The Hudswell Clarke is currently destined as the 'quarry loco' for 'Ambridge'. However, Hudswell Clarkes directors have had a request for the supply of a loco to the 'Tannery Lane Sewage Works'. Not wishing to drop anyone in the 'poo' Hudswell Clarkes management got the agreement from the 'BBC' (the Borsetshire Broadstone Company - owners of the quarry) to delay their order - on receipt of a suitable discount of course...

Right, 'history' over - the little loco will be ideal motive power for the 'EMGS Challenge' along with a (ex-) L&Y 'Pug' also under construction (for the last 5 years...) This continues the story from where I left off in June. 'Personal' modelling time is now becoming precious (as with most working stiffs) as the 'working day' has to be used for something financially useful. More on that later.

Where was I? Oh yes, detailing the cylinder block. Chris Gibbons 'High Level' kits are a master of detail. Take for instance the piston glands. They are about 1.5mm long and have a 80 thou hole in the middle... Chris actually advises gluing them in place to avoid all the other gubbins falling apart. Didn't work for me - so back to the iron -

One little b....r attached (enormous 'ping' factor!) and a bit messy at the mo'

and the toolbox required to do it!

Thank the Lord (or rather 'Carrs Solder Paste') - works a treat and comes off with a glass-fibre brush

Adding he cylinder drain cocks was another exercise in temper-restraint, alleviated by some choice language - but in the end the job was done.

So on to bigger things (and with this loco 'bigger' is definitely a comparative word)!

The underside of the boiler literally taxed my bending machine to the limit - the boiler diameter is exactly the same diameter as the top roller!

and finally the saddle tank is perched on top.. Looks weird at the moment..

From here on I'll have to revert to the main instruction sequence, as the body has to fit to hold it all together prior to adding the gear-train etc. So that's the next installment.

BFN

Ian