the penguin of doom

How bizarre. I was literally just chatting to a mate in the hope of popping down on Friday to take a few pictures of this unique machine, (only survivor of the first batch fitted with split boxes and nose doors). I thought I'd try to get pictures sooner rather than later as I'm sure she won't last much longer before falling apart at the seams. It's a really sad "preservation" project and it would be so nice if she could be saved/restored using other Sulzer parts if they're available. Does anyone know how accessiable she is for a picture? Seems to be stabled quite near an overbridge? Cheers. Sean.

Aw, these line ups are just not fair......! I have 9 lined up waiting for hacking/detailing but just not enough hours in the day! Cheers. Sean.

Some smashing piccies there Mike. Keep em coming. Sean.

I think it kind of suits it Luke, but I prefer the Black grills on my version. If they'd have survived a few years on the Trans Pennine route, who knows what liveries would be carried? Cheers. Sean.

Try Fox Transfers or 247 developments Michael. I got some "Impala" nameplates from Fox. I picked "Impala" since I've eaten one alfresco in Africa...... Not a full one of course.....! Cheers. Sean.

Hi Colin. Thanks for the info. With regards to the wiring, Mike Knowles of this parish will be doing anything that needs a soldering iron waving at it, so I'll be directing him here if he needs any info. The Trans - Pennine will be a six car set and I've already tested the, (skeleton), powered chassis which will be housed within the Buffet Car on DC around 2nd radius curves. It seems to have the desired hauling capabilities once a little weight is added. I'd worry it may overheat if used on a roundy roundy, but I favour terminus layouts, so should be ok. Thanks again. Sean.

Top notch work on the brake van Lord F! A nice coat of Blue/Grey paint will finish the BG nicely too..... ;o) Mike, would you like a rake of coaches for the "test" session? I think I might be able to lay my hands on 3.....? He heh. Cheers. Sean.

Absolutely smashing work Colin, really top notch! The standard you have achieved is a credit to the model. Ironically, I am going to use the Black Beetle/36-553 combo on my Trans - Pennine, so could I ask if there were any wiring issues etc with your set up or is there anything I need to be aware of before this section of work commences? Perhaps a few photo's of the bogie installation if not too late? Cheers. Sean.

Have a look at my thread here Clive..... http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/80159-jltrt-paint-supplier/ ..... It may be of some use. Cheers. Sean.

I think he's after a split box Horsetan..... cheers. Sean.

The old Lima body was a direct fit onto the previous Bachmann chassis, I would assume this is still the case on the newer version too. Cheers. Sean.

Just for a laugh..... The roof or ends never did get finished..... Cheers. Sean.

I will maybe have an old Replica body going spare, (minus nose sides (but not the Yellow part of the nose)), soon. If anyone would like it to work with and maybe look at producing something, they would be welcome to it once I've finished hacking it about. It is in a fictional Trans - Pennine/Provincial livery at the moment..... I believe the Replica nose is more proportionately correct than its earlier Mainline predecessor..... Cbeers. Sean.

I believe non of the current Bachmann Peaks have detachable noses, so it would probably mean a new tooling for a sealed beam loco? Cheers. Sean.

Not sure Michael. I have had a quick look at a couple of pictures of the prototype and it looks like the rubbing plate is just an oval of rubber. For those wishing to detail and improve, it should not be difficult to model. Cheers. Sean.

And to illustrate my point above, I found this comparison..... http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/24041160@N02/6958814945/ I don't know if the poster visits RMweb, but he does note that D13 did not have the recesses. Cheers. Sean.

Couldn't agree more Chard, it's a fantastic picture. I didn't realise any of the split box/nose door combinations made it to Rail Blue whilst in original condition. Another detail difference I've noticed whilst researching a future project is that D11 and D12 had small vertical recesses in the nose doors so as to avoid colliding with the headcode box sides whearas D14 and D15 did not have this feature. I have not found out what the score is with D13 as yet. Killing two birds with one stone, I'm after an old Bachmann class 44 body if anyone has a spare. No prizes for guessing what my future project will be, given I have a Bachmann 45 120 waiting to go under the knife..... Cheers. Sean.

I understood what you meant Michael. A valid point too if I may say so. It will likely close the gap nicely for those not wishing to run round tight curves etc. Cheers. Sean.

Hi Ian. As Colin will concur, I neither know, nor care much about Southern Railway/Region EMU's. I do however love a good kitbash/cut 'n shut regardless of the subject matter, so I'll be following enthusiastically. From the pictures above, it looks like you've made a sound start. Cheers. Sean.

Indeed. It would be a shame to have done so much work and not have the opportunity to show it off. Mind, kettle and pot spring to kind as, at the moment, I finish detailing a loco and it goes straight back in its box and gets stored away. I really must build a layout! Cheers. Sean.

I really like that model. It should definately see some use! Cheers. Sean.

Just a suggestion Geoff, dependent on how adept you are at home made "flush glazing". I normally cut out a pane from acetate sheet and then apply transfers to the rear of the pane, (in revers so to speak), and then apply a coat of varnish before adding a coat of black. That way you get flush glazed glass and a prototypically close script to the rear. Cheers. Sean.

I'm sure someone somewhere does the correct profile cab window surrounds too. I'm sure I've seen them before but can't for the life of me think where..... Cheers. Sean.

Very well observed and methodical analysis E & G. If your aim is to change the way we look at weathering, there's one convert here. It's so much more than a dusting over of light Brown that some of the more "mainstream" companies would have you believe is the way to do it! Keep the updates coming. Cheers. Sean.

I wouldn't have known either Lee. Nice job all the same..... Cheers. Sean.