This is the first time I have built a JLTRT wagon kit but have built quite a few from the Parkside and Slaters' ranges.

On opening the box I was very pleased to find a nice crisp moulding for the Door detail van body and a packet of good quality white metal castings that had very little flash. There was also a bag of lost wax castings for the buffers. I obtained a set of Slater’s wheels as the kit is not supplied with these.

I started by detailing the van body. There were no difficulties fitting the detail using the recommended super glue. All the parts fit well and very quickly, I had a detailed van body which looks very clean and tidy.

I then moved onto the chassis, which again was quite straightforward. I found that all of the parts fitted well and everything was very neatly cast. I found that all of the parts fitted into their location holes and had no problem quickly producing a working chassis. I fitted the working axle boxes according to the instructions and found no difficulty in making these work to provide an element of compensation. I was most impressed that the chassis was completely flat with absolutely no trace of wobble on either axle without any need for adjustment.

I did not fit this van with additional weight as I consider the mass of the body casting and the white-metal castings to be sufficient.

The only parts I may consider replacing after this review are the brake levers and buffer heads. The brake levers are white-metal castings which are vulnerable when the van is being transported to exhibitions, so I may replace these with some spare etched ones left over from other kits. Also I found the metal for the brass buffer heads quite brittle so may replace these with some of dad's buffer heads from his spares box. I had read elsewhere that the buffers were too closely spaced, I have not found this and the van runs well with rakes of other wagons without any hint of buffer lock.

I found this a very easy and enjoyable as it built quickly into a good van for use on our layouts. I think it is good value for money and involves a different set of skills to building the more common plastic kits. I did have some questions and comments when I was building it and found both Laurie and Pete at JLTRT to be very approachable and willing to listen. I would recommend this kit to any junior or inexperienced modeller.