I think it's an extraordinarily good finish, for a brush paint especially.

Thanks very much! You're very kind

Rob

That's a lovely finish, Rob, but tapered chimneys (with the exception of the Aberdares) were never copper-topped.

Thanks for that Miss Prism!  When I get round to my weathering I will face a choice;  1) stick to the historical truth or 2) do it the way I would like it  to have been done!  By the way, my excuse for the polished safety valve bonnet is that, in my world, 5531 was a "pet" engine of its shed and so given special treatment.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!