Winson Brit!

[spamcanman]

I'm going to view a Winson Britannia this weekend possibly to buy, the chap selling it from had built it for it's last owner that could not finish it. Speaking to the chap selling it he has done many modifications to it even to get it running on the rolling road. Its just been finished and painted and I will be able to see her run under her own steam.
Should I even consider one of these as I have heard so much against Winson and are they correct in scale only someone told me the cladding was wrong etc.

[jgb7573]

Hi there,
If you're looking at an engine running under its own steam, preferably on a track, then the fact that it originated in a kit is not that important. I'm no expert, but a lot of the issues I've heard and seen with Kit built locos is to do with how well they go together. Many of them seem to need fixing up in one way or another to get them together and this is a major source of frustration to the builders. It sounds like your potential vendor has found and dealt with a lot of these. However, what you're going to see is not a kit of parts, but a complete loco. So you need to be looking at how well it works, what it looks like, whether there are any obvious problems (leaks 'n squeaks), boiler certificate and so on. There may be some inherent design problems in the loco which means that it doesn't steam well, or can't pull the skin off a rice pudding, but you should see that when you visit. So I would not worry about its kit origin,
As for correct to scale, well a working model is bound to have some compromises. The question is more whether you can live with them. If you're not sure what the cladding should look like, then I'd do some research and dig out some prototype pictures of Brits and have a good look at them. Then maybe take them with you when you go to view and decide how much of an issue this is for you. Simiularly for other "it doesn't look right" type issues. If you're looking for an absolute scale model to exhibition standards, well you may find one, but you may not. Once again, it's a matter of what you can live with.
Good luck, I hope it's a good one.
John

[Laurie_B]

It sounds as if the locomotive has been assembled reasonably well,so seeing it in steam should show whether the loco works well or not.
As for scale appearance,having seen one or two Winson 'Brits',what struck me was that the cab,as originally supplied,did not look right at all.
Now,Doug Hewson can supply a set of laser cut components to build a much more accurate looking cab.He can also supply a range of various fittings for these locos.
Good luck with the steam test!

[Deleted]

You did not say which gauge it was. Good luck with the test.
Regards
Jim

[a4builder]

hi
I have 3 winson kits that I am working on you should particularly look out for the piston rings. Winson used an o ring for the seal this is ok for a short while but soon wears out full ci or ptfe rings should have been fitted if you want a reliable runner. This also applies to the piston valve ring its a horrible brass thing. see the website britania builder for all the gory details or even posts on this site. If it is an unmodified kit - not just worked to make the parts fix together - dont pay too much.
a4builder

[gargamel140]

I have a winson Brit as well besides a king arthur. I took it all apart painted it and putting it together right now. During dismantling I did all the modifications mentioned in the previous posts and on this forum. Send me a PM if you like know details. Bottom line the loco will run without modification (except for the modification of the valves). I think it is fun to make it work better but as said you will have a good running loco without.

Michel

[mutley]

Here are some piccies to give you some idea. THe first two are Winson the third one is a Perrier Brit, photo is from the Station road steam archive where further views can be found.



or


or



neither are true to scale. the obvious points being the cab and the boiler on the Winson model whose firebox only tapers in one direction not two.

Andy

[drjohn]

You make my heart sing with those pictures, Andy - sadly I left my 3/4 completed Norman Spinks Brit back in the UK 20 years ago when I moved east.

Makes me wonder if I should be doing another Brit instead of the Black 5 next

DJ

P.S. As well the departed Sir clip isn't around or he'd be moaning about the size of the pictures - Please don't modify them, they're worth every lateral scroll that they need

[mutley]

Hi DJ
I nearly changed the szie, that however would have required me downloading them and then hosting the resized items with possible copyright implications . The original website that hosted them has gone, those piccies are courtesy of the web archive.

Andy

[drjohn]

OK Andy - I'll steal the pics and keep them so if they disappear from the web archive, I can re-post them on the back of my site.

DJ

[spamcanman]

in the second picture of 70030 is the injector fitted the wrong way?

[Andrew C]

The Injector in the last picture looks the wrong way round too.

I thinks it's because we are expecting the feed to go to the clack on the boiler top but is I think off to one on the backhead.