After a couple of days sorting out problems with various family members I managed to get a few hours to myself today.

I spent some time pondering the chassis issue (whether to separate or not) and perusing the building instructions, with some regret I've decided it's not really practicable. There is so much pipework etc that encases the wheels that to resolve it would mean iether cutting through the undergear at strategic points (in which case it would probably be very vulnerable to damage) or adding unprototypical support forms. So eventually I meekly followed the instructions and soldered the side-frames to the tank well. This actually meant a trip to the model shop (Alton Models) as I'd forgotten to request an extended axle from AG. Bob the proprietor is an 'old time' model shop owner - if it's not on display just ask,,, On this occasion out came an old tobacco tin full of various axles! However, I also needed some 10BA cheeshead bolts & nuts. The build requires 4 at this stage, and there's oly two in the kit. Anyway, onward... By the time I got home having sorted out one of the relatives - I'd lost the little package, so it was back to the shop! That took care of yesterday... At least the assembled chassis runs well!

Todays work mainly revolved round the water-scoop operating gear and the brake operating mechs. Typically Finney there are many small parts that make up the whole. Doubtless some of them could be left off - but then why pay that price for the kit??

One thing that did suprise me was the nondescript vacuum pump cylinder cast in white metal. This was going to be soldered to the subframe fairly early on and might be vulnerable in future soldering operations. Therefore an hour of the build time was spend resolving that issue, using two diameters of brass rod.

After that, the work was 'just' a case of removing the various tiny parts from their frets, opening up the various wire-size holes and putting it all together..

Shows the front of the tender under the fall-plate - with the vaccum cylinder in place.

So, 8 1/2 hours in to the build, this is where it's at. Overall I'm quite pleased with progress - it about equates to the progress on the MSWJR tender - and gives a much better product.

There won't be any progress over the next six days - work calls!

Regs

Ian