Britannia Builder's Diary

This website records my progress in building the Britannia 5" gauge model steam locomotive, from the kit supplied by Modelworks International. Sadly Modelworks was placed into administration on 30 May 2008, but I and most of the other Britannia builders were fortunate enough to have received almost all our parts before this happened.

I've now also started building the Aster Gauge 1 Merchant Navy kit. Click here for the latest updates.

Recent updates:
15/03/22 - Sold!
10/03/22 - Now on sale with Station Road Steam
02/03/22 - Selling up
10/09/19 - And another ...
20/09/18 - Another year gone by ...
24/09/17 - Still here!
04/07/16 - First ride for grandchildren
05/05/16 - Boiler test and first run of 2016
06/10/15 - Temporarily a 3-6-2!
07/09/15 - Injectors repaired
02/08/15 - New video of circuit of Colney Heath
20/07/15 - Injector clack blocked
19/07/15 - New pump eccentric strap bought
22/06/15 - Successful run
14/06/15 - Problem explained
13/06/15 - Axle pump problem
17/05/15 - Public running
26/04/15 - First run of 2015 - still problems
21/11/14 - Test run
25/10/14 - First lubricator completed
23/10/14 - Slight setback - molten clutch!
09/10/14 - Enlarging lubricator capacity
05/10/14 - First breakdown!
09/09/14 - Axle pump maintenance
08/09/14 - Public running
22/08/14 - Boiler test
18/08/14 - Public running again
06/07/14 - Another public run
20/05/14 - Another public run
04/05/14 - First public run of 2014
30/03/14 - First run of 2014
09/03/14 - Unsuccessful steam-up
01/09/13 - Visit from another builder
05/08/13 - Public running, no squeak
27/06/13 - Steam test
21/05/13 - Another public running session
11/05/13 - First run on new track
21/04/13 - Track extension almost ready
07/04/13 - Preparing for the new season
01/10/12 - Replacing speedometer
02/09/12 - Steaming again
20/07/12 - IMLEC report
08/07/12 - IMLEC 2012
02/07/12 - Minor repairs needed
23/06/12 - Another birthday party
08/06/12 - Whistle repositioned
02/06/12 - Birthday party
06/05/12 - First public running of 2012
18/04/12 - Speedometer
15/04/12 - First steaming of 2012
01/04/12 - Hydraulic test

Kits:
Kit 1 - Tender Frames
Kit 2 - Tender Axles, Springs, Brakes and Buffers
Kit 3 - Tender Wheels and Body
Kit 4 - Tender Handpump, Front Locker, Coal Bunker and Roof
Kit 5 - Locomotive Main Frames
Kit 6 - Rear Frames, Rear Beam and Pony Truck
Kit 7 - Front Bogie
Kit 8 - Driving Wheels
Kit 9 - Bogie and Pony Wheels, Main Springs and Axle Pump
Kit 10 - Steam Brakes and Buffers
Kit 11 - Cylinders and Pistons
Kit 12 - Coupling Rods, Connecting Rods and Crossheads
Kit 13 - Valve Motion and Lubricators
Kit 14 - Smokebox
Kit 15 - Ashpan and Grate
Kit 16 - Steam Fittings
Kit 17 - Boiler and Superheater
Kit 18 - Front Platework and Fittings
Kit 18b - Cladding, Cab and Pipework
Kit 18c - Final Parts
Steam Trials
Finishing - Detailing, Painting and Lining

Links:

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