Another A1 Models diesel - part 4 cab.

Finally, onto the actual kit!

Before I did anything else I marked out the handrail and door handle positions on the cab sides, and drilled them .45mm.

Note the jewellers loupe (eyepiece), one of my favourite tools as I use it not only for marking out but for inspecting soldered joints and paint jobs. I favour the 'MRJ method' of marking out, using a sewing needle in a pin chuck instead of a traditional scriber and the loupe and a small drill (typically .45 or .5mm) to drill a start hole rather than use a centre pop. See 'Marking out a hole' by Mick Moore in issue 205. If that sounds a bit overkill, remember that wonky handrails can spoil a model. I also drilled holes for door handles at this stage.
Handrails and door handles were made from .45mm brass wire and fitted before the cab was soldered to the footplate, which made life easier as I could get the iron in from either the top or the bottom, and also get into the cab with flush cutting snips and a file to remove most of the handrail stub from inside the cab. I want to fit interior detail later on. Also note the two 'tabs' attached to the cab front and back sheets, these are made from scrap etch and are for the cab roof to be glued to after painting.

The roof has been folded up and the inner fold lines strengthened with solder. Rainstrips have been added as well, from .33mm brass wire, a small detail but one that I find quite satisfying.
I made the cut-out in the cab front a bit bigger, to help clear the motor wires.

Soldering the cab to the footplate took several attempts, tacking it in place, checking it, re-positioning it, before I was happy. For this I used 145 degree solder, the lower temperature needed being less likely to upset any of the footplate joints. In hindsight I think that I should have stuck to 188, as I find 188 flows better than 145.

Here it is in place,

And with the chassis fitted;

Its starting to look like a loco now;

Bonnet next.

Paul.