The 8F is progressing well, and I have been able to fit the special parts and run the assembled chassis for the first time!

It was a great moment to see it move for the first time.  After I cleaned my test track, it ran for the first time with almost no hesitation.

I decided to try running it with the connecting rods in place but before I try the return cranks, etc.  I had to wait to try out the running until the tender pickups were done.

The third picture shows the tender pickups: the compensation mechanism is still able to work (I have left loops in the wires to allow this, but there’s still a lot of gear to go into those spaces, so I’m not sure how well this will work) and the temporary connections visible going to the loco. chassis on the right. The split axles can be seen.

It doesn’t look much like an 8F, and the motion isn’t all connected yet but it shows that the tender pickups are working and that the assembly so far is acceptable.

It runs better forwards than reverse at the moment, but goes reasonably smoothly at 7V drawing 100-200 mA, and it’s still running without any lubrication.