Cab end and Step Jig

The cab end wall propped in place for reference.This is the MDF jig I made for the corner steps and a soldered up part that has been covered with diamond plate. I am going to use this on some, but not all, of the steps to indicate replacement units.  The rest will be plain brass representing welded steel pieces.  The two center pieces are removeable while the outer two are CA'd to the bottom as well as the wide lower piece.

House of Cards

Here is the first photo of the hood assembley set in place on the frame "house of cards" fashion. Nothing is glued to anything.  I'm just praying nobody opens the door and creates a breeze!  The hood panels are not anywhere near finished, of course, but I need a little encouragement along the way and this is an easy way to get it. At least it is beginning to look like the little beasts.

Frame and Trucks Mated

On a very preliminary basis the trucks have been mated to the frame.  As you can see the pins (1/8" styrene) will have to be trimmed to clear shafts and u-joints and enough left over to allow for a clip of some kind to retain the truck assembly.  The pins seem strong enough.  I have been carrying the whole assembly around by them. I still have to make the plastic shims to seperate the metal pad on the gear box from the brass bolster to isolate things electrically, and fabricate the new bronze wipers.  Also I have to devise some method to attach the side frames to the gear box but that looks like a straight forward deal.  There are a number of places to bolt or glue things.

From the end view it would be hard to deny that this is a NARROW gauge locomotive. 30" looks pretty skinny. The pictures were shot on the aft deck of my wife's new baby trimaran, the only flat spot left in my shop!

U6B On The Trucks!

Progress

The 1/8" styrene posts have been epoxied in place in the gearboxes.  They will have to be trimmed to clear the drive shafts and u-joints later. Some clearancing had to be done on the interior to allow the half's to go back together but not much. The Dremel came in handy. There seems to be plenty of swing for the trucks to negotiate a very small radius curve.  I have not yet made the wipers for the new electrical pick up system because I don't have any phosphor bronze sheet metal and have not yet ordered any. Too close to Christmas.  It is a madhouse with visiting relatives etc. I am pleased with the relative ease with which the trucks have so far  yielded to my wishes. No NWSL wheels yet.

I glued the deck onto the frame today as promised.  It worked out fine.  I hope to get to the skirts tomorrow.  Maybe a battery box and fuel tank next week. A new styrene frame should pop out this weekend.

The end beams will have the main air hoses and angle cocks added this weekend.  They are becoming delicate pieces.  They will not be finished until I get an order from Precision Scale, probably not until the beginning of the new year.

I made aluminum jigs for making the grab irons.  The first of several I intend to make for that purpose on the rest of the model. These were just for the end beams or pilots, if you will.

I started over with the nose master.  Sort of a built up thing like a model airplane.  So far I am happy with it.  We'll see how it goes.  It needs some 1/4" square tubing I'll have to order for the sand filler openings and it will be skinned with .010 styrene.  I like the look of the thin styrene when trying to duplicate sheet metal as it buckles most prototypically. Wish I could find .005 thick stuff.

New nose in progress

Frame with Deck attached

Modified Gearbox Half

U6B Bolsters

The bolsters are mounted thanks to Micro Fasteners.  They sent the tap drills so fast I thought they had made a mistake.  No set was required either and the price was cheap.
You can see the .040 deck is in place but not yet attached.  I am working on the trucks, modifying them for a pin type mounting and changing the electrical pick up scheme.  When that is done I'll go ahead and glue the deck in position.
Still at the nose master.  The aluminum is working out so far.  Got my fingers crossed.
About to order a bunch of detail stuff from Precision Scale. Real good stuff!
My wheels have yet to show up from NWSL so I'm a little bummed out about that and am still waiting for a new Grandt Line order.  I'm sorta' focused on the nose out of necessity.
A Plastruct order should arrive next week with some 3/16" square pieces that will allow me to get a new all plastic unit started.

U6B frame with bolsters mounted