Dave Holt

Coming along nicely, John, and very neat workmanship. Going back to the "handlebar" discussion, I checked the frames of 2807, at work today, and can confirm that they, and the various "goal post" brackets all have large, flat(ish), 4 feed oil pots mounted to their inner faces - presumably to lubricate the axles box and horn guides. Dave.

Duncan. There's also white and blue - so i suspect the colours help avoid mixing up axleboxes/wheel sets, in due course. I'm sure John will explain the real purpose. I'm intrigued by the little "ape-hanger" handlebars sticking up from the top edge of the frames - or, perhaps, stylised reindeer antlers? Dave.

John, That's the sort of forward planning I admire. Although I do try to do lats of planning, there have been occasions when I've rushed in and then regretted it - like chopping out the horn slots and then wishing I left them in to locate axle centres or, as you have, align the frames for drilling. I commend your more organised approach. Dave.

Progress continues at a slow(ish) pace. Since the last entry, the main visual change has been fitting the boiler (still loose at the moment), which required the removal of quite a lot of resin to pass over the motor and sit down on the splasher tops/footplate. Recently, I've been working on the lubrication system, sand boxes/fillers and some initial boiler fittings. Here's a couple of overall views of the loco in its current state. Dave.

John, On some recent models, I've tried oiling the paper barrier, as you describe - I use cigarette paper - but found the oil must have wicked into the joint and I just couldn't get the solder to take. As a result, I've reverted to using the paper dry but with the part not being soldered chemically blackened. So far, so good. Dave.

And there's me thinking what a wonderful, realistic effect you'd achieved! Wonderful looking model. Dave.

Oh, the Scot...... See you in a couple of years time, then. Dave.

Robin. Despite the pony truck issue, the loco runs well and sound rather impressive. O must say, you really have made good progress with the scenery at the front (inside) of the layout - quite a transformation. Can barely wait till we get out of the lock-down restrictions and get the chance to come and see it all in the flesh, again. Dave.

John. What suspension arrangements have you got on this tender? The front and middle axle bearing are in slots but both sitting very near the top. Regarding the coal-space strapping, now you've remarked on it, it will eat away at you, so you'll have to do something - even if it's just cover them with a full coal load! Looking good, otherwise. Dave.

Apart from the motor/gearbox torque restrainer and the pick-ups, I think the chassis is now complete. The last cosmetic items fitted were the front foot steps and bracing struts and the two injector overflow pipes. All the parts have been re-assembled, partly to check the assembly sequence. After inserting ten 14 BA screws into the keeper plate, I discovered that the eccentric strap cannot be fitted into the sheaf unless the axle is partially withdrawn from the horns - somewhat frustrating but, hopefully, I'll remember for the future. With the keeper plate split in two (a mistake I now realise) and entwined with the brake rigging and the exhaust injector steam pipe floating around, it's a bit of a fiddle to get everything into place so the screws can be fitted. Three pinged out of the tweezers but were later retrieved, much to my relief. Here we see both sides and the under side and top. Dave.

Neat idea, there, John. It will look far better with the wheels closer to the frames. I take it the plastic card sand boxes are fixed to the body rather than the chassis? Dave.

Quite a bit of progress has been made on the chassis. Despite some setbacks, this has now reached the stage where the inside and outside valve gear is all complete and temporarily fitted. The outside cylinder/valve gear assembly still need the rear cylinder relief valves re-fitted (I had to remove them because they were interfering with full forward travel of the combination levers) and drain cocks to be added. Here we see nearly everything reassembled to see how it looks and check for any clashes. Dave.

John, Looks very nice indeed - for a Western engine. Dave.

Looks to have a very long wheelbase compared with most 0-6-0's. Hope it goes round curves. Dave.

Yes, the south train shed really does set the Midland side in perspective and transforms the appearance of the station. I hadn't appreciated just how much higher the south side lines are than the carriage sidings. Dave.

Since the previous post, the brake gear, under cab pipework and the basic footplate have been assembled and temporarily assembled, as shown in the last photo. This is the current state of play. Pipework underneath the cab - complete except the injector overflows. Chassis and footplate assembled. Dave.

Couldn't agree more with Simond. A most incredible model which I look forward to to watching further postings. Dave.

Coming along very nicely John. You could probably go a bit heavier with the weathering. My recollection of such glazed areas in steam days was that the glass was completely opaque. Are the other platforms due to have canopies eventually? Will make judging the position of the uncoupling magnets rather more interesting - unless you have CCTV looking down? Dave.

Previously posted as a future project, this has turned into the current project. Quite a bit of progress has been made with the chassis which now has the wheel sets in. Still rather a lot to do, but it is coming along. Here are some views of the frames with the wheel sets, including the inside crank. Dave.

David. Interesting and unusual wagon loads, indeed. In my view (I was a professional pressure vessel engineer for most of my career) the cylindrical tank would have been a very low pressure or atmospheric storage tank for some liquid or other. The pressed ends are too flat a profile for any significant internal pressure. Your model look fine. Dave.

David, The crank axle components are made but I haven't built up the courage to try silver soldering them together, yet. Loose assembly is seen here: The wheels are Alan Gibson. I've had the front face of the rim skimmed to give scale width and also the front face of the boss has been machined to give scale stand-out from the rim (and shortened axles, of course). Hopefully, these mods will give a bit more clearance for valve gear and inside the splashers. I might still move the latter out a bit, just to be sure. Dave.

Having run out of steam getting the Black 5 chassis painted and not sure how to proceed with the Ivatt tank, I thought I might do some planning (scheming) and some preliminary work on a future project - a Brassmasters Re-built Royal Scot. To add interest and a bit of a challenge, I decided to fit the model with working inside valve gear. The kit provides most of the prototypical frame stretchers but makes no provision for the inside cylinder or valve gear. My representation is not going to be exactly to scale but should be a fair representation using as many spare etched and other parts from various kits and left-overs, modified to represent the Scot parts as near as practicable. Here are a few photos showing progress to date. Frame plate marked out for inside cylinder Inside cylinder laid roughly in position. Inside cylinder with front section of valve gear in position. Rear portion of valve gear, temporarily inserted into the mounting bracket, which will be attached to the rear face of the (kit) motion plate. Connecting rod fixed to the cross head and located in the cylinder. Again, front portion of valve gear attached. Dave.

Thanks for the comments. I'm sure David will do a good job of painting, lining and, crucially, weathering. Dave.

After contemplating sprung intermediate buffer, due to practical considerations, an executive decision was made - fixed W/M buffers! The tender is now complete and has temporarily been connected to the loco. The latter has had some fine strips added to the rear edge of the fall plates, to bridge the gap to the tender. Still got to fit locating pins to the loco number and shed plates but, otherwise, I think it's finished ready for painting. Here is the finished loco, face to face with a later class mate. Dave.

Another very nice looking loco to join your stud, John. Look forward to seeing it weathered. Dave.