I see it's 7 months since the last update. Despite weekly sessions (and a bit more) and, reading back, a number of references to the home straight, progress still seems to be glacially slow.
Anyway, this is where we are now. Apologies for the pictures - photography is something else I'm no good at. Clearly a visit from
@Scale7JB is required but I'm not sure I can afford his rates since he started getting published.
Back in post #94 I highlighted the 3D printed window frames in the middle of the sides. These worked out well and I took the plunge and attacked the end windows. the major flaw in the glass fibre body moulding is the mid height panel strip which is too low. I realised this far too late to change it. It does have the unfortunate effect, if you follow it of making the end cab windows too deep. I cut the tub back to the panel lines and S-Club-7 kindly printed a replacement sections, complete with an infill under the window and the beading around the window opening. After a lot of measuring (including from a slightly suspect works drawing I think they look about right (the aspect ratio is 4:3 for the opening).
We have continued to add details to the chassis to remove the bare look. The chassis sides now sport 2 of the 3 pipes that run along it, the brake shaft brackets, fuse boxes, lifting lugs and steps though the latter are scarcely visible in this shot. These steps were also printed by Mr Rayner and are actually more robust than the steel ones which were rather too thin. There is also now a brake shaft between the brackets not very visible here.
This is the other side awaiting pipework to be refitted. Also visible over the buffer is the first of the lamp irons, kindly printed by
@Boyblunder. These are to be screwed on, as I expect them to get broken from time to and will need replacements. Unfortunately when trying to drill the next two holes I broke a drill in one and a tap in the other so back to the drawing board on these.
Finally, a view of the other end to the first picture, unfortunately taken into the morning sun. In an attempt to get more "clutter" at the ends I attached a brake (?) hose to the end. This comes from 17D. It's not particularly accurate but I think I'll use it anyway.
It's currently painted in Halfords red primer to check that all the filling around the replacement window frames doesn't show (and to get a taste of how it will look).
The loco now sits on a length of track from PnP. They'll sell you this 1.25 metre length for the princely sum of £26. Sounds cheap until you figure out the cost of putting a track round your garden (no, that's not happening).
Maybe we are finally on the home straight.
John