I have almost finished the work on my 13 ton vertical boiler Climax kit from Randall Gustafson. Some final painting, decals and the addition of a driver are yet to be done. (The roof and top of the stack are not yet glued down to allow for some of this.) This is my first attempt at anything like remotely this and I made a number of annoying mistakes, but I am generally fairly happy with it. Apart from a modification to the way the motor is held in place I stuck with the excellent instructions provided.
Wow, you did a great job. I've been known to quietly sigh and mumble sometimes when I see a finished kit, not this time! When I first saw the 1870's photos posted of the V&T ore cars with the 'unit coal train' look that's kinda what I had in mind! While you loading up your cab don't forget that the cars only had handbrakes, and the shots I've seen of the V&T cars loaded were decorated with a brakeman about every six cars or so on the 2.5% grade down to the Carson River just to handle all the handbrakes.
NICE WORK! I have one of the 18-ton kits assembled but not yet painted, as well as six of the V&T cars nearly done and not yet painted. I need to get those done.
Thanks, Your kits are great! I know I made a few mistakes but I am pleased with the results and there is still a little detail work to do. I have picked the 'ore' I am going to put in the cars but I haven't found any nice scale people to put on them (or the Climax) yet. I will be sure to add a brakeman or two
