kes

Looking good. The cardboard idea using real stock is an excellent way to check for clearances. The sector plate can be as simple as a single piece of thin ply, or aluminium sheet with the tracks glued on, and using a domestic brass sliding bolt to align and feed power. O gauge has enough size to get away with using small brass bolt.

Hi all, the LNER like most railway companies had a works policy that meant anything that needed repair during a works visit was swapped with another refurbished item. This went as far as having spare sets of frames, cylinders, wheels, boilers etc. If you look at the motion parts of any preserved engine you should find several loco numbers stamped into them. Even the nameplates were known to crack and replacement sets be cast. What we should be grateful for is that ONE A3 pacific escaped for us to see today. At least now it is in BR green, with double chimney, deflectors and an A3 boiler (as opposed to the A4 one it did have). It should also have a non corridor tender, but it is as close to the condition it was in at withdrawal since Feb 1963.

Best wishes to all steam enthusiasts.