tmz06003

I’ve only found this thread, it’s a real pity the photos are gone as I would have been very interested in seeing your progress. I first discovered the Granton gasworks station building in 1986 while I was employed in the British Gas properties department. In fact, one of my first duties was to measure this building and produce Architectural drawings as there were none in our records at the time. I’ve recently donated these to Historic Environment Scotland along with numerous photos I’d taken in the 1980s, as I had privileged access to the site as part of my employment. I even built the station in 4mm scale many years ago, I got it finished apart from the windows which I felt were too big a challenge! I’ve attached a photo of this, it has been in store in a box for around 30 years! I’ve also built a digital version of the building as shown attached for a simulator, this shows the building in original condition with the footbridge in place. A rarely photographed part of this building is the original layout of the area directly under the footbridge on the west elevation. I recently convinced HES to upload a photo of this that was only previously available offline, so this is worth checking to fill a gap in the available information. The building was refurbished recently and it is wonderful to see it now having a long term future as an enterprise hub. The Square outside has pavers arranged to mark the position of the trackwork to the west elevation, a couple of photos are shown also. I discovered narrow gauge Barclay no 5 Esme is located very close to its former home at the Granton reserve museum site, only 5 minutes walk from the building, photo also included.

I picked up a GBL Western today in WH Smith in Edinburgh, my local Asda has stopped stocking the series due to problems with supply. Loco is numbered as D1062 Western Courier, but of course this is easily changeable with new cast plates and numbers. The maroon livery is disappointing as it is very plastic in appearance. The BR symbol, is also disappointing in it's lack of detail. Cab side valances are black but should be maroon. One of the bogie assemblies is unnecessarily complicated, which results in the wonky bogie syndrome mentioned above. One of the parts looks like it's a representation of part of the Lima motor!! I removed one of the centre bogie screws and relocated this at the outer end which cured the mis-shapen bogie, The other bogie is much more straightforward and built in a similar fashion to other GBL models. One bonus with this one is that the cut out for the motor is present, complete with curved edges that may allow a Lima mechanism to be easily fitted, I don't have a Lima Western so can't confirm this. On other GBL models there is a solid chassis that needs cutting out to motorise. The front windows are detachable and look as if they could be moved outwards slightly to partly cure the large front window cill. Separate interiors are fitted. The featureless wheels without axle hubs noted in a previous post are also disappointing. Regards, Tony.

Seconded....wolf27's peak conversion looks excellent. Out of interest where did you source the cabs for the conversion wolf? Regards Tony.

The coach is straightforward to add spinning wheels, I've used a 1mm and 2mm drill to drill out the axleboxes then, I've fitted a metal wheel from a redundant troublesome truck.... There's enough plastic to accept the metal axle and the wheel is spinning freely. One done, one to go.

I've got a couple of Rockets today, one in WH Smith and one in Asda. Looks like a cracking model despite any inaccuracies, I'll need to take the coach to bits to see if I can fit some working wheels. Regards, Tony.

Royal Scot is next, exactly as predicted in the very useful new list some posts back. Looking forward to the Rocket tomorrow. Regards Tony

Some class 45s had the triangular grille under the main grill, from my pics of 45022 it certainly did so the GBL model is correct in this respect. All class 45s had the cross strengthening on the battery boxes, the GBL model doesn't so is not correct in this respect. The battery boxes are therefore class 46. There is another difference between these two classes, class 45s have a square hatch on one side only in front of the triangular grille wheras the class 46s don't. Not sure if any model manufacturers actually include this. 45022 ran with a special paint job for a while, silver grille surrounds, white cantrail stripe and red buffer beams. May make for a nice variation: https://www.flickr.com/photos/barry13092/4309303354/in/photolist-nkLec8-pu4ebX-fHwGzb-nttxB2-nKMN4E-bBs1GK-dozHpo-e3oiUd-7ibQxX-diC3t3-dx2DBp-5SBS5X-g4E38t-8bGL9U-8bDt86-bj7k8R-drZXiS-7yNiKG-8envXL-8bDthP-duSyGf-7ioMkY-jpib5s-eBRWcF-bjgb3k-fkHD32-c89UUW-decc45-brk2cZ-hs2XHG-f94nx2-7wdW7d-a54hNH-9QCDZJ-9QzKce-9QCE9L-nPxo5K-e3sJzS-kChUkV-cgWGY5-nbcfUx-cPgzTU-gXEv6T-98zEDK-p1HjCc-dg5TSA-4bVLyr-6a6gHW-8KMW7w-ajDFZm

There were 6 GBL HSTs in my local Asdas in Edinburgh this morning, I bought 2 of these. The paint finish on the 2 I picked was better applied than the 4 I rejected, the problem being the blue base colour showing through the yellow and grey applied colour. I found another 2 in WH Smith at the Edinburgh Fort and purchased these as well, the paint looked better than those in Asda. On opening the packaging, one of the WH Smith batch had a blurred horizontal joint between the yellow and blue on the side, the other one was much better. Overall the finish is much better than the awful Deltic. This is definitely a clone of the original Hornby HST, down to the internal fitted glazing and drivers desk. The GBL model represents an original HST without the later applied exhaust cowl and with the guards compartment window, just like the original Hornby version. Comparing the GBL model with the original Hornby, the paint finish is more gloss on the Hornby and matt on the GBL, the paint shades are otherwise a good match. I've attached some photos to compare these, the Hornby one has the Craigentinny nameplate I added years ago and no set number. The GBL model is numbered car number 43105 and set number 254025 in the correct positions matching Hornby, the printing is again well applied. The GBL model has a separately applied lowrer fairing, on the Hornby model the body is all one piece. The joint is slightly open and more noticable on some GBL models than others. The coupler hatch door is more defined on GBL and finer on the original Hornby. The chassis is metal on the HST and has considerable weight, I can't recall another GBL model with an entire metal chassis but then I've not taken all of mine apart. Wheras the Deltic was extremely light the HST is much heavier. Underframe and bogie sides are plastic, one bogie side snapped off when I touched it with little force so beware! It's easily reapplied with glue though. As for motorising, the biggest problem is that the GBL body is slightly thicker and won't fit on my Hornby HST chassis, to make it fit the entire side right round would have to be cut off the Hornby chassis and I personally don't believe this is worth the effort. Cutting a hole in the metal chassis to fit a motor would be difficult, far easier with the plastic Deltic chassis. Fitting an unpowered or powered Hornby bogie would therefore be difficult. However, cutting the metal GBL screw retainers leaves a hole aligning with the centre of the bogie and would allow an adapted bogie with a centre pivot to be fitted for an unpowered car. The GBL bogie itself is no use for motorising as the wheels and frame are, as usual, formed as one piece in metal. As a static display in a shed to fill some space this would be ideal, the wheels are blackened and look more convincing on the original Hornby model. Remember to insulate the wheels though or you'll get a short circuit! Possibly some thin insulating tape under the wheels would do the job, or place the loco in an electrically isolated section using insulated fishplates.

In case you've not seen it the announcement was on the official GBL site. I'm sure I'll find a use for a couple, I've still got the original Hornby HST train pack so at least they will all match if nothing else. My problem with the original Hornby model was the rake of the front cab, the angle doesn't seem correct. As for the peak, I realise it's been mentioned on this site numerous times but I've never seen it listed on any of the GBL publications. Anyone know where this addition to the lists originated from? I could definitely use a few of them so my fingers are still crossed. Only other diesel I was aware of was the Western. Regards Tony.

Next issue 17 announced as the HST, looks disappointingly like the old Hornby model.

Thanks, I think I'll try the Craftsman headcode. I tried without success to find a pic of what it looks like on the net, couldn't see any pics on the Craftsman catalogue or Howes site.

I'm referring to the curved guides front and back of the bogie. Form a channel which the power bogie fits into. If I understand your reference correctly, the lugs on the plastic bogie frame you mention should not be altered in any way. Refer to the 55002 pic in the link, the oval port is at no2 end, nose side hatch clearly at the other no1 end. This corresponds with the GBL model. Does anyone have a Bachmann Deltic they can check this arrangement against?

When I cut the guides off the Lima model I included the vertical walls so the channel remained once attached to the GBL chassis, I had to pack it out at the edges. I think this photo shows which end the panel is at- if you look next to the exhaust you can make out the matching roof ports that are only at one end on the GBL Deltic. The square nose panel is at the other end. Hopefully this link below works!!! https://www.flickr.com/photos/cookephotography/898994745/in/photolist-acryk9-nbtczG-bjNwmY-e713wL-eUqSNt-auaMdc-dfmJp5-dfnHCL-dfmeQB-dfmkq2-dfnEVC-dfmhqa-dfnr8A-aiBWNM-n2MHkp-85xenw-n2MHsD-bjJGva-8Vs5MA-9UWZ6s-aiEMNE-9QdEXq-ajArCA-nDs5wi-7XVb1U-6ucUmf-nJFriT-4JScEQ-9FpeFS-auTg8E-dHqeDB-9sg2uy-nuJtwr-69ZqKw-awXWt6-aeppBB-9WDLhP-grBBhX-mmNmgx-2nrzPp-68dem5-avpkjH-avrZC9-7iVa5M-69END3-99hmGs-4Ps8bj-dendv8-avpkgx-eBZChM

I've managed to remove the numbers on the GBL Deltic so intend to represent 55002 with yellow ends. I have most of the parts and paints I need for the conversion except the metal headcode blanking plate. In the past I have used a brass part which has the light rims but no holes for the lights for class 47 and 55s. Unfortunately it's been a while since I've done serious railway modelling, like many others I've started again with the release of the GBL series. Could anyone advise if there are suitable headcode plates still available without light holes? One of my GBL Deltics had a missing horn, I've managed to source a replacement from the Dapol class 04 kit, with a bit of modification it's a close match to the GBL Deltic horns. Regards, Tony.

You're welcome Malcolm. As promised here are some pics of the cut out required to fit the bogie, and showing how a thin screwdriver can access the GBL screw. Apologies, I should have said it accessed through the bogie frame not the coupling. Unfortunately when I made the cut out I originally cut away the GBL screw housing. Only after checking the Lima 37 bogie inside the GBL modified chassis it became apparent that I could actually use the original screw fixing, so I had to reattach it! Hopefully your own conversion will benefit from this experience and won't require the extra packing mine did. Also hopefully you can use the picture as a guide. Note that my frame still needs a little bit of filing where the Lima gears still touch the GBL frame side, but now this is only slight on a second radius curve. You will also need a curved piece of plastic under the chassis at the front and back to guide the bogie on curves, I used those from the Lima 37 chassis cut to suit. The GBL frame flexes enough to allow the bogie to free from this enclosure. Hope this helps, Regards, Tony.

If you refer to the nose side panels then there is only one, at the no.1 end. Other than this it's difficult to determine the no.1 end of a twin engine loco! There is a roof vent near to the exhausts at one end only so it's worth checking photos to make sure you add it to the correct end. Regards Tony.

To refit the screw at the powered bogie rotate the bogie sideways, this allows a thin screwdriver to access the screw through the Lima coupling. I'll post some photos on Wednesday once my kids are back at school.

No it was autocompleted, the scourge of modern Windows programs......

I got one in Asda Edinburgh this morning. I noticed the same problem with the bent front frame but have managed to sort it by taking it to bits then applying some pressure on the front misformed section. Then I fitted a micro thin washer to the screw between the bent frame and the boiler, 're-assembled and it looks straight. The front smokebox door detached easily which helps greatly with fitting the washer. The front pony truck wheel can rotate but it's a pity the spokes are filled or it may have been useful. Regards Tony.

There were 6 in Asda at The Jewel in Edinburgh this morning, 5 once I'd left.... Nice to see the livery quality improved again, pity the Deltic wasn't up to this standard.

I found a couple of Deltics in WH Smith today, the finish on these was noticably better than my first purchase. The white window surrounds were applied better and the yellow lower band wasn't oversprayed onto the BR dark green. However (there's always a down side!!) the front yellow warning panel had fuzzy edges (this was not bad on the original) and a horn was missing....This one could therefore look much better with full yellow ends as 55002 in 1981 condition, if I can get the D numbers off this is what I'll do with it. I have a couple of scratch built ETH jumpers that could come in use, and it will need a plated headcode. In the meantime here are some pics of the motorised GBL chassis with Lima 37 bogies. Still needs the bogies levelled, weight added and a bit of the chassis sides filed down to allow the bogies to turn on tight curves as there is slight fouling. It runs fine on the straight just now. Obviously the steps still need sorted, that may be a job for another day.

I picked up the latest GBL magazine from my local Asda in Edinburgh, there were 3 available this morning. The problem with the nose is that it should taper vertically inwards from about half way down to the bottom, and it is dead straight on the GBL and Bachmann models. The difference is especially apparent either side of the buffers, when comparing the model against the real photo of 55015 on page 11 of the accompanying magazine. After an hour of cutting and drilling I've managed to get an old Lima 37 motor and unpowered bogie in the GBL Deltic chassis. Still needs guides on either side of the motor bogie to hold it in place and a fixing between chassis and body, as I cut a bit too much off the chassis off (!), but it looks like this is going to be a simple enough method of motorising the GBL loco. The Lima 37 steps are obviously wrong but otherwise the effect is not bad. I agree with the comments already posted that the finish is the worst of the entire GBL range so far, which is a real pity. If they'd done a blue Deltic the finish would probably have been more acceptable. The colour of the lower band is completely wrong, (agree/disagree with previous posts as applicable), and should be much more green. It is nearly the same colour as the yellow warning panel. Maybe this colour varies on some of the distributed batches??? My strategy is going to be to view further batches and see if the quality of finish gets any better in the next two weeks before deciding whether to buy any more.