There's a beautiful build of a Scorpio Achilles in the latest Gauge O Guild Gazette by a Mr Chris Simpson, who blithely says that "After a few test runs, I stripped and painted the loco." How Mr Smith? How did you paint it? The finish is absolutely stunning! I shall try and find out..
I saw this posting, so here's a response. First let me say the finish is not as good as the photos suggest. I guess I'm better at photos than painting models, but I am generally happy with the result.
First I used Halfords etch primer Upol Acid 8. This is a tougher primer than normal grey primer. The green is Railmatch sprayed on with a Badger airbrush. At first I used the pre 1928 green, which in theory is the correct shade for this loco. I wasn't happy because it appeared to me to be too dark, so I stripped the model and started again with the later shade. Black is Humbrol satin black brushed on. Indian red is Railmatch sprayed. Lining was where I had most problems. I used Pressfix at first, and the boiler bands turned out ok. For the cab sides there was no exact match on the transfer sheet for the curvature needed, so I had to cut and join. Further, I needed to use two sheets to get enough bits. Unfortunately you can see the odd join still. The main problem with these transfers is that the two sheets I used, were not consistent either in colour or spacing between the orange lines. Another problem is that the black line was not consistently centred between the orange lines. I ended up removing most of the transfers, but not those on the cab sides (I now wish I had), and relining using a bow pen and some brush work. The tender has no transfers on it except the crest (Methfix). The end result is a compromise. I wish I had removed all the transfers, and one day I might revisit. I finished with a light coat of Ronseal gloss polyurethane. I'm now reading Ian Rathbone's book on painting and lining, which is inspirational, and for my next loco I'll do a better job.
Regards, Chris