Hi Pete,
I've just posted this picture here:
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?app=blog&module=display§ion=blog&blogid=389&
It's a cruel close-up of my Class 24 which worked very well with DGs and full Buffer beam detail. I then decided to run it on Chapel Wharf (12 inch curves!) which meant having to remove the middle two pipes to allow for the excessive bogie swing. From 'normal viewing distance' I can't say that the pipes are that visible, though.
I must get out the touch-up paint, and remember to blacken my couplings in future!
David M