Nick Dunhill
Western Thunderer
Time for a new build. This project is the construction of 2 M&GN 4-4-2T Melton Tanks (LNER C17). They were built in Melton Constable from 1904 and survived into the 1940s. They were built using many parts from MR locos. There is an ACE Kit available that I'm sure will build a perfectly acceptable model, but for this project some custom etches were commissioned (available on request.)
My original plan was to build a donor ACE kit body on the chassis and footplate etches above. But on reflection I considered it prudent to commission more etches for a basic body (more later.)
The chassis etches follow prototypical practise and are in three overlapping sections pinned together by the drag box or frame stays. All the stays are prototypical allowing easy fitment of other parts such as brake cylinders and inside valve gear.
Next the valences and buffer beams were soldered to the footplate to give a flat rigid structure.
The drag beams for the couplings are in interesting places. The rear coupling is attached to it's drag box under the cab and the front coupling is attached to the front drag box which is part of the valve chest/ cylinder block.
And I have made them sprung.
more fun soon......