Soldering On

Earned myself an hour (or so) modelling, so did some soldering on the Gibson Manning Wardle frame. Not brilliant work, but solid: perhaps too much. I think I've put in one of the cross-members, which is also shaped to take the valve gear, slightly skew.

I may be able to de-solder sufficiently to remove it. On the other hand, it sat okay during the dry run, so maybe it'll just slide further into place if I blast it with heat. The only trouble is, nearby joints may also come adrift.

The frame itself is square, but if I don't settle this other piece properly then running gear may be compromised.

Yes, I know: I did originally intend to practice my soldering on Coach 3. Project-wise, there is now an issue (as opposed to a risk), which is my slap-dash soldering needs re-working. It could be time to call on a more skillful friend. I'll do my best for some before-and-after shots.

Growing Risks

The risk of being distracted has become an issue, but not as I'd expected. I've dug out my Alan Gibson L&B Manning Wardle kit, and it needs completing. Motive power is pretty important, but wasn't Coach 3 about developing some of the skills, such as soldering?

Well it appears that my soldering isn't that bad. Nor do I think that my original approach to the Gibson (making it 16.5mm gauge) has created a show-stopper now that I want to use 14mm gauge.

I've therefore decided to change my objective to: “Build to 7mm finescale standards a rake of L&B loco and coach 3 within 12 months and at a cost of under £150.” I've moved modelling stuff out of my study and into our caravan so as not to be a temptation.

Another Year, Another Planning Round

To sum up the time since my last post…

• In February (on the Feast of Candlemas) I was accepted for training as a priest.
• In September I began study part-time with the Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme, hoping to be ordained in 2010.
• In October I was diagnosed dyslexic, and this seems to be linked with my inability to finish things I start.
• Somewhere in all this, my L&B partner-in-crime Steve and I reverted to our original plan to model Barnstaple Town to Pilton Causeway.

We hope to capitalize on our renewed enthusiasm by building the boards: let’s see! In the meanwhile, a smaller project I’ve got in mind is constructing a 7mm scale model of Lynton & Barnstaple Coach 3. I’ll be following the approach described by Stephen Williams (Williams, S. (2000), The 4mm Coach Part Two – Working with Metal Kits, Didcot, Oxon, UK: Wild Swan Publications Ltd).