Pleased with today's progress. Clearances are very tight. One that surprised me was the second axle and the expansion link support. The inner girder is screwed onto the assembly so I was able to remove and get out my new toy - a Vallorbe 6" number 2 cut file - and move the inner girder out a little. I still had to thin the coupling rod boss.
The instructions forewarn that clearances are an issue behind the crosshead, but this is not unusual. I had to thin the coupling rods and ensure that the threaded bush was well inside.
At every stage of the thinning process I took care to ensure that I still had a free rolling chassis.
I then added the drop arms to the crossheads and then secured the cylinder subassembly to the motion bracket. This locks the crossheads in place.
The assembly slides into the frames.
Then added the footplate.
I am going to order some hex headed 12BA screws to fix the con rods to the crossheads. It's either that or use the countersunk screw with head to the rear and a nut on the outside. The jury is out. The crosshead is tapped 12BA on the inner face. There is no room for any protrusion on that side.
The kit provides long and short con rods with short and long union links to match. I am using the shorter rods.
I think I will return to the body. I hope this will give some light relief before I get on with the valve gear.