Following Graeme's technique, I have removed sufficient of the boiler band residues. The running plate joints have been improved and strange Hornby running plate gaps (near the cylinders) filled. The banjo dome is now fixed along with a third sandbox (removed from a Doncaster body offcut).
One lesson I have learnt is to properly attached the body prior to filling. When I tightened the front screw, the filled joint between the cab and firebox opened up very slightly.
More filling and sanding!The body is now ready for another coat of primer and I will post pics when that is done.
Remaining work to do on the body:
Steampipe on LHS;
All handrails;
Superheater covers;
Wash-out plugs;
Snifter valve;
Whistle;
Cab glazing.
As far as names are concerned, I have decided to stick with racehorses, but most of the Derby, 2000 Guineas and St Leger winners during the period selected by the LNER (and pre 1939 for obvious reasons), have either been used or are unsuitable. I may decide on one of the pre-1940 winners subsequently used on the Peppercorn A1/2 classes on the basis that the 4-8-2 would or indeed should have been built first!
Such a decision will enable me to use a (readily available) straight plate along the smokebox. That location, rather than over a splasher, may be aesthetically pleasing by virtue of the smokebox length.
Blue Peter won the 1939 Derby and 2000 Guineas........ The name would certainly have been fresh in the mind of racing fans at the time.
I'm not sure it says "I'm a bl**dy big engine" though!
