Background

Bachmann's Modified Hall was a bit of a disappointment when it appeared, having sorted out the firebox shape issues from its predecessor, but supplied  with the footplate front of a standard Hall.   In addition they have only ever supplied it in BR livery.  Starting with the most obvious error, Brassmasters came to the rescue offering a brass conversion fixing the front end (with a new footplate, frame extensions and smokebox saddle.)  Moving on to the body it needed to be rebranded into G crest W, not quite so easy as it also required the lining to be redone on the cab sides.  Which of course means that you have to redo the rest of the lining as well to get consistency (and remove the factory weathering to get to it).  So new lining was added using the HMRS transfers (my first attempt at lining out a loco).   

Final finishing included some very light weathering (this loco is supposed to be pretty much brand new with the loco built in October 47 the same month as the layout operates).  Plates came from Fox, while it has been fitted with DCC ( a pig of a conversion due to the lack of space.)  The loco was chosen given it was one of the first Modified Halls to be out shopped with the Hawksworth tender (it was a tough call between one of those or one of the early builds without name). 

Work Remaining

I have had issues with the DCC install in this loco, with the decoder currently not working.  I have had this before with decoders which randomly dont work, before coming back to life when inspected on a computer.  I need to get an interface so  I can check, if not it will need a new decoder.  It also needs lamps, a crew and coal.

Usage

In the mixed traffic fleet, it will see use on pretty much everything.