This locomotive kit is etched on 0.018" brass for the body, 0.028" brass for the chassis and 0.020" nickel silver for the valve gear and coupling rods. The kit is designed to be soldered together, but some of the fittings could be fixed with glue if required with a bonding agent of your choice or with low melt solder.
The chassis is assembled by the slot and tab method, ample spacers are provided for strength and generous size axle bearings for the axles to run in. The chassis can be built rigid or compensated, all the parts being supplied in the kit. The cylinders are etched on 0.018" nickel silver for the main assembly, cast white metal end covers are provided for the piston and valve cylinders, they have brass screws soldered in them for assembly to the frames, and brass tube is provided for the piston and valve rods to move in. The sand boxes are also cast in white metal along with a bogie cylinder, while the brake arms, brake shoes, brake rods and springs are etched on 0.028" brass and assembled with wire cross beams.
There is ample space to fit a motor and gearbox which could be fitted to the rear axle or possibly the center axle. The valve gear is laminated to give strength and to enable the rod ends to embrace other parts where applicable. The expansion link swings when the model is in motion and there is valve rod movement although the reversing arm is pinned in mid gear. The coupling rods are also laminated and jointed to give smooth running and to accommodate the compensation. |