. Fleischmann is also great - all theirs are 2 rail. Roco, Brawa, Piko, and others are good and people speak highly of them but I usually only get rolling stock from them. Any specific loco class you are looking for? Matti

Will do. Appreciate any advice because I really have limited experience in the field. Matti

No please, be my guest. I haven't put my money on anything yet. Happy to hear anything and everything.

Great to see there are others in agreement about this iron. I think that it will be the one that I go for. Really great price actually, in my opinion. Many thanks. Matti

Understood, many thanks. What model of Aoyue do you have? I'd definitely like to look into one knowing that someone trusts it. Matti

Thanks to both of you. I had a look and they seem quite nice and reasonably priced. Not sure if Maplin will ship here but I will look into it. Matti

Thanks for the info. After looking for a 936 I see they are nice but out of production and pricy for used. There are Chinese made replicas on eBay and one in particular I saw which I also watched a YouTube video on. After 20 hours or so of use the reviewer gave a favourable opinion of it. Do you think it might be a decent option? Matti

Could anyone suggest a cheap soldering iron for kitbuilding? I have both brass and whitemetal kits that need putting together. I have heard that a minimum of 25 watts is recommended for a non temperature controlled iron. Also I hear recommendation of using an Antex. Problem is over here I cannot find one and eBay offers them at ridiculous prices not to mention shipping. I can however find a Weller 25 watt quite cheaply. My question is: would it be just as good as the Antex? Any very cheap temperature controlled alternatives that people have used for this kind of work? Matti

This little shed was a small diorama that I created in a single day. It no longer exists, only meant to be photographed once, but there was little more to see. Quite amateur really but it was a fun little project and the shed itself is to be used elsewhere. I also wanted to see how convincing snow is on such a small scale. The shed (which I first cut the pieces for a year ago) was made from balsa and bass wood glued and pin nailed together. The brick work is embossed paper from Micromark that I have weathered. The roof was a pathetic attempt and I had some very expensive shingle paper which I should have used but decided not to bother. It is not finished even still. Eventually I will add a window where there is lack thereof as well as vents in the gap near the top. I suppose that I will say it is based in Who-Knows-Where, Scotland. Obviously somewhere pretty far north or near a quarry with there being a massive rock just a few meters from the shed. The more I look at the picture I dislike it but hope somebody gets inspiration out of it. -Matti

Well here we are - yet another kit to sit until I finish the River. I couldn't resist especially after hearing it would be discontinued. It was a bit of an early Christmas present anyways so I will wait. (Until I learn how to roll etched boilers!) Matti

Hello, apologies for no updates in a month and a half. You would not believe how difficult it is to get decent solder around here. Unbelievable. Does anyone know if I can get Carr's products here or even in the US? Anyways I got ahead of myself and bought another loco kit. Will post it here soon.

Hi, I know how you feel. I'd hate to comission work from someone that I never seen work from. I would recommend checking out https://shmodelmaking.co.uk/ Haven't used him yet (probably will soon) but I have seen his work and it looks very good indeed. His website portfolio isn't up yet so you can see his work on Instagram @shmodelmaking. Matti

This will prove very useful indeed. I will try these out. Thank you Derek and Nick. Will be looking forward to seeing your K4 maybe I will attempt one in the future. Matti

Even though I have alot on my plate, yesterday I suddenly had an urge to build a V4. I spent a few hours looking for a suitable chassis and some drawings but I could only find some very basic ones. As my primary interest is LMS I really have no idea where to find LNER drawings especially for this loco. So does anyone know where I could get some or have some that they could scan/take a picture of? Thanks! Matti

That's my thoughts exactly. I'm wondering if it was a one off etch that someone designed and commissioned from some company just for their personal project. Matti