Finally made a start on repowering my Lima Class 73s,

The first batch contains an EWS pair in NSE and Dutch that will always be ran as a double headed pair. along with a SWT rescue loco.

The second batch will contain one loco in Pullman and one in Mainline that are intended for my VSOE rake.

Because the EWS pair will always run double headed, and the SWT will always run with other powered stock, I have decided that I will only power one bogie (both simplifying the design and reducing cost). The second batch will be AWD (because of the weight demand with the VSOE rake)

Construction:

The first job was the removal of all raised lumps in the inside of the chassis frame, along with the guides below the chassis from the lima motor bogie

Once the chassis was prepared a large section of 80thou plasticard was glued to the chassis, both strengthening the chassis and providing a base for the motor.

This was followed by the motor mount, again from 80thou. Will have to check the dimensions and post later. this formed a U shape. the motor mount is a small section of 60thou glued below the top of the U, this has a central hole drilled to match the top of the bogie (and fits under a large square in the top of the U to clear the screw.)

Once this was all glued in place the next job was cutting the top of the U to clear the cab door window and to clear the flywheel.

With the motor bogie fitted, I placed the motor in position and glued a further piece of 80thou behind the back of the motor mount (in this case its a Bachmann 25 bogie with a Bachmann 158 motor)

Body wise a Shawplan roof grill was added, and pipework will be added in front of the windows. Steps will be added to the bogies, and full buffer beam detailing. Should Shawplan go and release any new parts, of course they will also be added...

Still to do:

The underframe. For the time being I have left the Lima box in place. I do plan on adding separate underframe components however given that I have a large number of locos to do Im still trying to decide the best method. At the moment its between drawing them up on CAD and getting them made by Shapeways, or the old school chopping up lima and southern pride components

It also still needs a set of Gibson 13mm wheels, and a lot more weight adding along with all the necessary electrical work. I am still debating about doing separate handrails. Its a job I cant stand doing, and tbh I still expect a new high spec model to appear before I finish the layout that would tempt me with replacement.

The dutch loco needs a full repaint, while the SWT loco needs new nameplates. All three will need some lighting adding, though I will probably just add a single high intensity in the lead loco for the double headed pair, while the SWT loco will probably get a full setup

Somewhere I have an AWD chassis with lights which would be handy if I can find it. May still be at Dagworth's come to think of it...