I don't think there's anything wrong with your kit building skills, you're making a lovely job of the whole project!
I just sprayed the wheels with a Humbrol Acrylic aerosol, not sure how blackening would go, it's good to know what the metal is first!
So, are you just going to clad the block of wood with plastic? then 2 screws from below the baseboard...
Looking good so far, love the little brackets, the comparison is a bit rich for me though, being a Yorkshireman, might wear it out...
It Lives!
I've got the pickups and motor fitted tonight and it runs quite well, just needs a little while running in on the rolling road.
Spider!
And a short film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7TQz0fSZ9A
A few photos I've taken over the last few years of the preserved 63395 at Grosmont, 63340 has the same simple variations as the preserved example, the same boiler (dome position) and tender with all round coal rails. 63340 of course won't have vac pipes or vacuum ejector.
Although I haven't commented on this superb little layout I have been watching it! Anyway here's a couple of photos I took last Saturday at Manchester, very good layout and look forward to seeing it again.