Craftsman kit (praise alert)! I just finished my La Belle freight motor kit I got as a gift a few years ago. This was my first wood kit, and I think it turned out very well! La Belle essentially gives you a box of scrap wood, some instructions, and says “here, build this.” They’re difficult and time consuming, but they’re well made and designed overall and make a very nice model in the end. If you’re up for a challenge, I’d recommend trying one of their products!
Hi Darth:
That is a beautiful little locomotive! I’m impressed with the smooth finish on the roof. Not suprising that it runs smoothly since you built it[;)]
Dave
Excellent!
That deserves a “Hats Off” and [Y]
Great Job, I have one of those kicking around in the stash of unbuilt kits. I bought it when the club I belonged to had a portable trolley layout. By the way where is the wire?
Rick J
Beautiful work on that, Darth. I didn’t know LaBelle was still around. I remember seeing ads and references to them in old magazines printed before I was born.
You’re mechanical drives always intrigue me. Dan
The wire’s in the “engine house”. There’s a really big battery in the engine, and it charges while sitting at night so that it can run around the rails without a wire during the day.[:o)]
Nice job on the finish, too. Wood can be somewhat more of a challenge to finish. I really have enjoyed the LaBelle kits I’ve built. I’ve got a gon, coach and combine to build in HOn3,. I’m thinking of using the combine to build a railcar.
LaBelle has changed hands over the years. Rick Steele is the current owner. He can often work with you to customize a kit, etc, so worth dropping him a line if you want something a little different than a kit he offers. Great service and a great product.