So this week I finished the tender and started on the loco chassis. The rest of the scoop details and brake rigging were fitted up. I had to make the rigging removable to accommodate the (annoying) AGH wheels, and insulated the whole chassis from the body to prevent the inevitable shorts that occur when trying to use the US system. It's easier to install pickups than buggering around trying to find the short on a 12 coach train.
On to the body. I started with the rods, then moved on to the chassis. There was a half-day filing off etching cusps and a day assembling the basic chassis. The overlays don't quite fit, so I'll have to adjust that bit when I make the footplate. The kit has a lot of castings (that don't quite fit) to replace etched fabrications that do fit. Where to start, I do not know, the instructions are only a vague guide! There are some rather nice horn guide and axlebox castings that you can only use when making a rigid frame loco (!) Some etched horn guides are included, after the style of Slater's ones, that don't quite fit.....and if you assemble and fit them as the instructions imply the rod and axlebox centres are a country mile out. Always check and use the rods as a jig for locating axleboxes. I made a video about it that is on the Guild's YouTube channel, so no excuses!
Anyway I fitted up the wheels and they run very smoothy first time.
If anyone has made one of these locos, could you give me an idea about a suitable motor/gearbox? There's only a small recess in the firebox moulding, and I want to avoid burrowing in the GRP boiler moulding, as I'm told it lays waste to drills and burrs very quickly. I intend to drive the rear axle.
Haywood and myself are holding court on the naughty step at Stafford if you fancy a chat.