Meridian Models/Mosskito Narrow Gauge Billard T75D - part 3 bodywork

I started with the rear bonnet, made up from 3 pieces, then added the cab rear;

I wasn't keen on the gaps in the cab floor and backsheet around the motor, so using .040" plasticard sheet for the backsheet and .040" square styrene strip for the floor I've filled in as much of the daylight as practical whilst still allowing the motor unit be be easily removed;

Doing that won't of course hide the fact that there's a big motor in the cab, but it made me happy.

The cab front needed to have a bit of material filed away to clear the motor when its being fitted;

The rest of the build was straightforward. After studying photos in t'web I fitted handles to the bonnet sides, front and rear, noting carefully how the two handles on the front bonnet panels are positioned, they differ on each end. These were made from .35mm brass wire, the cab door handles from .4mm wire.

I've also added cab steps, made from .010" styrene. These are made longer than prototypical, on the full sized loco the step runs from the cab front to the rear spring hanger, however the model has a 2mm longer wheelbase due to it being designed around Farish motor bogie. This means that the rear spring hanger sits further back than it should do, so I've made the footsteps longer to suit the new spring position.

There's a bit more filling to be done, inevitable with whitemetal kits (especially ones assembled by myself!), then I shall break out the primer. The rather prominent exhaust will be added at the end, along with whatever couplings I decide to fit.

Paul.