AJC
Western Thunderer
@daifly - I'd agree with @simond - starting with one of the best kits, where the parts fit properly, with decent instructions, is far easier than coming through the cheaper, perhaps less good kits. Partly that's because the number of variables is reduced: if you are confident that the parts fit then you can concentrate on doing your best by them. My first standard gauge loco was a High Level saddletank (in 4mm). Without this good experience, I doubt that I'd have made as good a job of the second, a Gibson LSWR O2 (which was poor, in lots of ways). The other thing about the really good kits is that they encourage you to take your time.
Adam
Adam