August 15,
2006
Kits
12 and 13 arrive, by way of a new carrier, DHL/Amtrak. I was
impressed with the efficiency, no customs problems or fees.
(As of yet). This company seems to have their act together.
Let's hope it stays that way.
I guess ModelWorks really wanted to make this kit hard because
all my instructions came shredded, see picture. Just kidding,
but my packing material was shredded inventory lists.
Check the parts inventory; I'm missing 2 grub screws. Also the
piston rods were not included as promised; the reversing arms
were included with new roll pins. ModelWorks contacted. See
Kit 10 Addendum, piston rods sent later.
2.5
Hours
August
16
Prefit the control levers, quadrant, and keyway. It's easier
to file the brass brake lever than the keyway.
The bolts for the water bypass bracket LK01461, to the
body frame, need to be longer with nuts as the angle bracket
is not threaded. I used 2 M6x20mm bolts, nuts, and washers.
Prefit the Emergency Brake pulley brackets and pulleys. There
were not any bolts listed to mount the LK1452 bracket to the
body frame, 3 M6x16 bolts with lock washers work fine.
Dismantle levers and brackets for polishing and powder coating.
I polished the brass lever handles and quadrant, and then had
the balance of the levers powder coated. Also had the brake
brackets powder coated as well. I also polished all the copper/brass
lines and fittings.
3.0
Hours
August 30
Parts back from powder coater. Install control levers and quadrant,
install brake pulleys, brackets and cable. Grease the pulley
shafts only not the cable. Install reverser control, using light
grease on the bronze bushings.
Install the water bypass rod and valve. At this point decide
what direction you want the water pump bypass handle to be positioned,
I chose straight up for the water valve closed, set the bypass
valve closed and adjust the bypass actuator accordingly. So
when the brass handle is straight up the valve is closed and
when the handle faces rearward the valve is open. Install the
reverser rod.
2.0
Hours
September 3
Installed all the water pump plumbing, bypass lines, and the
black nylon water feed lines. My lines were rough cut so I just
trimmed them square and clean with a razor blade. Also note
that the 34022302 ¼" locknut is for securing LK1586
fitting to the left side water tank.
2.0
Hours
I did a lot of jumping back and forth between kits 12 and 13
and building the engine, that is why some of the dates seem
out of sequence.
All the plumbing fit perfectly without any rebending. The levers
and quadrant are absolutely beautiful, wonderful machine work,
it took very little buffing to make the brass shine nicely.
The controls are very well thought out. An enjoyable experience.
While I was waiting for new kits arrive, I experimented with
pin stripping. I came up with a very simple solution, especially
since I can't draw a straight line. I went to a local arts supply
store and picked up some paint pens, Red in my case, they come
in different size tips, so I could vary the stripe size. I used
masking tape and placed the edge of the tape where I wanted
the stripe to be, pull the paint pen along the edge of the tape
and now I've got a nice straight line. I spent a few hours and
am quite pleased with the results.
Happy
Building;
Rick
Click
pictures to enlarge
Likamobile
Home Kits
One and Two
Kits
Three and Four Kits
Four-B and Five
Caliper Correction
Kits Six and Eight
Kit
Seven Kit
Eight Kit
Nine
Kit
Ten Kit
Ten Addendum Kit Eleven
Kit Twelve
Kit
Thirteen Kit Fourteen
Kit Fifteen
Year End Kit
Sixteen Leaf
Spring Modification
Kits Seventeen / Eighteen
Engine
Modification Boiler
Installation Burner
Installation
Fuel Line, Brake &
Throttle Pedal Installation Final
Kit Final Assembly
& Steam Up
Road Test & Modifications
Purge Modification