I've always liked the Brush type 2 (class 31). They were the first main line diesels I remember, and I've always had a model of one, be it Triang, Triang TT, Triang-Hornby, Airfix or the current Hornby model. I'm pleased with the current Hornby model, particularly the running, and I like the revolving fan feature. However,to my eyes there is something not quite right about the end view. I think the problem is that the centre window is slightly deep, and the geometry of the outer windows has been distorted to match these, but this is just my opinion.

I wanted to make a model of a production series Brush type 2(class31/1) as running in the 1960's, with headcode boxes, train heating boiler and associated steps, and a radiator grille in the central bodyside door. I decided to model D5579 as running in 1965. This locomotive was painted in an experimental golden ochre livery. I have seen pictures of the loco at both March and Cambridge, so I surmise it ran on the March-Cambridge line via St Ives, which is the area I model. The pictures I am using are here:

http://grahame910.fo.../p62294319.html

http://grahame910.fo.../p62294344.html

The current Hornby model is based on the pilot scheme version which does not have these features, and I was unable to find an earlier model, and the current Hornby model would require a considerable amount of work to produce the features I required. I held fire on the project, until I read a thread on RM Web by James entitled "Brush Type2 rebirth", which described how to produce a Brush type 2 by putting a Lima body (which has better ends than the Hornby one) on Horby bogies. I liked the idea, and looked for a second hand Lima model to modify,but before I could find one wasofferd a brand new unpainted Airfix body, so my model has become an Airfix/Hornby hybrid.

The Airfix body is pretty good. The cab ends appear correct, and the body has all the features I require. I read Monty Wells' article on improving the Airfix Brush type 2 in MRJ No 14 and decided the following modifications were required:

1.The bodyside valance between the bogies is too short (The original Triang model is like this as well; The Lima model and the current Hornby model are OK in this respect.

2. Replace the moulded fan grille by an etched grille from Shawplan.

3. Replace the moulded grabrails on the roof with wire.

4. Make provision to fix the Airfix body to the Hornby chassis.

I have used a complete Hornby chassis for my model. This was modified by removing the end sections. The cab interior backs remain fixed to the chassis,but the floor/seat units from the Hornby model were refitted into the body.

I stripped down the Airfix body,removing the moulded handrails and the moulded roof fan grille. I cut off the incorrect short valances level with the bottom edge of the sides. I then made new valances of the correct length from20 thou plasticard, and solvent welded these to the bottom edges of the sides. I scribed a vertical line in the middle of the new valances to represent the panel join, and added beading from 10 thou plasticard to match the vertical beading on the bodysides. The modified body looked like this:

Here is a close up of the the new valance:

Afrter undercoating the new valance looked like this:

I waspleased that the join is invisible. The new valance is only fixed to the bodyby its top edge. There would be room for some discreet reinforcement behind, but I have not needed to do this.

In the MRJ article,Monty Wells modified the headcode boxes by removing the moulded headcodepanels and making up new panels and fitting them into the headcode boxes after painting. I have done the same,but in retrospect I think his modification was to take advantage of replacement headcode letters available to him at the time, and I would simply put transfers on the existing headcode panels if Imodify another Airfix body. Here are mynewpanels:

I made replacement roof grabrails from fine brass wire. The mofied body was then ready for painting. I sprayed it overall with Halfords grey primer. When this was dry I correct a couple of blemishes, and then sprayed the body with Tamiya flat earth XF52 as an undercoat. The roof was sprayed with Tamiya light sea grey XF25, and the buffer beams with Tamiya flat red XF7. The interior was sprayed Tamiya buff XF57.

At this stage the body looked like this:

The roof and bufferbeams were then masked off and the body sprayed with Railmatch Golden Ochre. This is the current point of progress. When this is dry I will complete the detail painting and transfers, and take some more pictures of progress.