Progress . . . .

The two smokeboxes are now complete with doors, hinges and associated closing gear. Recently, I have been fitting the ashpan to loco number 2, and this has also had the firebar supports fitted. The next jobs are to complete number 2's ashpan, then get the smokebox saddles bolted to the frames ready to put the smokeboxes on.

Smokeboxes

Well, after a few months out to build a pair of diesels, it's now tinkerbell time again. I have recently welded up the smokeboxes, and am currently busily making the associated furniture - hinges, dart etc.
The drain cock assemblies have gone in, as has the vacuum brake swan necks.
I am currently working on getting everything 'underneath' done ready to put the boilers on.
Photos and further updates to follow soon.

October 2010

It's been a long while since I found time to write something here. Sorry!!

Since the last update, I have:

1) Completed the chassis and air tested them
2) Made and fitted the ashpans
3) Made the drain cocks
4) Fetched the boilers
5) Made the smokeboxes

Currently, I'm also building a pair of diesels for friends, but hope to get these completed soon so that I have more room to work on the tinks. Then, I'll be fitting and piping up the drain cocks and blast pipes, then it's full steam ahead with fitting the boilers.

March 2010

Yes, I know it's been a while since I added something here. In the last few months, I have got the cylinders attached to the frames, and also got the motion brackets, slidebars and crossheads sorted out. I have also got the rear part of the valvegear assembled (up to the combination lever). The reversers are also all done. So, all that's left before air test time is the valve rods etc.

Chassis erected

Recent work has seen the two chassis erected, driving wheels fitted and quartered, footwells and brakes fitted.

Update

Work and other commitments have meant that progress has been slow of late. However, the first set of frames were erected a little while ago, and the rear pony has been assembled. Work has started on the brake gear. Once this is done, she will get pushed back in the workshop and the second set will be erected.

Boring job . . .

The foundry cast my cylinders (etc.) for me, they are a great job, and delivered to the door!! It's an amazing feeling to have them delivered having made the patterns myself. I have now published the cylinder drawing on the website. It's a very simple, 2.75" bore cylinder, the additional size (up from the original's 2.5") is easily handled by the locomotive boiler. I have now faced off and bored all 4 of my blocks, hopefully I will get some of the ports milled out later this week.