That looks like being a weighty beast, what power unit does the kit use?

The kit doesn't come with a power unit, although they can supply Tenshodo bogies if needed but I think they are far too small. I have a Beetle + dummy but that might also be lacking in grunt. Maybe a Bullant would be better.

TBH I haven't decided on this yet - my original thought was to use a Heljan Class 15 chassis since they are dimensionally very close, but the Class 15 has a lot of solid Mazak protruding into battery boxes etc that 10800 doesn't have (or at least not in the same places) so a lot of heavy duty carving would have been required.

Very nice work so far Rod. I'm not familiar with this loco; did it last long enough to be used by BR?

Cheers

Simon

Thanks Simon, there's some prototype information here http://www.semgonline.com/diesel/10800_01.html

Dave, I hope to be able to dispel some fears about whitemetal soldering, as I've never had any trouble. I use a dedicated 18W Antex iron (most people say you need more power) through an old SRB temperature 'controller' with Carr's 70 degree solder and (at the moment) red label flux. The components are big enough to make for good heat sinks and I am able to just seam and fill with the solder, which is a bit like spreading soft butter.

Find a couple of pieces of scrap whitemetal, or a wagon kit, and give it a go, it's quite satisfying! And you can hold the bits with your fingers with minimal risk of burning them!

Is the Alexander kit based on 10800 or is it based on a derivative?

I am not an expert on early diesels but this looks like a great blog.

Tim

Tim

It's a kit of 10800 - Alexander do kits for the similar but not similar enough Class 15 and 16 also. Tim Shackleton did a build/review of this Alexander kit for MRJ #171.

Tim

 

It's a kit of 10800 - Alexander do kits for the similar but not similar enough Class 15 and 16 also. Tim Shackleton did a build/review of this Alexander kit for MRJ #171.

Thanks

I didn't see the kit in Dave's list.

Tim

A rather handsome looking prototype; the black livery and light grey bogies look very nice. Is the loco destined for Balcombe Viaduct, Rod?

Simon

It will get a run on the viaduct of course, but its 'authentic' duties will be on Eridge.

I didn't see the kit in Dave's list.

Tim

You'd struggle to find it if you didn't know it existed - it only appears in the 'De Luxe' list under 'Terms and Conditions', I've never seen it in the main part of his website.

Rod,

Many thanks and a very interesting prototype. Looking forward to the story unfolding.

Tim