97406

Thank you. I have another 3 to do the cab job on with 50007 next, where I try and keep as much of the factory paint job as possible. I also have a Vitrains 47 to tinker with over the holiday period which is destined to become 47299 which had an interesting story. https://www.railexpress.co.uk/1986/fate-or-coincidence/

When Heljan get a model right, then by golly it's a good model, but there are a few with avoidable errors. Some like the new 86/4 are relatively easy to correct and hence I have a few on order. However there are more fundamental errors with the 47 and 45, which means that unfortunately I will be steering clear of them. I still wish Heljan all success with these models, and hope that they look at and improve the process used to approve the CADs and prototypes before the final model goes to manufacture for future ventures.

My first go at a 50 is pretty much done. Another one on its way.

Given the photos of the Deltic work in progress, I’m quite happy to wait until they arrive, as with the 37s too, unless it’s a moon-landing style “fake” . I understand how offshore manufacture works, plus I can spot some fellow ‘cranks’ in Accurascale a mile off. Plus an increasing number of other products have landed now, so the business plan is clearly working.

Getting ready for the paint shop

33101 and a Slim Jim for me….

The 50s are taking shape. Lessons learnt on 50020 (right) are being applied to what was D400, which is being refurbished as well. I do like the Large Logo livery, so I'm tempted for this to go in the version with the orange stripe, and maybe with a black roof.

Looking forward to my Ballymoss, which will fill a little gap in my fleet. And the 37s after that, of which I’ll be partaking of a couple out of each run as they come out.

The first of the Class 50s is in works for attention, destined for Large Logo livery. I've not decided on the number, yet.

A couple more pics

Thanks. The eponymous 97406 has Hornby class 50 buffers on its Lima underpinnings as it happens.

Mission accomplished. Class 50s next

The pans got swapped around a lot. I recall at least one 87 with the AMBR pan, in IC executive with the extended yellow end, and possibly red bufferbeams. I am sooo tempted to get a second exec 86 and do the fuller yellow end when I sort the cabs out.

I found this today. Most emphatically worth a read! https://getpocket.com/explore/item/11-mental-tricks-to-stop-overthinking-everything

That’s interesting as my debit card will be changing to Debit Mastercard as of next January.

97405 has been outshopped, seen here with its departmental siblings. Will sort the odd buffer at the number 2 end - I dropped the chassis!. 97408 to follow.

A few pics from the end of the BR blue period on my layout

I struggled with the original NSE livery at the time, but the 86 was an exception to this, as it suited the square lines of the loco. I would love to see this one, too.

When it came to anxiety and depression with me, the gamechanger was the realisation that basically, I have an introvert personality. This means that I rapidly lose the ability to function and think rationally if I try and cram too much into my schedule, especially through interaction with others through work or socially. The solution to this is quite simple, and involves allowing myself some quiet time to recharge. It is far from being a time of inactivity, instead I'll nip out into the countryside on the bicycle, tinker with my models, or even just sit in my favourite armchair in silence facing the garden, having a good old think! Allowing myself that space gives me time to process all the information I've received in the big wide world out there, and I plan my next manuevres out there. It is also lovely to live in the moment for some of the time. I appreciate that many of you will have busy schedules and family commitments, but if the above rings true, then do consider allowing yourself some 'you' time. There are plenty of good articles regarding introvert and extrovert personalities on t'internet if you fancy a surf.

Thanks for the comments above. I think there’s a middle ground somewhere, and as much about keeping the mind active as bringing in a few extra quid. I struggle to sit down and just do nothing, or watch the telly, and I don’t see that changing, whilst mind and body permits! Having said that, my time and modeling mojo may be taken up with a larger layout, and a lot depends on how much the pensions end up being.

I often wonder about starting a little business doing resprays and detailing locos when I retire. I do find it a very absorbing and satisfying pastime, and also good for the state of mind. It’s still the best part of 10 years off though, at the moment.

Initially the IC Executive livery was introduced on class 86s with the grey band around the front. The first few larger yellow ends seemed to be introduced only to locos without a headlight fitted as they left Crewe Works, with headlight-fitted locos still having the grey band applied. However the distinction became less obvious when headlights were fitted to the relevant locos without the grey band being reinstated. Also some of the later repaints had the larger yellow end applied to locos with the headlights fitted. A shame as I really liked the grey band around the front, having grown up with banger blue and yellow all over the front of locos.

Would love to see a more frontal view of the IC 86, but it looks promising. Technically the cab window surrounds were matt black, and it’s hard to tell if this has been replicated. However I will be fixing the gutter rails and removing the RCH cables to replace with wire if they are moulded, so will sort then if not. The pan looks promising. I’m wondering about a second one to adorn with the larger yellow end, but I may wait for the 86/2 for that.

The ironic thing is that the era I model now, was modern image when I used to model the same era. in my teens.