Nigel Lawton OO9 Simplex part 7 - detail overlays, sandboxes and major surgery.

The kit includes a fair number of detail overlays to be soldered on. I tinned each overlay whilst still attached to the etch, then soldered each on in place using my RSU set at 2 volts. There are twelve overlays that need adding to the frames. Six sit above the frame at the ends, four are attached to the lower sides at the ends and the other two sit inside the side channels. Positioning is straightforward, however care is needed on the four rectangular side overlays to make sure that the bolt detail sits correctly. Studying the line drawing in the instructions is necessary. Here it is with the overlays in place;

There are three more overlays to be added next, one on the engine side sitting above the channel frame representing the end of the engine, and two on the gearbox side, one below the frame and a smaller overlay above.

Sandboxes next, which are tinned on the etch, folded up, and soldered in place again using my RSU (still set at 2 volts). In the photo below one is fitted, one is folded ready and one in the flat;

The lids are folded down after fitting. A little fettling is needed to allow the lids to sit flat, and before closing the lids I filled each 'box with a tiny sliver of lead (aquarium plant weight), on a loco this size every little helps.

Note the RSU probe in the photo above. Probes are made from carbon rod and can be filed to suit a particular application, in this case the end is shaped to fit inside a sandbox.

Now for the surgery. There is of course one last sacrificial tab to be removed (well I hope its the last!), which is the one holding the frame to shape. This is cut down the middle with a cutting disc in a mini-drill;

Easier than it looks. And it looks easy.
A bit of folding to and fro and the tab just falls away;

And now body and chassis can finally meet;

All soldering done with 188 degree solder. Next job is to fit the bonnet.

The photos above were taken with my newly aquired Canon EOS1100D, using the aperture priority mode with the apperture set at f36.

Paul.