A little progress today, trying to keep out of the heat! Having now milled out the copper firebox to make space for the gearbox, at least nearly, (I still need to take a bit more out before it fits properly), I cut and soldered in place the boiler bands. These were cut from thin brass sheet, bent to shape and tacked in place. 


 

The little turned brass lock-up safety valve cover was then soldered on after drilling an appropriate hole towards the front of the boiler. These little covered valves supplemented the spring balance on the firebox and provided a back up should the driver be tempted to screw down the spring balance to prevent any irritating hissing!

A recent commission was a set of etched brass number plates. I had a set made for this (79) and also some made for the passenger versions to come.

With the numbers in place and a trial fit of the chimney (which is too tall at the moment) it’s actually beginning to look like an engine.