I have had positive feedback from the N scale Y class hands on workshop with many completing or nearing completion of their units. Darren showed me how he had altered his chassis further and I’m incorporating these ideas plus a few others into the new chassis which current builders can have when I finish prototyping it for free.

With my Y’s up and running I decided that Wallan needed a ‘T’ or two.  With this in mine when I did the recent Y etch I left a small area devoted to testing and as a result my first effort is below.  From the feedback received prior to even doing this blog update is that many want to sink their teeth into these.

The ‘T’ will be a lot easier than the Y and will fit the standard VO 1000 mech with a couple easy and minor mods. There have been some minor changes to the first etch and I’ll do a new prototype soon to gauge feedback.

My two completed brass N Scale T's (so far) on my mates layout.

Cheers

Chris

Y class workshop

I note that with the large RTR HO market the amount of builders wishing to tackle projects has dropped off immensely and so as a consequence skills are diminishing as well.  In N scale this is also starting to happen with many modellers preferring to buy rather than hone their skills which is a shame.

With this in mind when I created the Y class etch I wanted only to sell to modellers who would be likely to finish the kit as I personally get more satisfaction when I see the builder ACTUALLY finish their model and not put it in a draw.  I would rather not have the sale if someone were not going to ever start a kit.

So with this in mind I kicked off the 1^st of 2 Y class hands on workshops.  Each group was given ahead of time the kit instructions, a list of 34 tools required and two websites to hone their soldering backgrounds on before commencement.

I had quite a few eager builders who for the very first time were going to attend the workshop and build their locos.  Every novice said to me that had I not had a hands on workshop they wouldn’t have attempted such a kit (my point for holding these).

The kit would teach soldering skills, loco mechanism cannibalization, wood working skills (plywood chassis) and other essential modelling skills not generally given out these days.

The day turned out to be an overwhelming success for the pupils who now say they are willing to tackle more scratch building and soldering, my ultimate aim in the first place.

Well I must say that I very pleased with the positive attitude, willingness to have ago shown by all present and when someone found difficulty with a particular step, others or myself were willing to assist which made for a great day.

Part 2 of their workshop is on soon and group 2’s will be starting shortly.

It was immense fun.

Cheers

Chris Pearce (Spirit Design)

24 hrs later

I just thought you might like to see what a dirty Y class looks like. Its the same Y except it has had a decent application of weathering applied.

Chris