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Review of the Sidelines Gn15 WASP kit

Sidelines WASP with an SLM 'Jon' driver figure

2 photos courtesy of Sidelines / Pepper7 and used with permission

As my first venture in to Gn15, I chose to purchase the Sidelines WASP kit. Although this is a freelance kit it has many of the features of a "typical" small industrial loco and certainly "looks right".

The first thing I noticed about this kit was that there are not many parts to it, and there are no illustrations in the instructions. However, if you check out the pictures on the right whilst referring to the instructions (and those on Pepper7's website), you will have as much as you need to assemble the loco; it really is very straightforward.

I purchased the SPUD version but I assume the Bachmann GE 44-tonner version of the kit is virtually identical.

The kit consists of a handful of high-quality resin castings and a few pieces of wire, etc. You have to buy the SPUD separately (Pepper7 can supply both).

I would certainly recommend you purchase a driver figure BEFORE you start assembly as this will dictate where the driver's seat is positioned. I got an SLM 'Jon' for mine.

A modelling knife, 0.5mm, 1.3mm drills and a flat file are about all the tools you will need to make the loco. (For an SLM 'Jon' figure you will have to lower the cab seat several mm's so a small saw or some hefty wire cutters will also be needed).

There are no location lugs on the castings but you do not really need any as the kit goes together so easily. Only a minimal amount of filing is necessary and assembly with ACC is recommended.

Attaching the SPUD is slightly indecisive but not a real problem. Sidelines recommend using BluTak to hold it in place and this seems to work fine.

Total time to build the kit was about 1 hour and it is a joy to assemble. Painting is down to personal preference but Humbrol hobby-paints or acrylics both adhere well to the castings.

Notes:

Attach the SPUD power unit BEFORE fitting the couplers as the thickness of the BluTak will raise the loco shell slightly.
I filled the bonnet assembly with strips of lead during assembly - without this weight the loco is too light.
Quality of kit (out of 5): simple but good quality, no bubbles in the castings.
Difficulty rating (out of 5): (very straightforward)
Supplier: www.pepper7.co.uk
If I were to build another one, I might substitute the seat with a Schomberg Scale Models #1502 Pressed Steel Tractor Seat (look under "Large Scale Critter Bits" on their website).
Alpha Cyanoacrylate Cement (ACC), often called Super Glue in the UK. Sticks (almost) anything to anything; plastic, metal, fingers, jeans, etc.

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