Back at the bench this afternoon after a week working away. No delivery from AGW as yet, so the first job was to look at loco/tender connections.
My man at Peter's Spares came up with these handy things
(RD005)
Cut off as required and wire up. They make a rather neat connection, once soldered and protected with heatshrink.
That was about all I could do to the current crop of locos, though, so attention turned to the fourth of the batch.
I picked this up at an Ely show. Although I don't generally like starting too many things at once, I do intend to use this, a much more modern kit, to look at how some of the issues with the older ones have been tackled and maybe pinch some ideas. It ought to make a much better loco, but we'll see. I am aware of issues with the rear axle, but for the moment it's being built as per the instructions (although maybe not quite in that order).
Anyway it was out with the Masterchassis after lunch and off we went.
People ask whether these jigs are worth it. Well, we managed without them for years so they're clearly not a necessity. For me, though, they make getting a square, free chassis a much easier and quicker process and give more consistent results. An hour later I had this:
The frames are quite thick which means the internal space is quite narrow. I have a RoadRunner Plus made up which I was going to use in this loco, but the extra width on the lowest section means that it won't quite fit. I'll swap that onto the WSM one and use a HighFlyer in here. The ratios are the same so performance should be identical
With this kit the cab, boiler and firebox are single castings so once you start they just need fettling up and fitting together. Another hour and I had this:
We slowed down a little after that. but by the time I brought it down for washing it looked like this:
The cab/boiler/smokebox assembly is only attached at the front; I couldn't quite figure out what is supposed to happen under the cab? A self tapping screw? There isn't one in the box.
