G3 Clubroom

The Forum for Gauge 3 Model Trains

I have ,today, been carrying-on building the above kit from GRS. What I have found whilst attempting to fit the brake details has left me very despondent about this kit and also quite dubious about starting any of the rest of the GRS kits that I have "in stock". I would like anybodies comments about this kit especially how they sorted-out the brakes. Meanwhile, I will continue testing my hair out and swearing a lot, lol.
Regards
David

Sorry, that should have read "tearing" not testing!
David

Hello David,

I have not encountered that particular kit, my own van was built from the previous version (plastic card and whitemetal) from GRS.

Have you seen this review on my other site, written by Ashley Wattam, which may answer your question (if not, Ashley regularly checks posts and will likely be able to suggest a solution).

http://g3madesimple.org.uk/BR_20t_Brake.pdf

Regards,
John

Hello John

Yes I have read those comments but I had hoped that as my kit was a relatively recent purchase, it might have had an up-date..... all to no avail, unfortunately. By the way John, I did find your comments on the Loriot kit most useful and I incorporated the mod's on my wagon and was very pleased with the result.
Regards
David

i did not put the brakes on it, as the end of the yokes just seemed to be pointing to no where, also wanted to be able to take apart. i did away with plastic footboards and white metal steps and swapped for brass. i also used williams w irons and springs as i don't like white metal and made the w irons so i could un-bolt, as i also did the body from the chassis.

QuoteI had hoped that as my kit was a relatively recent purchase, it might have had an up-date..... all to no avail, unfortunately.

Unfortunately, as with several GRS kits I have built, if they encounter a problem with a "test build" they simply ignore it, don't make any mods to the kit, make no reference in the instruction sheet, take photos from angles that hide the faults and then shrug off any customer criticism.

The loco kits are the worst....some have serious flaws which require major surgery to save them from the boneyard and that includes the so-called "easy build" type.

Four years ago, they said they would not sell me anymore kits because of the bad reviews......lucky me......think of all the aggro I will be spared!

Regards,
John.

Yes John

But the reason you were barred was due to your penchant for lambasting them in public forums first rather than talking to them privately.

Please don't use this post as an excuse to have another little dig at GRS.

Its in the past and has been dealt with. 

I for one am sick to the back teeth of you bringing the same old chestnut up whenever you feel you can get away with it.

Life is too short, trust me I should know! 

Mark

I make no apologies for warning people of the deficiencies of many of their kits ...... they are expensive for what they offer and it is all too easy for people to waste money on kits they do not have the skills to successfully complete.

Much of the problem arises from the fact that (so far as G3 is concerned) GRS had no competitors for many years but that is now changing. Perhaps they will "up their game" to meet the challenges.

Regards,
John.

I have built a few grs kits and they can be hard to fathom I call it assisted scratch building. I mainly use Williams running gear now and scratch build all my rolling stock, then there is only me to blame.

I have to agree that Williams wagon kits are very hard to beat for both details and ease of construction. I wish they did more loco kits, they would make the hobby more of a joy and less of a feeling of a chore. I am looking forward to the commercial arrival of the Sentinel loco, I will definitely be buying one.
Regards
David

Well considering the small volumes produced, the cost in tooling and the amount of issues the have dealing with lots of small suppliers I feel the kits offer good value.
Yes they take some work but that's why I'm in the hobby- I enjoy kit building. I've built over twenty wagons and all have gone together pretty well.
The range has already shrunk and no one else has stepped in to fill the gap. The customer base in this scale is Amal, and I for one am glad they invested as much in this scale as they did.

Simon