4 – FRONT-END IMPROVEMENTS

Moulded smokebox door handles and chimneys of an incorrect profile often spoil the ‘face’ of a steam locomotive, but they can be readily replaced with turned or cast metal alternatives. Buffers are also a key element of a locomotive’s outline, with ‘weedy

Suppliers

Wizard Models Tel: 01652 635885 Web: www.wizardmodels.ltd

STEP BY STEP

Cut away moulded smokebox door handles with a sharp scalpel, removing a small amount of plastic at a time. Dress the surface flat with fine abrasives, taking care not to damage other details. Drill a suitable mounting hole for the brass boss and secure with cyano glue. The twin arms can then be slid onto the spindle and glued in position. When dry, snip away the excess material and file flat. Unless the chimney can be snapped away from the boiler, cut away the bulk with end-cutters, then pare away the rest of the waste material with a knife and files until the surface is flush and smooth. Fix the new chimney in place with epoxy adhesive, which allows time for fine-tuning and removal of any excess (with a damp swab) before the glue hardens. Leave overnight to cure fully. Ready-to-run buffers are also often ripe for an upgrade. Again, use a set of end-cutters to remove most of the original buffer shanks, following with a sharp blade and files to flatten the surface. Drill or open out mounting holes to a suitable diameter to allow the new buffers to fit snugly into the headstocks. After test-fitting, secure the buffers with cyano or epoxy glue. While cosmetic scale couplings can simply be glued into a suitable slot, working couplings require space behind the bufferbeam for the spring and split pin to be fitted. Scale couplings make a massive difference to the front aspect of a steam, diesel or electric locomotive. A variety of couplings is available in ready-assembled or kit form from Smiths.