Just to prove things don't always go to plan, today I made a start on a Harris Grampus. five pieces later, each end fell from the etched carrier along with a set of axleboxes (5 laminations here). The body laminations sweated perfectly first time, then I promptly warped the whole affair putting the floor in - back to square one!
![aMQtZdvPvbaonSY-pHWHeEH8=w770-h963-s-no?authuser=0.jpg aMQtZdvPvbaonSY-pHWHeEH8=w770-h963-s-no?authuser=0.jpg](https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/data/attachments/194/194004-e0a1f5b00373aab14269c6b6efd9d926.jpg)
At this point I called it a day and dug in the box for a quick win - 2-511, an LMS van part built by someone else and fitted 8 shoe chassis.
Which starts like this, Bartlett albums reviewed, bearing holes reamed, brake gear pricked through, bearings and vac cylinder fished out ready for a round of tinning.
Journals sharpied - (a trick stolen from Stephen Harris' instructions to stop solder escaping) and sides removed form the etch, ready for a quick RSU zap to tack then sweat them in place with particular care to the axlebox/springs.
![5DctJssxDJj65LImUft6ULw=w1283-h963-s-no?authuser=0.jpg 5DctJssxDJj65LImUft6ULw=w1283-h963-s-no?authuser=0.jpg](https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/data/attachments/194/194006-73446b1ae66860f33fbeb198065d3044.jpg)
A careful bend later sees a chassis appear - depending how brave you are it's test time. I usually check they run straight on a piece of glass. Brake gear folded and cusp scraped from inside the shoes we are ready to zap once more.
![MvHns07yYhaX3Q65W9bHtUwA=w722-h963-s-no?authuser=0.jpg MvHns07yYhaX3Q65W9bHtUwA=w722-h963-s-no?authuser=0.jpg](https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/data/attachments/194/194007-64e8a3156f54d46fcfda158b5f931407.jpg)
At this point bufferbeams can be sweated on, vac cylinder tacked on. I usually plonk the body on, procrastinate and make a brew.
![ZZOzBUIp_IxgjC2cHcCSXyME=w963-h963-s-no?authuser=0.jpg ZZOzBUIp_IxgjC2cHcCSXyME=w963-h963-s-no?authuser=0.jpg](https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/data/attachments/194/194008-00770ab7d07bb53c27c4118394af4ff7.jpg)
Feeling suitably guilty as I wonder if any might have had the rest of the brake gear left off as a cost saving exercise it's time to fold up levers and guides, solder in a cross bar and cuss. Finally 3d printed buffers fit with a dab of black superglue and you're done(ish). The roof will be popped on once I have enough of an order for Shop 3.
![W8Aen5vwbojvNYe-L_-Br9k=w1920-h934-s-no?authuser=0.jpg W8Aen5vwbojvNYe-L_-Br9k=w1920-h934-s-no?authuser=0.jpg](https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/data/attachments/194/194009-3160b682ef3a6abd5682eddee198d937.jpg)
DGs to follow after paint and I'll need to work out how much a high vac pipe will stop the loop rising before painting...