The Fowler tank has been mostly completed, just needing a few details to be added/reinstated and then

further testing before the addition of DCC control.

The bodywork needed some attention. I reworked the entire rear bunker/cab-cutout to get a better/neater

finish than had been on the original model. This entailed respraying and relining the bunker, and since I

was about it, i also attended to some areas of bad or missing lining on the tank sides. I'd used HMRS pressfix

lining when I did this original conversion in the 90s, and for consistency (and since it was all I had in stock)

I carried on with it.

I also took the opportunity to put on the earlier BR emblem, and when I redid the bunker numbers, i went up a size compared the originals, as they were slightly too small.

Still to be added are wheel balance weights, sandpipes, cylinder drain cocks, and the usual buffer beam gubbins.

Summary: a fun, satisfying updating of an older model, and one that now runs nicely, thanks to the good design of the Comet

chassis and the effortless performance of the DJH motor and gearbox.

Going back in time to pre-nationalisation days, I've also been revisiting a loco that was mostly built last year, but still needed to be lined and finished.

This SE&CR E1 class was made from the DJH kit and coincidentally uses the same gearbox/motor as the Fowler tank.

The basic body colour was airbrushed last year, but I didn't have the mojo to tackle the lining until I'd got my eye back in by doing the Fowler. Having

lined locos using a bow-pen, I'm still not where I'd like to be in terms of neatness and consistency, so for Southern lining of this type I fall back on

the cheat of using LNER waterslide lining. This comes in white-black-white stripes (at least on the Modelmaster sheets I use) so is fine for boiler

bands but not for cab. tender and so on. But, it can be easily adapted by applying it as it is, and then cutting back the unwanted extra white

line by use of a fine brush loaded with black, a bow-pen (easier than doing the main lining) or even a permanent marker.

There are still a few things to do on the E1, such as front guard irons, and I've only numbered it on one side as my HMRS sheet ran out! But at least it's on

the way to looking finished. I've since added lamp irons and buffer beam detailing.

Finally, progress on a short rake of LSWR corridor coaches, from the Roxey Mouldings kits. I've got three to build, and then the option of buying a second, ,mirror-image brake

to form a typical LSWR 4-coach fixed formation. These will be in unlined malachite as I simply don't have the skill to do Southern passenger lining to my satisfaction, much as they

would look nice in olive. But, hey, malachite looks nice as well.

Cheers, all.