Those of you who saw my question in the Kitbuilding/Scratchbuilding section will know already that I wanted some plastic brake shoes etc as they are VERY close to the wheels and didn't want to risk short circuits upsetting the Loksound decoder. I've since secured an 8F chassis bottom from East Kent Models with a view to using the plastic brake shoes for the 2-8-2.

Well, first I drilled some 0.5mm holes in the top of the hangers to take some 0.45mm wires threaded through the frames then clipped them off the chassis bottom and cleaned up the bit where they joined on.

Here's the result

The weathered finish will be removed with a little Superstrip.

Next step is the pull rod and bottom cross members - I'll use the old Kemilway etches that also contained the metal brakes that I've now discounted.

I've also got the 8F small parts pack which contains the vac cylinder etc so I might try to use that somehow. I do want to secure the pull rod to the frames to lock the brakes in place

UPDATE:

Here's the pull rod assembly in place

Kemilway etches soldered to 0.8mm dia wire - note 90 deg bend just after the drive gear allowing the rod to fit into a hole drilled in the spacer. The rod just clears the drive gear (with a slight joggle downwards!) ends of the etches will be trimmed once the blocks are finally fitted to the chassis (after painting)

That'll do