Southern 1930-1945, especially routes to Hastings & Brighton. However I am completely new to railway modelling especially DCC.
I am also a keen artist as you can see from my own website
The gun "footplates" are only left down for firing. In transit they are stowed. Perhaps consider stowing them and then it will fit into the lifting box.
they don't feel detachable, but I am having to make changes anyway - there is an awful seam down the gun so I need to sand fill and spray to fix, so this is trivial by comparison. I do love this forum for all the friendly advice like yours