NOTES ON LOCO KITS

From September 2007 we will apply a £5 per loco kit contribution towards the postage costs, this amount is included in the kit prices shown on this site.

Our aim with the locomotive kits in our range is to try to produce the kits to a consistent standard; that is not to say that they are all as hard or as easy as each other to assemble. This last point is largely dictated by how complex or straight forward the prototype was or is.

What we have tried to do is to include the same level of design and build options into the kits, if it is possible to include all the options that the prototype had then we try do so. For example with alternative cabs, tenders, boiler fittings, etc. As far as design goes all the chassis both loco, and tender inside frames are either designed to be compensated or they have half etch cutouts and jointed coupling rods to make it easy to compensate them.

Motor, gears, wheels and couplings are needed to complete each kit. All the kit instructions make specific recommendations as to which motor gears and wheels to use. They also include comprehensive historical notes, detailed instructions and assembly drawings where appropriate. Generally speaking however, a Mashima 1833 will suit all our 7mm kits and we have therefore produced a motorizing pack , (See Accessories) together with a range of "Extended Dive Motormounts" to enable the motor to be more easily located within the firebox/boiler. Alternatively the large Portescap motor/gearbox can be used, although at greater cost.

Finally there are a number of components parts that we always include in every kit: these are sprung buffers, axle bearings, brass/nickel silver wire, nuts, bolts, handrail knobs, and the usual sundry parts needed to complete the locomotive. We don't include pick-ups as we find this is an area where personal preference plays a very large part. We can supply Slaters sprung plunger pickups if required. In the case of the MR/LMS 3F and the MR/LMS 378 class hornblocks are also required- see Accessories. These two kits have been temporarily removed from our normal range as it is our intention to upgrade them towards current standards, particularly the chassis. We may well be able to supply one if you really do want an example, please contact us to determine availability and kit content.