Build a whitemetal kit

As George Dent discovered, only a modicum of patience and skill is required to build this steam tram locomotive kit, and you don’t need a vast array of tools and materials either.

as george dent discovers, only a modicum of patience and skill is required to build this kit.

Whether it’s because of the character Toby in the Thomas the Tank Engine stories, or the romance of the Wisbech & Upwell Tramway, the humble steam tram locomotive retains a fascination for many railway enthusiasts. This impressive kit, from N-drive Productions, offers ‘N’ gauge modellers the chance to create a characterful little locomotive with the minimum of fuss. A fully assembled, ready-to-run chassis is provided, with a small motor driving a pair of axles via a set of nylon gears. All the modeller needs to do is assemble the bodyshell from a small number of metal components. Only a basic array of tools is required, along with a tube of epoxy or cyano glue. Most of the assembly work was completed within an afternoon, with the parts requiring minimal fettling. However, care is needed to get the shell erected neatly and squarely Full, illustrated instructions are provided, but I deviated slightly from the prescribed assembly process. To ensure all joints and corners were tidy and gap-free, I applied an initial coat of white primer after the main bodyshell had been assembled. Remedial action could then follow, without the risk of dislodging or damaging the delicate etched window frames and cow-catchers, which were installed later. I found that the teeth of the nylon worm drive were a little rough, so I carefully trimmed away the few burrs with a sharp blade. Then, after treating the gears with model-grade grease and adding a drop of oil to the axles, the power unit proved to be reliable and relatively smooth-running. Despite my initial trepidation about working on something so small, I discovered it proved to be a straightforward and thoroughly enjoyable project. With the difficult task of motorisation taken care of, this kit offers a cheap and wholly attainable route to creating a W&u-inspired layout in 2mm:1ft scale.