Another locomotive detailing exercise. Merchant Navy Class 35016 Elders Fyffes.
My first task with all of the Hornby rebuilt merchant navy loco's, is to alter the ride height of the loco body. On every example that I have seen, the loco body sits too high at the cab end of the loco, this example was no different. Basically my fix involves unscrewing the rear motor retainer, and filing the loco chassis down a little at the rear end, so that the 2 rear projecting lugs that hold the body on sit level. This lowers the rear of the body enough so that the loco is nice and level, and matches up with the tender cab roof.
I have coupled the loco and tender closer together, by drilling another hole in the drawbar, at the loco end. Next I have purchased additional detailing parts from RT models. Cast metal ashpans, cylinder drain cocks, correct pattern vacuam cylinder cover for the tender, screw couplings, and when I have finished headcode discs, and the loco - tender weather screen. And as a finishing touch, all wheels blackened, and some light weathering.
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