mike47j

perhaps 85, firebox casting is really the ash pan ?

page 20, post 491 has my list of the contents of each issue.

Cab roof is issue 16.

Yes, even the valve gear etchings. I did not do those and had to get them very hot melt off the lacquer when laminating the connecting rods. Still not completed mine.

It's just electrical wire which they show being connected to the tags on the Slaters pickups, giving the length for each bit of wire. Lots of details about how to assemble the pickups, so I think the instruction writer expected the pickups to be provided.

It's a bit strange that they supply the wire, and the motor but not the pickups. And no mention when explaining how to fit them in issue 129 of where to get them, or who makes them.

My last 3 parts arrived today. Now I'll have to find out which bits I've done, which I thought I'd do later, and which parts I've lost.

I have a slightly tight crossover on my small layout, I don't know the radius but its less than 6ft. The pony truck needs a little more side play and possibly a heavier spring, but the main issue seems to be the loco to tender coupling which needs a lot more side play.

The list on page 20 is up to 123. It will be another couple of weeks before I get 124 to 127.

The expansion link castings were in 117, the return crank rods or eccentric rods came in 118 and 119 and were attached to the bottom of the expansion links. Then all the bits are put away to paint the wheels.

Issue 117 says drill 2mm holes, the end of my crankpins are about 1.8mm so they are going too be a loose fit. Issue 119 step 8 says fit at the correct angle to check the connecting rod does not foul the expansion link, without saying what the correct angle is.

The return crank looks as if it will be glued on after painting. Since I already have the Premier coupling rods, and filled the hole in the connecting rod, I think I'll use the Derek Mundy 10BA threaded crankpins, and solder a 10BA screw into the return crank.

I got some Slaters driving wheels at the Reading show, the replacement wheels had too much wobble and would not stay in gauge. I have the premier coupling rods, but not the jointed ones, and not the rest of the motion. I'm not sure which crank pins to use on the middle drivers, I don't like the 3mm diameter ones supplied by Hachette. I think I prefer to get a kit all in one box and complete each major part before moving to the next, rather than the random sequence we have with this.

I have up to issue 115. Which issues you have depends on when you started your subscription and I was a few weeks late. I've updated the list on page 20, post #491.

I must admit that my enthusiasm for this build has decreased with the disappointment of the plastic tender and wobbly driving wheels. I've got 2 set of the wheels but I might buy some Slaters wheels at Reading next week. Must make a shopping list.