Hello all, I hope someone may help.

About 6 years ago after been made redundant for the umpteenth time I tossed my toys out of the pram and decided that I had retired ( i just didn't tell my good lady). I got a job on the evenings delivering curries, sold the jag and bought a 10 year old Scoda and did a lot of charity work. (keep going as you may see where I'm going with this) I then went into a factory and got the smell of suds oil something that I hadn't smelt since my apprenticeship some 40 years ago. I went completely unnecessary and totally gaga – I want to build a steam loco! (maybe I had gone completely loco)

I needed a workshop, but to build one I had needed to build an extension to the house to maintain equilibrium with the household authority. This all took some 2 years and a lot of money. (during this time I kept a bottle of suds available to have an occasional sniff of – for recreational purposes only)

I then accidentally got a contract as an international sales manager for a polymer machinery manufactures which lasted 3 years and took up most of my time, but the loco was always at the back of my mind and built a 16mm garden railway as compensation.

After I decided that I had retired for the second time, it was loco time. I need to equipe my workshop. As I like challenges I set a budget of £250 and after buying and selling on Ebay I now hay a nicely equipped workshop (boxford lathe with speed control, miller etc and a host of tools) and almost within budget. I have taught myself CAD etc and have started to use a lathe for the first time in 40 odd years.

After a lot of research the loco I have decided upon is a Sweet Pea with a variation of modifications. By accident I found a local fabrication company whilst delivering curries (yes I am back doing that, I enjoy it – no hassle no pressure and a lot of time to play on Ebay) to one of their late night working sessions and after talking to the directors I was allowed to raid their scrap bin. I also bought small lengths of steel from their stock when I needed it. As the relationship grew I was offered a contract for 3 days a week to set up and run a small machine shop to produce the parts for the fabrications that they produce. Back on to Ebay and they now have a small machine shop (I wish they wouldn't call it a tool room) equipped with a Colchester Triumph and a Bridgeport mill etc and for 3 days a week in full production, for the rest of the time I have joined the local model engineering society and have spent many happy hours there talking to the members.

Now at last here is my question. The main problem with my Sweet Pea is the Boiler. Everyone I have spoken to is very weary of building a boiler, but I cannot see why – am I missing something. The only problem I can foresee is my ability th silver solder it. (some years ago I decided to skim some plasterboard after watching some professionals it looked easy. That wall is the only one in the house that is now artexed!) I asked the Technical Director at work if he wold train me to silver solder. I explained what I wanted to do and he offered to do it for me, but was I sure that I wanted to silver solder it or maybe TIG welding the copper or even Eutectic soldering would be better. I explained that it would need to be passed by an armature boiler inspector who (like me) would probably have never come across these methods. He then offered to allow the boiler inspector to watch the boiler been soldered.

Has anyone got any ideas on these methods as I feel like someone who after asking to buy a Ford Escort was offered a Rolls Royce free of charge, is it what I want. HELP.