Pierview Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 (edited) Morning all I am currently building the SEF kit for the USA dock tank and the photo shows progress to date. Thinking ahead, however, I will need to fit the hinged front platform which was a BR early 1950's modification and is not included in the kit. I think it could be produced easily enough from brass but I wonder whether anyone has the relevant dimensions? If not I will make a guesstimate from photographs. Any help appreciated! Barry Edited April 7, 2022 by Pierview update 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steamport Southport Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Might be worth asking in the thread about the Bachmann/Model Rail model. ISTR they were provided in the pack of parts to add. I'll have a look later to see if I can measure it, but they were just rectangular plates that you either fitted up or down. I'm sure somebody will have a spare one. Jason Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierview Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 That's a good idea Jason. I'll ask on the wanted page. Barry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierview Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 (edited) After what seems like a titanic struggle spread over several weeks I have finally managed to achieve a running chassis for the USA. Although I have built a fair number of chassis kits over the years, including quite a few with Walschaerts valve gear, this particular model seemed to give me no end of problems. Possibly I was too impatient, or perhaps it was unfamiliarity with the prototype, but for whatever reason construction did not proceed smoothly. In fairness this is quite a complicated little loco and the kit is very well designed. I did feel that the instructions could have been a little more informative though. I found a couple of issues with the slide bar assembly and the motion bracket. Each slide bar assembly requires upper and lower pieces to be soldered together and then the complete item to be sawn to size. The problem was that in making the reduction the soldered joint area was reduced to the minimum and i had to re-make the joint a couple of times. The other snag concerned the cast motion bracket. When offered up to the chassis this seemed to give adequate clearance for the leading drivers, but this was not the case as a subtle short developed. Naturally enough I only discovered this after the chassis had been assembled so I had to dismantle everything in order to file adequate clearance. Memo to self - test everything as you proceed in future! Surprisingly enough the pick up and brake gear assemblies were quite straightforward. Swings and roundabouts I guess. I used a High Level Load Hauler gearbox with a Mashima 1428 motor. Now on with the body detailing..... Barry Edited April 7, 2022 by Pierview update 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierview Posted September 22, 2021 Author Share Posted September 22, 2021 (edited) I have now finished the body detailing as shown. The cab roof has just been placed in position and is not fixed yet. Lots of body components in the kit, some of which were a bit fiddly, and I struggled to identify others. For some reason the instructions did not have a list of etched parts and not all were mentioned in the assembly details. I got there in the end through studying photographs of the prototype but it slowed me down somewhat. I found that I had to keep alert as alternative parts for USATC and BR versions are included and it is easy to confuse the two! This is a very good kit in my opinion but the build needs more time than is usually the case with a more straightforward prototype. The paint shop beckons..... Barry Edited April 7, 2022 by Pierview update 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon A Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 How on the real thing did the hinged front platform fold down? it looks as if the front lamp brackets would get in the way? Gordon A Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham456 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 35 minutes ago, Gordon A said: How on the real thing did the hinged front platform fold down? it looks as if the front lamp brackets would get in the way? Gordon A Looking at the pictures the plate fits between the two outer lamp brackets and isn't that a hole in the plate for the central lamp bracket to pass through!, I know nothing about the real thing just going by the pictures of the model so might be wrong 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierview Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 Graham you are absolutely correct - the hole in the platform is to pass over the middle lamp bracket! Barry 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierview Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 (edited) I have finished the USA kit and I am pleased to say that it runs quite nicely thanks to the excellent High Level gearbox and Mashima 1428 motor. The loco is of course a bit too clean for a dock tank, but as weathering isn't one of my strong points I am assuming it has just returned from overhaul at Eastleigh! Barry Edited April 7, 2022 by Pierview 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now