Some reasonable progress over the last fortnight, mostly building a kit of parts in anticipation of some assembly soon.
Still in two minds about the valve gear, but I decided to use the pantograph to mill out the various bits for Stephensons, so I'll try them first. . (Sorry, didn't realise how out of focus the photo was).
Cylinder assembly is progressing quite well. In the end, DJB auto draincocks were fitted inboard of the frames, serviced by yet more long passageways from the bores. Cosmetic draincocks will be fitted under the bores.
Cosmetic front endplates, with scale studs, screw onto the structural covers and the overall effect when combined with wrappers looks ok. The central steamchest has been drilled for various M2.5 bolts, the two central holes however are part of the exhaust passageways. Valve rod glands still require drilling, reaming and tapping through the steamchest's rear face.
Smokebox components are ready for silver soldering. The front plate was again pantographed, complete with central hole. It was then wrung onto an aluminium mandrel and the door recess bored out.
If, and it is quite a big if, the smokebox silver soldering goes well enough, the frames, smokebox, cylinders, wheelsets, coupling rods and Slomo can all be assembled, at which point it will hopefully feel as though progress has been made.