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46444

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  1. 46444
    'Hello. Welcome and Good Evening' as a well known TV presenter who once lived in Raunds, Northamptonshire might have said.
     
    Sat on my workbench for a number of years have been two partially completed Dapol/Airfix Prestwin wagon kits.
     
    These kits stem from Airfix, being released in 1964. However, Rosebud/Kitmaster originating from Raunds had been taken over by Airfix in the early 1960's.
     
    From memory the current incarnation of this kit from Dapol has soft recycled plastic. Thankfully they still go together nicely. 
     
     
    Originally, I was batch building four of these kits. Two were for good friends and were completed. With a recent week off work I decided to clear out a number of outstanding wagon projects including the two remaining Prestwin's.
     
     
     
    Both kits had Alan Gibson wheels fitted. In addition to this Mr.Franks finest  Lanarkshire Model Supplies (LMS) cast buffers and coupling hooks were fitted. 
     
    Sprayed with Halfords grey plastic primer Revell and Valejo acrylics were brush applied. Once dry a light coat of Halfords Satin Varnish was applied. 
     
    Transfers are from Fox and sealed with Johnson's Kleer. Once more a light dusting Halfords Satin sealed everything. Weathering and couplings await.
     
    These old Dapol/Airfix kits build up nicely, and once more show a cost effective means of acquiring new wagons. 
     
     
    What with the Kitmaster and the Sir David Frost connection, as well as the shoe factory famous for the 'Kinky Boots' musical, Raunds should certainly be on the map. 
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
  2. 46444
    Recently Hornby have released their 6 wheeled Sentinel in the guise of L81 which represents the first of three Sentinel's acquired second hand to replace the venerable LT Pannier tanks.
     

     
    Unfortunately with the prototypes their wheelbase was insufficient to operate track circuits on the main line. To address this a tender was attached fitted with a trip cock. 
     

     
    The tenders were manufactured from 'Q' stock bogies. The tender and Sentinel carried conventional coupling gear as well as Ward-Lock couplings.  This allowed the shunting of other Underground stock. 
     
    Difficulties in fitting the Ward-Lock couplings made fitting of normal buffers to the Sentinel's problematic. To address this wooden buffers we're fitted to the Sentinel's front end with a Ward-Lock coupling.
     
    The tenders were able to accommodate Ward-Lock couplings as well as standard hinged oval buffers. 
     
    CDC Kits have come to the rescue with a 3D printed tender. A choice of buffer positions are available.
     
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225753447991?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=0CsmXNqgQWK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=MNMqJGNPSxi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
     
    I chose the buffers down version. On arrival other than paint and couplings the kit is ready to go. Unless...
     
    If you look at prototype pictures of these tenders coupled to the Sentinel's you will see tender runs at the same height as the Sentinel's buffer beam.
     
    The CDC kit is supplied running on 12mm Dapol wagon wheels. This then gives a stepped appearance between tender/Sentinel.
     
    To address this holes were drilled out for brass axle bearings. Then Gibson 10mm Lowmac were fitted which lowers the ride height of the tender correcting it.
     

     
    In using tension lock couplings, lowering the tender then ensures coupling height is the same as the representation of the Ward-Lock coupling housings on the tender. 
     
    As you can see from the photo below markings have been set out for drilling holes for Bachmann NEM fitting tension locks.
     

     
    Finer handrails will be soldered up for the tender as well to match the Sentinel. 
     
    Livery wise on the prototype the tender was finished in black with a red buffer beam, white handrails and collector shoes. 
     

     
    More soon once I've fired up the soldering iron.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
  3. 46444
    Lurking on the work bench have been two EFE Western National, Bristol LS' which I have been detailing. Both were picked up for less than £10 each secondhand.
     
    Inspired by the Lincolnshire Road Car Bristol LS on Tony Wright's Little Bytham I asked Ian Wilson at Pacific Models to make me up some printed destination screens for this pair. 
     
    I supplied Ian with the dimensions of the screens, destination and route numbers. In this instance services which would have originated from Tavistock, crossing the River Tamar at Gunnislake.
     

     
    For those who have never used Ian's products they are easy to use and in this instance self adhesive. Link below to the Pacific Models website:
     
    http://www.pacificmodels.co.uk/
     
    The turn around tine was excellent and the destination screen sheet arrived quickly with plenty of spares.
     
    Both models were broken down into their component parts. 
     

     
    Using a new scalpel blade, the destination screens were carefully cut out using a steel ruler. Being self adhesive they were applied easily over the existing factory finished ones.
     
    Using Halfords Satin varnish light coats were applied to seal the destination screens as well as dull the high gloss finish.
     
    Numberplates were included for suitable prototypes as well.
     

     
    The window mouldings were dipped into Johnson's Kleer and allowed to dry.
     
    Then the raised window frame detailing was inked in using a silver Sharpie permanent marker. Cleaning up was  carried out with a cocktail stick.
     

     
    Scale Link produce a sheet of etched brass vehicle door mirrors (Sheet SLF 137). This provides the drivers rear view  mirrors for this brace.
     
    A coat of Halfords grey primer, followed by their satin black gave a good finish. I am not sure if these mirrors should be green? The silver Sharpie helped give a mirror effect.
     
    Using prototype reference shots the mirror fixing points were ascertained and holes drilled for them. The Scale Link mirrors were fixed with contact adhesive. In my eyes this does help to lift the EFE model. 
     

     
    Essentially the detailing work is finished. I will paint the wheel arches and lightly weather both buses. Driver and conductor figures as well as passengers will be added. 
     
    With a bit of work these older EFE models can certainly be lifted to another level. 
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
  4. 46444
    Bit of an update on the wagon building miscellany. 
     
    The Three Peaks Models, Lancashire & Yorkshire Low Goods Wagons are coming on well. I must say how pleased I am with these kits. 
     
    Following on from reading Jonathan's West End Workbench, I decided to drill out the axle boxes to receive Alan Gibson brass bearings.
     

     
     

     
    One is finished in BR unfitted grey. The other is in late LMS livery. Sole bars are to be painted brown on the latter. 
     

     
    The LMS version will recieve BR numbers/patching etc.
     
    The Airfix/Mainline BR/WR/ex-GWR Bogie Bolster A  has been weathered.
     

     

     
    Again a selection of Valejo and Revell acrylics have been used. Weathering to be finished as above. Load to be added. Any ideas for suitable metal chains to secure the load?
     
    The Oxford Rail 7 plank RCH wagon in Napsbury Mental Hospital livery. I believe this institution was near to St. Albans on the Midland Mainline?
     

     
    Totally fictitious I'd imagine but finished as an ex-private owner wagon in BR condition. Weathering effects to be finished. Valejo acrylics and Fox Transfers used in this instance.

     
    This Oxford Rail LNER 5 plank wagon received the same treatment.

     

     
    The Airfix LMS 5 plank wagon, re-chassied with a  Ratio 10ft RCH chassis is ready for weathering. Fox Transfers once more.
     

     
     
    I do think this shows how good the Airfix LMS 5 plank moulding is and benefits from  a few tweaks.
     
    The BR/WR permanent way wagon selection is progressing nicely as well.  Transfers are courtesy of Cambridge Custom Transfers and John Isherwood of this parish.
     

     
     
    Below is the the excellent Chivers P23 Tunny kit.
     

     
    The Cambrian P18 kit is progressing nicely. The CO insignia stands for 'Chief Office'
     

     

     
    Finally the old Ian Kirk P19 kit awaits weathering.
     

     

     
    These wagons will receive a coat of Halfords Satin varnish to bed the transfers down before weathering.
     
    More soon....
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
  5. 46444
    In the background I've been working on a number of projects including a few London Transport protoypes.
     
    Here's a snifter of what's in store.
     
    The venerable Bachmann GWR/BR 57xx has been available in London Transport livery over the years. 
     

     
     

     
    Railtec Transfers do a LT Pannier number set and I was able to renumber one of my Panniers to L89.
     
    Essentially a very simple job. The existing numbers were removed carefully using  T-Cut and either a blunt cocktail stick or cotton bud. 
     
    Leaving a nice gloss surface the Railtec  Transfers bedded down nicely. A light coat of brush applied Johnson's Kleer helped with this.
     

     
    The Railtec LT Pannier transfer sheet comes with a number of options by the way. The buffer beam number, bunker number and cabside numbers are included on the sheet.
     
    For those who are struggling to find a Bachmann LT Pannier tank, Bachmann Spares Department, sell the LT finished bodyshells as well as the wheelsets. An easy conversion of a Bachmann BR or GWR 57xx. 
     
    I do have a couple of Bachmann LT BR brakevans, one which will be renumbered using Modelmaster decals from their LT Wagon sheet.
     

     
    These transfers are no longer available but sets do crop up on eBay from time to time.
     

     
    Again due to the rarity of Bachmann LT BR brake vans I thought I would make up a Dapol/Airfix kit to address this
     
    The roof vents and chimney have been reversed to correct the error in the ancient mouldings. Roof vents are from Lanarkshire Models and chimney is made up from scrap parts.
     

     
    I could have made a replacement roof but decided to leave it. The rain strips are pieces of Microstrip cut to size. Brass handrails have been added to each end. Lanarkshire Models buffers and coupling hooks have been added as well..
     
    It is finished with a combination of Valejo and Revell acrylic paints.
     
    Finally, a request to Steve at Railtec Transfers came up trumps.  He has been able to produce some excellent LT style reporting numberplates that the LT Pannier's ran with.
     

     
     

     

     
    The quality of the 3D printed decal is superb even picking our the framework around the individual numbers which were placed in a bracket.
     

     
    In my eyes these fill an important void, whilst addressing the needs of the LT modeller of the 1960's/early 1970's.
     
    For those interested in the LT Panniers history and their operation should look no further than 'Red Panniers. Last Steam on the Underground' by John Scott-Morgan & Kirk Martin, published by Lightmoor Press (2008).
     
    A well recommended read.
     
    Once again, a big thanks to Steve at Railtec for his help with this project.
     
    More soon!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
     
  6. 46444
    Tonight's blog entry is an eclitic mix of wagons I am working on that are currently on the workbench.
     
    The kit below I am working on is an excellent Chivers GWR P17 permanent way wagon. As with all Chivers kits the quality is superb. 
     
    It's just waiting for some of Mr. Frank's finest buffers from Lanarkshire Model Supplies (LMS).
     

     
    The Cambrian GWR P18 is enhanced with Lanarkshire Model Supply buffers and Chivers door bangs.
     

     
    To complete the BR WR permanent way train an old Ian Kirk GWR P23 kit adds to the collection.
     

     
    All of the above will be finished in black with transfers courtesy of John Isherwood at Cambridge Custom Transfers.
     
    The Airfix 5 plank wagon is enhanced with the fitting of a Ratio RCH 10ft chassis to represent a LMS D1892 Open Merchandise wagon.
     
    Buffers again from LMS as well as door bangs from Chivers.
     

     
    The velnerable Airfix/Mainline/Hornby GWR/BR 'Bogie Bolster A' recieves a makeover. Romford wheels and new buffers from LMS.

     

     
    I have been on the look out for the Ratio Huntsman Ales van kit to complete the 1980's trio including the BOCM and Badger Ales versions I had already built.
     
    Recently I was able to acquire an unopened kit from eBay for less than £10.
     
    The build of the BOCM and Badger Ales vans are detailed in a previous blog entry.
     

     
    Finally following on from jweallans thread I purchased a 3D printed Three Peaks Models Lancashire & Yorkshire Diagram 1 Low Goods Wagon kit.
     

     
    I will do a blog entry on this shortly. Must say I am really impressed with this kit.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
     
  7. 46444
    Eveventually I came across some pictures of Collett cabbed Moguls with lining which answered my previous question.
     
    Using Fox GWR/BR passenger loco lining I have finished the lining out including the wheel splashers.
     

     
    The lining transfers were fixed with Johnson's Kleer when in the correct place. Once dry a couple of light coats of Halfords Laquer varnish was applied. To tone things down a misting of Halfords Matt varnish was then applied
     

     
    A nice front end shot showing off the new chimney and 3D printed Railtec smokebox numberplate and 81E Didcot shedcode plate.
     

     
    Window frames have been edged in with a Citadel acrylic brass colour.
     

     
    Real coal added to the tender, fixed in place with Kleer. 
     
    Jobs to do include adding flush glazed cabside windows. Front ones are Microscale Liquid Glaze. 
     
    Also to do are the two uprights in the tender for the cab weather sheet.
     
    Light weathering, add a crew and a local passenger lamp on the smokebox door. 
     
    The contents of the photographic plinth are well recommended by the way....
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  8. 46444
    Some of you will know I do like the 1950's/1960's micro cars and courtesy of Oxford a Messerschmitt three wheeler often appears on my layouts.
     
    Recently I was researching Southern Railway push-pull coaches and came across the excellent Blood & Custard Southern/BR Southern Region reference site. 
     
    This article was of some interest:
     
    https://www.bloodandcustard.net/BMWIsetta.html
     
    It appears BMW built their Isetta micro-car in the old LBSC/SR/BR railway works after it closed in the late 1950's.
     
    Here's a link to the Issetta/BMW Owners Club giving some history of production:
     
    https://www.isetta.org.uk/page16.html
     
    The photographs on the Blood & Custard website show new Isettas loaded three to a Lowfit wagon for distribution.
     
    Coincidently I was converting two old Mainline Lowfit wagons by fitting Parkside LMS 'J' hanger underframe kits.
     
    Additional details came from Lanarkshire Model Supplies and wheels from Alan Gibson. The Lowfits are essentially finished needing weathering and couplings fitted. 
     

     
    The prototype BMW Isettas were finished in an assortment of colours including two tone schemes. A list can be found in the Blood & Custard article.
     
    Oxford make a small number of colours at present in OO including the interesting RAC version. I chose four red and two yellow versions as loads for the Lowfits.
     

     
    The Oxford Isettas capture the prototype nicely. I will give them a coat of varnish to tone down the bling effect.
     
    One thing I have started to do is remove the numberplates from the models as they would not have registered before delivery to a dealer.
     
    To do this I am using T-cut and gently rubbing it away with a cotton bud and a blunt cocktail stick.
     

     
    Since this photo was taken I have used a Sharpie permanent marker to ink in the windscreen rubber surrounds. The red versions have this already. 
     
    I have tried to find a picture of the prototype method of securing the Isettas to the load bed. There are eight securing rings on the Lowfits.
     

     
    I presume rope would have been used around the wheels and not chains. Also would wooden chocks have be used? Any information would be appreciated.
     
    Thanks in advance and more soon.
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
  9. 46444
    Recently a good friend of mine picked up a fairly decent 'old school' Bachmann split chassis GWR Mogul.
     
    In this instance the Collett cabbed later prototype version.
     

     
    I said I would give it a service and make good any problem areas. 
     
    Initially the model came in unlined economy BR green. Something 7327 carried in later life. The Bachmann green was a bit flat. I decided I would give it a makeover for him. 
     
    I carefully removed the moulded on cabside numberplates as well as the smokebox numberplate. A new door strap was made up from Microstrip. 
     
    The chimney was lopped off with the trusty Xuron's and the base made good. An Alan Gibson turned brass replacement was fitted having been sprayed with Halfords grey primer and satin black.
     
    The smokebox was sprayed in with Tamiya matt black and the boiler, cab sides and tender received a coat of roughly applied Precision BR Green. This certainly lifted the patina.
     
    Dapol spares available from Peter's Spares came up trumps with new sprung buffers, lamp irons and vacuum pipes. 
     

     

     
    Wheel sides have been inked in with a black Sharpie. Valve gear with a silver Sharpie.
     
    Steve at Railtec made me up a set of excellent 3D printed transfers for the cabside, smokebox numberplate and the shedcode plate for 81E Didcot.  A brilliant service and product if you have never tried it. Well recommended.
     

     
    What started off as a reasonably running loco developed the wobbles from a chassis failure. Examining the wheelsets showed the dreaded split axles.
     
    Thankfully, Peter's Spares produce replacement axles and gear for these split chassis Bachmann models. 
     
    The parts arrived speedily once more from Peter's Spares and in a matter of no time using a OO Scale back 2 back gauge I had a sweet running chassis in both directions. As new...
     

     
    I have started lining the loco and tender out with Fox Transfers lining. I have sealed this with Johnson's Kleer as I have gone along. 
     

     
    Now my question is does anyone have a decent picture of the cabside lining on these Collett cabbed variants?
     
    The horizontal upper lining start point is easy beneath the handrail but the separate vertical handrail throws out where I think the lining should go.
     

     
    If anyone can help please get in touch.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
     
  10. 46444
    Whilst perusing a well known auction site I came a cross a rather sorry looking Hornby M7 which had been converted quite crudely to a Caley 439 Class. 
     
    Now I have seen conversions of M7's to 439's that have been rather good such as Ben Alder's of this parish.
     
    Like many I would like to see a Class 439 produced to complement the Rails/Bachmann Caley 812 Class. No doubt we will eventually see a ready to run version.
     
    The badly converted M7 was purchased and arrived safely. It had been de-Southernised with removal of the additional route indicator disc brackets on the smokebox and rear of the bunker. 
     
    The original M7 number had been removed damaging the paintwork and poorly applied numbers for a 439 Class had been applied. 
     
    The whistle was missing as was the attached pipework. A few other minor jobs were needed to reconvert the Caley conversion.
     
    I should have taken some snaps of the loco when it arrived but set too quiet quickly on the project.
     
    Here it is in its completed state.
     

     
    Dapol B4 spares are available from Peter's Spares. I ordered a set of lamp/disc brackets which having made good the damage from the previous owner certainly looked the part.
     
    The smokebox door dart was a replacement from RT Models and has the correct profile. The original was missing.

     
    Replacement middle route indicator brackets on the bunker. Real crushed coal added.
     

     
    The smokebox and cab roof received an airbrushed coat of Tamiya Flat Black to blend things in.
     

     
    The missing whistle again came from Peter's Spares and is a standard Hornby affair. A piece of piano wire replaced the missing pipe to it.
     
    Cab spectacle plates came from a Mainly Trains etch available from Wizard Models. Microscale Liquid Glaze made up the glass. 
     

     
    I asked Steve at Railtec to make me up one of his excellent 3D printed smokebox numberplate/shed code plate combinations for Bournemouth 71B's M7 30107
     
    These 3D printed numberplates  are released in water like normal waterslide transfers then allowed to dry on an old tile.
     
    I edged in the number plate sides carefully with a black Sharpie. Then both plates were fixed in place with matt enamel varnish.
     
    These 3D printed number/shed code plates are well recommended from Railtec and great service as always from Steve.
     

     
    Here is the other side. I have inked in the wheel rims with a black Sharpie. Also the connecting rods have been treated with a silver Sharpie. 
     
    Replacement numbers on the bunker sides are courtesy of Fox Transfers. Then to seal everything a coat of airbrushed Tamiya Satin Varnished completed the detailing.
     

     
    I will lightly weather the loco and also add in a piece of plastic tube to replace the centre gap between the vacuum cylinder ends as well behind the front buffer beam.
     
    A nice project and it has been good to reconvert the converted, bringing a model back to its former glory.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
     
  11. 46444
    In the 1980's as an impressionable teenager Ratio produced a number of special pre-printed kits based on their venerable GWR 12T box van. 
     
    As far as I an aware the three kits available came in Badger Beer, Huntsman Ales/Elderidge Pope and BOCM liveries *. 
     
    When they were available in the 1980's I never built them. I remember they were advertised in black and white images in the Railway Modeller from Ratio when they were based in Sturminster Newton. 
     
    However a pang of nostalgia sent me on a retro modelling challenge. Sadly I have not been able to procure the Huntsman Ales kit to complete the trio. Hence the blog title.
     

     
    The Badger Beer van came as new in an un-opened package courtesy of eBay. Other than Gibson bearings/12mm wheels and Lanarkshire Model Supples GWR  buffers the kit is as supplied.
     

     
    I have added a Microstrip rain strip above the doors and sprayed the roof in Tamiya German grey.
     

     
    The BOCM variant was a different kettle of fish. Essentially a non-runner minus roof and broken details it was obtained from eBay cheaply. 
     
    To mine and our postman's suprise it arrived in a used Heinz Tomato soup tin. The Postie was evidently bemused.
     
    Using a new donor Ratio GWR 12T Van kit I was able to restore the broken detail, missing roof and running gear. 
     
    Thankfully Games Workshop/Citadel paints offer a suitable match for the light blue. 
     

     
    The roof has been finished as per the Badger version.
     
    I am still looking for the Huntsman Ales/Elderidge Pope kit. If you have a spare kit please contact me via PM.
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    * Was there a Harvey's Sherry version as well?
     
  12. 46444
    A while back I ordered 3 un-decorated GWR Fruit 'D' wagons from Dapol. As you've previously guessed I do like Dapol for a source of modelling projects. 
     
    I understand the bodyshell for the Fruit 'D' has a venerable past and there are some dimensional inaccuracies. However Dapol have breathed life into it with a new chassis. With this I feel it makes suitable layout NPCS vehicle offering a bit of variety. 
     
     
    These 3 have received Lanarkshire Model Supplies buffers and roof ventilators which gives a bit more finesse. 
     
    The roof had been sprayed with Tamiya German Grey. The sides use a psuedo BR Crimson from Citadel brush applied and the chassis is sprayed with Tamiya NATO Black. Wheels are standard Dapol inked in with a black Sharpie indelible marker. 
     
     
    Transfers once more come from Cambridge Custom Transfers and were fixed with Johnson's Kleer. 
     
    I've used a wash of Vallejo acrylics to pick out detail. They await a dusting of track dirt from the airbrush shortly. 
     
     
    More soon and thanks for looking. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
     
     
  13. 46444
    Like many of us we often have numerous projects on the go.
     
    From a personal point of view I have the BR Clan's and Dapol BR Manor Class to complete. See my previous blog postings. All being well these should soon be completed. 
     
    I have had an old Airfix Siphon H in my 'to do box' for a while. A quick strip down and prototype research reveled that Airfix had fitted the wrong bogies which on a Siphon H should be 9ft American Style. 
     
    The existing bogies where put to one side. Then I removed the buffers, vacuum tanks and gas tanks with a pair of Xuron track cutters. These areas were made good with a scalpel, sand paper and files.
     
    I ordered the correct 9ft American bogies as a pair, 3D printed from Shapeway. I believe these are designed by Stafford Road Modelworks.
     
    https://www.shapeways.com/product/CT854ECA7/gwr-9-american-bogie-airfix-Hornby-fit?productConfiguration=60118509&etId=202691468&utm_source=automated-contact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=order-shipped&utm_content=5
     
    The bogie prints are a bit rough and the detail is ill defined however from normal viewing distance the correct impression is given.
     

     
    The bogies were cleaned up with a soak in white spirit and also a fibreglass brush. 
     
    Then Romford brass axle bearings were fitted and masked off. A quick blast of Halfords grey primer and satin black finished the job.
     
    Using the existing mounting pins the bogies are a direct replacement. Bachmann coach wheels fit nicely.

     
    Buffers were replaced with Slater's GWR coach buffers. LMS Models provide the coupling hooks.
     

     
    That's play for today with more planned including replacing the gas tanks and vacuum cylinders with MJT components and scratch building a few underframe elements.
     
    Another Airfix build has involved a 10ft RCH chassis in the stock of spares. Armed with plastic sheet a basic Conflat was built.  I have Cambridge Custom Tranfers to hand so as to finish in early BR colours 
     

     
    I made the fixing rings from fuse wire. Buffers and coupling hooks from LMS Models as previous.  Tie bar is also from Microstrip.
     

     
    Thanks for looking. More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 
  14. 46444
    The Oxford Rail J27 is an excellent model and something of a bargain to boot.
     
    I picked up an Early Crest example when they first appeared. It ran smoothly and had no problems when running in. 
     
    Looking through The Last Years of  North Eastern Steam by Tuffrey I found a suitable prototype to model in the form of 65802 of Percy Main shed photographed at Blaydon in fairly clean condition.
     
    I wonder whether Oxford Rail will offer versions with modified boiler domes for longer lasting prototypes? 
     
    Out of interest has anyone changed the dome for a later example and where did they source them from? 
     
    With my J27 I removed the cabside numbers with T-Cut and cotton buds. I then painted in the ledges of the cab windows with Vallejo black paint. The very bright cab interior also received a few washes as well. 
     
    Fox Transfers were used to renumber the model to 65802 with Percy Main shed plate (52E) from the same source. 
     

     
    The factory paint work of the model was lifted with brush applied Johnson's Kleer. I applied two coats of this. 

     
    The undernourished smokebox door dart was replaced with one from Eileen's Emporium.
     
    I masked off the smokebox and sprayed it with Tamiya Flat Black. I used the same paint for the cab roof and tender coal bunker and water filler area as well. 
     
    I build up the form of the coal bunker with Plasticard sealing a load of Liquid Lead weight in the bunker area to add weight to the extremely light tender. 
     
    Real crushed coal was glued into the bunker area using PVA. 
     

     
    The coupling rods were inked in with a silver Sharpie pen then a couple of washes of Vallejo German Grey and Dark Rust gave the desired effect. 
     
    Dry brushing with Vallejo and Games Workshop acrylics picked out raised detail. 
     
    The excellent Pacific Models supplied the smokebox door number plate. 
     
    Crew are the usual suspects from Airfix/Dapol and LNER lamps are from Lanarkshire Models. 
     
    I need to fire up the airbrush to tweak the weathering then finished. 
     
    Congratulations to Oxford Rail for producing a great model. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
  15. 46444
    Some of you may know that the GWR 78xx Manor Class is one of my favourite engine designs.
     
    Perhaps this comes from the Mainline model of the 1980's and seeing 7808 Cookham Manor at Didcot as a teenager.
     
    Believe it or not I never owned a Mainline version. Just the reblown Bachmann version with updated chassis. 
     
    I remember trying to detail and renumber these as well as putting a correct profile chimney on them. Infact gwrrob of this parish and ANTB fame may have my version of 7807 Compton Manor on shed still.
     
    Over the past few years Dapol announced their new version of the Manor and I was ready to pre-order one when Accurascale announced their version. I went with the new boys and ordered one of their's which promises to be something really special.
     
    However, the recent release of the Dapol version got me interested again. A lot of comnents were made about inaccuracies in the firebox shape. It began to feel as if Dapol had misfired and Accurascale are waiting in the wings to clean up.
     
    Being one for supporting the underdog I thought I would bite the bullet and see what the Dapol model was really like. I duly ordered 7827 Lydham Manor from Kernow Model Railway Centre and it arrived safely. Excellent service as ever from the Cambourne team.
     

     
    The packaging and presentation of the model is excellently done. On examining the model you can see Dapol have made an excellent job of portraying the prototype.
     
    To me there is a familiarity about the Manor design perhaps from detailing Bachmann models and having a fair few books with pictures of the Class as reference.
     
    The list of things that stood out for me as needing attention were identified as the following:
     
    1. The 'blingtastic' safety valve cover.
    2. The under nourished smokebox numberplate.
    3. The green paintwork looked a bit flat in my eyes.
    4. Those tyre rims on the wheels.
    5. Black plastic crosshead.
     
    Within minutes of opened the box I was armed with a black Sharpie permanent marker and inked in the wheels. The valve gear including crosshead was treated to a coating of silver from the same stable.
     
    This was the end of play on the first day.
     

     
    So essentially some attention with a couple of Sharpie pens addresses some of the issues.
     
    On my next decent modelling session I blackened the buffers with Birchwood Casey Gun Blue have burnished them first with fine wet and dry.
     

     
    The paintwork was nicely lifted with two coats of Johnson's Kleer floor polish. 
     

     
    The 'blingtastic' safety valve cover was toned down with brush applied Valejo mat varnish. Two coats in this instance. Then using Valejo Old Wood beige coloured paint 2 coats once more gave a base layer. After this I made a blend of Games Workshop metallic colours (Names to be added as away and pots not to hand). 
     

     
    The copper cap capped chimney and smokebox were masked off with Tamiya tape as was the cab roof. Using Tamiya Flat Black I sprayed these in along with the running plate and black areas of the tender.
     

     
    Although the Dapol model comes with separate cabside numberplates to fit over the printed versions I fancied trying the 3D printed ones produced by Railtec. Steve supplied some excellent 3D printed numberplates, shed code plate and smoke box numberplate.
     

     
    Wonderful service and a brilliant product. Easily fixed into position with a dab of Kleer. Well recommended.
     
    In my eyes they also address in my eyes the issue of the under nourished smokebox numberplate. It also adds a bit more interest to the front in my eyes.
     

     
    The nameplate is the factory fitted Dapol version by the way. 
     
    With regards to the tender I filed down the distal side of the coal load insert. This was to help with adding a real coal load. Glued in I then coated the insert with PVA and added real crushed coal and allowed to dry. 
     

     
    A spare set of Bachmann fire irons finish the tender detailing.
     

     
    I should have mentioned the detail in the cab. Its exquisite only lacking the fold down seats. I like the ATC bell housing.
     

     

     
    Essentially in my eyes the remedial work has been completed and addresses the issues I highlighted earlier. As it stands it would be for many a good point to leave the project and have an excellent model of a Manor. 
     

     
    What I do plan to do to finish things off is fit a Modelu crew and their GWR/BR (WR) lamps. Finally it will receive a light in service weathering then 7827 is ready for service. 
     
    I am quiet tempted to give the model the Royal Train embellishments of white paint as well it received in the early 1960's along with other members of the class.
     
    I'll let you make your own mind up on the Dapol Manor but overall I am very impressed all round with it. Final thoughts on the next instalment.
     

     
    7827 Lydham Manor running light at Talledega in 1963. Captured by Jonty Jarvis 
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 😉
     
    Apologies for typos and poor grammar...To be corrected...
     
  16. 46444
    The recent re-release of the Hornby BR  Clan Class was a blessing for many especially with the price of previous issues becoming prohibitive. The model had not been available for a number of years to compound this.
     
    Like others I was surprised to find the running boards and rear of tender not painted black on either the late or early crest variations. This has been debated on the Hornby Clan thread.
     
    Other issues have concerned a missing top lamp bracket on the smokebox door on a number of models. I was fortunate to pick one of these up from Derails recently for around the £150 region *. with excellent service from them as ever. Well recommended.
     
    I took delivery of 72004 Clan MacDonald but wanted to renumber it to 72001 Clan Cameron. In addition to this I decided to spray in the missing black painted running boards and rear of tender.
     
    Nameplates were obtained from Fox Transfers and Pacific Models provided the smoke box door number plate.
     
    Tamiya masking tape is your friend here and I masked off the areas to be sprayed carefully ensuring all was sealed neatly.
     
    Using Tamiya satin black I airbrushed in the the areas to be corrected. Carefully removing the masking tape revealed a neat job with a few areas needing rectification. 
     
     
    I hand painted the screw reverser with Precision BR green which appears a good match for the Hornby green. 
     
     
    The whistle and surrounding brass work was picked out with Citadel acrylics. 
     
     
    Fox transfers London Midland 8 inch numerals made up the number sets with Tamiya masking tape ensuring a straight line. 
     
     
    Once dry these were sealed with brush applied Johnson's Kleer along with the rest of the Hornby green painted areas to lift the flat paintwork. This also added some lustre and depth in the paintwork. 
     
     
    A false floor was added to the tender bunker and real crushed coal was fixed with PVA.
     
     
     
    The missing lamp iron was made from the Branson bent up staple method (BBUSM).
     
     
    The excellent as ever Pacific Models number plate was cut out and glued on with PVA. The edges inked in with a black Sharpie permanent marker prior to this.
     
    In the next instalment I will have put the Fox Transfers 'Clan Cameron' nameplates on and fitted the detailing pack.  Weathering will also be started/finished.
     
    From a prototype perspective the earlier releases of the Clan's had a fitting attached to the driver's cab side. I think this was for a tablet catcher. Could anyone confirm this?  Also was it only the later build of Clan's to have this feature.
     
    Another quandary surrounds nameplate background colours varying from black, green, light blue and possibly red. Can anyone enlighten me?
     
    This has been a nice project so far and it has been good to remedy the missing black paintwork.
     
     
    The BR Clan Class is a favourite of mine and more widely travelled than would be expected. Well worth looking at if you are modelling the Scottish and London Midland Region's. 
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    * Kernow Model Rail Centre have 72004 Clan MacDonald for sale at £159.00 if people are interested. 
  17. 46444
    As promised my take on the Bachmann/Rails Caley 812 Class.
     

     
    I chose the late crest version as the prototypes worked from Oban on the Ballachulish branch before closure. 
     
    57566 was a Corkerhill/Ardrossan shedded loco and there are some nice colour snaps of the prototype online finished as per the Bachmann model. 
     
    As for 57566 working to Balla' I'm not sure? However, I thought would keep the running number and address a few of the Bachmann/Rails discrepancies. This included the much discussed over thick tender flares. 
     

     
    As it stands the model is fairly typical of a Bachmann 0-6-0 tender locomotive over the past few years in the mould of the SECR/SR C Class, LMS 4F and 3F. 
     
    Sadly it is let down with over thick tender flares and these detract from a model which should be on par with the Hornby J36 in finesse. 

     
    With a new Number 11 scalpel blade I gently started to scrape away the inside of the tender flares.
     
    Once I had reached the desired thickness I made good with a fibre glass burnishing pencil and fine grade wet and dry paper.  The upper tender lamp iron was removed and replaced with one from the spares box. 
     

     
    On the prototypes the hinged tender doors were often folded back on the tender so this look was replicated.
     
    I did contemplate replacing the cab up-right stanchions due to their thickness but decided I could live with them. 
     
    Real crushed coal was added to the tender having applied a coat of PVA first. 
     
    The paint finish was lifted with brush applied Johnson's Kleer. I sprayed in the smokebox and cab roof with Tamiya flat black. 
     
    Baseline weathering was completed with the usual Tamiya/Vallejo acrylics sprayed or dry brushed. This certainly helps to lift the detail especially the pipework along the sides of the loco 
     
    Coupling rods are inked in with a silver Sharpie pen then washed with a blend of Vallejo acrylics. 
     
    When I load up the airbrush again with suitable colour road dirt I'll give the lower sides of the model a dusting and add also add smoke effects on the top of the boiler. 
     
    The smokebox number plate is supplied from the excellent Pacific Models range. 
     
    Crew are once more the ubiquitous Airfix/Dapol figures painted with Vallejo acrylics. Lamps are LNER pattern from the excellency Mr. Frank's at Lanarkshire Models. 
     

     
    Hopefully the success of the 812 Class will encourage Bachmann to look at a Caley 439 Class 4-4-0 especially with a preserved example running. 
     
    The clean work bench looking like a Clan gathering... More anon.
     

     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
  18. 46444
    The venerable Hornby 9F has quite a provenance as we all know. Obviously the announcement of a new model brings the story up to date. 
     
    A couple of years ago I purchased a loco drive Hornby Railroad 9F.
     
    Looking through my well thumbed copy of Steam Railways In Colour Around Northamptonshire by Coleman & Rajczonek I found a photograph of 92231 hard at work at Desborough in 1965. At this time the locomotive was allocated to York. 
     
    The Hornby model captures the shape of the prototype nicely so I decided to bring it up to a more contemporary standard forgiving the punn.
     
    At the smoke box end I lowered the top lamp iron to the left side of the door using the Branson Staple Method. 
     
    Stays for the smoke deflectors were made from brass strip from Eileen's Emporium. The door dart is from Alan Gibson. 
     

     
    Sourced from the excellent Bachmann Spares Department a detailing pack prodded the front steps and drain cocks. The Hornby cast steps having been removed. 
     
    I inked in the valve gear with a silver Sharpie pen to tone things down. The driving wheels and pony truck tyre walls were treated with a black Sharpie. 
     
    Moving towards the cab I remodelled the cab spectacle windows with gentle cutting and filling. Slater's Microstrip helped form the window beading. Micro Kristal Kleer formed the spectal windows. The cab windows were flush fit made from a CD case. 
     

     

     
     
    I added the cabside washout access  doors from foil adhesive tape. 
     
    Around the draw bar area I added the extra plating along with strengthening plates. 
     

     
    Progressing to the tender I scratch built the cab doors from Plasticard and flush glazed the windows with CD casing. 
     
    The Hornby BR1G tender as supplied comes with a generous moulded coal load to accommodate the previous tender driven Ringfield motor incarnation. 
     
    I took it upon myself to improve this feature by chain drilling the coal load and making good. Making a false Plasticard bunker floor I was then able to add additional detail including then fire iron tunnel using the same medium. 
     

     
    Real coal was then added for the load. 
     
    Crew are the usual Dapol/Airfix subjects painted with Vallejo acrylics.
     
    Fox transfers were used for numbers and shed code plate. Pacific Models provided the smoke box number plate. 
     

     
    A light weathering awaits. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  19. 46444
    The Bachmann Wickham Trolley is a brilliant model and certainly offers up a quick detailing project. 
     

     

     
     
    In this instance I've added light lenses courtesy of Paragon Kits having drilled the light houses out. I think some very clever folk have added working lamps. 
     

     

     
    The weak point with this model is the trailer which is motorised. The faux ballast load does not look right in my eyes. Once more modellers have resorted to all manner of fixes to bring the trailer to life. 
     
    In my instance I used a piece of Tunnocks Caramel Wafer wrapper to make a tarpaulin. Shaped to the trailer and load I sprayed it with Halfords grey primer them airbrush finished it with Tamiya acrylics. 
     

     
    Cotton sheet ropes were added and the tarpaulin was glued to the load with contact adhesive. The sheet ropes were glued to the underside of the trailer. 
     
    I do think this brings some life to the previously sterile looking trailer. 
     
    The trolley roof was brush painted and airbrushed with Vallejo and Tamiya acrylics. Then the trolley was weathered with Vallejo paints dry brushed on to the surface. 
     

     
    Thankfully the good folk at Modelu have produced a delightful 3D printed Wickham Trolley crew and the tools of their trade. The scanning is wonderful with lots of lovely detail. 
     
     

     
    Once more painted with Halfords white primer and Vallejo acrylics. 
     

     
    These tweaks have certainly brought this superb little model by Bachmann alive. 
     
    A nice project for a couple of dark winter's evenings. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
     
  20. 46444
    A welcome return to my 009 blog and an enjoyable build of one of Matt's 3D printed loco bodies.
     
    In this instance a Kerr Stuart Sirdar tramway version designed to run on the ever reliable Kato 109 chassis. 
     

     
    It's a nice 'Old School' 3D print build with no surprises and the print cleans up really nicely.
     
    The kit also comes with a selection of thoughtful accessories as well and is nicely packaged in a protective box.
     
    Unfortunately I managed to drop my print on my modelling room floor and remedial surgery was required.
     

     
    I rebuilt the buffer beams and running plate, skirts and steps with plasticard I had to hand. 
     
    I used Peco track pins for the tank fillers, the sand box and the sliding rear doors.
     

     
    Safety valves are 10BA screws and the whistle is a combination of an handrail knob and brass wire. 
     

     
    Wire handrails were added to the cab doors.
     
    The smoke box door hinge was rebuilt with Microstrip and wire. The door dart is courtesy of Alan Gibson.
     
    Lamp irons are the standard Branson bent staple affairs. 
     
    The couplers are from Narrow Planet. 
     
    Having sprayed the loco with Halfords White Primer I then airbrushed Vallejo and Tamiya acrylics for the livery.
     
    I painted some Tamiya masking tape with Games Workshop brass and cut a thin piece for a decorative boiler band behind the smokebox. 
     
    A few coats of Johnson's Kleer lifted the paintwork nicely ready for the name and number plates once more courtesy of Narrow Planet. 
     
    Locomotives on the Wadenhoe & Lilford Light Railway are usually painted black but in this instance having provenance from the Craster Kipper Tramway No: 8 retains its green livery and old name. 
     
    Crew are the venerable Airfix/Dapol figures. 
     
    A great kit to build from the Matt Ditch stable and lovely to do some modelling to lift it to another level. 
     

     
    The kit can be found here:
     
    https://www.mattditch.photography/online-shop-1
     
    Just a happy customer by the way.. 
     
    As for the name 'Kipper Wynd' there are many plausible explanations... 
     
    No: 8 will be part of the Wadenhoe & Lilford Light Railway's spur to Stoke Doyle Halt appearing shortly. 
     

     
    I'll tweak the wonky nameplates and add a touch of light weathering before entering service. 
     
    Thanks for looking. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
  21. 46444
    When Hornby released their generic 4 and 6 wheeled coached I picked up a 6 wheeler to convert to an Engineer's Coach. 
     
    The coach was broken down into its component parts almost immediately.
     
    I made a scratch built solebar footstep from a piece of  Microstrip. This was held in place with brackets made from staples fixed into thd solebars.
     
     

     
    The original Hornby footboards had their stays removed and holes drilled for strong piano wire in their place. Recipricating holes were drilled in the floor of the coach. 
     
    On the foot boards cut outs were made for the axleboxes. Everything was then glued into place. 
     
    I changed the buffers and coupling hooks for some Lanarkshire Models versions from Mr. Frank's.
     

     
    I also replaced one of the battery boxes with a tank for variety.  The underframe was then sprayed with Halfords grey primer and satin black.
     
    The roof was hand painted with Vallejo acrylics and suitably weathered with a spray of Tamiya NATO black. 
     
    Some of the door window frames were painted a wood colour.
     
    Existing numbers were removed with a blunt cocktail stick and HMRS numbers used in their place. The 'D' and 'ED' transfers were from a CCT Grampus sheet. 
     

     
    Everything sealed with Klear brush painted then airbrushed with Vallejo satin varnish. 
     
    A wash of Vallejo acrylics was then applied and wiped off with a damp cotton bud. Underframe weathering was airbrushed on with an homebrew of Tamiya NATO Black and Brown. 
     
    I found a set of vacuum pipes to finish. 
     

     
    Overall a nice little project which in my eyes lifts the model nicely. 
     
    Here's an engineer's train  accompanyied by a an ex NBR J36. 
     

     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
     
     
  22. 46444
    I'm a real fan of the Oxford Rail 7 Plank RCH wagon. I realise it's not perfect but it is has a number of merits including price.
     
    I've a few of these including a couple I've weathered for my 1947 Teign Valley project. Some of them where bought with a view to repainting them into scruffy 1950's/1960's BR ex-private owner wagons. Paul Marshall Potter (PMP) on his excellent Albion Yard blog wrote an article on converting them to this state.
     
    https://albionyard.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/nine-is-the-magic-number/
     
    One thing I liked was the use of the Modelmaster decals for ex-private wagons which would certainly save a great deal of time.
     
    The wagons themselves breakdown nicely into their component parts. I used a mixture of a glass fibre burnishing stick and Humbrol enamel thinners to remove the printed liveries. A coat of Halfords grey plastic primer was then applied. Using prototype photos I worked up the wagon sides with a brush to resemble weathered unpainted planking using Valejo acrylics inside and out. One of the wagons was also sprayed with Tamiya Japanese Navy Grey to represent a recently painted wagon for a spot of variety.
     

     
    The white door stripe was masked off with Tamiya tape and very light grey was dry lightly brushed over the ironwork. A light coat of Humbrol Kleer was then brushed over the wagons as a gloss surface for the Modelmaster Decals which went on nicely and received a coat of Micosol setting solution to give a better painted on look. Must say these really are time savers like I mentioned earlier.
     

     
    Finally I dry brushed some Valejo dark rust and Games Workshop gun metal over the raised iron work and buffer heads. All was sealed with a coat of airbrush applied Valejo matt varnish.
     

     
    Pleased with how these have turned out and a nice variation to the wagon fleet.
     
    Happy New Year,
     
    Mark
  23. 46444
    Eventually I've completed my take on Gloucester 85B resident 46526 using the excellent Bachmann model as a starting point. 
     

     
    The DMR chimney has bedded in nicely on the smokebox. Pacific Models provided the source of the  smokebox door number plate. A Fox Transfers 85B shed code plate transfer was applied as well. 
     

     
    Usual weathering techniques using Tamiya NATO Black/Brown airbrushed for frame dirt. A dusting of NATO black was used on the boiler top and tender coal bunker sides as per prototype photos. 

     
    Real coal was added to the tender and the cab roof buffed to give an element of wear and tear. 
     

     
    Crew once more were a combination of the excellent Hornby and Dapol/Airfix figures painted with Vallejo acrylics. 
     
    Detail painting and dry brushing using a mix of Vallejo and Citadel paints. The tender axle boxes and steps in particular. 
     

     
    Overall a lovely project using a cheaply sourced second hand loco. Just need to add some lamps from Modelu now. 
     
    One for the Forest of Dean Project representing that lost photo of 46526 taken at Bilson Junction by no other than Ben Ashworth. Or was it Jonty Jarvis and his trusty Thornton Pickard camera? 
     
     
     
  24. 46444
    The Oxford N7 in my eyes is something of a bargain and Oxford have captured the look of these distinctive engines nicely.
     
    It is representative of the N7/4 sub-class I believe so is only suitable for a small number of members of the class.
     
    I wanted to model a Cambridge 31A example and discovered a number were allocated there in the mid-1950`s. Choosing an identity was made easier by finding a snap of 69620 at Cambridge Station in 1957.
     

     
    One of the problems identified with the Oxford model was how much the couplings protruded. To solve this I cut back the existing NEM pockets. Then by using a modified Bachmann coupler I was able to glue these in place. 
     
    31A of this parish also kindly highlighted that there should only be a reversing lever on the driver's right side so the one underneath the boiler on the left was gently cut off with a sharp scalpel.
     
    Wheel rims were inked in with a Sharpie black indelible pen as were the silver painted window frames and cab door beading. The whistle and safety valves were also touched in with Vallejo black acrylic.
     
    Following on from this the coupling rods were lightly distressed with a fibreglass burnishing pen then had a number of washes of a combination of German Grey and Dark Rust. 
     
    Buffers were also given the fibreglass pen treatment then brushed with Birchwood Casey Aluminium Black which was cleaned off with a cotton bud. Vacuum pipes were painted in with Vallejo white then red for the buffer beam area. 

     
    The cab roof and running plate were sprayed with Vallejo German Grey. The smokebox door had the printed numberplate/shedcode plate removed with T-Cut. Also the undernourished smokebox door handle was replaced with a brass Eileen's Emporium example sprayed with Hycote grey primer and satin black.
     
    The smokebox was sprayed with German Grey having masked the boiler off with Tamiya masking tape. 
     
    The existing bunkerside loco numbers were also removed with T-Cut. A piece of Tamiya masking tape acted as a straight edge to renumber to 69620 using Fox Transfers. These were sealed with a light a light dusting of Johnson Floor Polish. The loco received several brush applied coats of the same product to lift the finish. 
     
     

     
    The bunker received a load of real coal glued in with a PVA/Water mixture. 
     
    New smokebox numberplate from the excellent Pacific Models. The 31A shedcode plate was from Fox also. 
     

     
    Weathering wise a dusting of Vallejo home brewed track colour on the wheels and lower body. On the top of the smokebox/boiler a few passes of Vallejo black/German grey. 
     
    Other than crew and lamps all done. A nice project worth completing and in my eyes lifts this lovely model. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
  25. 46444
    Whilst searching for an Hornby Fowler 2-6-4 on eBay for a good friend I came across this Hornby Stanier 2-6-4. It was a reasonable price so I thought it would make a nice project. There were a few areas on the model I could see needed repairing. 
     
    When it arrived and I examined it it became clear the motion bracket was broken on one side. This resulted in some rather lumpy running. 
     
    The other area of note was on the fireman's side the cabside steps and the injector pipework under the cab had been damaged. 
     
    I stripped down the loco. Degreased the chassis and rewired it removing the circuit board in the process. The chassis was reassembled and regreased the gears with Vaseline. Thankfully it was a smooth runner minus valve gear. 
     
    Through Peter's Spares I managed to obtain a replacement motion bracket assembly and got everything running very sweetly. 
     

     
    I then repaired the pipework under the fireman's cabside step as well. The step was also reglued. One of the rear handrails was missing and also replaced. 
     
    The body work was given a light buff with T-Cut and the numbers removed.  I brush applied a number of coats of Johnson's Kleer to lift the finish. 
     
    I sprayed in the smokebox and cab roof with Tamiya NATO black. The coal bunker received a false floor made up from black plastic sheet. 
     
    Choosing a class representative that would be found in the Kettering/Wellingborough area came up with 42446 which was shedded at Leicester 15C but I believe it was a Market Harborough loco and worked on the Market Harborough-Northampton line. 
     
    Numbers from Fox along with power classification and 15C shed code plate. The smokebox number plate is from the excellent Pacific Models range. 
     

     
    Everything was then sealed with a coat of airbrushed Kleer followed by a coat of Vallejo satin varnish. 
     
    The valve gear was inked in with a Sharpie silver marker followed by washes of Vallejo dark rust and German grey to pick out the relief. 
     
    I managed to find an accessory pack on eBay which was duly fitted. 
     
    Weathering wise the usual mix of Tamiya NATO black/brown for underframe dirt was sprayed on. Satin black from the same manufacturer was dusted over the smokebox. Detail painting and washes with Vallejo acrylics. 
     
     

     
    Finely crushed real coal was added to the bunker. Crew are Horny drivers (For Mikkel) with suitable amputations to fit in the cab Dukes of Hazard style through the side windows. 
     
    Lamps to be fitted.
     
    A nice project all round and good to restore a loco and give it another lease of life. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark 
     
     
     
     
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