Killybegs

Incidentally, I have just weighed the loco and I estimate, when complete, it will weigh in at approx. 300gm (not including motor, gearbox and tender). I am getting to the point when I really need that High Level gearbox! I will then get all the proper wheels and motion fitted. I did a test fit of motor + wiring this morning. I'm glad I opened up the opening between firebox and boiler a little, it's a very tight fit!

Nothing so sophisticated, I'm afraid. I do some initial calculations taking into account the space available then load up a steel rule with the estimated quantities of lead in their approx locations in relation to the centre of the overall wheel base represented by a length of tube on which the rule should balance. Adjustments can be made at this stage. Once the loco is at a suitable state of construction, I load it with lead based on the previous exercise and adjust the mount of lead until the loco sits level and at the correct height.

Took a few days off working in the garden but it's showery today so a chance to do a bit more on 2822. Roof is still loose and won't be fixed until I've finished work inside the cab.

Only just found this. Fabulous work.

Now that summer appears to be here, a little reminder of colder days on our local beach.

2822 undergoing weight distribution trials prior to fixing boiler/smokebox to footplate/firebox.

Quite large numbers of greenfinches arriving in the garden over the last two days. Very encouraging as their numbers have been in decline and this is the most we have seen for a very long time. We are also into double figures with goldfinches. Good times.

Latest little mod this morning. The safety valve casing in the kit was too tall for 2822 in the period I am modelling, so I filed it down to the correct height, soldered a washer on top and filed that to size. I think it looks quite good!

I've made a start on the long list of things to do before fixing the boiler/smoke box. One of these is fitting the extra boiler support fitted to the earlier locos. The instructions tell you to solder it to the top of the frame spacer. Soldering .012" thick brass edge to edge did not appeal to me and, as the support would then sit a little low, I added a small strip to the bottom and soldered two strips of 0.012" brass either side. this enables it to slot over the frame spacer. It won't even need soldering in place as it's a snug fit and will be held in place by the boiler.

The boiler and smoke box have now been soldered up but not yet fixed as I have a few bits and pieces to do that go on the footplate both under the boiler and smoke box. I must also remember to fit the step under the smoke box as it's a pain doing it later. Incidentally, rolling boilers is much easier since I bought my GW Models rolling bars!

Gosh, I'd forgotten about those!

The motor was rather a tight fit so I have filed the tubes down a bit to give myself a little more play room. I have also raised the height of the opening between the firebox and boiler for the same reason. I think it's still going to be a fairly tricky exercise uniting chassis and body. I won't have a gearbox until High Level reopen for business so can't do a full insertion test at the moment!

The firebox is now finished, not one of my favourite jobs but it has turned out OK I made one modification. Once everything else was done, I soldering lengths of brass square tube along the bottoms of the sides to keep them straight. Unsupported 0.006" brass is a bit floppy!

Three siskins yesterday and our first greenfinch in a while. Over run with goldfinches and chaffinches!

Hi Simon. I have checked the chassis with a meter and nothing is shorting out at the moment. I set the brake shoes level with the outer face of the wheels when they are dead centre on the chassis and that should give enough clearance as the side play on the centre axles will be less than 0.5mm.

That's a new one to me Simon. What point of contact would you be worried about?

The brake gear is now finished so it's time to check that all the various chassis components still go together OK! The brake gear is totally removeable at the moment as the levers are not soldered to the rear cross shaft which is just held in place by friction at the moment. Once the loco is finished, the cross shaft will be fixed and the brake gear will pivot on it if the wheels need to come out ( the hangers are sprung onto the pins). I use sleeves stripped from electrical wire as spacers for the brake hangers. It is a good tight fit on the brass pins. Back to working on the body next.

Finally managed to get the valve gear finished. It is purely cosmetic and is modified to let the wheelset drop in and out. Having got that out of the way, I fitted the brake hangers (cut down brass lacemakers pins) and frame overlays. Brake gear next but, as we are promised three days of fine weather, that might have to wait.

Over here in Ireland Buzzards are struggling to get a foothold. They are regarded as vermin by many farmers so, when numbers start to increase, they are persecuted.

The etch for the valve gear arrived from Brassmasters this week so, having reached a suitable point to pause on the bodywork (firebox next, I don't mind putting that off for a while), I can get back to finishing off the chassis. Although the etch is for working valve gear, as the eccentrics are not available at the moment and I don't really want the hassle, I shall only be building it cosmetically. Here's the state of play at the moment.

Thanks for the photos.

Thanks everyone. The consensus is that 'the prototype has a beam compensation between the springs and these are to represent the pivot points of the beam'.

I have a question. Does anyone know what the bits circled on the photo of the frame overlays represent? In photos of the prototype they are hidden by the brake hangers.

Made a start on the body today.

More progress. Pony truck, cylinders and motion.