Winter project - Chassis awaiting hornblocks

Below is the current state of play:


I've used Alan Gibson short handrail knobs for the CSB fulcrum points. All holes were drilled for the breakgear assembly and frame spacers adapted to fit their locations. These tasks were all completed before soldering the chassis together. High Level's hornblocks were very easy to fold up. My soldering could be a little tidier but so far for my first attempt I'm feeling happy

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If anyone wants to follow my stumbling progress in a little more detail I'll try and illustrate below.....

Before cutting the frames out of the etch I marked the position for the CSB fulcrum points using High Level's CSB jig. A 0.4 mm drill was used to mark the centres, as this size drill seemed the best fit for the holes in the jig and I was reluctant to do any alterations to it at this early stage. The jig was then removed and a 0.7mm drill used to drill through the frames. The holes were still very tight for the handrail knobs so a 0.8mm drill was used to open them out. At this stage I also drilled though all the pre-marked locations on the frames for the brakegear hangers using a 0.5mm drill.

The frames were then carefully cut out of the etch. Then, in accordance with Comet's instruction sheet, the etched springs were removed in preparation for the fitting of the hornblocks. The handrail knobs were then soldered into position using a length of 0.4mm straight brass wire to align them. I must admit to making a bit of a mess here, accidentally soldering the brass wire to one of the handrail knobs (it was rectified at the second attempt). Where required the frame spacers were shortened as per my previous diagram. Also a couple of holes were drilled in one of the end spacers to help with threading the CSB spring wire through the handrail knobs at a later stage. The frames were then soldered together using Comet's P4 chassis jigs giving the result shown in the photo above.

Progress has stalled a little over the last couple of weeks but, when a little time has been available, I've been working on getting the bearings to be a smooth fit in the hornblocks.

With Christmas fast approaching this may well be my last posting until the New Year. So may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very enjoyable Christmas and thank you for persevering in reading this blog.

Extracts from Trains Illustrated magazine (2) July 1953

One random, rather tatty, copy of Trains Illustrated I picked is from July 1953. It has a few interesting entries regarding workings to and around Wadebridge. I quote...

'...Of the two Pacifics loaned from Stewarts Lane to Exmouth Junction in the spring, Nos 34066/8, the former was still to be seen at Wadebridge in Mid-May, still carrying a 73A shedplate, it was working the "A.C.E." in both directions. On 2/3/53. "O2" No. 30203 failed at Bodmin North, and the elderly 2-4-0 well tank No. 30587 was turned out to work the 2 p.m. Bodmin North-Wadebridge and the 3.10 p.m. return, but the "O2" had recovered sufficiently to work the 4.23 p.m. from Bodmin.
On 19/5/53 a standard 2-6-2 tank. No 82013, appeared at Wadebridge for the first time, working in on the evening goods; it was dead on shed all next day, but after taking up a midday petrol tank train working to Bodmin North, it returned to Exeter on the 4.30 p.m. goods....'

I was under the impression the the Standard Class tanks did not start to venture down to Wadebridge until the last few years of the NCR's existence......