I am using the tender castings from Allen Models and following their drawings with a few minor exceptions. The drawings call for one inch wide channels for the longitudinal members. I did use one inch wide for the two internal channels, but I used 1-1/2 inch wide channels on the outside. Looking at the prototype photos, the channels below the tank are quite wide – at least as high as one of the steps. I have four investment cast brass steps designed for a Reading bobber caboose. I am going to use a pair of those for the front tender steps and the other pair will go on the engine just behind the pilot. These are not exactly prototypical for Brooks or the CNJ, but they are close and I have no other use for them. The rear tender steps will be fabricated out of bar stock.
I had to use several setups to machine the castings on my small horizontal mill.
Drilling a cross hole in the internal boss was accomplished with an aircraft drill, by hand.
The truck mount castings were faced in the lathe (tight fit!).
This is a temporary assembly to test the fit of the tender parts. I will finish the details and fiber-glassing the tank, but I will not be able to paint everything until next Spring (warmer weather).
Timbg Live Steam 