Since I am not allowed to drink anymore, my doctor has forbidden it, this Christmas has been the most sober since about 1972 and it has allowed a clear headed consideration of what I might do next.
One crucial factor that is important, I have a dislike, possibly bordering on the pathological, of etched laminated coupling rods. I realise they are perfectly satisfactory, and probably provide a better representation of the prototype, however the downside is that there is a lot of work to get to the end result and milled replacements are relatively inexpensive. The major argument against is that fluting is inevitably wrong, it's a compromise, as is so much in modelling, I can live with it.
The options therefore were,
Connossieur J70 tram engine, without wheels or coupling rods and no real interest on my part, might well sell this kit.
Gladiator B16 and Majestic J37, wheels to hand but again coupling rods to source. Additionally being tender engines they are longish projects, especially the B16, so discounted.
Connossieur G5, rather attractive and if I do one of the Scottish three I save myself that horrible to look at and no doubt to make, bunker rail arrangement. Coupling rods again.
Agenoria Wemyss pug, this was the one I did want to do but apart from the coupling rods that are a special, an odd wheelbase of 7'9"+ 7'9", a read of the instructions rather put me off, the smokebox is three wrappers which I don't fancy at all just at the mo.
Which leaves a Majestic J83 for which everything is to hand, a suitable motor from stock extracted and a start made.
The jointed rods have been rivetted, which suggests a sprung suspension, probably not but I haven't finally decided and the other decision is whether I go 12 or 10BA on the crankpins. Both work, the inverted bush looks more like the prototype, the 12BA is easier to do. I'm holding off with the soldering iron whilst I ponder, it's what I seem to do most of these days.
Kind regards
Martin