Millie in original condition 31 December 2010 I originally purchased the Roundhouse Millie with the intention of re-building the loco as a model of the original Tralee and Dingle No4 (the Hunslet with a cab at both ends). However although I am fairly competent at putting a brass kit together, my metal fabrication skills are not great. I have therefore put the building of T&D No.4 to one side at the moment and I have decided to make some cosmetic changes to Millie so that she looks more like something that might have run on an Irish roadside tramway.
This mainly involves fitting the Roundhouse cab and repainting the loco in black together with a few other additions.
Prior to the proposed modifications I had already fitted chopper couplings, a pressure gauge, boiler filling system and gauge glass and a natty 'brake handle' for the gas control valve.
The loco entered the works in late June but progress has been slow so far as there has been some good train running weather of late. I first removed the spectacle plate, cab rear and side tanks. The side tanks have been set aside for cleaning and painting. I cleaned the oil from the driving wheels and I have given these 2 coats of matt black paint. After that I fitted the Roundhouse crossheads and slide bars to the cylinders/connecting rods.
I purchased a pair of Roundhouse 'Billy' buffer overlays with rivet detail. I bought these rather than the Millie overlays as I intend to cut the buffer beams to the same profile as 'Billy' with a cutaway at either end of the beam. As the fixing holes do not line up with those of Mille, I am in the process of drilling new holes for the fixing screws and also for the 10BA bolts that hold the Accucraft chopper couplings in position. The ends of the overlays will also need to be cut as Billy is a lot wider than Millie.
This mainly involves fitting the Roundhouse cab and repainting the loco in black together with a few other additions.
Prior to the proposed modifications I had already fitted chopper couplings, a pressure gauge, boiler filling system and gauge glass and a natty 'brake handle' for the gas control valve.
The loco entered the works in late June but progress has been slow so far as there has been some good train running weather of late. I first removed the spectacle plate, cab rear and side tanks. The side tanks have been set aside for cleaning and painting. I cleaned the oil from the driving wheels and I have given these 2 coats of matt black paint. After that I fitted the Roundhouse crossheads and slide bars to the cylinders/connecting rods.
I purchased a pair of Roundhouse 'Billy' buffer overlays with rivet detail. I bought these rather than the Millie overlays as I intend to cut the buffer beams to the same profile as 'Billy' with a cutaway at either end of the beam. As the fixing holes do not line up with those of Mille, I am in the process of drilling new holes for the fixing screws and also for the 10BA bolts that hold the Accucraft chopper couplings in position. The ends of the overlays will also need to be cut as Billy is a lot wider than Millie.
 Side tanks and spectacle plate removed |  Smoke box, buffer beams and cab rear removed. Crossheads and slide bars fitted. Wheels painted. |
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