.......and the next kit is......

I've been considering my next kit purchase, sort of a 'self-help' to pass time on during the current situation, under consideration was the SR "River" Class tank loco from South Eastern Finecast, but I've at least temporarily sidelined that as it's mostly White Metal bodywork and I'm really looking for a brass kit in preference. Then I came across CSP Models who make kits of industrial and small tank loco's largely in brass fret with lost wax brass castings. A small company which I understand was fairly recently taken over by a new proprietor, one of their range was indeed a "Southern Railway" adoptee, originally a 'Colonel Stevens' loco, a Hawthorn-Leslie 0-6-2 tank loco used by the Plymouth and Devonport Railway, taken over by the LSWR, later incorporated into the Southern Railway and finally passed into BR hands under Nationalisation, a Class of two loco's which lasted until 1956/7 numbered 30757/8. This is perhaps stretching my modelling period to it's early limit, though the "River" Class would have stretched it back into the late 20's when they were rebuilt into tender loco's after a serious rail accident, so the Hawthorn-Leslie it is. It's been ordered, the full kit includes a 6 pole motor, 'High Level' (Chris Gibbon) gearbox, Gibson wheels and axles, nameplate etc at just under £175 including P+P, so not too steep considering what's included.



Pic is from the CSP Website. It would appear that the only 'extra's' required will be decals, though not sure if the shown nameplate is the only one supplied, the alternative being "Lord St. Levan".
As I've not dealt with this firm before (though they seem well regarded on RMWeb) I'm not sure how long delivery might be especially in the current circumstances, but as I'm still slowly moving on with the Bulleid diesel shunter, there's no immediate hurry. More when it arrives.
Keith.

 

The kit itself arrived yesterday and I have to say it's very professionally presented in a smart green box with a pic and detail of the content loco on the lid. Of all the kits I've bought over time, this is one of the very few that's come in a box specifically for it's contents as opposed to one the supplier happened to have kicking around, a good start hopefully.

 

So on to the contents, firstly the paperwork, a complete set of instructions properly word-processed rather than hand scrawled or years old typewritten, together with the full instructions for the "High Level" gearbox included. I've used a few of these gearboxes before and found them to be a quality item, so another plus.

 

Now for most of the parts. I chose the full 'Motorised' kit option which includes Gibson wheelsets, lots of crisp 'lost wax' castings (no cast resin or white metal here!), Gibson buffers, the "High Level" gearbox kit, pre-rolled boiler and smokebox etc.

 

Then we have all the brass/nickel frets.

 

Finally the supplied 6 pole motor. Let's just call it 'Diminuitive' shall we, 'cos it's rather on the small side especially when compared to one of the wheelsets! Apparently Chris Gibbon of "High Level" was somewhat impressed by it's performance. It fits to the gearbox exactly as per a 'Mashima' motor, though I have no idea of it's make so can't advise anyone interested. I'm quite looking forward to beginning this kit, but that won't be for a few weeks yet as I'm still working on the Bulleid 500HP shunter in between interior decorating........watch this space!
Keith.