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The Fatadder

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  1. The Fatadder

    3449 Nightingale - GWR Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Mixed Traffic
    Background
    Bulldogs & Birds were a common sight in South Devon in the 1940s up until the Manors were allocated to the Devon sheds in the early 50s.  This model came as a total basket case via Facebook for a bargain price last year, it was lacking in detail and crudely painted in pseudo 1900s livery with red frames (but post war G W R on the tender.)  My initial logic was that it was a K's kit and its boiler could be used on my Dukedog to backdate to a Bulldog.   But upon stripping off the thick paint I found a very well made brass body, which appears from the construction to have been scratch built.  Cue a complete change of plan, adding lots of new detail castings (and lots of Archers rivet transfers) to try and bring the high quality underpinnings up to modern standards.  The one area that was a complete lost cause was the bogie, however I have a Bachmann City of Turo in the display cabinet which came with a spare bogie.  This was stripped down and repainted black, with modifications to enable it to be bolted to the Bird's chassis. The respray wasnt my finest work with a couple of areas still requiring a touch up.  It is fitted with etched name / number plates of unknown origin, and naturally has real coal in the tender.
     
    Remaining Work
    Other than the lack of a motor, it still needs a crew, couplings (Dingham rear & screw front) along with some repairs to damaged paint.  In the process of taking the photo this evening I managed to drop the tender while moving the photo plank into better light.  Net result a step needs reattaching, and another needs straightening.  Finally it will need some weathering 
     
    Usage
    Given that the loco is unpowered it actually makes things a little easier for its primary purpose on the layout as an assistance engine on the down expresses.  Eventually the chassis could be rebuilt to take a modern motor / gearbox combination, which would enable it to power a local goods service or a local passenger as Laira / Newton Bulldog's were often found.   Of course Nightingale was not a local engine (although I believe it had spent a spell in the south west earlier in its life).  The loco came with the plates and I dont fancy replacing them.
     
     

  2. The Fatadder

    7427 - GWR Green

    By The Fatadder,


    Tank Engines
    Background
    This is another of those projects where the end result isnt really needed, but seeing as I had all the bits I figured I may as well build it.  The body was purchased years ago intended for a High Level chassis, after finding a Bachmann chassis at a reasonable price it was an easy decision to get the loco commissioned into serviceable condition.   Finding an identity was fairly straightforward, a 74xx was a lot more useful than a 54/64xx given I dont need anything auto fitted.  So given it needed to be a Newton Abbot loco, 7427 was an easy choice.   Conversion was focused raround the bunker area, as well as removing the lip from the front of the cab and cutting off the auto working parts (which were reused on 1470).  There are a number of posts in my Steam Modelling blog detailing the work.   The original plan was for a fairly clean loco, however the paint wasnt a great match so more weathering was required to hide the joint.   Weathering as usual is a mix of Tamyia powders and Vallejo paints, I feel its missing something (other than the overly clean wheels), but cant quite put my finger on it.  Other detailing included replacing the moulded on rear lamp irons with the Finney etch, and adding a fireman (I didnt have a suitable driver).  As ever plates are from Narrow Planet (while the model came in G W R livery.)
     
    Remaining Work
    The loco still needs to be fitted with DCC, again this has a non standard decoder so I cannot use one of the Golds I have in stock.  It needs the usual Dinghams/Lamps and a driver
     
    Usage
    The main use for a pannier is the pick up goods from Newton Abbot to Plymouth (and return), which this loco will eventually share with a 57xx.  It could also step in for a 45xx on the Kingsbridge goods.

  3. The Fatadder

    Formations for Brent: M Set

    By The Fatadder,


    Passenger Formations
    This makes up what would have been the most common coach formation through Brent, alas due to fiddleyard constraints I only have room to fit an M Set in one direction.  It can however be supplemented with a van (which was dropped off at Brent for Kingsbridge).  As with other finished coaches, it has been completed with passengers, new couplings and flexible gangways (but still requires a tail light).
     
    The set comprises a Hornby D95 (which has had the roof repainted), a Hornby E127 composite (again with repainted roof), Mainline C77 and a Worsley Works Dreadnought breake third D44.  A Mallard K18 full brake is also available to fit on the end.
     
    Formation:
    loco (currently 7316)
     
    Brake Third D95
    Third C77
    Composite E127
    Brake Third D44
    Optional Van K18
     
    A recurring theme, this set has my final remaining Mainline C77 which as with the other two will eventually be for the chop.  This is the most likely destination for a Dapol toplight to end up when they do the corridor version.



     
  4. The Fatadder
    Finally its on to the "other" classes for which the fleet doesn't contain enough locos to make up a whole page.  As per the Class 37s and 47s in each case locos are fitted with P4 wheels (Maygib or Ultrascale) and a Lenz Gold decoder, plus etched names where needed.  Photos have all been taken from previous blog posts and are not necessarily in current condition, the intention is that everything will be re-photographed on my photo plank to get a decent image of each loco.  Putting the loco number in the search bar should take you to the appropriate blog posts.
     
    Class 20s
    20302 - DRS - Bachmann Class 20/0 which has been converted to a 20/3 with scratch built fuel tanks, missing bodyside grill added using parts hidden by the fuel tanks, Extreme Etchings window frames and roof grill, my own etch for the WIPACs and of course a full respray. It will need lights fitting to the cab end (I am hoping to reuse the spare nose lighting board from the Bachmann 20/3), I also want to upgrade the WIPACs and exhaust panel to match the newer Bachmann 20/3.

     
     
    20303  - DRS - Bachmann 20/3 with repainted roof, repainted "footplate", nose jumper cable lowered, centre headlight removed, fuel tank gauges added and renumbered.  Minor modification at the nose end (removal of lighting board and associated mounting posts) in order to fit to an original Bachmann 20/0 chassis.  Needs the cab lighting board to be modified to add the marker lights. 

     
    Class 31s
    31452 Minotaur - Fraggonset - Hornby model, I am tempted to modify this with a centre mounted high intensity headlight and respray in either Mainline, Intercity or Regional Railways to run with 31466 as a substitute pair on Virgin XC duties. 

    31466 - EWS - Respray of Hornby BR Blue model, fitted with Extreme Etchings roof grill and Hornby surround.

     
    Class 33s
    33116 Hertfordshire Railtours  - BR Blue - Heljan model with corrected fuel tank, bogies modified with springs recessed back from sideframes, Extreme Etchings roof grill and lower fairing resprayed in Blue.  The photo is a little cruel on the roof grill paint, though its not a perfect match (the roof needs weathering to blend in the different colour of blue.)

     
    33/2 project > currently in Fraggonset but will be repainted as 33202 in Dutch 33202 on Flickr  with the old Shawplan brass roof grill (missing a name plate) and will get upgraded to the Extreme Etchings side grill as well as the roof grill.  This loco is on the to do list for later in the year once I have the parts from Shawplan , photos will follow once it looks less like a pile of parts.
     
    Class 43 HST
    43157 and 43155 in Virgin livery both have been renumbered (adding HMS Penzance and Virgin XC transfers) 43155 still needs etched plates.

     
     
    43007 and 43151 in Intercity, renumbered Hornby powercars as a pair still in GWT service in Intercity livery, 43007 (with guards window) also saw some service with Virgin Cross Country.

    fitted with upside down Kaydees to match with those I have fitted to the mk3s.   I need to look up which I’ve used as there are still two more sets of mk3s in need of coupling.
     
    43168 and 43185 Great Western in GWT Merlin livery, Lima models fitted to current generation Hornby chassis.


    Class 56
    56049 in Transrail Dutch, correctly modelled with different cabs at each end (by Will) then finished, detailed and painted by me.

    I am highly tempted to add a second 56 in Loadhaul which was used by Virgin, mostly because I don’t think I can resist the Cavelex model…
     
    Class 58
    58047 EWS - Heljan model - 58s were not exactly common in my area, the Laira fuel turn being the most likely to have a 58 show up on it.  I have yet to find a photo of 047 on the Laira fuel, but remembering what a pig the other loco was to renumber I am still undecided as to what I will do.

     
    58015 - Mainline Triple Grey - Heljan model which has had the paint on the bodyside grills corrected.  + a renumber (for which it was necessary to respray the cab sides.)

     
     
    Class 59
    59004 Original Foster Yeoman - Lima model that has been fitted to a rebuilt Bachmann Class 66 chassis, I think there is an issue with the exhaust outlet being on the wrong side (which will need to be fixed). P4 but still needs lighting fitting. 

     
    59001 Revised Foster Yeoman - Lima model fitted with new lighting and P4

     
    59104 Hanson- Lima body mounted on rebuilt Bachmann class 66 chassis, roof details have already been modified (although one of the radio pods has got lost).  Loco was repainted in January 99 so just fits into my period, not sure what it’s doing in my area though…
     

    Class 60
    60026 EW&S Hornby Model weathered and converted to P4

     
    60059 Loadhaul - another Hornby model which has been renumbered to a loco that I took a photo of at Didcot in 1998.  Still needs weathering.

     
    _____________
     
    60081 I K Brunel in GWR 150 livery - out of scope for the layout, now transferred to Brent to power the track cleaner.

     
    Class 66
    66001 The plan is to eventually model this from a Hattons model (replacing a previously converted Bachmann model), it will need new horn grills, repositioned lifting eyes and EWS red side grills.
     
    Class 67
    67003 EWS - Lima model detailed with my own etches with a completely rebuilt chassis and a full respray into EWS livery.  It needs some jumper cables adding to the ends, P4
     


     Class 08
    Both are Hornby and have been fitted with Ultrascale wheels.  They both need renumbering to locos suitable for St Blazey  or Laira in 1998.  The grey loco destroyed its rods after throwing the quartering.  The nuts were locktighted in place and sheered off while trying to remove.  It needs new parts either from Ultrascale or a bodge with Gibson bits and a set of Brassmasters rods (which need painting).  All on hold while I decide what the next layout will look like.


     
    Preserved Steam
    Finally a preserved steam loco, intended to use on my VSOE set.  Hornby NRM edition of Flying Scotsman which has been slightly backdated to 1999 condition (removing the smoke deflectors) and given a coat of Klear to improve the finish along with light weathering.  It was originally converted to P4, then back to OO however I’ve lost the original tender wheels and have yet to source replacements
  5. The Fatadder

    1998 Class 37s: A Summary

    By The Fatadder,


    Summary: Class 37
    The past couple of weeks have seen a fair bit of work on Class 37s so here is an update to the fleet:
    37230: Transrail Dutch - Resprayed from a BR Blue Bachmann 37/0 with the ends modernised with high intensity headlights, fitted with Extreme Etchings roof and frost grills.  Currently OO 

     
    37057 Viking EW&S - A basket case body obtained from ebay which was stripped down and resprayed into EW&S livery (Phoenix EWS red and Vallejo Golden Yellow), a centre box body was converted (riveted strips added to the roof, removing the air horns and adding new ends.  Transfers were from Railtec. P4

     
     
    37403: BR Green - Respray from a Large Logo Blue loco, fitted with an Extreme Etchings roof grill, Heljan snowploughs and Dingham couplings.  Railtec transfers (and 3D plates) have been used, with the BR logo modified to 1998 condition hand painted to remove most of the colour. P4 

      
     
     
    37521 English China Clays: EWS - renumber of a Bachmann 37411 which has been fitted with  second hand set of Bachmann 37/5 ends.  A favourite loco, this is earmarked as the first of my EWS 37/4s to get the Extreme Etchings treatment.  I am also having thoughts about replacing the numbers with the Railtec product (rather than the Fox ones that have been used which are the wrong colour).  The left hand grills also need to be replaced with the one piece type. P4

     
     
    37612 DRS - This loco had previously been converted into refurbished condition, but has now been backdated to 1998 pre WIPAC lights.  It has had a full respray and an Extreme Etchings grill.  After discussion with Railtec Transfers I was able to get them to produce a new version of their DRS transfers without the web address.  I lost the doors from one side of the loco, so drew up a replacement as 3 layers of 10thou + a 10thou window frame and cut out on the silhouette.  Finally it was fitted with a set of Laserglaze for the cab windows (and Bachmann glazing for the rest.  There are still a couple of remaining jobs to do to finish the model off, needing the standard bufferbeam detailing and the multiple working jumpers adding to the ends (along with the missing cut off switches from the sides.) Currently OO with no couplings.  Not sure what has happened with the number, this will need to be fixed...

     
     
    37607 DRS, my second DRS loco intended as a pair to go with 612.  The model started as a very tatty Bachmann 37/4 in RFD livery, the bodyside window on one side was filled before respraying the dark grey band (as the prototype has a deeper grey band), ends were converted to a flush front with a set of Bachmann flush front ends from Rainbow Railways which I modified with the DRS jumper recess.   Speaking of the roof it has also been fitted with an Extreme Etchings roof grill.  Transfers are by Railtec.  As with 37612 there are still a few jobs to do on the ends, including the jumper cables and bufferbeam detail.) Oo with no couplings 

     
     
    37672 in Transrail  - Standard Bachmann release with weathering, P4

     
     
    37667 Meldon Quarry Centenary - Another renumber of a 37411, although in this case I have corrected the left hand grills to the solid type.  It was previously
    modelled in 2000s condition but has now been back dated with new ends and the Sandite port filled.  Still having problems matching in the gold stripe.
     In a honesty the loco is not needed and there are other locos which would be more interesting  choices (671 in transrail
    or 668 in EW&S) but as 667 was always a favourite it’s likely to stay.  Currently OO with screw links

     
     
    37670 St Blazey T&RS: EWS livery - Kernow Models release with the fuel tanks corrected.  It still needs the factory weathering improving and Dinghams fitting (not quite sure how it missed getting couplings in the run up to Wheal Imogen’s debut. P4 


    37065 Mainline
    Bachmann 37/0 which has been fitted with a converted flush and (ex 607) and resprayed into Mainline livery 
    P4, needs couplings, it has been fitted with new brake cylinders from my own print (the rest of the fleet need to be fitted still)
     

     
    Next Steps:
    There is still some minor detailing to finish adding pipe work to the buffer beams.  Several locos still have the Bachmann roof grills, which will eventually need retrofitting (along with incorporating the weathering)
     
    I am also starting to think about further chassis modifications, lowering the body and improving the fuel tanks.   Finally at some point the windscreens need work, either a complete job with the Shawplan etch or possibly just adding the missing window frames.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  6. The Fatadder

    1998 Class 47s: A summary

    By The Fatadder,


    Summary Class 47
    An update to the Class 47 summary, as before this is intended to serve as a record of the fleet (as well as something of an index, with previous blog posts having covered the work in more detail).
    For Wheal Imogen the fleet is not the most useful, given that the Railfreight 47s tended to only be used on the long distance routes out of the county, however they will all become more useful at some point in the future when the big project can finally commence…
     
    47338 in Railfreight Distribution
    When starting work on Wheel Imogen I wanted to include as much variation in locomotives as possible to ensure a bit of variation rather than endless 37s of various colours.  I had a stripped down Bachmann 57/3 chassis in the parts box, to which an ebay RF 47 body was added.  The underframe tanks are from Heljan, and the bogies were modified to remove the sandboxes.
    The bodyside has had some light weathering based on a couple of photos of the loco looking relatively clean, however the roof still needs a lot more dirt.  It has the rusty marks where the previous nameplate had been removed (the main reason for choosing this loco), and retained its depot plaques (which still need replacing with an etch).  This loco has been rewheeled with Maygibs.

     
    47051 in Railfreight Distribution
    This started off as a Bachmann body which was sourced via a friend, as with 338 it ended up destined for an existing chassis from a spare class 57 (this time a Freightliner 57/0) again loosing the sandboxes and gaining new underframe tanks.  This time I modified the 57/0 lighting boards to fit the 47 body (the logic being that 338 and 051 will typically work in multiple.  Eventually one of the pair will likely loose its chassis and be rebuilt as a non running loco on a pair of spare Heljan bogies (purely to run in multiple with the other on the polybulk / clay tigers).  It currently remains on its original OO wheels.
    Weathering again follows prototype photos, this time from 1997 during which it had the E W S lettering wiped into the dirt on the bodyside.  It lost the depot plaques sometime in mid 1998, so as with 338 still requires the etch adding.  [update] I am a little torn about the condition of this one, with my plans shifting a touch from 97/98 to 98/99 (up to the point of the introduction of FGW livery), so the depot plaques probably should be removed...

     
    47016 Atlas Railfreight Large Logo Grey
    The most recent addition to the fleet, A Vitrains model which has been resprayed into large logo grey.  It still needs a few refinements (it is missing bogie steps and still needs Extreme Etchings roof grills adding), along with a single Atlas nameplate on one side.  It is a particularly versatile loco, with photos of it working on engineers, freight and most interestingly for Virgin Cross Country, with a photo of 016 passing Dawlish on its way to Penzance.  The loco is currently still running on OO wheels

     
    47768 Resonant RES
    A Vitrains model which has been fitted with Extreme Etchings roof grills and etched nameplate, the RES blue flashes were redone the correct colour, and the RES depot plaques carefully removed from the cab sides (which required a minor paint touch up).  Light weathering has started, however requires further attention to both the bogies and roof.  Working from prototype photos the additional pipe was added across the roof grills.  In the late 90s some of the RES fleet could be found working on St Blazey clay trains while the drivers built up their type knowledge, an excuse for a slightly more unusual visitor to the works.  As such it is currently fitted with a set of Maygibs in P4

     
    48817 Institution of Mechanical Engineers Virgin
    Another Vitrains model fitted with Extreme Etchings roof grills, the cab sides had to be resprayed as part of the renumber process due to the thin Vitrains paint.  From memory this loco also required modifications to the boiler port plating (again with the EE parts).  This is my second model of this loco, replacing an earlier Heljan example which died of Mazac rot.  The prototype was not named until after my period, but as with its predecessor it was named in memory of my time studying Engineering at university.   This loco remains in OO [update] This loco will eventually end up getting replaced with an Intercity 47 carrying the same name, with the Virgin example gaining a new number.  However I suspect it will require a full respray to hide the nameplate scar so it is not in any way a priority.  While I know the loco is wrong for my period it is one of those errors that I can live with....

     
    47709 Fraggonset
    Yet another Vitrains model back from the days when you could pick one up from Hattons for forty quid (why didn’t I buy more!)  Resprayed into Fraggonset black after the usual EE treatment to the roof grills.  It has been fitted with the condenser pipe to the underframe takes using a spare removed from the scrapped 57/3 that eventually ended up providing a chassis for 47338.  Not the most useful loco in the fleet, as one of the less interesting alternative locos to substitute for Virgins Class 47s.   If other projects and disposals go to plan in 2022 this will likely end up as my final Fraggonset loco from a fleet that once numbered seven). [update] the loco has experienced some damage in storage with both roof grills broken, so it will require some work before I can start weathering it.

     
    47813 SS Great Britain  Great Western Trains
    The final ViTrains class 47 in the fleet, originally an Intercity Swallow example before respraying in GWT green (and of course replacing the rubbish ViTrains roof grills).   I think this one also had modifications to the boiler port covers.  As well as use on the GWT sleeper and HST drags, I also have a photo of it on a west bound Virgin XC service which I think it rescued at Exeter.  This was always intended to replace 47830 in the fleet. As with most of the passenger 47s It is still in OO

     
    47830 Great Western Trains
    A Heljan model which was resprayed as 47830, currently lacking underframe tanks which were required for one of the Railfreight locos.  The loco was never actually put back together fully after the respray (and has lost its underframe tanks under one of the railfreight 47s)…  Having seen others have some success slimming down the Heljan chassis block to use with a Lima or ViTrains body, I suspect that is the final destination for this loco (more likely than not ending up under 47798)

     
    47798 Prince William  EWS Royal Train
    Respray to follow, will likely utilise 47830's Heljan chassis block.
     
    For the Display Case:
    Also for the display case are models of 47853 (Heljan) and 57601 (Bachmann), 853 is fitted with P4 wheels and may eventually end up giving up its chassis for another project.  57601 needs a little work to sort out its underframe (its tanks having been pinched for one of my Railfreight locos). 


     
    The future
    Looking forward, other than the continuation of work on the weathering front there remain a couple of omissions.  The key omission from a future fleet perspective is an Intercity Swallow 47/8, all be it not a very pressing requirement given that the Virgin fleet is well provided for already.   This will probably end up as either 47840 North Star or combined with a renumber of 817 as 841.  The plan is to source a Bachmann 47/8 body in Intercity which will get fitted to one of the RFD locos chassis.  The RDF body would then get fitted to a dummy chassis comprising Heljan bogies and a Vitrains underframe to run in multiple with its partner.
     
    When purchasing a damaged loco to provide a chassis for 47016 I got another decent body of a 47/7.  I hadnt realised  I was getting an ex Res loco (with the modified tail lights) which scuppered my original plan of using it for an Intercity respray.  Instead it will end up as 
    The plan is that I will slim down the chassis from 47830 to provide a chassis for 47798 once it is resprayed, although if I find another cheap Vitrains model at around the £45 price point I will no doubt just buy another chassis (and have another body to find an identity for.  Longer term I want to see what can be done about the underframes to bring them up to a similar standard as the latest Bachmann releases…
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  7. The Fatadder

    Formations for Brent: Plymouth - Paddington

    By The Fatadder,


    Passenger Formations
    This is the current project, with most coaches still receiving attention.  Once complete it will rotate into the fiddleyard taking the place of the Centenaries.  This rake has originated out of the desire to model a slip coach.  It will comprise the aformentioned Comet slip coach, Hornby models of the D95 and E127 (both with some branding changes and the roofs repainted), the Comet E155 that is eventually intended for the Riviera set, a Slaters toplight C28, a rebuilt Hornby H33 dining car and a concertina D43 brake third.  Eventually there will be a few more changes, the E155 will eventually move to the Riviera set where it was originally intended to go.  Once the C77 replacements are complete, it will leave a couple of spare bodies which will give their roofs and underframes (once shortened) to be combined with a set of Comet sides / ends. This will give either an E155 or E158 to go in this formation allowing the correctly numbered E155 to go back to the Riviera.  There is still a fair bit of painting to be completed, as well as the finishing of interiors, gangways and couplings.
     
    Formation:
    70ft Brake Third - Concertina D43

    Composite - E127 Hornby

    Dining Car - H33 Hornby / Comet

    Composite - E155 Comet

    Third - C28 Toplight Slaters

    Brake Third - D95 Hornby

    Slip F24 - Comet 

  8. The Fatadder

    20303 in DRS pt 2

    By The Fatadder,


    20/3
    The next big job was to prepare the lower half of the body, adding new transfers (pre made sets from Fox for the numbers) and repainting the black ‘footplate’ into DRS blue.  Thankfully Rainbow Railways DRS blue is a near perfect match with Bachmann’s once you’ve added a coat of varnish to tone down the gloss, it also covered very nicely over a black undercoat.  While the blue was out I also touched in the area where a handrail knob ad been removed from each side when shortening the handrails. 

    Next up the ends, in the topic on the Bachmann 20/3 Si Bendal listed the differences between the original batch and the later ones as modelled by Bachmann.  One thing I had missed was the nose multiple working sockets are mounted much higher.  So it was out with the knife to carefully carve it off for reuse (and yet more paint repairs needed.). I’m thinking now there’s going to be no chance to avoid re spraying both ends)
     
    A little later it was into the roof, masking off before spraying with the same B&Q tin I used on 20302.  Unfortunately I was unaware it is on its last legs and resulted in a couple of bits that need touching up (thank god for weathering!)  


    so that just leaves the yellow to sort, I’ve removed the cab front windows just in case I need to spray the front (it will likely want varnishing at any rate)
  9. The Fatadder

    20303 in DRS (1998)

    By The Fatadder,


    20/3
    Last year I finally finished off my conversion of an original centre box Bachmann 20 into 20302 in the original DRS livery.  Along with my pair of DRS 37s the plan was always for a pair of DRS 20s, Bachmann’s livery cock up on their DRS 20/3 release and offer of replacement bodies offered a solution.  Thanks to @WILLIAMfor offering me the original incorrect body from his 20/3 I was set to go.
     
    The model has the DRS logos in the wrong place for 306 onwards, and the wrong roof colour /end detail for 301-5 (for which the logo is right). 
     
    So the plan for the model:
    - remove the lights board from the inner end in order to get the new body to fit on an old chassis (still to be sourced)
    -remove NRN roof pod and relocate further back
    -Extreme Etchings roof grill
    -repaint the roof in grey
    -Cab end, remove centre headlight and multi working socket / fill holes and touch up paint.
    - nose end, remove centre headlight fill hole and touch up paint.
    -fuel tanks - add gauge to ends
    - handrail - shorten by one panel on right hand side, fill the 5mm gap halfway along the length 
    - I will also probably replace the logos with the transfers I already have for consistency between the two locos.
    -use leftover multi working socket to upgrade 302, also rebuild the exhaust ports to match the newer body.  I will also beef up the thickness of the WIPACs to match the new model
    - renumber (ipa and a cocktail stick to remove the originals)
    edit: in addition I now realise the nose multiple working socket should be higher on the early locos as do the washer jets. And the ‘footplate’ needs painting blue
    The start point

    the current state after most of the plastic work is complete.  I couldn’t find a spare roof pod so made one from plastic following a guide on James Wells website.  The lights were removed from the circuit board, lens removed and filled with evergreen rod.  Now ready to start painting the roof.
     
    The big question remaining is whether the footplate on the early DRS locos should be black or blue…
    Currently 302 has it blue and the ex 306 black, so one needs fixing…
     
  10. The Fatadder
    The final task on the coach sides was to add the additional grills to the side of DC975280 following the usual approach chain drilling holes around the edge and splicing in a new grill cut from a pikestuff door.   With that done the two coaches were primed, with 975280 this was pretty straightforward with a good result.  With 975081 it was a little more difficult, while the coach side looked in a good position as soon as primer was added it showed up pretty much every joint needed rework.  In particular slight dips in the filler, these were resolved by adding a line of superglue over the joint which was filed back 24 hours later.  

     
    With the support coaches done it was time to start on the actual optical car, while there is a 3d printed kit available for this vehicle it bares so little resemblance to the prototype it is of no value as a basis.  I think Britannia Pacific Models also produced a RTR version, however this appears to be only for the Network Rail version (and is very expensive), so the most sensible route is converting a Bachmann VBA as per Mick Bryan's posts elswhere on the forum (and in Update).   I dont think an accurate drawing is available, so I have been working scaling from a number of photos on Fickr.  I have deviated slightly from Mick's approach and instead of using the VBA body (with the doors filed flush / holes filled in) I have used just the roof on a plasticard body.  So far I have only prepared the chassis and the first end, the next is to follow this evening before I need to decide upon how I am going to model the centre narrow body...

  11. The Fatadder

    Structure gauging train pt4

    By The Fatadder,


    Structure Gauging Train
    A little more work this evening, the sides have been tidied up and glued to the roof along with fitting the cab end.  The raised panel on one side was added with 10thou plasticard and a grill cut from a pikestuff door.  
    I have also removed all of the roof detail, I think I’m right in saying that it had rovac vents fitted instead of the old style ones.  A new NRM roof pod has been glued in place along with the new cab side windows.  It’s now ready for a coat of primer which will show up how good a job I’ve made of the sides…

    The end still needs the missing steps at the bottom adding, along with working out a solution for the numerous spotlights and the boxes for the head / tail lights.



  12. The Fatadder

    Structure gauging train pt3 975081

    By The Fatadder,


    Structure Gauging Train
    Next up was the other mk1 975081 using a Bachmann BSK and an extra mk1 side for the extra windows.  This time a fair bit of cutting was required to rearrange the side and get the windows in the right place.  I started by following a drawing completely missing that it had 3 windows in the wrong place.  Thankfully this was caught before it dried and redone.  Both sides are now waiting for the solvent to fully cure before starting work filling two redundant windows.  The cab side windows were cut using spare DC Kits etches as a guide.

     
    the inside was reinforced with additional plasticard


    Moving on to the cab front, I found it rathe awkward working on the end of the mk1, so my plan is to use a spare DC Kits EPB cab which I have reprofiled to match the Bachmann mk1 end, added the lower  cut outs and shortened the centre window.   To this I have a modified Bachmann corridor connection and a Replica high intensity headlight to add.    The plan is to glue this to the sides/roof assembly which along with the interior will attach to the underframe / other end. 

    I still need to work out how I will tackle the numerous lights on the end…
  13. The Fatadder

    Structure gauging train pt2

    By The Fatadder,


    Structure Gauging Train
    Today I have managed a little more work on DC975280, with a coat of filler applied to the door joints and window blanks that were filled yesterday.
     
    While that dries I have moved onto DC975081.  This is a much more involved conversion requiring chopping up the side to move windows around (plus a window from another side). I am sure I have spare regional railways mk1 sides somewhere (left over from TPO conversions) but I haven’t a clue as to where!   I know I gave some away but was sure I kept at least one pair.
     At any rate I have found a spare mk 1 in a stock box which will do for now (and likely would eventually be TPO fodder anyway).
     
    the first side was stripped before cutting into six pieces (of which one was scrap). The end section was drilled for a cab window (for which I am using a spare DC Kits etch). The window was drilled and cut before cutting the side (to preserve strength in the plastic) 
     
    before gluing the side back together I have filled the 3 redundant windows, once dry tomorrow evening these will be carved to shape, before assembelling the coach side.  Then it’s onto the other side (which needs even more cutting)
     
     
  14. The Fatadder

    Structure gauging train in 1998 pt1

    By The Fatadder,


    Structure Gauging Train
    For a long time I have wanted to add a Serco test train to my 1998 fleet.  There are two candidates that I have been considering, the rebuilt 101 tractor unit (for which I already have Lima / Bill Bedford parts) and the Structure Gauging Train.
     
    in the end i have decided to start with the latter, mostly following Mick Bryan’s posts as a guide using a Bachmann mk1 BSK and BCK, mk2a and a VBA as a basis.
     
    last night I started work on DB975289, redundant windows were squared off and plugged with sections of 60thou plasticard.  These were left standing proud of the side, and were then carved to match the profile of the coach this evening.
     
    The redundant doors had 10thou square strip glued in the gaps before cutting flush with the side.  The next step is going to be adding a skim of filler to fill any gapes around the joint between the infill
    and the body.  Then it’s onto the next coach which needs additional windows splicing in.

  15. The Fatadder

    Dean Goods pt4 - paint

    By The Fatadder,


    Locos
    A break in the rain this evening allowed me to get the Dean Goods painted, Halfords etch primer at lunchtime  followed by a coat of their satin black.  This was followed by a first pass at weathering, adding a dirty black/brown mix to the frames and footplate and a start to dirtying up the boiler top.  It needs transfers (for which I’ve ran out of GWR transfers for the tender) before it can be mat varnished so I can get on with the weathering powders.  For the moment it looks a bit odd with dirty mat finish top and bottom and a very shiny boiler side in between

     
     
    I have fitted a Lenz gold in the tender, to get it to fit I ended up hacking away a big chunk of the moulded insides of the tender (hidden by the coal load).  The load will eventually get covered with real coal once the weathering is done.
     
    Ive ordered nameplates from Narrow Planet (but they may take a while to arrive), so the only other job remaining is sorting out the break linkage on the other side.
  16. The Fatadder
    A delivery from Brassmasters today with the remaining parts for the Dean Goods, I have replaced the oil pipe cover with the Finney part (which has a little more meat to it than the Oxford one).  A pair of Finney lamp irons were added to the footplate (I think these were missing on the base model), I am debating replacing the end lamp irons as well.  Finally on the engine the Finney smokebox door dart was glued in place.

     
    Moving onto the tender, a pair of Springside break / water scoop handles were glued in place.  Another lamp iron was glued into position on the rear of the tender.  The biggest change was to the tender top, gluing in place the  Finney dome  and filler.  The dome needed filing down to size to get it to fit, (part being hidden under the coal).  

    If the the weather is dry tomorrow it will get primed (and hopefully sprayed into wartime black)

  17. The Fatadder
    The first job for this project was to completely strip the existing awful paint finish from the model, it was stripped down to its component parts.  This included the removal of the chimney, splashers, smokebox door, fall plate, whistles, handrails and buffers.   The removed parts were stuck to a length of masking tape to keep safe, somehow it has disappeared in the garage.  Thankfully this only contains the whistles, pipes along the footplate and buffers, so nothing irreplaceable.
     
    With that done it was dunked into a bath of 70% IPA, left for an hour and then scrubbed with an old toothbrush.  This was followed by another soak in IPA and removing the remaining paint with cotton buds and cocktail sticks.   With the main body of the loco and tender prepared, the same process was followed with the splashers, smokebox door and chimney.  As the paint started to come off, the moulded detail started to return and you could finally see some washout plugs.

    That said, the washout plugs still looked a little anaemic, so they have all been drilled out in preparation for adding some Gibson replacements.  The splashers have all been modified to remove the extra rivets.  I did give a lot of thought as to whether or not I should have a go at improving the splasher size, in the end I decided to leave it alone given that while fixing the separate ones the splasher integrated with the cab side would be more difficult to get a consistent finish.  a little more sanding is needed on the cab side to remove the last remains of the old moulded number plate, while the boiler could do with a little fettling with emery paper as well.

     
    The tender needed a little more attention to repair some damage, both front handrails had previously snapped in the centre so these had to be removed and replaced with brass wire.  The rear handrails were completely missing, so some replacements were added with 0.45mm wire and Markits handrail knobs.  While the removal of the original paint had certainly helped improve the damage under the former BR early crest, a little filler was needed to fill the remaining cuts in the tender side.  This still needs a further coat of filler this evening to complete the job.   Finally the missing short buffer between loco and tender was added.  After a quick look I couldnt see an obvious source of these buffers, but had a feeling that I had some brass nails for hanging photos which was of a similar size. The head was filed down to get rid of the domed top, while the shaft was cut to length with an old pair of Xurons before gluing into place.   
    The final job on the tender was to remove the moulded parts for the filler etc from the rear of the tender, and add a plasticard spacer into the resulting gap.  This will mostly end up covered with the Finney dome and separate filler once my order arrives.  The only other jobs remaining on the tender are to add a missing lamp iron to the centre of the tender back (again in the Brassmasters order), and to add Dinghams.   The latter will need the hooks modifying to fit in the Oxford slot thanks to the bizarre choice for a die cast tender chassis.   There is also a very annoying scraping noise coming from the tender pickups, so that will need some attention in due course.

     
    I think I am going to be modelling 2534 or 2578 (both Bristol St Phillips March locos).  However I have not managed to find a late 1940s photo of either loco, just much later images in BR days.  2578 is shown with the additional step on the side of the smokebox, and a horizontal rear handrail in BR condition, but no way of determining when these changes were made.  In both cases there is no clear view of the tender, so I am assuming like the majority they would be with the separate dome / filler unlike the model.  
    I have now placed an order with Brassmasters for the Finney castings for the tender dome/filler, smokebox door dart, along with the smokebox pipe cover (which I think looks a little oddly proportioned).  I will need to scratch build the missing brake linkage on the other side of the chassis as I cant see mention anywhere of a source of Oxford Rail spares.
     
    Unless a prototype image comes up saying otherwise, the plan is currently that I will finish the model in wartime black (of course if anyone has more info about either of these two locos in the late 40s  it would be very welcome).  The model will likely stay without numbers for the time being until I get around to placing a Narrow Planet order for another batch of numbers.
     
     
     
     
     
  18. The Fatadder
    Another new restoration project sourced from eBay for the bargain price of just under £30 will add an Oxford Rail Dean Goods to the loco fleet.
    The source model is the later release (with single flywheel and coreless motor), has had a very bad respray (along with some damaged detail parts) and was sold as a non runner because the seller was confused about the loco - tender coupling and DCC.  In fact it is just a standard DCC ready release and once loco and tender are connected runs nicely.
    Dean Goods were not exactly a common sight in 1947 Devon, however I have seen mention somewhere of a Dean Goods getting to Laira in 46/47 on a freight.  This is something I find quite plausible having previously found a photo of a Dukedog on a Bristol – Laira freight, though my most likely use will be that the loco ends up pinched to run on a local freight while it was in Devon.

    Work will involve:
    Finding a suitable loco which matches the core details (boiler/cabside cut out/ cab width) of the Oxford model, other details like the chimney, tender dome etc can be rebuilt).  Preference is going to be for a Bristol sheded loco.
    Strip down and full respray, I am tempted to do the respray with body and chassis joined together in order to hopefully reduce the impact of the gap between upper and lower boiler.  The intention is to save Oxford’s cab interior. 
    Add missing washout plugs (Gibson)
    Potential changes to chimney and tender dome (Coastline Models via Shapeways)
    Repairs to model: It needs a new smokebox dart, castings on the tender and tender handrails
    DCC
    Etched plates (Narrow Planet)
    Dingham couplings
    Finally the chassis is missing the brake linkage from one side, hopefully Oxford will sell a spare for this (do they even do spares?) else it will need fabricating.
     


    The start point…
  19. The Fatadder

    Train Formations

    By The Fatadder,

    Having managed to loose a lot of my past research during various computer changes through the years, I am going to document it here in order to try and avoid having to do it another time! Now I have no layout to run this on in the works, nor likely to build one any time soon (with Brent in 1947 and my Cameo China Clay layouts a priority).
    In the long term I still would like to build a continuous run exhibition layout set in 1998 with a focus on the Devon or Cornwall mainline.
     
    For this the majority of the multiple units will already be built for Wheal Imogen, however the more interesting workings will be far too long to be running on my version of the Newquay branch running across the front of the layout.
     
    All of the below have been verified with photos
     
    Great Western Trains:
    Paddington - Penzance Sleeper (shortened)
    Penzance: 47813; Mk2d BSO 9481; Mk2d TSO 6200 (ex 7window  First); Mk2e FOt 3520; Mk3a Sleeper; Mk3a Sleeper; Mk3a Sleeper; Mk3a Sleeper (optional for a Friday service); London
    Day Time Loco Hauled:
    Penzance: 47830; Mk1 BG; Mk2d TSO (7); Mk2d TSO (7); Mk2d TSO (7); Mk2d TSO (8); Mk2d TFO; Mk2d TFO; There was an article in Modern Railway Modelling with a lot more information on these workings, including the alternative formation with a Mk1 RFB. I think one of the Mk2s in this formation is modified with catering facilities, but need to confirm which. All coaches in Intercity 
    HST Down
    43007 - Intercity TGS, TS, TS, TS, TS, Restaurant , TF, TF   43151 - Intercity
    HST up
    43168 - GWT, TGS, TS, TS, TS, TS, Restaurant, TF, TF , 43185 - GWT
    GWT Sleeper
    47813: Mk2D BSO either 9481 or 9492, Mk2D TSO 7 window ex first so 6200,  Mk2E FOt 3520, 3 sleepers (4 for a Friday) and a mk1 full break.
     
    Virgin
    HST Virgin Cross Country
    43155 Virgin XC; TGS, TS, TS, TS, TS, Buffet, TF, 43157 Virgin
    Loco hauled
    47817, Mk2d BSO (Virgin), Mk2e TSO Virgin, Mk2e TSO Virgin Mk2e IC, Mk2e virgin, mk2f first buffet virgin
     
    Wales and West
    Class 158
    Class 150
    Class 153
    plus I believe I am right in saying there were still a few Class 101 around
     
    South West Trains
    Class 159
     
    Pathfinder Gnome Railtours
    Railtour Pathfinder Gnome, coaches in Waterman Railways livery
    37669 mk2 BSO, mk2 BSO, mk2 TSO, mk2 TSO, mk2 TSO 37403
    Pathfinder Gnome Tour
    Need to identify what diagram these coaches are.
     
    VSOE Railtour
    I have no evidence of it reaching Plymouth in my period (the earliest I have found was circa 2004), however I have a model of the formation in the works and will want to run it.    I havent ironed out the exact formation yet, only the breakdown of coaches that I intend to model.  I have found one potential candidate (if I can identify the coaches) on Flickr. Although I would likley simplify the non pullman end coaches to have a mk1 brake on one end and the mk1 kitchen on the other.   Modelling is initially discussed in this old Blog 
    Formation will follow:  
     
    Mail by Rail
    TPO
    One formation is: Loco: NAA, NTA, NSA, NTA, NSA, NSA (t), NUA, NAA
    Another possibility is the Bristol Penzance NFA, NSA, NTA, NSA(t), NFA, NBA, NBA according to the EWS list, although not on Aug 27 1998 as shown here TPO on Flickr
    Other Parcels
    Workings consist of blocks of either PCV GUV GUV PCV or BG GUV GUV BG, actual formations to be added.
     
    Other
    Class 47, Mk1 barrier, ex works mk3, Mk1 barrier
    HST powercar, Mk1 Barrier, HST Powercar 
     
    A full copy of the timetable plan will eventually appear here.
  20. The Fatadder

    56049 complete

    By The Fatadder,


    56049
    The final update on 56049 for now (at least until I make a start on weathering it)
     
    After receiving a coat of Testers Dullcote, the model was fitted with the missing handrails (the longer side of the cab door handrails all snapped when the model was stripped down).  With that done the remaining orange cantrail stripe around the cab was painted on. 
     
    It has been converted to P4 however the gears are a little loose on the new axles and it doesnt run too well, I need to source a set of Heljan gears which should solve the problem.  I am thinking about test fitting an axle from a Heljan 47 Ultrascale pack with the aim of ordering a modified set from Ultrascale (that way the wheels will be the right size.)
     
    With that done it was time to reassemble the glazing, followed by the lighting.  The latter was fine at one end (but was missing from the other) so some thought will need to be put into working lights on the other end.  It is missing the Hornby lenses at that end so will need to find a way of replacing those.
     




  21. The Fatadder
    A start on the transfers highlighted an error in my painting, with the yellow extending slightly too far on the cantrail.  The orange cantrail still needs to be extended around the cab roof (but this will be painted rather than transfers, and the transfers for the number haven’t worked too well and will need removing and reapplying with new transfers as there is far too much backing film showing.
    However it’s nice to see the Transrail logos on.  Onto the other side…
     

     
    edit: a little more work last night got the roof corrected and the other sides transfers added.
     
  22. The Fatadder
    At lunch today I was able to get on with the next stage of work on 56049, with a coat of primer applied before work this morning highlighting a number of areas which needed rework (with some gaps around the new cab, damage to the side around the new "Loadhaul" cantrail grill.  I then spotted some random holes in one cab end roof (and the holes for the Hornby lamp irons) so these all needed to be filled as well.  The lamp irons will be replaced with etched ones once the respray is complete. 
     
    While working on the process of applying filler, then primer and repeat.  I spotted the ends were missing the radio aerials, I had a set of Shawplan etches for the base plates in the scrap box so these were quickly glued in place. 
     
    The doors arrived from Peter's Spares this morning (next day delivery), these will be painted black and fitted after painting.
     
    The body is now ready for paint, so hopefully it will get a coat of Vallejo yellow this evening...



  23. The Fatadder

    56049 part 1

    By The Fatadder,


    56049
    As mentioned on my layout thread I have been distracted by another loco project
    with a Hornby class 56 that Will had modified to fit a new cab so that it has two different ends.   It will eventually be
    finished in Transrail branded Dutch (with white numbers at one end and black at the other). 
     
    My work so far:
    Minor chassis repairs
    Fitting of Extreme Etchings horn grills (with a different version at each end)
    Extreme Etchings jacking point covers
    Replica high intensity headlight (at one end only) 
    BR built windscreen (EE etch) fitted to the new end 
    Hornby’s awful roof grills were removed in advance of replacing with the EE etch.  For the moment I have removed the original
    etches and refitted the frames ready for mounting the new etches.
    EE etches for the Loadhaul improved cantrail grills were fitted.
    Doors will be refitted post painting to
    simplify masking 

     
    Remaining work:
    fit roof grills
    replace a missing cantrail grill, the aim is to fabricate this from a spare bodyside grill (as I don’t fancy changing all of them
    I have a set of etched bufferbeam steps to fit (along with the usual Dinghams / air pipes)
    a tiny bit mod
    filler is needed on the joint 
    then I can paint…
  24. The Fatadder

    37065 - Complete (for now...)

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    A couple of dry evenings has resulted in a lot of progress on 37065, which has now been fully resprayed into Mainline livery (using Rainbow Railways acrylic Mainline Blue, Model Air Grey Black for the roof and a mix of Model Air chrome yellow and Model Colour golden yellow for the ends.
    After a coat of gloss varnish, Fox transfers were used for the body strip and silver numbers, it is an odd sheet as it includes numbers for all classes, two sets of stripes, but they sell different packs for different classes with the different sized Mainline logos (it turned out mine was for a 73 which were too big).  Also two big were the 37xxx numbers in blue (I am assuming the centre box locos had bigger numbers on the ends).  Thankfully a sheet of NSE coach numbers was the perfect size so I could add the end numbers (as ever regretting not sourcing some from Railtec while I was adding the numbers one by one.  With this done the model gained a coat of mat varnish before reassembling.  (It will get a set of rub down Mainline logos in the future to complete the loco)
     
    full bufferbeam detail has been added (Intercity Models / Heljan), although it does still need a Dingham next time I build a batch.

    There are still a few jobs outstanding, it needs the lighting boards reconnecting to the main circuit, the lights all need glazing, and eventually it will need modifications to the fuel tanks and windscreen.  For the latter I want to see if any of the current laserglaze parts will fit (along with a silouhette cut window frame.)   Finally I need to find someway of securing the body and chassis as the body is missing its retaining screws (and the bufferbeams were cut away from the chassis block.  The most obvious solution is to do a chassis swap with another loco which does have the central body attachments, so one can be held on at the ends and the other in the centre.
     
    All in all I am really pleased with this little project, which really should be the last class 37 added to the fleet.  I say should because the master plan would really need another 37/5 in Transrail (and LoadHaul 37s just look so good!)  It should at least be the last 37/0 at least, given how less frequently they would be seen in the SW relative to the refurbs. 
  25. The Fatadder

    20302 finishing touches

    By The Fatadder,


    1998 Locos
    With the arrival of Bachmann's 20/3 plastered over the forums, its about time I finished off my model of 20302 converted from the original Bachmann 20.  As a refresh it has been converted with the use of Extreme Etchings parts for the new windows and roof grill, scratch built long range fuel tanks and an additional grill added to the side.
     
    Last nights work was focused around adding the orange cantrail stripe, scratch building the NRN roof pod and finally replacing the handrails (the originals had long since been lost).  Just need to build another to run with it (as both will be weathered as a pair)


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