AR KITS E175 D53 Instructions Manual

Australian Railway Kits
®
ABN: 27 416 246 418
Incorporating Main West Models
Manufacturers, Wholesalers and Retailers of Quality Australian Model Railways
PO Box 252 Warwick, Queensland, 4370 Australia
Phone/Fax: 617 4667 1351 Website: www.arkits.com Email: info@arkits.com
NSWGR D53 2-8-0 LOCOMOTIVE
AND TENDER KIT
E175 Manufactured Exclusively for AR Kits by DJH Engineering from Patterns owned by AR Kits
PLEASE READ INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE COMMENCING ASSEMBLY
CONSTRUCTION
It is important to ensure that all parts are clean, free of "flash" (excess metal on castings) and they fit properly.
The "flash line" is easily removed from most areas by scraping gently with a sharp hobby knife - a round blade is
more effective than a straight pointed type. Pull the blade along the "flash line" - several light strokes are better
than a single one. Some areas are better cleaned up with 6" jewellers' files. Take care not to flatten round parts by
filing too heavily. All locating holes for detail fittings should be pre-drilled to the size specified in the instructions.
Sometimes it is necessary to clean out these holes with a "rat tail" file; take care not to snap off the tip of the file.
Gently wash the castings in warm soapy water to remove mould release residue.
Etched brass items are best removed from the fret by placing the fret on a scrap piece of hard timber (e.g.
Pyneboard) and cutting the tabs with a large Stanley knife - cut the tab at the point furthest away from the part,
then trim the tab off close to the part with a small pair of quality side cutters. Hold small parts with a pair of flat
nosed (not serrated jaws) pliers while cleaning up with jewellers' files. Be careful not to distort the etchings; they
are difficult to straighten if bent or twisted. Drill all required holes before assembly, noting the spigot sizes of the
fittings, because some holes will be difficult to drill after parts are assembled.
As with all classes of NSWGR locomotives, individual D53s varied in minor details from time to time in their life.
Modellers are therefore advised to check photographs of the particular locomotive they have chosen to model.
These kits are designed to give many years of operating pleasure. A little extra time taken during construction will
ensure that your kit will do this. It cannot be emphasised too strongly that the basis of a smoothly operating model
is care when constructing the chassis and valve gear, i.e. you must double check every step. Check that the axles
turn freely in their bearings, check again with the coupling rods on, then again with the connecting rods on, etc.
Assembly methods
The two main construction methods are:
(a) Low melt solder - Low melt solder is an excellent medium for use with white metal kits. It is quick and easy
providing a stronger joint than can be achieved with glue. It has the added advantage of easily repairing minor
casting flaws, and because of the relatively low temperature, many parts can be held in the fingers while soldering.
Brass to white metal joints can also be made by "tinning" the brass first with normal solder. Low melt soldering
requires the correct type of soldering iron (e.g. Dick Smith T2000). These irons have temperature control, as low
melt solder only requires around 200 degrees centigrade. You must use special low melting point solder, such as
the range available from AR Kits.
IT IS ADVISABLE NOT TO ATTEMPT TO SOLDER ANY CASTINGS WITH A STANDARD SOLDERING IRON
(b) Glue - Superglue and Plastibond are two types of glues suitable for use with this kit. Some modellers prefer to
superglue major joints first then "fillet" the joint with Plastibond. Small detail parts are best glued with Superglue.
Glue is not recommended for those parts needing good electrical contact, such as the tender bogies.
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