Well, my B17 chassis arrived this morning from Dapol.

[unfortunately my second B17 has got to go back to (well known model shop) because it doesn't recognise when there's a chip in it. My first B17... had, in the words of a 16th century list of deaths, 'several ailments'] I can't help wondering if I'll ever have any LNER locos running... Maybe I've been cursed. ]

Task number one is to take...

Task number one is to make sure that it works. That I can put a chip in it and have it running round. Then, when I'm happy it's ok, then the next task is to remove the body. Hopefully without removing the footplate/running board, as the valve gear attaches to it. Now if I was going for a B12, this wouldn't matter. (The wheelbase is slightly wrong for a B12, but other than that...) So we have a headache. And if the cylinders are also attached to the footplate/running board then we have a bigger one.

Oh yes, I've measure both the B17 from the buffers to the back of the cab, and also the A4 body (likewise). The A4 body needs 13mm removing - indicating that my initial guesstimate of half an inch was pretty good, The problem is, as I said before, from where?

Based on the locations of the domes on both bodies, it suggests that it should be cut from the front. And mess up the streamlined profile. And probably create a lot of work.

On the other hand, if I cut it from behind the dome... The front part of the A4 body is solid, with no room for anything to fit inside. Cue much sawing and drilling out of material to hollow it out.

With apologies to Lionel Bart...

'I'm reviewing the situation,

while I ponderise exactly what I'll do.

I need to first off, remove the body,

And leave behind the valve gear and cylinders too.

The new body I then must split,

But where? It makes you want to spit

Cut here I have to hollow out,

Cut there I have to fill and grout...

I think I'd better think it out again.'

Oh yes, I'm thinking of naming it 'Derringham County' As to the number... probably 62851...