Background

As per a good number of my projects, this build was started by a bargain find in the old RMWeb classifieds.  It is a Hornby County body which has had the firebox fitted from a Hornby 8f (along with a plasticard lower boiler).  Replacement parts fitted for the chimney and safety valve bonnet, a new cab roof, separate steam pipes (from 247 Developments), sprung buffers and a handful of other detailing parts from the Jackson Evans etch.  The model has been resprayed in late GWR green and lined out with HMRS transfers.   I would not have chosen 1004, but a set of plates were included with the original parts so it made sense to make use of them.  Eventually I would really like a model of County of Middlesex given it was the only fully lined passenger loco for my period.

The chassis is by Comet (and after loosing the wheels I have ended up buying two sets of Markits for it!), with the usual High Level / mashima motor.   The tender is a temporary addition from a Hornby Castle (and hence is the wrong width), I have a Falcon tender slowly being built to finish it off.    It has been through wired to the tender to make use of the Hornby DCC socket.

Work Remaining

The chassis is running however there is an unknown issue with the pickups not working.  The only job remaining on the body is to fit glazing, although I am not entirely happy with the weathering. 

It will also need the usual gold decoder, crew, dinghams and coal for the tender.

Usage

The main use will be on passenger workings, a couple of which were regularly County hauled.  Along with the Milk and Parcels, sharing its duty with the Halls and Saint.