Auchentogle Workbench

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Auchentogle is a Scottish layout covering the mid-1950s to 1999, and this thread will cover some of the work on its stock.

I wanted a Class 104 DMU for the layout but something less niche that the Mexican Bean. Researching what ran in Scotland (https://railcar.co.uk/type/class-104/operations-scotland) it was obvious that none of the forthcoming Heljans model would really suit what I was after. I have a number of Hornby 110s - not appropriate for a Scottish layout - so modifying one of those would be a better way forward. It's probably a very common conversion but a search on here found little previous mentions so I thought I'd share this as it progresses.

The prototype
My modelling skills are still somewhat in development so I didn't want to do a blue/grey repaint, so it meant a rail blue three-car, and I opted to go for set 457 (https://railcar.co.uk/data/set/457) which operated in the 1987/8 period. The brake van is in the centre car, the formation being a DMCL, TBSL and DMCL. Roof vents have been removed and one end had a Buxton depot white cab roof.

 

The model
First step was to enlarge the cab windows upwards to form the more basic rectangular 104 shape. Some of the headcode box was cut away and sanded then two layers of plasticard stuck on for the destination box, then the first layer of filler put on for the roof dome. The window frames were cut off on the cab and side windows, and the horrible angle on the tumblehome sanded out.
 

 

The Class 104 windows are higher at the bottom than the Class 110s, so some plasticard was added to the bottom to make them match the window on the driver's door.

 

 

For the TBSL centre car I had envisaged that I would have to graft a toilet end onto the cab end of a power car. However the solution was much was much easier.

 

On the DMBC bodyshell I took off the cab detail and filled the cab windows and headcode with plasticard:

 

 

The driver's doorway sanded out easily and I gradually opened up the window on the drivers door until the glazing for a toilet window fitted in:

 

 

Here are the three reworked ends after a couple of rounds of filling and sanding:

 

 

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For the centre car underframe I swapped the bogies with a power car so the motor remains in the brake van. I'm leaving the underframe equipment as-is on all three-cars for now, somewhere down to road I envisage getting a 3d printer and creating new parts then.

 

 

This was the set in Glentogle station just see how it was looking so far:

 

 

About 30 years ago I started a conversion with a Craftsman kit on two power cars, I decided not to use those as one was a DMBS, but here they are for comparison. The two new ones now have the destination box added which I've carefully cut of the 110:

 

The last major part of the bodywork was cutting off all the roof vents, leaving just one at the toilet end of each vehicle. I've glued on small squares of paper to emulate the plates over where these vents were, and strips of paper to represent the sealing strip between the fiberglass roof dome and metal roof.

 

 

 

[Waveydavey]

Nice work. I do like seeing DMUs getting modified like this.

My own DMU project at the moment is an Ayrshire class 126 from a combination of Triang and Trix mk1 coaches. A 107 will follow on based on the Hornby 110.

 

No need to draw up your own 104 parts as John Duffett has drawn them and made the files available for free on Thingiverse.

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4 hours ago, Waveydavey said:

Nice work. I do like seeing DMUs getting modified like this.

My own DMU project at the moment is an Ayrshire class 126 from a combination of Triang and Trix mk1 coaches. A 107 will follow on based on the Hornby 110.

 

No need to draw up your own 104 parts as John Duffett has drawn them and made the files available for free on Thingiverse.

Thanks!
A 126 is also on my list - I've connections to the one at Bo'ness - but only after I have practiced on some easier conversions.
I've a couple of Bachmann three-car 108s for renumbering to 107s but the side profile and windows are more suitable on the 110 so I might have a go at re-ending one of those - good suggestion.
Also waiting to be tackled are some Worsley etched sides for a 116 and a 100.

Busy times ahead...

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A little progress update on the Class 104.

Work has concentrated on the TBSL. I've very happy with the way the plated over vents turned out.  Kudos to Steve at @railtec-models - ordering a custom set of numbers I was delighted to find he had taken the time to figure out what the vehicles were, so the accompanying data panels had the correct class and vehicle type on them.

 

The centre saloon should have the smaller window at the opposite end, something I can live with. And I forgot to remove the radiator filler from the bodyside! I've since added no smoking labels which added a splash of colour and there are still a few other bits and bobs to finish this centre car.

 

 

 

[railtec-models]

2 hours ago, SC55015 said:

Kudos to Steve at @railtec-models - ordering a custom set of numbers I was delighted to find he had taken the time to figure out what the vehicles were, so the accompanying data panels had the correct class and vehicle type on them.

 

You're welcome. Recreating the minutest details of railway markings is all I do all day every day, so it's nice when it's noticed! A keen eye and an unhealthy amount of reference material is an essential piece of kit.

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The Class 104 power cars were much delayed as the yellow paint I have is pretty awful. The rail blue is a rattle can and is no problem, the yellow was a rattle can which on the third coat decided to craze down to the plastic. I tried it again, same thing. So I ended up brushing it, but with so many attempts and layers it turned into a bit of a mess...

Another time consuming part was the side windows where all the white frames had to be painted blue. I did this by hand without masking, a damp cocktail stick would take off any I got onto the glass. This Humbrol rail blue was pretty see through so it needed three coats. I can't get Railmatch stuff shipped out here.

 

 

Here's where the three-car set is at now. I'll probably order some of the Westhill buffer beam detailing kits to the outer ends to finish it off. The plastic sheet I used for the cab window looks a little misty, I'll get new stuff for the next one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, for a first attempt I'm very happy with the way it turned out. On a normal viewing distance it looks much better than these harsh closeups. I've learned a few lessons for the next one!

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47569 was a pre-owned Lima loco I picked up from Hattons. Not appropriate for the layout but I don't have a lot of 47s and so I thought it would be good to practice as a repaint into something more useful. I had some 'Andrew Carnegie' etched plates from years ago so 47517 that became the candidate.

 

This is the model before starting. The previous owner had fitted etched plates.

 

After stripping down. It had a factory fitted extra pickup to the un-powered bogie so that was one less job, but the bogies and motor were disassembled and given a good clean (wheels, axles, pickups, armature, brushes).

 

This was going on concurrent with the 104 conversion so I didn't spent time on any detailing.

 

The final model (Railtec transfers were used), not too bad for the minimal effort:

 

I based it on this September 1985 image just after it was named taken by John Baker (spannerman37025 on flickr):
 

 

[young37215]

Nice job with the duff, the original 47569 was 1 of 2 ETH 47's I never had for haulage. Having repainted a couple of locos in the last year or two I know how rewarding it can be when you get to a finished loco.  

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For a Scottish layout where DMUs are featured heavily some Swindon-built units would be very appropriate. I'd been looking at the Silver Fox conversions kits for these, and sent them a message in December asking a simple message - no reply. I tried again in January - again no response, so I don't have any faith in doing business with the company and am looking at other options. I have in mind to get a laser cutter which will let me make the sides, but in the meantime I thought I'd have a go a recreating one of the cab fronts.

The 'intermediate' cab front on the 79xxx /  Class 126 Inter City sets is pretty much a standard coach end with windows and headcodes added. I had some spare Hornby Railroad range Mk1s to use as a test piece. The coach was stripped down and the detailing cut off from the selected end and sanded flat.

 

Looking at images the height of the cab window matches the droplights (later I realised the should be about 1mm higher) so I used tape wrapped round to let me mark the window location on the end. From a large image I printed out I could work out the height / width ratio, making the window 10mm high and 6mm wide. I coloured in the windows to see how they looked before cutting:

 

 

 

 

After cutting out the holes I made the windows themselves, these were from an old CD case. I've numbered them to identify them for fitting later, the label also lets me know which side is outside and top:

 

Next I made the headcode box also from the CD case as the thickness seemed about right. They have a slopped top and here they are glued in place with the gangway on temporarily just to see how it looks:

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There were two types of "intermediate" vehicles on the 79xxx sets, one with a toilet at the cab end and one with a van at the cab end. I went for the easier option without the water filler pipes for the toilet. But I did need to add two handrails:

 

The cab end was then sprayed in primer. It looks like I needed to degrease it more first. I used Tamiya Fine Primer:

 

Then a couple of coats of green gloss, this was from a Tamiya TS-9 "British Green" spray can. I'm working with a circa 1969/1970 image when it was in the darker "Loco" shade of green:

 

 

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After applying a white spray primer the yellow was brushed on:

 

The lining was from Modelmaster, which I've had in stock for years. The yellow panel is higher than the waist lining so it doesn't show on the cab. The flash is from Railtec:

 

The underframe, being a Mk1, had oval buffers, so they would be cut off. I driller holes in the shanks to take round ones 'borrowed' from a Lima Class 101. When looking for a gangway cover from a Bachmann brake Mk1, I found they also had a dropped buffer, so the upright buckeye would also be replaced:

 

Still a few little jobs to do, such as move the lamp iron down, and add a second one on the opposite site, but it's looking more like a DMU than a Mk1 now:

 

 

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The Swindon cab was finished off with some Westhill Wagon Works jumpers/cables and vac pipes. I scratched a "1" into the right hand headcode box, only one side seems to have been in use towards the end of their time on the E&G line. It still needs wipers and horns when I can get those.

It was weathered to match this image (from the 53A Models of Hull Collection flickr):

 

The next DMU conversion is well underway. I have two sets of etches from Worsley Works, one for a Class 100 and one for a Class 116. I thought I'd start with the easy one as the curves on the Gloucester are a bit daunting. For the three-car Derby unit the DMS is being done first, using a Lima body as base.

 

The lower body profile is wrong on the Lima model. In the image below, the left side is untouched and it goes outwards in the vertical direction until level with the marker lamp where it turns tightly inwards. It should be a more gentler curve starting at waist level, and I've been sanding the side on the right and it already makes quite a difference. A start has also been made on cutting down the headcode box.

 

All door hinges and handles were cut off. I also cut off the raised window frames, although later I found that wasn't required.

 

Next step was to mark out for cutting the plastic away from where the windows are. The spacing was rather different on the Lima one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MJI]

Nice to see these.

 

Looks like you modelled an ex WR IDMBSL

 

Not noticed the profile differences on 116 and Lima though, a bit late for mine!

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I cut out the upper bodyside to suit the new window arrangement. I made sure there was space all around for easier attachment of a glazing strip later. I left the occasional  vertical strip temporarily to stop the bottom getting too floppy.

 

The handrails were removed from the cab front - the ones between the cab windows were quite a pain to do! I drilled the marker lamp holes slightly bigger as there was too 'metal' around the lens. The destination box had some plasticard added to form a top then filled/sanded to create the missing section of dome.

 

The brass sides had some extra length at the cab end, giving the user the option to form the cab corners and use the supplied ends to make a complete brass body (sans roof). I cut off the excess brass with scissors. I also made the choice - which I may regret later - to only butt the bodyside up to the underside of the rainstrip, as placed in the image below. To get the proper door top alignment it would mean cutting off all the riveted underside of the gutters. Or cut a thin strip off the top of the brass, which I doubt I would be able to to neat enough. One thing that will stand out later is that instead of the rivets being raised from the bodyside, they will be inset.

 

Here is the number one side just before glueing on the brass to show how much was cut out:

 

The bodyshell with the first side glued on:

 

And the second side added. This was the glue I used, and the clips were left on overnight for it to set.

 

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For the Class 116 centre car, none of these had toilets, so the pipes on the roof of the Lima 117 had to be carefully removed. The roof vents are the wrong type, but something I'll live with.

 

The Lima 117s have gangways, which my ScR prototype did not have. First the end detail would be cut off (this is the centre car):

 

Then I made a filler for the gangway holes (this is the DMBS, with the holes for the exhaust):

 

Thinking that no matter how much I filled and sanded the gap between the two layers I would still see a an outline of the doorway, I decided to stick a sheet of paper on the end - thinner and easier to cut the top curve than plastic. I smothered the end in glue then stuck on a bit of paper, ensuring the top was pushed into the roofline:

 

Once set it could be easily trimmed:

 

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A little more progress with the Class 116.

The power cars needed some filler at the end of the brass overlays:

 

When I started the project I had envisaged the set for the early/mid-1970s with the route indicator still in use.  However I found some "GG" (Greater Glasgow) logos and I thought they might be great on the 116 instead. They were on a PC Models Pressfix sheet that was about 35 years old, so before I committed an wanted to make sure they were of use. Some decalfix helped. Success, so they were now to modelled on the late 1970s, when some vehicles had the route indicator plated over (as an example https://www.flickr.com/photos/134227013@N08/51715019843/). A piece of paper glued on was suffice for that. Here is one of the power cars with just the yellow end to paint:

The centre car progressed faster, as less painting steps were needed. I decided not to do a lot of detailing: door handles, commode handles, door hinges, end handrails etc. are clearly missing in these images, but for my eyesight during normal running I don't notice their omission. Maybe someday...

Windows were from a Peco Bullhead point packaging. I fitted NEM sockets and Kadee No.18 couplings, not prototypical but far better than the tension locks. It retains the tiny Lima buffers for now until I source some larger ones