This blog is to act as a conscience and reminder to crack on with the Sulzers now crowding onto the workbench, a return to working on locos in earnest after a few years' gap, and the first time I've had the nerve to open up new generation diesels.

First up are a quartet of Bachmann Brush Type 4s and a BR/Sulzer Type 2, which despite only coming onto the bench last night progressed rapidly today.

D5233 - D7603 tweak.

The output: 64B non-boilered 25/3 D7603 Waverley machine, from Bachmann D5233 boilered loco. We are eventually aiming to capture something iconic like this: http://www.railbrit.co.uk/imageenlarge/imagecomplete.php?id=17882

Ingredients: 25279 underframe (body sold on eBay) and cheap spare body D5233 (from eBay). Old Revell 47 matt grey (needs replacing with new tin), Howes Railmatch transfers, rub-down for instant result, Fox 3.7mm headcode figures (for the number '8' at No.1 end only), printing label self-adhesive, clear plastic for replacement headcodes.

Key challenges - remove roof detail and make plain at No.2 end, change headcodes (note this is the non-lights model), also darken the cantrail grilles at this stage.

To remove headcodes either prise out with edge of scalpel blade - carefully not damaging beading, or drill through in centre and then lever out. Paint recess matt black.

Hole in roof left by boiler arrangement filled with portion of Thompson buffet roof cut to size, headcodes removed from this, a non-light-fitted example of the breed. This is repainted grey and will need going over again with very fine sandpaper and local repaint prior to weathering.

Roof comprehensively filed flush after filling, Revell 47 Matt grey is a match for your average Bachmann Sulzer Type 2 roof.

Headcode swap effected. This is a typical 64B Waverley headcode configuration. The other is even better, dare I say, need a decent photo. Old headcode insert used as template for cutting clear plastic roughly to shape, then filed for an interference fit. The non-standard headcode 'characters' are reversed out of tiny strips of plain white printer label with the aid of a 0.1 fine line permanent black marker.

Here's No.1 End, cruelly over-exposed by the flash, but you get the idea. The slight bleed of black around the headcode will be swept up during weathering, but change of and correct i.d application across the fleet is number one priority this Christmas. To which end D5211 has taken the place of D7603, ready for removal of its last two digits, fourfold, and headcode work.

Next up: Bachmann 47148 gets the retro treatment as we tackle 'Early Blue' on D1536.