This kit caught my eye some time ago. It was advertised as 'suitable for beginners', at that time was fairly cheap and could be built as three different classes: 54xx, 64xx or 74xx.. Since then the price has risen and there appears to be some confusion as to the exact maker. Most of the more recent adverts only refer to a 54xx class, but other sources still talk about three classes.

The reason for the distinction here is that the 54xx class has 5' 2" driving wheels, while the other two have 4' 7.5" drivers. My intention was to build a 64xx and was not very happy to find nothing on how to do this.

The kit is mainly whitemetal castings with a brass chassis. I don't know whether the instructions have changed but they contain no mention of anything other than a 54xx class as does(n't) the box top art. The makers website originally listed sprung buffers as an extra but they are now included, as are a pair of fairly basic screw couplings. Various sources I have seen refer to the fact that there are no handrail knobs included and this is still true. A strange omission really as the kit would be complete if they were added.

At the current price the kit is still good value but it does appear that the people who made the original patterns for the castings need to learn about contraction, as they are all 5 - 7% oversize. The brass chassis is more or less spot-on but the loco sits way too high because of the very thick footplate.

It was a fairly simple matter to work out that the buffer beams need to be turned over for the 64xx/74xx classes - check the appropriate scale drawings and this is obvious. However, you really need to make some new splashers if you want things to be right.

After some thought, I removed 2 mm from the top of the chassis sides to get the height right. I used a Mashima 1833 motor with flywheel and a 40:1 Maskits gearbox. I also added plunger pick-ups.