On the Bench - HOn3 Madness Day Four

Well, nobody said it would be easy.

5 cars, 4 different manufacturers, all needing some degree of modification. If you're just tuning in:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Sergent narrow shank Sharon couplers, and Smoky Mountain Model Works draft gear boxes because ACCURAIL is out of stock (apparently a normal condition).

Started back at the Durango Press high side gondola, which needed both shimming to get the draft gear down to line up with the rest of my rolling stock, and a box shortening so it clears the axles.

Here's the new shim, cut from a single sheet of Styrene, shaped to match the kit contours, glued to the frame, and drilled to spec to accept the draft gear screws.

Note the cut down box. I left the SMMW cover intact to help keep everything from rotating. Now, how's the height?

I'll take it. Now to repeat the process for the other car end.

Clearly shows cut down box and full size cover plate. And two dabs of glue to keep it in place. And it's probably not a glue you have on your bench unless your spouse is a paper crafter.

Dries fast, like a tough rubber, sticks well to every surface I've used it on. If you're doing wood/paper construction, you'll cut your "waiting for it to dry time" down so far you'll be nearly in continuous construction. Recommended.

Now, back to the Rotary tender clearance issues.

As you may recall, I had clearance issues. Upon further review, I felt if I drilled carefully I would not overpenetrate andcould use a solution like that on the gondola, with a full cover but only half a box.

So I  marked the drill bit with tape and drilled the outboard hole....

Success.

Now, cut down the draft gear box and reinstall. 

Reattach the truck....

Confirm coupler height.

Calling this done. Paint touchups beginning in 3, 2, 1, ....
(Buzzer Sounds)

BONUS ROUND

With a set of drill bits and screws available for draft gear boxes, I finally bit the bullet and attached the drawbar on the Rotary.

My narrow gauge empire just one step closer to reality 

Yes.