Not a lot has been achieved since the last posting as Margaret & I have again been off for a few nights bed and breakfast. But the awkwardly shaped running plate is complete.

I referred last time to this causing me some problem. Were this a total scratch-build rather than a scratch-build using some purchased parts, the top edge of the main frames would have been a straight line. Or, if such was not possible or sensible, then the outer ends of the frame top edge would have been at the same height, thus allowing the flat running plate to sit horizontally on the frames.

Since ‘High Level‘ came on the scene my transmission design is always based on one of Chris Gibons’ gearboxes combined with a Mashima motor but usually the rest of the loco is made in ‘the Tank’, even the wheels. Making all-metal wheels is not quite as daunting as many people think, at least not once you are tooled-up for it, and if you are building split-axle, then all-metal wheels take out the pain (and some risk!) of shorting out the metal tyre to the axle with plastic, moulded wheels. I find this as pain-making as fretting out spokes and, once true and 'square', metal wheels stay put!

However, my desire for a J10 is very long standing and, on the Bring & Buy stand at a Scale Four North show many years ago I spotted a set of Sharman wheels, parceled with a set of Alan Gibson main frames, and labeled “LNER J10”. As I parted with money that parcel must have been very advantageously priced! Accordingly this loco is having Gibson frames, Sharman wheels, High Level gearing and CSB/hornblock parts, with a Mashima motor, but the rest will be home made.

The chassis is now a runner and the running plate is made and sits correctly on the chassis, so the foundations for the model are laid.

Photos A & B

These two show how at the rear,( i.e.cab end), of the running plate, there are two vertical up-turns, these are there to carry a bridge piece which will sit on top of the main-frame assembly.

Photos C&D

Here that flimsy fret of nickel silver has been firmed up by adding said bridge, tapped with a centre hole which will be part of the means to clamp chassis to body. The buffer and the drag beams are also soldered in place helping to make the whole running plate a nice firm unit and a suitable foundation on which to build the body. Top and bottom views in case that is not obvious.

Photos E & F

These two pictures show the running plate sitting on the mainframe assembly. Very useful pics these two because they showed me two errors; study the front left hornblock and notice that there must be a slight twist in the frames. Easily corrected with tufnol block spacer construction. Not too obvious in this pose, but I have the height of that raised rear section of the running plate incorrect ~(or the height of the front section was never correct! I'm not sure which as I write). For the posed shot I added about 0.065" packing below the raised bridge!! As posed the running plate is parallel to the table (rails) but I suspect it is too high. I need to slip in the axles and do some measuring!

Last Pic

I included this last shot in order to illustrate the differing heights of the frames front and back which has led to this rather awkward-to-produce running plate. The rule runs along the top of the frames splashers and should therefore be parallel with the rails.