Max Stafford's Kennel

It’s been a while, but slowly, steadily, the bugs on the Jumbo have been getting ironed out to the point where she is running rather smoothly, given the limitations of the cheap Bachmann train set controller that serves as the test plant here. Shortly then, I’ll be adding brake blocks, permanently fixing the rods and tender then the fun of finishing the model. It’s been a long trek but a satisfactory conclusion is in sight.
This brings me conveniently to our second subject of this post; my first proper foray into RTR gauge conversion.

This Hornby Black Five is in the midst of a re-gauging and detailing exercise. Markits driving wheels with 3mm axles where used in the conversion and are pretty much a perfect fit as long as you add washers to eliminate excessive side play. The actual process is fairly simple but take care all the same; there are a few traps for the unwary; most of which I fell down anyway! You can use the original crankpin screws on the fore and aft pairs, but you need to use a Markits crank pin for the centre, cutting the mounting boss from the original wheel and cropping so that it goes over the crankpin like a sleeve and leaving the end that is shaped to accept the return crank. The return crank is then secured by soldering a Markits crankpin washer down onto the pin. Make sure the crank is seated correctly on the boss though.
Anyway, there’s some fine adjustment to be done to the running before I’m truly happy with it.