Connoisseur Models N10 Tank

[Robpulham]

This posting is a little bit of a surprise because I wasn't expecting to do much with it.

I have been using this kit when I demo loco building at shows, I would rather take one of my kits along than one that I am building for someone else just in case anything happens to it.

Up to Saturday I had only managed to cut out the frames, remove the cusps and bend up the frame spacers (at Newton Aycliffe Show in March) due to being far too busy talking to people.

Although I did have lots of interest I seemed to really crack on with it after showing one gent how to solder up the boiler.

This build will get updated intermittently because I will be only working on it at shows until it's well on its way.

I think that this amount of progress in between talking to people really is a testament to Jim McGeown and the quality of the kit/fit of the parts.











I didn't take my rolling bars along nor did I have anything thicker than a scriber. So to roll the smokebox wrapper I had to sit and bend the etch between fingers and thumbs. Working steadily away until it reached the right shape.

[mick b]

The 4mm version was an easy build. However I need to take some metal off the rear truck, as it hits the buffer beam as made/designed, when it tries to turn on curves. It maybe ok on the 7mm version.

[Robpulham]

Thanks Mick,

I will watch for that when I get there.

[Robpulham]

 My N10 has been out to numerous shows since 2019, the last one being the recent Wensleydale Model Railway show at Leeming Bar.

The loco build has moved on quite a way since then.

First as often happens when talking to people at shows - a step in the wrong direction. In my last post I had fitted the smokebox wrapper and I had done a lovely job of it even if I say so myself. However do pop back and have a look you will notice a half etched recess low down on the side. This is meant to be on the inside... Sadly I made a bit of a mess taking it off so had to make a new one from nickel sheet.



The body work has progressed a bit too.

[Robpulham]

I have also got a number of other bits near to being finally assembled.



Frame spacers, I found another two or three in the box afterwards but you get the drift.



Inner cab rear with locker and coal chute door.



Inner tanks



Rear cab lockers and horn guides




Inner cab roof. I didn't attempt to roll the outer roof without rolling bars I managed to do the inner with just manipulation between my fingers and the edge of the cutting mat.



Cab floor and front lockers/rear splashers



Frames. I had marked and cut out roughly for the horn guides and was painstakingly filing them when I thought it would be much easier to mill them slightly but accurately over size so that I can use my chassis jig to fit them. I also invested in a set of Premier joined rods.