I tidied up the wheels today and fitted them.

This involved fitting the axle boxes in the horn plates and then compressing the springs and fitting the axle box keepers and spring adjusters.

The instructions said to fit 1/8″ packing between the keepers and the axle boxes ready for alignment of the valve gear and connecting rods. I enjoyed a pleasant bit of woodwork using my late grandfather’s small tenon saw.

For the eagle-eyed I have fitted some sawn-off silicone wine bottle stoppers into the buffer stocks to prevent chips etc.

I haven’t weighed the entire assembly but it is now fairly hefty and I have decided to take it off my frame support for now as I don’t want any accidents.

I think there might be a bit of an interlude before the build can continue as Polly are getting ready for the Doncaster show. I am going to the show on Saturday (12 May). They are preparing kits 3 and 4 for me. I have had a flap wheel delivered today as apparently it is a useful thing to have to prepare the connecting rods.

I am looking forward to the next few kits as they are more about the workings of the engine rather than appearance.