Nigel's workbench.

[Nigel Smith]

Here was a Z5 built from an Agenoria kit. The Z5 wasn't bad, most etches fitted okay, but the castings weren't great. It eventually turned into a nice S7 model of this unusual loco.

 

[Nigel Smith]

Now, if you want a real challenge try building the Z4 from the same range! Quite a few errors in the etches and terrible castings. I really hope Andy Beaton does something to this kit before he reintroduces it.

 

[Podartist79]

That’s great Nige,
Love it’s S7 as well!
Neil.

 

[Nigel Smith]

Some wagons of Owen's work bench,

 

[john lewsey]

Very nice

 

[Nigel Smith]

I built this loco quite a few years ago using an Acorn kit as the basis. I used the footplate cab and frames from the original kit and then added a Warren Sheppard boiler, firebox and smokebox. All of the white metal castings were scrapped and replaced with brass castings from various suppliers. The tender etches were quite good so these were built, but all the castings were replaced using ones from JLTRT. The model was painted by Ian Rathbone and then weathered by Neil Podbery.
I like to have some of my stock weathered by others as it gives variety, we all have slightly different techniques and finishes. I think the finish on this one is just right.

 

[Podartist79]

Thanks for posting Nige!
Lovely build and great paint job by Ian, now ruined by my weathering .
Neil.

 

[Giles]

Thanks for posting Nige!
Lovely build and great paint job by Ian, now ruined by my weathering .
Neil.

VERY fine weathering..... I love it!

 

[Podartist79]

Thank you Giles, very kind.

 

[Nigel Smith]

Looking back through some of my builds I thought these could be of interest. 842 was built from a Slaters' kit by me then painted by Ian Rathbone. It came up rather nicely I thought. There were a few issues getting the wheels to fit into the footplate so I reduced the width of the tyres rather than increasing the width of the splashers.

 

[Nigel Smith]

64A was a much tougher proposition. I built it from a Shedmaster kit - really hard work as they were very basic etches. In the end I only used the footplate on the loco, everything else was scratch built. To add to the complexity I fitted full working inside valve gear. Again I was very pleased with the result, but this one is definitely not for beginners. Painted by Ian Rathbone.

 

[Nigel Smith]

This little LNWR tank loco I built from the Mercian kit. I strengthened the chassis quite a bit as I had a set of Alan Harris wheels and crank axle for it. So, I fitted full inside valve gear to fill the gap under the boiler. Much improved dome and chimney replaced the ones in the kit. Once more Ian R painted this one for me.

 

[Nigel Smith]

Another challenge was this LNWR rail motor. The basis was Worsley Works body sides with everything else scratch built or supplied by Adrian Swain as he had the masters for the DJB version. It turned out nicely in the end - painted by Ian R

 

[Nigel Smith]

I never did post a photo of the finished Z4 - I really hope some improvements have been made to this kit

 

[Nigel Smith]

This time a GWR Buffalo class tank engine, which I built it from a Scorpio kit. Once again painted by Ian

 

[Nigel Smith]

Something a bit more modern was this County built from a JM kit. Working inside valve gear is fitted, but I wonder why as it can't be seen

 

[Nigel Smith]

I built Corfe Castle from a Gateneal kit - never again, I might as well have scratch built it. It's an optical illusion with the handrail, it is straight and in the right place!

 

[Nigel Smith]

I built the D1 from an Albion Models kit - painted by Alan Brackenborough. Sorry about the missing roof!

 

[Nigel Smith]

6674 I built from a JM kit, lovely etches and some extra detail of my own

 

[Nigel Smith]

I built this Dean Goods from a Javelin kit and fitted it with Finney inside valve gear. I'm just finishing off the weathering