STEP BY STEP

1

The very detailed etched nickel silver chassis which includes spacers, brake gear and coupling rods. Cut through the frets with a pair of snips and tidy the edges with files.

2

Assemble the main frame plates and stretchers. Ream the axle holes to take the bushes. Make sure that they fit snug and flat and then solder in place. Then ream out the bushes to take the driving wheels.

3

With wheels fitted and coupling rods attached, the chassis should be able to be pushed along with a finger with no binding. The crankpin holes may need opening out slightly with a reamer.

4

Once happy with the running of the chassis, remove the axles and wheels. After a coat of red oxide primer, an overall coat of black paint can be applied. Axle holes can be re-reamed to remove paint.

5

Now turn to the whitemetal body components. Remove any flash with files and dry assemble them on the footplate. Check that everything is aligned correctly with a small setsquare.

6

Work your way around the footplate using the supplied diagram and instructions. Prepare the edges of each part carefully with a needle file and keep checking that the parts fit squarely.

7

Small fittings like handrail knobs can be fitted, using the wire to help with alignment. However, don’t fix the wire in place yet, as the body will be easier to paint and line without them.

8

Before you paint the body, always check that the chassis is complete and that, with the motor installed, it fits neatly under the body. Adjust body parts if required. Any gaps can be filled with epoxy putty.

9

Prime the body and then spray with London Transport maroon. When dry, black areas, such as the smokebox, can be brush-painted. Allow to dry and then gloss varnish the whole body.

10

Apply the waterslide transfers one at a time, until they are complete. Some fine single yellow lines were applied by bow pen (see MR282 for more on using a bow pen).

11

The last jobs are to install the handrails, steam pipes and cab interior detail, fixing in place with cyano or epoxy glue. Most parts are best painted before fitting.