Boxhill - Side Tanks
The side tanks were again built from laser cut parts supplied my Model
Engineers Laser. After some discussion with Malcolm, we agreed that the design
should be simplified from that shown in the original Model Engineers articles.
One major simplification is the decision not to house the hand pump in the tank.
I feel that having a large section of the tank top able to lift off to provide
access to the pump detracts from the look of the completed loco. I therefore
plan to location the hand pump in a separate tank hopefully placed in a scale
wagon to run behind the loco.
Above are the four of the five main components of each tank (ends, base and
back). The left hand tank end required some modification. First, part of the
inside edge needed trimming to clear the fire box. Secondly a small 'nick' has
been taken out of the lower right hand corner. This is to allow the rear driving
wheel to clear the tank. On the original drawings there is an inner box that
effectively forms another splasher.
Trial assembly of the the four main componants.
Fitted to the running board to drill the tank fixings and solder bar into the
tank for the fixing screws.
I deviated from original plans with regard to the water outlet too. The plans
show a water take off underneath the running board with the water pipe passing
through the loco frames under the cab. I felt that if I took the water from the
rear of the tank I could pass the pipes under the cab floor. The remainder of
the pipe is then hidden under the splasher that is soldered to the cab.
Clearance is tight between the pipe and the read driving wheels and also
between the rear wheel and the bottom corner of the tank. but I'm hopeful
it will be sufficient. After the left hand photo was taken, I soldered in
a 1/4 inch square piece of brass into the lower corner of the tank. This enabled
me to grind a small corner of the tanks away on the outside and thus increase
the clearance for the rear wheel. Time will tell if these modifications prove
satisfactory.
The final part of the tank is a single piece of brass that forms the tank side
and top. I found it very challenging the get the bend in the right place such
the the 'locating slots' that are cut in the top, front, back and bottom of the
tank all slot together.
The finished article fully assembled with the tank fillers turned and ready for soldered in.
