Your Projects

Today I was presented with the finished double chimney, Yeah! After some fettling to the chimney, chamfering the oil screw head a little and a little chamfer on the chimney hole it now fits perfectly. Only a paint job to finish. It's a bit hard to see, but the underside of the casting replicates the original design of the single chimney having a boss and 'peg' to locate within the chimney hole. The inside diameter of the boss dictated that I had to reduce the screw head a little.

So what is missing on the RHS of the locomotive? That's right, the link driving the lubricators. Hornby sells a spares item, X5278, which is the link assembly for a non valanced A4. X5275 is the same item but for a valanced loco. See photo. So I replaced the journal on the rear wheel with  that from a centre wheel to be able to fix the new link and you have to use the screw from the centre journal, its thread is smaller. I bought 3 link assemblies and luckily one of them was complete with the bracket at the running board. From this bracket I will get it cast in brass as the plastic one won't last, however to confirm the conversion will work I have glued it on. See video.

Just a picture showing the LNER builders plate. The Silver Tay Co. does a great job of creating these ultra fine fittings. The text can even be read, fantastic. Thanks Silver Tay. I reckon this kind of fine detail really makes the model look real. The double chimney is on the back burner according to my maker of all things brass.

I've changed my mind! Well in my last update I had decided not to polish the loco, being toyish looking, however, as FS in the flesh is positively gleaming, I decided to go for it and I actually like the result. I used Humbrol gloss cote for the locos finish (because I had some) it works ok but goes tacky over the superheater when hot but solidifies again when cold. 😱 !!

The 2 pictures show the finished deflectors, I'm afraid my painting job could be better, so I might improve the finish in the future. As for the double chimney, it is being redesigned so that it will locate in the existing chimney hole.