As promised my take on the Bachmann/Rails Caley 812 Class.

 

 

I chose the late crest version as the prototypes worked from Oban on the Ballachulish branch before closure. 

 

57566 was a Corkerhill/Ardrossan shedded loco and there are some nice colour snaps of the prototype online finished as per the Bachmann model. 

 

As for 57566 working to Balla' I'm not sure? However, I thought would keep the running number and address a few of the Bachmann/Rails discrepancies. This included the much discussed over thick tender flares. 

 

 

As it stands the model is fairly typical of a Bachmann 0-6-0 tender locomotive over the past few years in the mould of the SECR/SR C Class, LMS 4F and 3F. 

 

Sadly it is let down with over thick tender flares and these detract from a model which should be on par with the Hornby J36 in finesse. 

 

With a new Number 11 scalpel blade I gently started to scrape away the inside of the tender flares.

 

Once I had reached the desired thickness I made good with a fibre glass burnishing pencil and fine grade wet and dry paper.  The upper tender lamp iron was removed and replaced with one from the spares box. 

 

 

On the prototypes the hinged tender doors were often folded back on the tender so this look was replicated.

 

I did contemplate replacing the cab up-right stanchions due to their thickness but decided I could live with them. 

 

Real crushed coal was added to the tender having applied a coat of PVA first. 

 

The paint finish was lifted with brush applied Johnson's Kleer. I sprayed in the smokebox and cab roof with Tamiya flat black. 

 

Baseline weathering was completed with the usual Tamiya/Vallejo acrylics sprayed or dry brushed. This certainly helps to lift the detail especially the pipework along the sides of the loco 

 

Coupling rods are inked in with a silver Sharpie pen then washed with a blend of Vallejo acrylics. 

 

When I load up the airbrush again with suitable colour road dirt I'll give the lower sides of the model a dusting and add also add smoke effects on the top of the boiler. 

 

The smokebox number plate is supplied from the excellent Pacific Models range. 

 

Crew are once more the ubiquitous Airfix/Dapol figures painted with Vallejo acrylics. Lamps are LNER pattern from the excellency Mr. Frank's at Lanarkshire Models. 

 

 

Hopefully the success of the 812 Class will encourage Bachmann to look at a Caley 439 Class 4-4-0 especially with a preserved example running. 

 

The clean work bench looking like a Clan gathering... More anon.

 

 

Cheers, 

 

Mark