Modelling time last night was significantly limited, meaning there was no opportunity to do any painting. I have however finished off soldering handrails to the tender and glued on all of the castings to the tender body.

I have also made a start on the loco to tender coupling, first I filed a flat on the rear frame spacer and drilled a 1.8mm hole approximately in the centre. This was then fitted with a bolt soldered into position, before soldering two bearings into the holes on the coupling bar. Test fitting it looks like the bar is a little too low, so my plan is to adjust the thickness of the bearings until I am happy.

Painting the frames, and finalising the wheel / gearbox fit will have to wait for tonight. As will priming the tender / tender chassis.

We have my parents over looking after the girls for the next couple of days, which will rather put a dent in the available modelling time in the evenings. That said pending a decision on whether or not I go for a live chassis, I cant finish the model until I place an order with Wizard for crankpins or washers (plus potentially 4 more insulated wheels).