Southwich

Hi Richie, Thanks for the kind words! Funnily enough I was reading one of your conversion threads the other night and was going to comment but didn’t get round to it. Of course, please see shopping list below: Shawplan: - Etched windows without horns and backing plate (I think this is the biggest improvement that can be made to a Bachmann 37. The VITrains ones are much better all round IMO once laserglazed) - Laserglaze for the 37 - Brake levers - Windscreen wipers - Roof fan/grille Shawpeways: - Brake cylinders are from the link below. They’re not perfect but I think they look nicer than the originals. I bought two packs so then I had some spares as you have to cut down the arm for the 37. https://www.shapeways.com/product/JL53VSBUF/ho-sw1500-flexicoil-brake-cylinders-x8?optionId=61568664&li=marketplace PHDesigns: - 37/0 detailing set including the etched steps - Etched snowploughs - 3D printed multiple working socket (think this may have been via Shapeways though!) Lanarkshire models: - Cast OLEO buffers for the 37. Much nicer than the original. Link here: http://www.lanarkshiremodels.com/lanarkshiremodelsandsupplieswebsite_136.htm PenBits: - Sprung bogies BlackBeetle: - 14mm EM coach wheels (via @dj_crisp!) Dingham couplings will be fitted along with various Bachmann/Vitrains detailing parts for the ends. I think that is all - Hopefully the shopping list helps! Let me know if you need anything else and I can drop you a PM Kind regards, Will

One for you @Firecrest , taken off the extra gauge/steps off of 114 this evening: Interesting there’s a weird indent in the tanks - need to order some filler to get that filled in! Planning on making a start on the pipe work and sandpipes tomorrow. Kind regards, Will

Thanks Jerry - apologies I missed your post (blame it on Christmas and not knowing what day it is! Thanks very much for the kind words - hoping it’ll be ready for weathering when the weather improves March/April time. Hope you had a great Christmas! Will

The PenBits bug has well and truly bitten! My girlfriend purchased me a class 47 kit which I’ve duly started this evening: Subframes complete - bolsters on the agenda for tomorrow! Hope everyone had a nice Christmas given the circumstances. Kind regards, Will

Thanks Nick - may have to give them a ring to see if I can just get the cylinders. £15 for 4 is a bit excessive given it would be £60 for a whole loco! Kind regards, Will

Thanks Firecrest for the very kind words. Glad you think 114 is looking good! I am indeed planning on taking the extra gauge/steps off. I haven’t long finished the tanks and they’re very fragile, so putting any further work off on the tanks at the minute to be honest! I think opening up the tanks has made one of the biggest differences to the model! A few more months to go on 114 I think. Hoping to have it ready for weathering when the weather improves in the spring. Got another set of PenBits bogies for 47145 to keep me busy as well... Kind regards, Will

A quick photo update on 37114, probably the last of 2020. Fitted the ploughs, cosmetic springs, and made a start on the brake levers/chains today. I just have the noses to finish (lamp brackets, aerials and handrails) alongside the underframe brake levers, chains and pipe work (sandpipes, taps etc) then she’ll be ready for weathering when the weather improves next year. Really pleased with how this is coming along! Thanks for all the comments/likes this year! Kind regards, Will

Thanks Nick - are they available just with the sideframes then? Would be interested to see if you have a link? Kind regards, Will

Nice work as usual Jack - love the snowploughs I think you need to do another set really for me the MFA/MTAs are looking great too! Have a good Christmas and new year mate! Kind regards, Will

Thanks very much! This is the formation I’m planning with 114/698. Just need to get on with mentor as well! Thanks Mark very kind! The brake cylinders are pretty good but I couldn’t find any Class 50 ones or the ones from detail associates. Only thing is now every other 37 is going to need the same treatment! I did think about blackening but I must admit I’m much more comfortable spraying. As long as the bearing carrier area is masked I think it should be ok. Can always strip the paint off if I’m not happy, although saying that you’re probably not going to see it anyway after the PH etched snowploughs are on! Kind regards, Will

Just wanted to say a big thanks to everyone who has followed and supported the thread over the past year - it really is appreciated. I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of EM over the past year; I’ve learnt a hell of a lot with regards to finescale modelling and pushing myself to strive for better results every time I take on a new project. With regards to Motts Lane I haven’t done a whole lot on the layout, however I have plans to push on with the layout over the Christmas break. Most of my time has been spent on 37114, which now is fitted with its PenBits sprung bogies, which I must say are awesome! A pic below from today’s detailing, including detailing the sideframes and the fuel tanks: Hope you all have a great and safe Christmas/New Year! Hopefully we can get back to some exhibitions in 2021. Kind regards, Will

Bit of a mammoth day spent on 37114 today following my last day of work yesterday. PenBits bogies have been assembled with all of the springs, the cosmetic sideframes being finished and glued on, as well as starting work on opening out the fuel tank this evening. Pretty pleased with how she’s looking, and more importantly runs like a dream with the suspension! A few photos of progress: Hoping to make some further progress on the tanks tomorrow and get a coat of primer on the bogies if the weather is nice! A big thanks to everyone who has followed and supported the thread over the past year - it really is appreciated! Hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year! Kind regards, Will

Afternoon all, Still looking for a 37038 in original DRS so if you’ve got one you’re looking to move on please drop me a PM. thanks in advance, Will

Looks superb that! For a concrete colour and texture I can thoroughly recommend Plastikote suede spray paint if you haven’t got a solution/colour in mind already. Keep up the good work - really enjoying seeing it progress! Kind regards, Will

Nice photos @Jack374 ! The layout looks brilliant as always, looking forward to seeing it out an about again soon! Kind regards, Will

Looking very good - nice work. That check rail looks absolutely superb. You’re tempting another EM’er to change with that superb trackwork... Kind regards, Will

2nd bogie finished this evening and sideframes cut down ready for joining to the bogies. Time to start prepping the chassis, we may see something running by the end of the week! Kind regards, Will

A bit more roof dirt on the cab roof? What else have you got to do? I must say you’ve done a superb job on painting the lip below the windows, my word that was a pain when I did my 90024! Keep up the good work sir! Kind regards, Will

Stunning work Guy, the KPA is a stunner! How many more are in the pipeline for Whatley? Kind regards, Will

Superb work Jerry! Jack is a lucky man having 90034! Kind regards, Will

A quick update from the weekends work. Brake gear was completed yesterday on the second bogie, which I think is a real advantage of using this kit over just a straight wheel swap for converting to EM/P4. Today I’ve spent the afternoon modifying the drivetrain for the first bogie, which now fits into the subframe perfectly. Will finish up the second bogie and then make a start on the springing. Photo of the work this weekend below: Hope everyone is keeping well! Kind regards, Will

Brake gear is all but finished now on the first bogie. Really pleased with it! Just need to get the drive train in then I’m onto the next bogie. The chassis has also had a slot cut for an EM2, although I’m quite tempted to go for an EM1/sugar cube as my 60 sounds superb with that combo. I’d be interested to hear peoples thoughts on this! Kind regards, Will

Further progress on the the bogies today. Wheel sets (14mm black beetle wheels) and brake gear sorted for one bogie. This bogie is all but complete apart from the brake gear on the other side and finishing the drive train. I can see light at the end of the tunnel of a very enjoyable kit! Kind regards, Will

Thanks for the kind words Jerry. Frustrating indeed although it means I can crack on with detailing! Looking forward to seeing 90034 you’re doing! You have more of a chance than I do Rich! No garage unfortunately. Thanks for the kind words. You get loads of sockets in the pack so can thoroughly recommend! Will certainly be using them in the future. A lot better than the weird Bachmann moulding on the chassis. Kind regards, Will

A bit more work on 37114 today following a trip to Halfords for some primer. Pete Harvey’s superb 3D printed multiple working sockets and the cast buffers from Lanarkshire have had their first coat of paint. I’ve also made a start on the brake gear on the sprung bogies: Hopefully get the brake gear finished tomorrow then the sprung bogies are nearly there! Hope everyone is keeping well. Kind regards, Will