So, it's been a while and a quick update is in order. The photo has brought out all the as yet untouched blemishes, etc after meddling with the Hornby shell. But the progress is there to see. Loco brake rodding, smokebox dart, spare lamp brackets and top rear tender lamp bracket.

I still have those pesky lamp brackets to fit on the buffer beams and smokebox top.

The connecting rods need to be permanently fixed in place but there will be one more teardown of the wheels and motor before final assembly of the crankpin "nuts".

The Hornby shells will be given a thin coat of grey primer which should reveal any remaining imperfections after a final cleaning up. Then off to the work's paint shop. I have the decals (oops, I mean transfers!) but not the brass plates as yet.

The two black wires have been connected directly to the motor and everything runs nicely with no binding at all. The motor has been fixed in place so as to clear the interior of the boiler without needing the shaft extension to be cut off.

The slow progress has been for a reason - I have become a house painter during the past few weeks. Wednesdays at B&Q (10% senior discount) have been the over-riding priority!