The above is where we were yesterday, test fitting certain components prior to gluing down.

I filed down the smokebox on the V2 bodyshell, and removed the outer ring on the Hornby A3 smokebox door, as per that on Tom's V2 (see Bachmann V2 thread).

This next picture shows the front end of the cylinder after the torpedo ends have been removed. The torpedo ends are the pair on the left, on the right are a spare set from a Hornby A4 set of cylinders (and correct for my chosen V2, 60903).

I filed down the original Torpedo ends enough so that the Hornby set could be stuck on top. This has two benefits - firstly, it allows the torpedo ends to simply be slotted back into the cylinders without fuss (and they fit very well, a snug fit into a square hole), and secondly it gives the Hornby ends the correct length from the cylinders.

Here they are as fully modified...

...and as fitted to the cylinders. In my view, a modification well worth doing and improves the overall look no end.

I simply removed the dome from my spare St. Gatien bodyshell and glued it into position on my bodyshell. It required filing down of the dome enough so that the dome literally fits over the top. Using the small notches Hornby provide for placing over their boiler bands, it was easy enough to line up the dome perfectly.

With A3 buffers, front coupling and smokebox door fitted, and brass lamp irons left over from my recent A4 projects, and the handrail wire clipped to the right length, along with the Margate A3 chimney fitted, the front end looks much better in my view and confirms what we already know from Tom's excellent model.

I cut the plastic moulded coal so I could add real coal later. My excuse is that King's Cross locomotives nearly always went back for more coal anyway...!

The finished model, with the cylinder draincocks as supplied attached. Personally I think they are acceptable enough to use, and the overall model is definitely much improved from the original. Also note the cab doors - taken from an older Bachmann V2 model (for which I have no idea where these excellent plastic doors came from).

Next time I'll renumber, repaint, weather and finish this model, but I've run out of time this weekend prior to departing on my next business trip.

Hope this blog has been of some interest and help - until next time!