Sometime during December 2006, I diverted my attention to things other than the Duchess and this lasted until February 2007. At that time I visited the 'O' Gauge Society show, which took place in Kettering (just 3 miles down the road). Seeing all the goodies on display, prompted me to return to the lady languishing incomplete in the workshop. However, given the long break in modelling activity, I felt it appropriate to get back into the swing by working on something simpler than the Duchess. I recalled a review in a modelling magazine, covering a beginners kit, based on an industrial tank engine, produced by Connoisseur Models. Consulting the show guide, I dully found their stand and purchased a kit.

Building the kit was a joy, it went together very easily, but had enough difficulties to test the little grey cells and rekindle the desire to complete the Duchess. It is good value for money at £50 (plus the cost of the wheels and gearbox/motor). The loco will fit well into the theme of the new layout (when it gets built that is). I can recommend it as a start point for anyone wishing to try their hand at kit building.

During the time of building the tender, I booked myself on another Hobby Holidays weekend. The tutor for this one being Tony Wright. Tony is another of the railway modelling greats and is Assistant Editor of British Railway Modelling. A former schoolmaster, his style is to call a spade a spade and to deliver the message with lots of humour (very refreshing in this PC age). There was never a dull moment over the weekend.

However, back to model building. Whilst on the weekend, I commenced marrying the Duchess smoke box , boiler and firebox castings, well at least I tried. The problem with white metal castings, is that apply too much heat and you have a white metal pudding. So how do I manage to join them together and not create a pudding - in steps Tony. Tony soldered the boiler and the smoke box castings for me to demonstrate to members of the group how its should be done. When I mentioned my reluctance to do the same with the firebox and cab castings, he eased my troubled brow and suggested I could use epoxy resin - phew, this I have duly done. Following the completion of the smoke box, boiler, firebox and cab marriages (utilising epoxy resin), all the other major sub assemblies have been completed, all being soldered.

Locomotive builds 3 and 4
The Duchess majore component parts
The major sub assemblies for City of Lichfield. Look just behind the chimney on the large white metal assembly, the dark ring just behind the chimney is the joint soldered by Tony.
The industrial tank loco
The almost complete industrial tank engine. The photograph must have been taken after a jar or two of red wine.

Earlier, I said that in attempting to build loco kits, I may learn more about myself. Well, I have found that I can be a little more patient when needed and despite the old adage - an old dog can learn new tricks.

City of Lichfield sub assemblies brought together
City of Lichfield sub assemblies brought together to show progress thus far (07/07/2007).
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