28-May-2008 08:14

The first 517 I built was based on one of the last to survive and this is how it was in about 1930.  It has variously been radio controlled and used Infrared control but is currently awaiting fitting with chips for DCC.  However, it is an anachronism since the period modelled is now 1900.

This is another Mitchell 517 under construction (one of three more).  The kit will require some scratch building to alter the bunker and cab back to match the photograph I have of No:517 at Birmingham Snow Hill in about 1895.  To be finished in Wolverhampton livery, it will be one of two early 517's.

The bunker currently contains the sound chip (ZTC).  The buffers are from a Scorpio kit, heavily modified to suit the period.

The speaker for the sound is located in the smoke box, directly under the chimney.  The dome and safety valve cover are removable so that they can be polished regularly, like the real thing.

The chassis contains the DCC control chip (ZTC), hence the wires and miniature connectors to link it to the sound chip and speaker.  The ABC motor & gearbox have been removed for now.  Soon to be added is the exhaust cam gear to the front axle and a passing wiper switch connected to the control chip.

Once the DCC setup has been thoroughly tested, it will all be stripped out and the engine completed prior to painting.  Then the whole lot will be refitted.

The DCC chip can clearly be seen in this view of the underside of the chassis.  I usually turn up my own wheels (AGH) but in this case they are a set that were offered to me at a price I could not resist.

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