June has so far seen further progress made in the push to complete the body with holes cut for the Marker and Tail Lamp mountings from the no. 2 nose.
Using a laser level makes the job of positioning easier. however this does rely on the loco being level to start with. The loco is currently sited on a track that isn't level; therefore, two small jacks have been placed under the buffer beam to make the loco level in both longitudinal and lateral planes.
Information which was provided by EECo who built the loco almost 60 years ago, provided the ability to find the buffer centre lines both horizontally and vertically before cutting the noses off. The data used made certain that the noses were both straight and level when being reattached and can now be used as further data for positioning cutouts etc.
The photo below reveals the horizontal line which has been highlighted using a yellow paint pen across the buffer central. Once this line was established as being level according to the laser, the first row of lamp mountings (Marker Lamps) was followed by the second as the laser line shows the Tail Lamp positions. The Tail Lamp has been positioned for the photograph.
The Second Man's side door will also see two similar cut-outs for Marker Lamps, one will be level with the lower row/lower hinge and another with the upper hinge. Once the nose ladder has been added, the nose end external appearance will be complete, and this is set to take place in a few weeks.
You can find out more about the Baby Deltic project and how you can help with a donation, however small, by clicking here to visit their website.
That doesn’t look right at all though, the class 23 nose front had the buffers mounted on it, like the class 55 and 37s did, this looks more like the buffers are to mounted on the bogie frame like the class 40 and peaks had.
The buffers are to be mounted on the nose, you can see them on the floor under, er, the nose.