Springside loco kits - comments anyone?

[Steph Dale]

After mentioning in my thread on 'Comet' a couple of days or so ago that I had a Springside 2251 to build, I've dug it out again to have a quick look at the instructions and parts.

I'm not a huge fan of the chassis: milled chassis and rods don't really 'do it' for me as I prefer to spring and/or compensate my locos.  But the quality of the castings seems very favourable and the parts seem to scale well to the drawings I have available (cribbed from a GWRJ).  So what are the thoughts of the Swindon aficionados on the forum to the Springside kits?

I s'pose I should also mention that a fair bundle of Hobbyhorse castings, a few bits from Laurie Griffin, Warren Shephard and Martin Finney have also found their way into the box: as well as a set of Dean Goods wheels (which are correct for this particular loco).

I also have a slight alterior motive in that the 94xx is probably my favourite GWR loco (if I have one ) and I don't know of another source in 7mm scale.

Gentlemen, over to you...

Steph

 

[28ten]

IMHO, I wouldnt build one when the Finney kit is available. As you will already know they are very heavy, and in my experience large whitemetal kits are prone to damage when handling due to their weight and that soldered whitemetal joints are never that strong for things like steps.
I'd flog it and get the Finney  8)

 

[Steph Dale]

Cynric, ooh go on; tell us what you really think.... 

I have to agree that for a 'serious' model the Finney takes some beating.  But for the loco of my choosing it would need a tender sourcing from somewhere else.  So the 2251 can be made up from the Springside kit and given a bit of a polish to see how it comes up; I'll actually be using it as a bit of a test bed, I suspect.  Best used as a layout model rather than an exhibition piece, I suspect.

It was also very cheap to buy from a well-known auction site (it cost me just over ?100 all-in, including postage) and being whitemetal it'll be very quick to get the body together. 

And I'd still be interested to know about the 94xx pannier, or alternative sources.  There was a rumour of a JLTRT one a while back which seem to have come to nought...

Steph