Beginning
the upgrading project.
1. The first task in detailing the body of the locomotive is to
break it down into its components. This will leave you with the following list of parts:
- Body
- Running Gear
- Side Frames
- Air Tanks
- Grab Irons and Railings
- Couplings
2. The next task is to decide what you will replace. I suggest the
following parts should be discarded for after-market items:
- Couplings
- Grab Irons and Railings.
3. In step three we raise the body by adding 6.3mm Evergreen brand
plastic strip to the lower edge of the body. Now you will have to remove the locating and
retaining lugs if the have not already been knocked off during your disassembly. It is OK
if they come off, as we will provide a means to mount the body another way.
Brace the inside of the new strips with square shapes cut to the
desired length for the corners, or by applying strip Plastikard across the join between
loco and extension. Do not go berserk with the glue you use. It will warp the styrene so
be sparing.
Your aim in this step is to make your addition square and true. Do
not worry about looks yet, that's where squadron putty comes in.
4. Time to do some cutting. This step is not a necessity, however
it does add something to the loco.
Make a cut parallel to the top of the hood and into the stack
attached to the cab. Next remove the stack completely by making a second cut down from the
top of the stack. (You may have to remove the cab roof to make it easy. Be careful as it
cracks pretty easy.)
>>To be Continued soon<<
