Remodelling the Ashpan
Heather Kay
Western Thunderer
Still not motorised! Instead I was sidetracked by what comes in the kit for the firebox bottom/ashpan. I carefully folded it up, then attempted to fit it. After much surgery, it fitted around the cast springs. It would need some remedial work to plug gaps, but it was in.
Then I looked at the real thing.
While the kit etched part is probably a faithful reproduction of the shape it ought to be, looking at the real thing you can't see much of the bottom of the firebox at all. I guesstimated about six inches show below the frames, and there's no real shape to it. I could just as easily have soldered some strip along the inside of the frames and be done with it.
So, out came the hacked about etched part, and out came the piercing saw and various measuring implements.
That's about what I see on the real loco.
The gearbox is an ABC one, which is mostly hidden within the frames. The kit affair probably allows for other gearbox designs which may be lower in profile.
Right, so with the motor installed again, and literally lashed up while I ponder a better strapping arrangement, time to get some wiring in there.
Then I looked at the real thing.
While the kit etched part is probably a faithful reproduction of the shape it ought to be, looking at the real thing you can't see much of the bottom of the firebox at all. I guesstimated about six inches show below the frames, and there's no real shape to it. I could just as easily have soldered some strip along the inside of the frames and be done with it.
So, out came the hacked about etched part, and out came the piercing saw and various measuring implements.
That's about what I see on the real loco.
The gearbox is an ABC one, which is mostly hidden within the frames. The kit affair probably allows for other gearbox designs which may be lower in profile.
Right, so with the motor installed again, and literally lashed up while I ponder a better strapping arrangement, time to get some wiring in there.