Hmm, it too sure about that. I think "adequately good" might be better!
A bit of a bumper piccie crop today. It was time to tackle trimming and fitting the cab and tank sheets. Before that, though, something that had nagged at me. I'm in the habit, at the end of a session, to look over the day's work and contemplate the reference materials. For a while, the front end had nagged at me. On the real thing, you can just make out little crescents that are the valve chest covers, just poking over the front platform on the drop sheet.
This is the overhang I had of the main running plate. Comparing it to photos, it was hanging over too far, and would make it a right pain to fit the crescents later - not that such parts are in the kit, of course. I think I have full cast fronts, which won't fit or be visible if things go to plan. Anyway, how to shave a bit off something already assembled without causing excessive damage to everything else…
First, I applied three layers of masking tape to the lower deck. I scribed a line just a bit further back from the leading edge of the running plate. Then I set about with quite large files, working carefully along the edge in one stroke. The tape was there to let the files slide along without marking this area.
Well, that's a lot better. Pleased with that, mainly because I'd worked out how not to damage previous work, and it was a success!
As the tank front bends had already been formed up in yesterday's session, it was time to trim the large bunkers off, and then attach the tank side overlays.
It all went rather too well. Rather than attempt to sweat the whole thing in place, which really wouldn't be practical to be honest, I followed the instructions and used the holes provided in the substructure to apply dabs of solder in strategic places.
With heart in mouth, I carefully trimmed and fitted the new bunker sides. The tops of the cab are very vulnerable and need to make a butt joint, so I reinforced the backs with suitable strip. It's solid as a battleship now. You can see the joins, unfortunately, and the etched parts don't quite line up accurately - however, I note the original wooden roofs had small angle strip along the outer tops of the cabs, so that'll help disguise joins and mismatches.
The front end of the tanks. It took a couple of goes at getting the second side in and lined up. I'm not worried about solder showing, as it's behind the motion plate.
My plan for the flared bunker back plate worked. Once the sides were in place, I could mark where the flare began. Some playful gas flame work allowed the flare to be gently formed over a rod of suitable diameter. I got it more or less right at the first attempt! Yes, I was a bit shocked as well.
I trimmed the substructure at an angle. Where it would be invisible with a larger bunker, it would be harder to hide on this version, even with a full load of coal.
Not looking too bad. After a couple of dry fits, I decided to gently bend the edges of the end plate to make a start on the radiused corner. Without a clear idea of how the flare and radius would work, I left it to resolve itself as I worked on the corners themselves.
Some time later, and with the rivet strips fitted along the bottom edge, it's all beginning to look the part. I may get a chance to fit the beading strips along the top edges later.
I had been worrying about this part of the build, but it's turned out quite well. I think I'll give up now, while I'm ahead!