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Crownline kits, any experiences or opinions?

Discussion in 'Kits, Kit bashes & Scratch builds' started by Keith M, Dec 5, 2017.

  1. Dec 5, 2017 #1
    Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I've just won a "Crownline" kit for a BR/SR "W" Class loco, and (as usual) have no idea how good/bad/indifferent these kits are. I know I ought to research more before jumping in, but Hey-Ho, I guess I'll make something of it. I'll need to buy motor/gearbox and wheelsets to complete the build, and it'll join the queue of kits to be built, so no rush to begin the build. I'd welcome feedback from those who have experience of any "Crownline" kit, can't have too much info in my opinion!
    Keith.
     
  2. Dec 5, 2017 #2
    Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    never heard of them Keith but interested in how it turns out. get a photo up when it arrives. :thumbs:
     
  3. Dec 5, 2017 #3
    Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Keith,
    I have no personal experience of Crownline specifically but I have a feeling that the guy (guys) that owned it went on to become PDK and I have built one of their D16/3 kits when I modelled in 4mm and I don't recall any issues apart from the holes for the handrail knobs were not in line down the boiler sides - it was my first brass loco kit.
     
  4. Dec 6, 2017 #4
    SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    If I'm thinking of the right company “Crownline” they did some nice detail and chassis kits years ago for making the Basic RTR steam Models really nice. And you could end up with a model that was near to the finish of a DJH kit built model using their brass and white metal parts etc on plastic models like the Hornby Duchess and 9F
     
  5. Dec 6, 2017 #5
    Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Thanks Rob and Chris for your input. I've belatedly done a bit of research on Crownline, it seems that they were quite well regarded as kits, and Chris is correct about the range of detailing parts also marketed by them. Rob also is correct about the 'PDK' guy having carried on under his own name, but with a much reduced kit range. There has been talk of resurrecting much of the range, the moulds are still in existence, but the master drawings were done by hand before the advent of computer drawing software, and apparently, both drawings and moulds are in need of updating. It would seem that at least this time, I have actually bought something in kit form with a decent reputation........there's a first time for everything!:giggle:

    Keith.
     
  6. Dec 6, 2017 #6
    Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Keith M wrote:
    Hi Keith,
    I am sure that we all have a few horrors tucked away - I have 3 ACE Kit's in my stash (but I have seen 2 of the 3 built into nice looking models and had the 3rd recommended by a good builder who isn't shy about telling it straight as far as buildability), I also have 3 Medley Models loco kits too which are not for the faint hearted.
     
  7. Dec 6, 2017 #7
    jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    I built a Crownline LNER C12 in 4mm many years ago, in fact if I remember right, it was the first brass kit I ever built! Much to my surprise, apart from the coupling rods missing and having to be scratch built, it went together well, looked like the loco on the box and ran a treat :thumbup:.

    Pete.
     
  8. Dec 6, 2017 #8
    Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Keith M wrote:
    Dave King is the gent that I was thinking of. I believe that he has now retired from PDK too and it's now in the hands of Paul Hill who I think was the the 'P' of PDK
     
  9. Dec 6, 2017 #9
    jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    I always wonder what happens to the older out of production kits, I built a Mega Models ex Gateneal 7mm loco, despite the horror stories flying around about Gateneal, it made up into a very nice loco, admittedly I had to put a load of extra work into it but I enjoyed it, I would definitely buy another.

    Cheer's, Pete.
     
  10. Dec 9, 2017 #10
    Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    It's arrived, seems all complete but I'll need time to get around to a proper detailed look at it. The box has some water splashes on it and is sound, but all contents are unmarked and instructions appear complete. I'll have to buy wheelsets, motor and gearbox as with most kits to finish it, but for this loco class, there aren't many alternatives. "Golden Arrow" have done a resin kit of the "W" Class, but the mould is apparently in poor condition, and I'm not up for loads of 'fettling' work to try to make it good, as I have enough to do already with a string of kits to build, and this one is joining the queue.
    Keith.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  11. Dec 9, 2017 #11
    Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Looks fine Keith. Not an easy build I don't think but I'm sure you will do it justice. :thumbs:
     
  12. Dec 9, 2017 #12
    Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    It looks like it will be quite a beast of a tank when it's done Keith. I am not really that familiar with Southern prototypes so I didn't really know what to expect.
     
  13. Dec 12, 2017 #13
    Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Had the chance to get a look at the contents in detail. This will be the first time I've had a brass and resin kit, (boiler is a resin casting) though I've had brass and white metal previously, so this will be solder and Araldite build by the looks of things, still, every day's a school day, Eh!:giggle:

    Keith.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  14. Dec 12, 2017 #14
    Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Keith,
    Although like you I have no previous experience, I do have some kits that are similar. - I have the Finney Duchess and A4 kits which both have 'resin' (apparently in the Finney case it's an engineering polymer rather than resin per, se) castings for the boiler/firebox/smokebox. At the other end of the spectrum I have a Medley Models original W1 kit which has a resin casting for the interesting bit forward of the cab...
     

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