That is looking blooming good!

A very interesting and well executed project. I'm looking forward to seeing this one finished.

Paul.

Just a quick update on the class 89 project. Tonight I have managed to aquire a lima class 60 power bogie for the loco. The bogie is very similar to the 89s and will be a direct replacement for the class 47 ones that she currently sits on. The bogie will require removal of the sand boxes,etc and some additional parts added but should look fairly convincing when done. Just hope im sucessfull in getting the matching trailing bogie for the other end !!

A bit more progress on my class 89 project as this morning I picked up the power bogie from the sorting office. Here it is after being trial fitted to the 89..

The plan that it sits on shows the modifications needed. To be 100% correct the wheel base should be slightly bigger at the rear but for ease of construction I can live with this especialy as with a few modifications the power bogie is a direct swap for the class 47 one ! Apart from some filling of the mounting lugs the main job to do is to reduce the height of the molded side supports the underframe rests on as the ones on the 47 are shorter. Once done and everyting is sitting properly modding the bogies can start. When I first thought about this build I was going to use class 58 bogies as these were built roughly the same time as the 89 and look similar but closer inspection reviled that the axel box supports looked wrong. The ones on the class 60 looked much nearer so this was the deciding factor in the choice. On the class 60 the dampers are fitted between the axel box and the bogie frame so these were carfully removed with a knife and put in a safe place as they will be reused when building the distintive damper arrangement later. The other thing to do with the knife is remove the sand boxes and also trim away some of the bogie frame between the wheels. Then comes the modification to the top of the bogie frame using some milliput as seen here..

Once set the rest of the bogies details can be built up from evergreen strip. My long term plan for the 89 is a ' what if things had worked out differently ' train like this..

The DVT needs rebuilding as im not happy with the overall shape but the rake will be DVT + FO + Buffet + TSO + TSOE + 89. Livery will be IC swallow and one of the mk3's will be modified by removing the end gangway to form a TSOE similar the the mk4 version that was later built for the ECML trains.

Avocet now has one bogie well half a bogie ! Heres the bogie with the basic detail added....

And with a bit of paint...

Just hope I manage to get the trailing bogie for the other end !!

Second trailing bogie aquired for the loco. So far the loco build has cost just under a £10 !!

Further progress on the 89. First some detailing using mirrored vinyl starting with the battery box covers..

And the roof hatches..

A bit of paint..

The A side..

The B side..

Number 1 end taking shape..

Number 2 end marked out for the holes for the led lights..

Bodyside cut out for the foot steps and handrail receses...

The finished livery for the 89 will be IC swallow as it was at its naming. After looking through some pics on the net at the time of its naming 89001 still had yellow springs and axel box covers from when it was 'bulled up' for the mallard special in 88.

An inspiring piece of work.

I remember seeing the 89 at Leeds about the same period as you're modelling her.

A top model in my opinion.

Cheers.

Sean.

Cheers Sean. A bit more progress on Avocet. This afternoon I have built up the roof vents and bodyside grills. I have also done a bit more work on the number 1 cab end and fitted the distintive bodyside ribbing at cant rail level. I have also fitted the backs to the handrail openings. Realy there is just the buffer beam and lower cab front on the no 1 end to do before I can get the loco in primer. Aparently the trailing bogie has been posted so this may arrive tomorrow providing that it fits through the letter box ! A few piccys...