Yes I know I still havent finished Clan Line (still awaiting the con rods), but I've now made a proper start on my second P4 steam loco, 4472 in preserved condition (i.e. the Hornby NRM release)

The planed work pretty much follows that of Clan Line, with the model gaining a new Tender chassis (this time from Comet), new front bogie (I think the sideframes for the LNER bogie that come in the same pack as the Buillid one used under the MN is the right version for the A3? If so I plan on scratchbuilding a new sub frame and using those rather than wasting money on another complete set of etches.)

Wheels are again by Gibson, currently in the process of being painted green, finally the valve gear is currently the Hornby stuff (which this time is in good condition), depending on how fiddly the Bill Bedford stuff is for Clan Line I will decide if I will do the same here or just live with the Hornby stuff.

The final area I am a little unsure what to do with is the rear truck, I know Comet do a part for it so I need to find out if its a modification worth making. I'm a little concerned how it will perform with a scale flanged wheel in there.

Other than that theres only a few modifications to the body (increace chassis frame width and reduce the body to tender gap) and its good to go.....

Today I finished off preparing the driving wheels (fitting the crank pins and assembling one axle.) To make the wheels fit properly in my Exactoscale back to back gauge I removed about 1mm from the outside of the raised bit around the axle on the inside of the wheel. I did find on my test axle that it was a real pain to get the wheels to fit to the axle. In the end had to bore out the hole to fit (not something I am that happy doing given that I dont have a 3mm exact broach (it says its 3mm but its actually 1/8 or what ever that imperial size axle is thats practically 3mm) I found out the hard way what happens if it was just forced by ruining an axle of bogie wheels for Clan Line (thankfully had a spare)!

No doubt that this project will get held up once Gibson release the drivers needed for City of Truro with a 3mm axle.....