TT100 Diesels

Waiting for the proverbial paint to dry! On with building up the livery elements so a couple of progress pix. Work bench clutter ! Its half way through building up the yellow element, using Railmatch Warning Yellow 2202 acrylic. Be honest, I don't rate it, for a start its "too orange" for my liking, but was happy to live with that, but even nicely thinned down it goes on awful, very patchy and poor flow. I had already done 3 thinned coats of white primer for a good base for it as well. Today, it was out with my trusty Humbrol RC 407 Yellow acrylic, its brilliant, flows and covers lovely even when thinned down. Trouble is, they dropped the "RC" paints range and I am eeking out my last dregs of my "precious pot"! No doubt Precision enamel yellow is ok, but I am trying to lessen my use of enamels where possible, so I might try a few different shaded of Citadel (warhammer) yellows to get a match, I am very impressed with Citadel acrylics, they cover and flow very nicely. Anyway, that's the yellow front end and cab base applied, (and the roof grey done), started on the black. Attempting to hand paint the curve above the windscreens as its well nigh impossible to create a nice smooth masking tape curve. So it will be ever decreasing rework circles till I am happy with it. The nose requires masking, but I want to wait now and let the yellow harden before messing with tape. Chassis wise, the mini ploughs are finished and started on the buffers and buffer beam. Need to limber up to do the ETH sockets and pipework, but overall this is fast progress for me. Cheers D.

Funny enough, the left hand photo is a sun set near Stromness, so quite a lot more north than Mallaig ! And talking of mini snow ploughs, I said up thread that @Phil Mason has made some previously so blazing the trail in 3mm, I found a photo of them on one of his scratch build 26's. Sorry its one of my not so good pics, but in the distance, the mini ploughs are visible on Phil's lovely 26. (An 1160hp Sulzer fest on Bluish). And a more side on shot I took of it on Dely Y Coed. But kudos to Phil for blazing the mini snow plough trail in 3mm. Cheers D.

37403 progress....... Got the mini ploughs epoxied on to the bogie transoms, bogies and underframe had matt black then weathered black base coats applied. Started to build up colour on the ploughs, need these fully painted before messing with the buffer beam detailing pipes and jumpers etc as they will be in front of the ploughs and would make access more difficult. Also painted the roof, ended up as a home brew mix of white and Citadel "Admisinstratium grey". This was because the railmatch acrylic rail grey 2206 isn't - its more beige, so had an abortive time applying it and hoping it dried right, err it did not. So I had to sort out a roof that was essentially intercity swallow livery coach beige! So need to let it all harden, there is a lot of masking bled under and masking edge ridge to rework with fine finishing grit paper. Starting to look a lot more "Ingey three". I think the mini ploughs make it "pop". Funny that they look a lot more yellow than actually are, they still need a few more thin coats yet. With the primer on, round the windscreens, they are looking a lot better after two rounds of very careful fettling, than the as supplied print bodyshell, I am very pleased how they turned out. Ok, not Accurascale, but my eye is pleased, so that's all that matters. Cheers D.

Hi, Wish I found this thread before. Bought some Railmatch 2206 Rail Grey at at the Macclesfield show. Perfect for LL 37 roof. Looks about right through the transparent pot, but the actual paint is more very light brown than grey, started painting and built up a few thinned coats by brush (my usual way), and hmmm, not quite right looking colour shade. Back to trawling photos of blue grey ic coaches and LL roofs, all much "whiter" to the eye. So that is a long winded way of agreeing with above posts. Just been on the railmatch web site, 2206 is listed for blue grey stock, LL loco roof etc. But it is not actually, as above posts its looking like the intercity beige livery element. Anyway, sorted it, mixed some white and Citadel "Administartum grey", two thinned coats over the existing 2206 has done the trick, to my eyes anyway. I was going to do this anyway before I saw the 2206 on sale, still had to in the end! But as a bonus, I think the iteration of 2206 I have would make a great colour for the translucent grp panels on loco roof, like on the class 25, 26 etc. I have a 26 and a 27 to build so it will come in handy for them. As usual with modelling, every day is a schoolday. Note - Some of the posts above are quite old and quote slightly different numbers, but the overall issue would appear to be the same. Note 2 - Just emailed Howes Models who market Railmatch paint to point out the discrepancy. If I get a response, I will post an update. I am not bothered about the couple of quid for the pot, its more about helping solve the discrepancy. Cheers, TT100 Diesels

I absolutely love this. It is spot on. Totally agree.

Well that is it now, 37403 decals and name plates ordered off railtec. So the die is cast do to speak. Been further fine tuning the cab windscreens following further photo analysis. Included a very subtle curve on the top of the centre screen and making the same screen corners a tighter radius. Ok it not Accurascale but it does look a lot more 37 than the raw print as supplied. Working off a pic of "Mary". Think that the 3d print bonnet curve and thus windscreen angle is slightly shallow compared with the real loco, but I am not gonna try to change that on the model. Note, my photo. These are dead useful for hand fettling windscreen corner radii (and loads of other jobs as well). Also been fettling the scratch built mini ploughs set with filler along the joints. They are currently tacked on to the front bogie transoms with a bit of poly cement. I intend to lock them on by carefully adding a bit of epoxy adhesive behind them. Well see how that goes..... And in a change of scene, just to show my finished Peak, 45127 entering Delyn Y Coed at last weekends Macclesfield MRX. Could not post it till after the show had finished on Sunday due to special show copyright conditions. Thanks to Jim Barry and Dave Wheelton for permission to photo it and give it a run on their superb layout. Cheers Dave

Hi Steve, That's a fascinating insight into the reborn real life 37403, thanks for sharing. I'll be ordering up the 3mm scale decals pack and Isle of Mull plates off your web site in the near future. Good to see your interested in our 3mm scale work bench goings on. Cheers D.

That might be the standing instruction, but I have loads of pics of 3 piece ploughs fitted to ScR locos in summer ! 😁. Thanks though BB, but I suppose 3mm is an easy scale to do unique items, especially in the blue diesel era, there can't be many more than 10 to 15 of us doing the era "seriously". Although Phil M has done mini ploughs out of thin tin plate or similar, he truly blazes the trail. I mean, on display yesterday at Macc show, he had scratch build 81 x 2 and 86, immense.... And we have all seen the roster on Bluish. There is a scratch build HS4000 Kestrel scratch build in the stock box as well. But back to 37403, LL with mini ploughs fitted, to me, the pinnacle of liveries and 'look'. Sure, paint jobs are subject to personal opinions, but given the popularity of LL 37's in other scales, I think (well hope) my effort will 'pop' when its finished. Cheers D.

Ok gang, back down to earth again, it was a fun day at Macc railex but the work bench beckons...... Was going to keep this one under wraps but since it was brought up at macc, I am figuring that it may as well feature here as another build. Came away from last weekend's EMAG Bingham meet up with this beastie from Lenny. Ready to roll 37/4. Pop the body off and the motorised chassis is revealed. Power wise, its an A1A - A1A, the centre wheelsets are flangeless dummies, same principle as seen on the Peak. Engine room windows were blanked off, so a bit of chain drilling then needle file work. With ref to the other pix above, the windscreen surrounds were heavily printed, I prefer to remove them, which I did, a lot of care and attention for that job. Looking at photos, I also needed to just open out the top of the inner corners of the windscreens to follow the roof profile curve. Also, adding filler to allow a less tight corner on the bottom outer corners of the windscreens. In all, it helps improve the overall look. The headcode box corners were radiused a bit more as well. Plasticard and micro rod used to knock up the nose end MU ops recept and ETH recept. Decided on doing 37403 "Isle of Mull", which was an ex WR loco pre HGR into a /4. So in addition to the normal lamp irons at tail light level, had the funny WR "sticky outey" ones to the sides of the headcode box. And, well, one can't have a 37/4 without miniature snow ploughs can one ? So, a bit of trial and error with the plasticard. Scaled off photos, and knocked up the side ploughs, temporary fixed with poly cement (not a strong bond onto 3d print so easy to remove again) to estimate it looking ok and judge how big to make the centre plough. In this pic, the centre plough was version 2, a bit bigger and spot on to my eye. So it was simply a case of replicating another set for the other end. I have kept the dimensions for making more for my yet to be done 26 & 27. Running trials on the layout to test "proof of concept". Note the version 1 smaller centre plough which got the boot. Need to work out how to do the rest of the buffer beam detailing around the ploughs, but super pleased anyway with the way the ploughs have turned out. And this is what I am aiming for, large logo blue, 37403 "lsle of Mull", I just think LL was made for 37's, however, mine will be mid 80's incarnation, so no nose number or orange OLE warning line, and era specific OLE flashes. Railtec do Eastfield LL 37 specify your number transfer set, and 3d waterslide standard BR type nameplates specify your name, so its all achievable. So, that's it, on with the next one, funny its last one in but jumped the works que ! Cheers D.

Went today, a great show with a huge variety of layout types across the scales and gauges, very enjoyable. For me, it was great to catch another 3mm scale layout double header in the north in quick succession (Belper and York were the other shows). And quite a few three millers about to catch up and chat with as well. Final bonus was an half hour operating session on Mike Corp's sublime 3mm 14.2 finescale layout, Heybridge Wharf. The show appeared to be 'healthily busy' today, so hope its the same tomorrow for the traders, club and layouts. Cheers TT100 Diesels

Went to the show today, very good, generally high quality across the scales spectrum, so well worth a visit, if anone can make the sunday. Was great to have a half hour or so 'shift' operating Heybridge Wharf, as well as being sublime, it has a lot of play value, so makes for interesting operating, thanks to Mike Corp for trusting me with the reins! Lots of three millers around to chat to, and good to meet 03060 of this parish in person for the first time. And my Peak was allowed an out and back driver training light engine run on Delyn y Coed, but just the one due to the bridge weight restriction meaning the Peak RA was too high (so they said....... 🤔). Also, a superb collection of diesel and electric locos on display at D y C, and the lovely diesel hydraulics running on the layout. Cheers D.

Hi 3mm workbench type peeps! Its a bit late in the day for this, but just to slide off topic if I may, tomorrow Sat 21 and also Sun 22 April, its the Macclesfield club railex. Mentioning it as there is a double header 3mm exhibition layouts attending. Dave Wheelton & Jim Barry present Delyn - y - Coed, a 12mm gauge layout, while Mike Corp will have his sublime 14.2mm gauge, Heybridge Wharf. There is a certain symmetry to this as Mike actually built Delyn and ran it for a while called The Harp Tree. D-y-C is a more or less Welsh translation from what I understand. I am going tomorrow (sat). May see some of you there? Cheers D.

Just awesome work, great to see it running, a huge milestone. Take a bow sir ! Cheers D.

Hi Andrew, The HST looks fab. Are you going to renumber the power cars to the record breaking pair, 43102 and 43149 ...... 😉. And who would have thought that HST's ended up in the 2020's as 2 + 4 on GWR and Scotrail. The A4 and pullmans stand well too 👍. Cheers D.

That is very kind and generous of you to say so 97406. Certainly, my techniques have improved, and each loco I do is another learning experience, and the skills slowly build up. Othe folks have also said they think it is my best effort so far, so I must be doing something right, which is nice to know. Re your comment on class 40, yes, be nice but another "add to the collection" loco, rather than core fleet, but need to get the works que (stash of shame) done first (03, 26, 27, 31, 47). And thanks for the continued feedback from everyone else. Cheers all, TT100 Diesels

Well, after over three months gap in posting on HPJ, I am pleased that folk are taking an interest, with likes etc, and thanks to Red Devil, Hunslet 102 and Bradfordbuffer. But yes, grubby GUVs would be nice (loving the 3d print), but a rake of two f's would be just dandy! Anybody got a 3mm St Pancras I can run it out of ? 😉 Cheers TT100 Diesels

Superb work, fantastic development work and proof of concept for your ever more tiny drive trains. I am very much looking forward to seeing your work in the flesh, so to speak. Shame I missed your day at the York Show. Would have loved to see the 24 chassis RC on Lakebank for real. Cheers, D.

A new arrival*, 45127 sits on the table at High Peak Jn shed. Cheers TT100 Diesels * - New arrival as in hot off the work bench.

Hi, part 2 of the latest layout update. An unusual view from the back of the shed with the core fleet present. 45127 has moved onto the turntable. Another shuffle round and a ground view from the station end of the yard. Again capturing the now completed core loco fleet for the layout. The other locos I have (and the unbuilt "stash" ones) will be occasional visitors. All Sulzer line up. A pair of 20's muscle into what was the Sulzer line up! So there we are, a bit of fun with the camera, with a selection of 3mm blue diesels. Hoping these latest pics are of interest. Cheers TT100 Diesels

Hi, well time to blow the dust off this thread, its been a while with nothing happening on the layout. However, I have just completed a Lincoln Locos Class 45, finished as an ETH example, 45127, one of only two 45/1's still having split head code boxes in 1980. The build has been covered in the scale specific / 3mm / what's on your workbench thread. But now its finished, its all about the layout. The other thing is, this loco represents the final piece in the jigsaw for the required core traction for HPJ. Starting with 45127 on shed, in company with resident Jocko, 08685, peeking out of the shed. Seen coupled on to an unfitted minerals rake, but no problem for the big Peak. Easing out of the sidings. Later turned up again on an air braked van rake, probably a Speedlink feeder service from Toton to High Peak Jn. It must be Sunday, with a line up of traction. All of the HPJ core fleet lined up, 25071, 25125, 20154, 20175, 45127, 47205 and 08685. After some shuffling about the core fleet conglomerate around the shed area. That's it for the moment, but more to come in a part 2 post. Cheers, TT100 Diesels

No pressure on me then Phil ! But just wow, that is very kind and gracious of you to say my Peak is the "coming of age" for the scale. Quite humbling really. I suppose its true I have stirred the pot a bit and got other RMwebber 3mm peeps posting more, which to me has been great, I love to see what everyone else is up to, it is always enjoyable and inspiring. But I do have to say, a massive thanks to Lenny Seeney of Lincoln Locos for facilitating a lot of my modelling. I am a kitbasher and finisher, there are many others who are builders, whose efforts should not be underestimated. You are only really seeing such a variety of diesel main liners from me because of Lenny. That being said, its not come out of the box, as can be seen up thread, there was a modest modelling content getting it to what I wanted before the paint / finishing activities. Thanks again for your kind words. Cheers D.

Thanks for all the replies folks, as ever, exact liveries can be a minefield. But some fascinating info provided. It is funny though, I think (assume) I know the livery and details of a class, but suddenly when needing to do some modelling, hmmm, suddenly not quite so sure! Well, thanks to the info provided, I am happy with what I need to do for a LL 37/4 in terms of livery element colours. Thanks again folks, cheers TT100 Diesels

Thanks Steven, That is good to know. I should have been more specific, I am looking at LL class 37/4 as out shopped in the mid /ok late 80's. Was the window surround and bonnet top Black or a very very dark shade of Grey? Cheers D.

So, back to Sprinter prototypes, who remembers these long forgotten units, the Met Camm Class 151's? These made up the quartet of Sprinter prototypes, with the two BREL York MKIII derived 150001 & 2 with different engine & power train combinations, and two identical Class 151's, 151001 & 151002. These both had Cummins engines and Twin Disc transmissions. These became somewhat of a white elephant and joined the long list of short lived traction on BR. On a snowy 08/02/1985, brand new 151001 (55202 vehicle) is seen at Platform 1 at Derby, having arrived from Washwood Heath being hauled by a Class 25. Its just waiting the road for a propelling move into the RTC yard. First time one of these units was at Derby. Locomotive haulage of all 4 sprinter prototypes was easy, as apart from having to use the adapter coupling it was s standard two pipe auto air brake system on the units. If you look carefully at the air connection block on top of the BSI auto coupler, two air connection ports can be seen, the bottom one is the main reservoir pipe, present on all sprinter and pacer fleets, but on the prototype sprinters, the top one was the air brake pipe, for working in multiple. With a loco tied on, emergency mr and bp hoses had a glad hand connector at one end (for loco pipes) and a plug in Schrader connector at the other (for unit emergency connections). 22/02/1985 sees 151001 stabled at Mickleover between runs on the test track. This unit spent quite a while at Mickleover, carrying out development running trials to enable the engineers from Twin Disc to fine tune the transmission system to the engine output characteristics. At the time Cummins and Twin Disc were in dispute, and Cummins refused to co-operate with TD, hence the need to "reverse engineer" the transmission response. Never did find out the reason behind these shenanigans, that was for the men in suits. On 11/03/1985, 151001 ventured out onto the main line on a Derby RTC to Bedford rtn quality assurance test run. This was the first proper long run for the 151, apart from transit to / from Derby and Mickleover and test track runs. The picture shows it stopped just by Wing tunnel for a planned transmission oil level check. Later on the return run, 151001 was stopped on the slow lines at Glendon South Junction, waiting in a que for the road via Market Harborough. In what has got to be a rare picture of a 150 prototype on the MML south of Leicester, 150002 passes by on the fasts en route from St Pancras to Derby. This unit had been engaged in filming at St Pancras. Possibly one of the rarest pictures of a coming together of BREL and Met Camm sprinter prototypes, certainly away from Derby Station or Etches Park depot, and especially being down the MML, sees 151001 in a que, stopped on the slows, while 150002 races past on the fasts. It could not be more different today, with MAS, electrification and the lifting of the lead up to the main lines. Cheers TT100 Diesels

Final update for the Peak on the workbench thread, just finished the flush glazing off. General side on view of the No. 1 end. 45127, almost ready to tie onto a rake of two f 's at Pancras......... Side on study from the No.2 end. I know I keep saying this, but it's an impressive beast. And thanks to Lenny, the base print has great detail resolution, so gave me a good starting point to add my mods and tweaks to create a specific model of a specific loco at a specific time frame. One little snippet I can share following a conversation today with Lenny, is that all Peak classes had the rear sand boxes fitted as built and shown on the drawings. But sometime fairly early on in the green era, they were removed, I am guessing as a weight saving measure, but I don't actually know. All my blue era pix of all 3 classes show the rear sand boxes not fitted, hence my razor saw mods to the bogie side frames. Lenny was querying my need to mod the side frames when he said they were on the drawings. Hence round the research loop. Just shows though, photos of the actual item being modelled are key. And yet again, every day is school day. Cheers D.