Brian Madge Alice class Hunslet part 11 - boiler, cab sidesheets and steps.

Each cab sidesheet is made up from 4 parts, an L shaped backing sheet; half-etched overlays , for the rivet detail; then an L shaped top plate. An alternative one-piece half-etched sidesheet is provided for those locos with rounded cab corners, but no rounded top plate.
Here's the sidesheets, on the right the overlays are soldered in place;

I left the top plate still attached to the etch sheet which made soldering the sidesheets to the top plate easier;

Then I soldered one side onto the footplate along with the handrail (.5mm brass rod). I had the idea that I could solder both sidesheets in place then glue the boiler between them, but as the top of the sidesheets curve inwards to suit the tank profile that didn't work...
So I soldered the boiler in place instead. First of all I tinned the footplate where the boiler would need to be soldered with 188 degree solder. Then I used Carrs 70 degree to tack the rear of the boiler in place from the underside. After checking all was good I used a little chip of solder to make the front joint where the front edge of the smokebox meets the footplate. Then the rear could be finished with a dab more solder. This went exceedingly well, I haven't soldered whitemetal for over 20 years, prefering glue (I don't subscribe to the view that all metal to metal joints have to be soldered), and I've never soldered whitemetal to nickel silver or brass. I used my 25w Antex and Eileen's Strong Flux. Here it is prior to cleaning up;

Note that the smokebox rivets have been filed off, I've done the same to the tank sides. All will be replaced with Archers transfers.
Here's a cruel side view with both cab sheets in place;

Note that the footsteps have also been soldered on. On some quarry Hunslets including Velinheli the backplate of the step has a semi-circular cut out, possibly a local modification to allow access to something or other, easily replicated with a rat-tail needle file. For some reason the etched step has a fold down lip at the bottom not seen on the prototype, I've left it as intended for the moment as it will add strength to an otherwise vulnerable area.

The smoke box door, which needed minimal fettling,  is just epoxied in place after drilling out the centre ready for a dart to be fitted;

Now I can start thinking about detailing.

Paul.