Martin37

Not really. I am in exactly that position. Bought a sound fitted D6703, mostly for sentimental reasons (those that know me will know why!) having not bought a model "train" for over 30 years! But with a nod to one day having a means with which to exercise it both physically and aurally. The worry bead has now been sown, unfortunately, that when this day comes, very much out of warranty, that I could be sorely disappointed. Hopefully not. But that possibility cannot be denied, can it? So. If there is anyone reading this in a half hour radius of Honiton, or even Coventry (a different story!) that would be willing to give my Girl a workout, I'd really appreciate the chance to put these worries to bed. Martin.

Top job James. Looking good. I thought I'd got the to do list sorted, but now those lamps being yellow is really going to annoy me 😁 Let us know if you find a good colour match for the green 👍

The covers were all the same. I believe the red line indicated that a certain, and different kind of grease to those without the stripe, was lying in wait for the ground crew. No idea when this changed, or how it was rolled out. Very similar to my earlier point about the seats being red in the early days, like (some of?) the accurascale deltics portray. With no idea how or when they had cause to change them. All part of the fun! Cheers.

Does anyone know if the axle box covers are (easily) removable? Just thinking this may be an easier way to mask and apply the requisite red lines for my target moment in time, so they all look similar. Many thanks!

Looks great, can't wait to get mine. Not sure if I was expecting the seats to be red, though? Haven't paid much attention to the samples etc. I am not sure when the transition was to black, from the original red "roll-tops" Have seen various pics well into the 60's, of the early ones still still very much upholstered in red. Oh well. Nothing that can't be sorted with a brush and scalpel if it bothers me that much. Enjoy!

97301, along with all the other 97's given the HNRC treatment, are fitted with engine pre-heaters, so should be no fireworks on these if said units are fired up. Yet another function to add 😉

OMG! That's a history changer, Fran! Certainy appear to be uncovered in all their glory. The power of the t'interweb never ceases to amaze me! Thank you posting that. I have found the pictures I saw of the plates mentioned earlier. Might be useful for a check against your etches.

I have seen pictures of the plates uncovered, which were taken at Stratford, by the looks of it, as one of them was not fully bolted on. They were published in Rail mag, many years ago. Will try and find a copy of the pictures and add them in.

Ah, indeed, Loch Long. But that reads to me that you will see the words, and not just the plywood covers. . . All will be revealed, or not, in due course 😃

With regards D6703 @Accurascale Fran I assume the axle covers will have the red stripe added to the final masterpiece.... Also, any chance of reproducing the covered nameplates it actually ran with in 1963, as well... Detail, detail, detail 😄 Here she is in all her 1963 glory, courtesy of the C37LG facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=162520529732403&set=a.162520499732406 Great choice of subject, and hats off to you.