Finally got back home to Bristol for the weekend, and for a change actually managed to find some modelling time.

I ended up working on 3 main projects,

73129

I have finally got on and rebuilt the chassis, I have so far only used the Lima components, wire, plastic rod and lots of plasticard. though 3 air tanks still need to be added for which I haven't decided on a source yet. I have also fitted the new Gibson 13mm wheels which have also made a large impact.

Buffer beams have also seen work, with a set of sprung Vi Trains 47 buffers fitted at one end, and a damaged set of Vi buffers glued in place in the retracted position at the other end (that is modelled with the buckeye up.) In order to fit the new buffers I did have to slightly modify the rubbing plate? to increase the clearance.

I also had a quick bash at the cab, cutting away the windows and door in the wall behind the seats and adding a bulkhead behind the cab doors. While its not 100% accurate, its going to be a much better job than anything in my Bachmann or Heljan fleets...

Next job is going to be soldering up some new pickups for the non powered end, along with test running to ensure that it runs reliably, along with fitting some new bogie steps to the no1 end. Theres a long way to go on this project, as in a few areas there are holdups due to non available detail parts (such as the chequer plate below the doors)

I have also made a start on the new chassis for 73109, which is now at the end of the chopping bits off stage. Having looked again at my class 73 fleet, I have a Hornby Fraggonset loco which is going to lose its chassis for my Dutch body (once that has been painted), the Pullman unit for which I have an AWD chassis that I left at Dagworth's many years back and am planning to pick up at Stormex (no doubt giving my increased demands for detail over that time this chassis will want reworking before its good to go).

33116

I have finally sprayed the solebar BR Blue and reassembled, however the fit isnt great so it still needs a bit of tweaking. It also needs the transfers redoing for the incorrect side. I wasnt happy with the job I had done (using coach numbers) the font and size didnt look right. Going to have to talk to one of the custom transfers people at some point I think.

The biggest change was fitting the new Extreme Etchings roof grill, only got the base and mesh on as a lack of superglue resulted in being unable to glue the top in place. it makes a huge difference compared to the crude Heljan plastic one (or the old shawplan etch on my other 33s) The hard thing will be painting it!

Once the roof grill is painted, and transfers sorted it will be complete.

Finally my TPO project

I am massive fan of modelling parcels stock, and have planed for a long while to model the Plymouth TPO. I have two DC Kits, one for an NTA and one for a NUA. While the DC Kit has lots of good parts, it also suffers from some of the common issues of the range, namely a bent floor and a bent roof. I have a number of surplus Bachmann Mk1s, and a quick look through the scrap box has resulted in one of them getting chopped up to accept the DC Kits sides & detail

The first job was glueing together the whole side as one unit, before working on the ends to modify them to fit the Bachmann coach. On my first attempt I just chopped off a mm or so from each end and added a layer of filler over the Bachmann end too get the profile to match. Next time I think I will try filing the back of the sides to fit ala Bachmann mk1.

Once the sides fitted I added a strip of evergreen strip to the top that increased the sides hight to match the Bachmann model and also added a larger base on which the roof will sit (more on that later.)

It was then glued into place, adding 40thou plasticard pieces behind the sides to support and fix in position ensuring as I glued along the side everything stayed in position.

All roof and end detail was removed, with DC Kits roof vents & end detail fitted along with the DC Kits underframe bits (although I have yet to find the castings for the latter or any air break gear.)

The roof no longer clips on (I suppose if I could have been bothered I could have reused the Bachmann clips, but I decided to chop them off to make things easier.) The roof is a tight fit, so I plan to use a bit of double sided tape on the tops of the sides to attach it. The evergreen strip attached to the top of the sides gives sufficient space to stick to.

Bachmann B4s were reused, avoiding the DC product that whilst looking ok at a glance wont fit P4 wheels.

Next up will be the NUA once I dig out another doaner coach (I have a worrying feeling I may have now used up all my Bachmann mk1s, so may have to start looking out for more cheap coaches to chop up.) First of all I have to find a couple of missing side components from the kit.

The end result is looking pretty promising, so I suspect I will at some future point end up buying at least two more coaches (one of which must have the large doors to add some variety!) I am currently thinking about having a formation based on the Dover one to run with my 73s, however at present even that will be too big for the fiddleyard...

If anyone can identify the coach types in that link I would be grateful.

Thats it for now, not much modelling time next weekend as I am off to Devon, but I do plan on spraying the GWT 47's yellow ends if I have the paint / weather...

Excuse the poor photos, Camera battery is flat and Helen appears to have lost the charger. As such the iPhone had to step in.