Well, if that how tidy your workbench is with all of that to work on... it must be spotless when you're only tackling one task at a time. That's a lot of projects! Enjoy the Deltic.... I find that the three pipes provided are ok... although not too accurate, but it does need the airbrake pipes and screw link coupling.... and the brake exhauster exhausts at the No. 1 end. Don't forget the nose end steps and lower ETH modules (with pipe/wires) on the left hand side pair. If you add these, the difference is astounding.

Well, if that how tidy your workbench is with all of that to work on... it must be spotless when you're only tackling one task at a time. That's a lot of projects! Enjoy the Deltic.... I find that the three pipes provided are ok... although not too accurate, but it does need the airbrake pipes and screw link coupling.... and the brake exhauster exhausts at the No. 1 end. Don't forget the nose end steps and lower ETH modules (with pipe/wires) on the left hand side pair. If you add these, the difference is astounding.

Cheers Jon

I've already fitted Markits/Romford sprung coupling hooks (which will have modified Smiths screw-link assemblies fitted after painting; the Romford screw-link is hyawge. I normally fit the Smiths hooks too but there's insufficient clearance available on the Deltic; the Romford hook shanks are shorter and just about clear the bogies!). Pipes and hoses are underway, plus scratchbuilt ETS fittings. As you say, the exhauster pipes are a must, plus all the external pipework on the buffer beams. When I manage to beat the apparent global shortage of 1mm brass strip - even Mainly Trains have run out! - I'll knock-up the footsteps too. I'm also increasingly dissatisfied with the scavenger fan grilles and frames; I think I might extend the project a bit and fit replacement Shawplan items. However, the decals for the Tinsley 20s have arrived...

Also note that I closed the RH door on the workbench; leaving it open would have headed-off any comments about neatness & tidiness at the pass!

Incidentally I've used Hornby 31 buffers on the Deltic (since the photo was taken). Pull-out the Bachmann buffers and retrieve the springs; razor-saw off the shanks flush with the nose, then drill-out the existing holes to 3.2 mm. The Hornby 31 buffers (3.17 mm diameter shanks) can then be pressed/glued in place, leaving 3.25 mm (including flange) of the shank protruding. That gives a lovely "these shrouds really are fitted over the buffers" look and also provide the top footsteps and side inspection covers. They've got genuine steel heads and are sprung too. Eeeez niiiiice B)

eet3, that's an interesting approach to buffer replacement for the 55... any chance of some photos?

I'll post a pic when I've sorted-out the steps and ETS fittings.

Progress on the Deltic has been hampered by a week working in Scotland; this weekend has seen the ETS fittings made and painted, the nose-end steps made and epoxied in place (carefully checking clearance for bogie swing and articulation!), plus the airbrake pipes fitted to their adaptors prior to gluing in place and replicating the joining pipework across the bufferbeams. Next step will be filling the existing (huge!) holes in the bufferbeams and adding the bufferbeam gussets, before fitting vacuum pipes and the No.2 end exhauster drains. Steam-heat fittings are yet to be made, but will probably be based on those supplied with the Hornby class 31 plus scratchbuilt hoses and end fittings. With excellent luck and a following wind, I hope to post pics next weekend.