They do run

[mott]

I sometimes get a bit depressed when I see the shortfalls in the kits coming out of ModelWorks and the irritation of current builders. I built a MW 14XX and it certainly was a vertical learning curve with many aborted trips to the track never mind the factory. I was supported by club members who spent a deal of time sorting out the many problems - usually getting the cylinder efficiency up to an acceptable standard but we made it in the end. Last week I took the loco out for the first time in 8 months on our ground level track. Had a few problems to start with, mainly because the cast iron rings had seized in the bores but they finally came free. I then managed 3 miles running steadily with no further problems, notched back she ran easily and with low level consumption of coal and water.
At our Families day this last weekend there was a Winson 9F running continuously giving excellent service .With a superb paint finish it was a delight to behold. We have a 9F which recently ran successfully on its first track outing which originated from Winson and was admittedly a long time in gestation.
So whilst not wishing to venture into the current debate over the MW kits and their lamentable scheduling, they can be made to run and give a deal of satisfaction.Maybe the standards acceptable to current purchasers who have paid out a lot of cash are now very close to the standard found on "engineers" built locos, whereas there was never really a "hope in hell" of getting a loco kit assembled with only hand tools ever to reach that standard but that doesn't mean they wont run, they will.They will be "high" maintenance and need the attention of proper model engineers as well as the time and money of owners who by definition are unlikely to be engineers otherwise they would be scratch building, not kit building but they can be made to run
Mott

[duchessmike]

Thanks Mott, your words are most encouraging!
What Modelworks have done is to convert some 'owners' into 'engineers', because we need to produce a result which can only be achieved by proper ME skills.
Without the kick-start from Modelworks, and the fast-track build encouragement, I certainly whould never have got beyond building wagons.
I've acquired a completely new skill-set, much by reading the work of others then trying to emulate them, with varying degrees of success and scrap production!
Now, I must find a decent lathe!
Best wishes,
Mike

[mott]

Mike. There's an ML 5 up for sale on the CSMEE website. Ive seen it and it is in "lovely condition" - definitely worth a look. Mott

[Phil Sutton]

Well done Mott,glad yours works.Still persevering with mine,albeit intermittently! ;D ;D

Phil