RMweb Premium MJI Posted July 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 10, 2014 I am getting the urge to build a kit loco, done a couple of Diesel shunters but fancy doing a kit of a steam loco. RTR prices are getting a little scary and all I can do is remove from box, stuff slicing up a £130 loco. Also I can buy bits as I go. Don't mind etched or white metal, I will take my time. Only scared of rolled boilers. Would like one of the following, so what is out there and worth doing? I have a few RTR already hence no modified Hall mention. Classes I would try 57xx 61xx 28xx 42xx Castle 56xx And yes I already know which ones I would produce, and yes they will be modelled as preserved. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruciethefish Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 For a mix of etch & whitemetal, DJH or some of the more recent South Eastern Finecast kits are probably a good first introduction... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 ....Don't mind etched or white metal, I will take my time. Only scared of rolled boilers. Would like one of the following, so what is out there and worth doing? I have a few RTR already hence no modified Hall mention. Classes I would try 57xx 61xx 28xx 42xx Castle 56xx And yes I already know which ones I would produce, and yes they will be modelled as preserved. If you're not happy about your ability to cope with rolling boilers and forming fireboxes, then this would appear to rule out some of the more expensive etched kits, limiting you to those which have a whitemetal or resin cast boiler / firebox assembly. So your list would be as follows: 57xx/8750: K's/Nu-Cast (out of production; examples pop up on eBay from time to time) 61xx: SE Finecast. Do note that PDK are proposing their own kit, but this is not likely to appear for another year or two if they go ahead with it. 28xx: K's/NuCast, or Westward. Both out of production, so eBay and hope. 42xx: K's/NuCast (out of production), or PDK. Castle: SE Finecast. 56xx: GEM (body only; may be out of production. Ancient/obsolete) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Smith Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 MJI - a couple of questions:- Gauge? Have you built a chassis before? If not perhaps a body-only kit to go on a RTR chassis? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted July 10, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 10, 2014 MJI - a couple of questions:- Gauge? Have you built a chassis before? If not perhaps a body-only kit to go on a RTR chassis? Sorry OO and yes I have, my 04 runs really well with its RG4 and I got 3/4s through a chassis for a 76xxx until I realised I had no idea how to make valve gear, I still have the wheels and the body shell and tender - yes Airfix. I have emailed PDK about their 42xx, I will contact SEF about the Castle (I need 5080 or 7029 so difficult to choose, do I do the one I videoed a lot and travelled behind on my preserved railway, or the one I travelled from Gloucester to Swindon behind - and cab rided at Horton Road) However common sense says 61xx as to old kits and not very good kits, more likely to buy and bash second hand RTR Thanks to alll suggestions Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted July 10, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 10, 2014 I was wondering, what actually happened to Westward as I bumped into the owner once. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Westward sank with Puffers / Perseverance, as they were all in the same boat. Chris Parrish, who owned the whole lot, had plans to resurrect it, but it's all gone quiet and I wonder if it's died a death. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I can vouch for the Southeastern Finecast kits, they are first class. The 61xx is an updated kit with an etched chassis and the body has been up-dated. The Castle is an original Wills model, though there is now an etched chassis, but the chassis may not be up to the SEF standards. I have a Wills etched King chassis, which uses the cast whitemetal pistons, crosshead/piston rod and connecting rods I have one of the County newer style etched chassis with lost wax castings and etched parts The K's kits do come up on Ebay a lot, un-built ones fetch a premium but the wheels,chassis and motors were not very good in the later ones. Quite often you can buy one ready built with Romford wheels. Its a simple job to dismantle the kits providing they are either glued or soldered with low melt solder, as is stripping the paint off. I would build them with an etched chassis (Comet etc), decent wheels, motor and gears. The 42xx do go for quite a lot of money The GEM 56xx will have to be bought second hand, as the previous owner said the moulds are completely shot. Again like the Keyser kits, plenty of s/h ones about and there are etched chassis available I would either start by rebuilding a K's 57xx or buying a SEF 61xx, though the Castle should be quite straight forward Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Smith Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 You'll probably end up spending as much as for a RTR but have the satisfaction of building it yourself....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killybegs Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I am getting the urge to build a kit loco, done a couple of Diesel shunters but fancy doing a kit of a steam loco. RTR prices are getting a little scary and all I can do is remove from box, stuff slicing up a £130 loco. Also I can buy bits as I go. Don't mind etched or white metal, I will take my time. Only scared of rolled boilers. Would like one of the following, so what is out there and worth doing? I have a few RTR already hence no modified Hall mention. Classes I would try 57xx 61xx 28xx 42xx Castle 56xx And yes I already know which ones I would produce, and yes they will be modelled as preserved. Martin Finney does a 61xx and 28xx Malcolm Mitchell Castle available from David Geen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted July 11, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 11, 2014 At least GWR livery is quite easy, no lining, and the preserved locos fit into my period I will have a good nose around and take it from there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Martin Finney does a 61xx and 28xx Malcolm Mitchell Castle available from David Geen Yes, but the OP didn't want to roll boilers or form fireboxes from the flat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.hill64 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Not on your list but DJH does a 1366 pannier and a standard Hall. I have to admit that I haven't built either of these, but I have built many DJH kits and they usually go together well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 The GEM 56XX is getting a re release by Lytchett Manor Models in September. Item No 4020 GWR 56XX price £31. Click www.lytchettmanor.co.uk and scroll down to new item 06/05/2014 for details. Other reissues include the Crewe Special Tank, Fowler 4P 2-6-4T, CR Cardean 4-6-0, NBR J36 0-6-0 and NBR Atlantic 4-4-2. I have no connection with Lytchett Manor apart from buying a couple of virtually flash free LNWR tank engine kits and the rather excellent Cambrian tank. I hope this is of use, Jason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted July 11, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 11, 2014 Yes, but the OP didn't want to roll boilers or form fireboxes from the flat. More to do with lack of tools and scared of writing off a boiler. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 The GEM 56XX is getting a re release by Lytchett Manor Models in September. Item No 4020 GWR 56XX price £31. Click www.lytchettmanor.co.uk and scroll down to new item 06/05/2014 for details. Other reissues include the Crewe Special Tank, Fowler 4P 2-6-4T, CR Cardean 4-6-0, NBR J36 0-6-0 and NBR Atlantic 4-4-2. I have no connection with Lytchett Manor apart from buying a couple of virtually flash free LNWR tank engine kits and the rather excellent Cambrian tank. I hope this is of use, Jason. That's great news and Ebay's prices for some of these will come tumbling down. I have not bought any of the Lychett Manor GEM kits but if they are as good as those from the previous owners in Bedford then a couple will be on my list, as the 2 kits I have have superb castings. Lets hope they bring out the LNWR 6 wheel brake van Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 More to do with lack of tools and scared of writing off a boiler. There is a K's 57xx on Ebay at the moment, looks to be an earlier version with the better quality wheels and motor, though the chassis is very basic. Looks to be glued and not very well made (mould lines not cleaned up). So should come apart easily for rebuilding with the gaps filled and perhaps a few of the items replaced. Could be a cheap introduction to whitemetal kits, then if required a Comet chassis and a decent motor and gearbox could be retro fitted. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301235870318?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted July 11, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 11, 2014 There is a K's 57xx on Ebay at the moment, looks to be an earlier version with the better quality wheels and motor, though the chassis is very basic. Looks to be glued and not very well made (mould lines not cleaned up). So should come apart easily for rebuilding with the gaps filled and perhaps a few of the items replaced. Could be a cheap introduction to whitemetal kits, then if required a Comet chassis and a decent motor and gearbox could be retro fitted. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301235870318?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 that went cheap!!!!!!!!! I see what you mean! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Pannier Tank Posted July 11, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 11, 2014 Westward sank with Puffers / Perseverance, as they were all in the same boat. Chris Parrish, who owned the whole lot, had plans to resurrect it, but it's all gone quiet and I wonder if it's died a death. See:- http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/suppliers/40691-PerseveranceandWestwardLocoKits Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted July 11, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted July 11, 2014 See:- http://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/suppliers/40691-PerseveranceandWestwardLocoKits Oh well no 28, may have to get Hornby for that Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 that went cheap!!!!!!!!! I see what you mean! I wonder if the purchaser is a member of this parish? That's a definite candidate for the 'Good buy from eBay' thread Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 that went cheap!!!!!!!!! I see what you mean! Martin You have to be careful, but these kits can had in decent condition for under £30. They do come up well especially if you add a bit extra detail and replace some parts. The newer D type wheels were not that good, as was the latter HMP motor. The chassis are very basic and the earlier ones sometimes may not be 100% true. On the plus side they are quite cheap, most were stuck together, therefore will come apart easily. Ideal starter project as a rebuild and one you can add extra details. If you are lucky the wheels may have been changed for a set of Romfords Not the class you wanted, but again an earlier model with better wheels and some brass details http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ks-GWR-55XX-White-metal-steam-loco-kit-OO-started-/181462722185?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item2a40056689 Later model with the D tyoe wheels and I guess the suspect motor http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ks-Class-GWR-Prairie-Loco-Kit-00-Gauge-/201126376807?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item2ed410f567 Again wrong class, but has Romfords. Sadly the un-insulated are the Mazac type Be carefull, just because it says something in this case whitemetal http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/00-GAUGE-WHITEMETAL-KIT-BUILT-G-W-R-57XX-0-6-0PT-UN-NUMBERED-/321450766391?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item4ad7f57037 This is a cast body, possibly a Gaity loco If in doubt just ask the seller Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayfield Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I wonder if the purchaser is a member of this parish? That's a definite candidate for the 'Good buy from eBay' thread Mark A good price, but there may be a few problems. Photos not as clear as they could be and not having a clear idea whether its been glued or soldered and if the latter low melt of normal solder. On the plus side no paint to remove and if glued would be very easy to dismantle. One of those you have to wait and see, but well worth a punt at that price Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Smith Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I don't think you can assemble a white metal kit with ordinary solder....but in any case if assembled with low temperature solder it will still be impossible to separate..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Mark A good price, but there may be a few problems. Photos not as clear as they could be and not having a clear idea whether its been glued or soldered and if the latter low melt of normal solder. On the plus side no paint to remove and if glued would be very easy to dismantle. One of those you have to wait and see, but well worth a punt at that price Totally agree about the punt at the price. Not too sure about using 'ordinary' solder either; only on the big bits IF very quick, but it wouldn't be a good joint anyway. Hot water should sort out low melt solder, of course... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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