B661Sutton

Hello all, I'm currently dabbling in modelling some Eastern Region stock as, although my main interest is in the copper-capped machines from out West, I do have a soft spot for the Gresley Pacifics. The locomotive I'm wanting to model is A3 60066 Merry Hampton as she was in the early 1960s, as that is the era I mostly model in. In this condition, she had the A4 boiler as fitted to some A3s and this has given me a problem in finding a suitable base model to start. My original plan was to use the DJH kit for the A3 as I enjoy kit building, but the kit doesn't cater for the boiler variant I require for my chosen prototype. I did consider using a Hornby A3 as a basis, but the required base models are hard to find for a good price. As most residents and regulars to this chat are more seasoned Eastern modellers than I, what would you all suggest?

Some stunning modelling on show here. I've recently taken the dive into N gauge and have been flicking through this thread for inspiration. The modelwork on show here is certainly impressive and I'm certainly inspired for my own projects. This in particular I'd like to try (a 43xx fits right in with the era/region I'm modelling), but I noticed you used a 3D printed body for it. This body doesn't appear to be available publicly from my own looking and, not wanting to use the old P&D Marsh kit, thought I'd ask yourself where you obtained yours from as well as if it would be possible to get a hold of one myself. Many thanks

Does anyone know where I can currently get a copy of this book? I've tried checking online but can't find anyone selling one. Is there one available somewhere?

It's a shame you're selling this but I do understand the reasons why. I'd love to purchase the layout myself as it is a stunning layout, though I doubt that I have the money or room for it. I may be able to afford some of the stock though, so I am certainly interested. Either way, I hope that it all goes to a good home and I look forward to seeing more of your modelling.

Hello all, The granges are one of my favourite classes of locomotive and I'd like to make one suitable for P4. My main plan was to simply build the Malcolm Mitchell kit for the Grange as I've heard many excellent things about that range of kits. Unfortunately, they're no longer available new (to my knowledge at least) and I haven't seen one second-hand on eBay yet. So, I thought of a backup plan. Inspired by one or two conversions I've seen, I thought of converting a Hornby Grange. I can get a replacement set of wheelsets from Alan Gibson or Ultrascale but, if I do that, I want to replace the original Hornby motion. I know Brassmasters do replacement coupling and connecting rods, but I'm yet to find a good enough replacement set of slide bars and crossheads. The original Hornby slide bars are too skimpy and are ripe for replacement so I'd like to get some better replacements. Would anyone be able to help? Thanks in advance.

Mid-1965 and 6853 Morehampton Grange and 6861 Crynant Grange are seen on shed awaiting their next turn of duty.

On the subject of the Grange reaching Huddersfield, I found a caption from an issue of Steam Days magazine telling the story. Also, speaking of Grange models, here's my Hornby Grange. It's been slightly detailed and repainted from BR black to lined green, as well as weathered in my usual fashion. It's now 6853 Morehampton Grange as it was in 1965, and is one of my favourite models.

Ok, thank you. I see it would be quite a difficult conversion to do. I'll wait to see if anyone else has tried it and see how they did it before tackling it myself. I'd personally go for the skirted variant because I prefer the look of a j70 with skirts trundling down the W&U and it could hide any bodges and such.

Does anyone know how easy it is to convert these models to P4/S4? I would love one of these models, but I'm slowly making the move to P4 and I'd like a P4 J70. If it's not possible, then what's the next best alternative? Any suggestions are welcome.

Certainly beats my kit built one (a Judith Edge kit if you're interested).

A driver and shunter have a quick natter as they await their next duty.

I'm currently working on a GWR grange that I'm doing up in early wartime condition (pre-1942). I've seen plenty of threads on here about wartime liveries, but little about any other fittings given to locomotives during the war. After trying to read up about these, as well as watching a few documentaries, I know that GWR engines had their side windows blanked out and had cover sheets between the loco and tender during the night so enemy planes didn't spot their fires. I've also heard about one or two other things so I'm asking whether or not I've missed anything. Also does anyone have any decent pictures of these as I'm struggling to find any?

Goodness me, it's been a while since I've posted anything onto here. Since my last post on here I've now moved to university, though I've still been busy working on models. Firstly, I detailed up the other Bachmann LT pannier I had. Since then I have sold it. Next up I've also got one of Hornby's new Large Prairies. I was impressed with it but I still had a go at sprucing it up. The front bogie got heavily bashed and detailed and the rest of the model got a few details to make it a BR example. Now it's 4147 as it was when allocated to Stourbridge in 1965. Another detailing project was a Hornby Clan. This was less of a detailing project and more of a restoration project as, although I got it cheap, it needed a lot of TLC to get it to even go. After a few days of trying to get this crock to work and replacing any broken details, I renumbered it to 72006 Clan Mackenzie and gave it my usual filthy weathering treatment. After looking for another project to do, I came across the Planet Industrials conversion kit to make one of the Pensnett Railway Andrew Barclays. As the Pensnett Railway was very local to me, I decided to have a crack at it. Although I had previously spruced up my grange (as seen in my first post) there were a few bits that I wasn't impressed with. These were mainly the weathering on the loco chassis and the smokebox door. So I had a bash at these. My latest project was a DJModels 14xx. This lovely model didn't need much doing to it apart from fitting screw links and steam heat pipes (the detailing pack was missing so i made my own) as well as an ashpan for it. It got my usual weathering treatment too. Earlier this year, I completed my first kit build. A Westward Terrier kit on a Perseverance chassis, painted and weathered as 32661 (previously 61 Sutton). I've also been experimenting in P4 gauge too. Starting with my old Bachmann pannier that was done up as 8718, I decided to give it a spruce up and convert it to P4. Some bodging and a new High Levels chassis kit later (as well as a coat of filth), this is the result. Another P4 engine I've done is a Judith Edge Hunslet 16 inch 0-6-0ST. The lining on it isn't my best work but it otherwise looks like a grubby industrial in my opinion. That's all I've got for now. Hopefully I'll post more things on here in future. In the meantime, stay safe and happy modelling.

In light of Hornby's recent announcement, here's my own model of Brighton Works at rest.

As we're sharing our lockdown projects, here is one of mine. It started in life as a Bachmann V2. Which almost immediately had it's rather deformed boiler chopped off and replaced with an A3 boiler and smokebox. After detailing was added, it was primed and painted. It still needs to be lined and weathered, but is nearly done. When finished, it'll be a model of York allocated V2 60981 in early 1960s condition. It's rather different to the copper capped engines I'm used to, but its been fun to work on nonetheless. Regards Harun