Today, attention turned to further detailing the body ends.
First, I dealt with the carriage lighting connectors. The basics were moulded on, but the wire was missing. Some careful drilling, and a short length of thin copper wire and that looks better.
While we are here, note the area for the gangway fittings. Two slots and an 'ole at the top.
This floppy wotsit, moulded in some very soft rubber material, was provided. There’s a peg at the top, meant to go in the hole, and two raised parts along the sides to fit in the slots. You can sort of see why I decided to go with the Slater's Pullman gangway kits.
They, however, are not without their problems.
On the left, the etch parts as they come; on the right after I’ve been at 'em.
Sadly, the Slater's parts are not a straight drop-in replacement. First, the bottom of the gangway is moulded into the floor of the coach. That meant the bottom of the etched rear panel has to be chopped out. A short amount also needs trimming from the bottom.
Once done, the rear plate fits like this. I can still see the slots behind it, and I’m in a couple of minds about what to do about it. I can ignore the slight gap, which probably won’t be visible when it’s all black and grungy, or I can fill or cover the slots. Thinking on that.
Mods to the front plates is limited to chopping out the folded down floor plate. Oh, and adding a lamp bracket. A cursory check on photos and drawings shows a variety of positions and numbers, but for sanity's sake I added one low down to the left side.
I need to blacken the brass parts, and make up the paper bellows parts, and assemble the gangways. It’s Friday, and I’ve run out of puff. Have a good weekend everyone!
*wave*