I like to build a chassis so that wheels and motor are removable for painting and chemical blackening. Once you know you have a sweet running motion It`s just a case of adding all the brakes and details.

I like a robust brake gear set up and use slightly bigger gauge rods to achieve this aim. The cast springs supplied in the kit are nicely detailed and perhaps slightly over scale if I was to be really pernickety. There are lots of etched brake rod washers supplied in a very heavy gauged nickel silver fret, which are afflicted by `cusps` at the edges through the etching process . I decided not to waste time fettling the cusps away.

I started with the brake hanger rods and the firebox.

As my loco will be an early version I fitted the early pattern brake hangers ( the kit also supplies the later pattern). These are the usual etched design, each set needing two halves soldered together.
The white metal sandboxes needed draw filing to make them look presentable.

You need to consider the positioning of the brake operating rods and not make everything too scale closeness or removing the wheels will be impossible.

It all reassembles easily enough...............................................................................................................................

I`m pleased with the result and the chassis is virtually ready for the paint shop