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46444

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  1. 46444
    Yesterday I managed to pick up two of these Your Model Railway £3.99 MK1 SK coaches from ASDA in Rushden for a friend of mine. He asked if I'd put numbers on them and weather them for him too.
     
    Thanks to David I was able to source a suitable number for an Eastern Region example. Here's the link to David's in depth posting on the SK number series:
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/75546-br-mk-1-sk-coach-number-series/&do=findComment&comment=1143408
     
    If you've got some of these coaches this thread will be invaluable to numbering them. Thanks to David for taking the time to post this information.
     
    There has been a lot of comment on here about these coaches and a few people have brought them I'm not going into the pro's and con's of these coaches but all I will say is that you have unpainted BR maroon lined and flush glazed Bachmann sides and an economy roof and underframe etc.
     
    For turning this coach around I dismantled it and gave the sides a couple of coats of brush painted Klear to add lustre to the unpainted sides. The roof was primed and sprayed with a mixture of Tamiya acrylics.
     

     
    Numbers and other transfers came from the HMRS Pressfix sheet. I chose E24195 which was from the first ER batch according to David's post.
     

     
    The underframe was treated to a coat of home brew Tamiya underframe dust and details were picked out on the bogies etc. with dry brushing.
     

     
    Hand rails and door handles were picked out in brass and another coat of Klear sealed things. Panel lines on the doors were treated to a wash of mucky acrylic paint watered down and then wiped off with a damp cotton bud when starting to dry. I then sprayed a light coat of Tamiya matt varnish to blend things together.
     
    As a cheapy project I'm pleased with the result. It will never win awards but for what it is it fits the purpose.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  2. 46444
    Evening,
     
    Once more another modelling project that is different to the norm and will spur a small layout.
     
    Before I start I need to thank two people. Firstly, Castle on this forum for making me aware of the PKP Px48 through his thread on a visit to Poland and actually driving one of these locos. Here's the link to his photos and accompanying commentary:
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/51212-little-didcot/page-22
     
    Secondly for James Hilton on NGRM for making me aware of the GLR Models 3D printed kit through his build of the kit and his help and advice.
     
    For those not familiar with these locos here's a link and a video clip showing Px48-1919 hard at work:
     
    http://www.interlok.info/Px48.htm
     

     
    Now on to the kit itself. Richard from GLR Model Design has designed a 3D printed kit for the Px48 available through Shapeways website. Here's the link to Richard's website:
     
    http://www.glr3dmodeldesign.co.uk/home/3-5mm-scale-products/px48
     
    The kit is available in OO/HOe and TT Scales. The HOe version which I'm doing uses the Graham Farish 8F as the donor chassis.
     
    I ordered my kit over the weekend from Shapeways and it's due to arrive tomorrow from Holland according to UPS.
     
    In the meantime I've sourced two Graham Farish 8F chassis and have painted the wheels and valve gear tonight with Valejo acrylics. They've had a coat of Klear as well. Next I will add a wash of German grey to bring out the detail and disguise the solid wheel sets. This is tonights progress:
     

     
    One thing that has surprised me is how smoothly the Graham Farish 8F chassis runs-which is very pleasing.
     
    I've sourced some Liliput HOe coach bogies from the 009 Society's members sales shop for the tenders and acquired a few other bits necessary for the build.
     
    The locos I'm modelling are as follows:
     
    Px48-1784:
     
    http://www.tabor.wask.pl/egzemplarz.php?&id=50708
     
    and Px48-1919 which features in the video clip above.
     
    http://www.tabor.wask.pl/egzemplarz.php?&id=50754&foto=914#opzdj
     
    If you look closely you'll see differences in the cab/tender handrails-some being recessed.
     
    Steve at Narrow Planet has just completed the artwork for the numberplates, 'Px48' plates and 'PKP' plates although they are not listed on the website yet but can be ordered by contacting him. They cost £10.
     
    http://narrowplanet.co.uk/
     
     
    That's it for now until the 3D print arrives.
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  3. 46444
    Whilst in Devon recently I popped into Express Way Models at the South Devon Railway. Being a member of the SDR you get a discount in the shop. Pauline the shop manager is very helpful too. Having a browse around the shop I saw one of the PECO O Gauge 16T Mineral wagon kits for sale and treated myself.
     
    On getting home and opening the kit up I was impressed. Everything you need bar glue and paint is included. In this instance some PC Transfers so I've a feeling this is an old kit-though I may be wrong and PECO may have an old stock of PC Transfers. The quality of the mouldings is first class and the kit falls together almost.
     
    I did deviate away from the instructions and assembed the three side panels including the doors on a plate of glass rather than individually to the floor fearing parts may not match up. Also the kit is designed for the side doors and end door to be made to open, although in this case I glued them shut.
     
    One area I'm not sure on with the kit is the choice of a pressed steel tipping door on the end. I need to check the numbers included on the transfer sheet with my reference to confirm this is right. I guess Paul Bartlett may know, but I'm sure this isn't correct.
     
    I blackened the wheels/buffers/three link couplings with Birchwood Casey Gun Blue then polished them. The wagon was given a coat of Halfords grey plastic primer followed by a total covering of Tamiya NATO black. Then the inside of the wagon and the sides where lightly sprayed with Tamiya Hull Red. Once all dry I used some Vallejo masking fluid to make rusty type patterns on the side of the wagon in the style of Martyn Welch's weathering technique but using acrylics rather than enamels.
     
    Next up was a coat of Tamiya Japanese Army Grey to the sides of the wagon. The door end stripes, bottom door markings and the black panels were masked off and sprayed with Tamiya NATO black and Vallejo Old White.
     
    Where transfers were to be placed I brushed on some Johnson's Klear and once dry applied the decals which are like HMRS Pressfix ones (I believe HMRS took over PC's range of transfers). They were applied easily though and sealed with a further coat of Klear.
     
    Detail painting was carried out on the body with dry brushing using further Vallejo paints and the underframe was weathered using a mix of Tamiya NATO Black and Dark Earth. I then rubbed off the masking fluid rust patches on the side revealing a rusted metal effect. Dry brushing these patches with gun metal further enhanced them.
     

     
    To finish everything was brought together with a coat of Vallejo matt varnish.
     

     
    Overall this is an good kit to make and excellent value. I'm not sure about that pressed steel tipping door-perhaps the welded version should be included, so further clarrification may be needed on this.
     

     
    From a personal point of view I really enjoyed constructing the kit. The size of the wagon begins to emulate the real thing-something a 4mm/2mm wagon can't match. I'm pleased with the painting technique-something I've never tried before. I think one side is better than the other though personally. Also I should amend those bottom door markings-I think they're a bit wide.
     
    I'm debating on what kit to build next be it another PECO or venture out into a Slaters or Parkside kit. Either way it will be a generic 1950's prototype so as to keep my options open.
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    As an addendum I now own a length of PECO O Gauge track and a buffer stop. Does that construe an O Gauge layout?
  4. 46444
    One project that has sat on the work bench for a while are a couple of the old Airfix/Dapol BR 20T brake van kits I've been been detailing. One of them I decided to back date as an earlier LNER version which I've now completed.
     
    This particular kit had banana shape sole bars so a bit of manipulation was required to try and staighten them. I cut off the concrete end weight mouldings and made new ones up from plastic sheet. The moulded handrails were removed and replaced with brass wire and soldered up where necessary.
     
    I enlarged the windows on the veranda ends and made flush glazing up from a CD case. This has worked well. The ducket windows are made from Glue-n-Glaze.
     
    The kit roof was replaced with one made up from plastic sheet-details added included MJT torpedo vents and some aluminium tubing for the stove chimney.
     
    The running boards were cut shorter and the stays thinned. Wheels are Gibson 3 hole disc ones.
     
    To finish I sprayed the underframe with NATO black and preshaded the roof and body. A mix of Valejo acrylics made up the bauxite and this was all sealed with Klear. Decals are a mixture of HMRS/Fox. Weathering was carried out using a mixture of washes, dry brushing and airbrushing the underfame. This was finished with Tamiya matt varnish.
     
    Finally, Springside lamps were added as well as the cliche Monty's guard leaning over the veranda end.
     

     
    I'm not sure if the LNER version would have had different 'W' irons compared to the kit ones but I'm happy with the finished result.
     
    I've taken a few snaps on 'Juniper Hill' of the brake in the company of Kettering Ivatt 2MT 46444. A farm worker (Monty's) has a brew beside his Ferguson tractor (A weathered Oxford product) oblivious to the goings on behind him.
     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  5. 46444
    Modelling has taken a bit of a back seat recently with the real world getting in the way.
     
    Saying that-there's plans afoot to address this and a few little projects are on the go at present. One of them is to build a number of Coble fishing boats as found on the North East Coast-especially around Flamborough-Whitby coastline.
     
    These vessels have a well defined keel and hull. For my project the the boats will be set in the 1950's as per this photo:
     

     
    No kits exist of a 4mm scale Coble however the Zvedza Medieval Sailing Boat kit can be fettled into something resembling the boats in the photo above:
     

     
     
    As you can see I've started making some modifications to the keel in these shots:
     

     
    Here's the finished Coble-the first of a small flotilla!

    Need to get some paint on it and thread up the mast/sail and add some crab/lobster pots.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  6. 46444
    Over the past few days I've managed to get the component parts together and we're now at this stage.
     

     
    I painted the inside of the cab before assembly with a Revell green acrylic applying washes and dry brushes to finish. This was masked off with tissue paper when I sprayed the loco.
     

     
    As you can see various bits of wire have been used for detailing along with parts from the Pug including the reversing lever. One thing I did do is remove the sandboxes from the chassis. Luckily it doesn't leave a hole in the chassis doing this.
     
    The model has received a coat of Halfords grey primer followed by a coat of Halfords satin black. The buffer beam was painted with Vallejo acrylics. I will give the smoke box, running plate and cab roof a blast of NATO black to offer contrast soon.
     
    I've ordered the name/work plates from Narrow Planet so once they're on I will finish off the weathering.
     
    Finally renowned photographer Jonty Chambers caught this informal image of the Manning-Wardle's arrival at Juniper Hill iron stone quarry on its arrival. Rumour has it that the loco will be named after the quarry manager's daughter.
     

     
    Thanks once again to Phil Parker for the inspiration.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  7. 46444
    Eventually I've got round to posting an update on some of my completed projects. Earlier in the year I set about converting my Bachmann 64xx to Newton Abbot's 74xx for use on the Teign Valley project. Here is the completed model from the fireman's side. Numberplate from Modelmaster. Crew from the Airfix/Dapol set. Fireman's shovel from a DJ Models fire iron set.
     

     
    Below is a rear view with a Bachmann fire bucket adapted to hang of the year with fire irons from the above named source.

     
    The front view shows off the running plate handrail above the centre step .
     

     
    Weathering was with my usual collection of Valejo/Tamiya paints applied through washes, dry brushing and the air brush. I may get the Birchwood Casey Gun Blue out on the coupling rods and tweak the weathering accordingly.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    Bit of a tease for the next entry 5993 completed.....
     

     

  8. 46444
    Last year in the August edition of Hornby Magazine Phil Parker converted an Hornby Lancashire and Yorkshire 'Pug' into a resemblance of a Manning Wardle 'H' Class. I thought this would be a nice little conversion to undertake that I could use on my layout Juniper Hill based on a Northamptonshire ironstone line. It could also be used on my proposed Teign Valley project as well.
     
    Here's the link to Phil's website with plans and pictures of his completed model:
     
    http://pagenumberone.co.uk/downloads/H%20Class.pdf
     
    I've been meaning to start this conversion for a while and actually saw Phil's 'H' guesting on Chris Nevard's Polbrook Gurney at Railex in Aylesbury earlier this year and was really impressed with his version. Obviously there are many faults with this build by using the 'Pug'. Mainly the lack of spoked wheels and the covered valve gear. What I want to achieve is something that represents an 'H' and is a quick project.
     
    Today I made a start on this conversion. Here's the fruits of my labours. I've got the main sub assemblies together.
     

     
    The 'Pug' saddle tank was removed with a razor saw and the footplate cleaned up. I've added some Manning Wardle buffers from the excellent RT Models range and modified the rear of the buffer beams and cab foot steps to better represent the prototype.
     

     
    The cab, saddle tank and smoke box are made up from various sizes of Plasticard. The water filler and chimney are also from RT Models and are beautifully crisp castings. These along with the buffers have been blackened with Birchwood Casey gun blue. The spectacle plates are from the same source.
     

     
    The cab obviously is not glued together and is held in place with Blu-tac.
     

     
    The smoke box door was made up from two discs cut out using a Compass Cutter.
     

    As you can see the saddle tank is resting on two wheel balance weights. I think the height is about right but would value your opinion. Once this is confirmed I'll make up the boiler under the saddle tank and add leaf springs to the foot plate. Then it's a case of making up the roof, sand boxes and adding the handrails and other detail.
     
    I'm going to get Steve from Narrow Planet to make up a set of Manning Wardle works plates and a pair of nameplates for this model.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  9. 46444
    Recently I've been building a few wagon kits up including these two Parkside GWR 10T gunpowder vans which represent the diagram Z2 wagons built between 1913-1926. From 1934 they were fitted with Morton brake gear and became diagram Z3 wagons which I would imagine would be a simple conversion. I've already built one of these kits and finished it as a BR version which runs on Juniper Hill. They are lovely kits to put together.
     
    These two have been finished with Tamiya acrylics (German Grey) and received a coat of Klear prior to applying the decals sourced from Fox/HMRS. The GPV logos silvered in places and will require further attention before they are finished and weathering completed.
     
    One question I have is would these wagons carry a 'Not Common User-Return to GWR' notice on them? If so I would imagine it would be placed above the 'tare' script on the left hand side?
     
    Here we see John Fawkes having is tea break and having a crafty smoke before the load is placed in the quarry's explosive magazine. Obviously in the days before health and safety.
     

     
    Next up is a Cambrian P18 GWR ballast wagon. Again finished with Tamiya acrylics. I've added the corner step from some soldered up scrap etch. I need to build a few more of these.
     

     

     
    Finally, the Southern Railway built a number their standard uneven plank vans for the GWR/LMS during the war. Here we have a Ratio SR 12T box van finished as a GWR version recently repainted. I'm not sure how these wagons were initially finished. Would they have been painted or left unpainted?
     

     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  10. 46444
    Following on my my previous entry about detailing these Dapol/Airfix Stanier coaches here they are near enough completed. Both are running on Romford 14mm wheels I had to hand.
     
    First up is the D1905 Brake 3rd which has come out the better of the two.
     

     
    I've added flush glazing to the rear windows and new rear hand rails. The corridor connection board is a spare from a Hornby Stanier coach. The non-brake end has received separate water tank filler pipes although I've kept the moulded pipes on the roof however.
     

    Here's a couple of detail shots of the guards compartment showing where I've added flush glazing. Three of the windows are frosted with Tamiya Japanese Navy grey from behind. The bar across the toilet window was sprayed on with Valejo Beige following masking and priming.
     

     
    The bars on the windows are either Roxey SR PMV/CCT etched window bars positioned vertically or soldered up from scrap etch and wire for the horizontal door bars.
     

     
    Decals are HMRS Pressfix with a few of the remaining excellent Woodhead Decals I have left.
     
    Here's D1925 Composite completed as well.
     

     
    Detailing as before.
     

     
    LMS coach experts will notice I've got the dynamo on the wrong end but I will rectify this next time I put an order into Comet Models.
     

     
    I've had real problems trying to get the glazing to fit in this coach. You could go down the Flush Glaze route but I'll probably revisit this pair when some Lazerglaze is available for these coaches. With the glazing as supplied it is very cloudy. I did use a one of those multisided nail files to bring the plastic up to a shine followed by a coat of Klear. It's an improvement but is no way perfect. It's a shame Dapol don't look at the glazing side of these kits and provide a new clear plastic insert that actually fits.
     
    Weathering wise the roofs of this pair received a dry brush with Valejo German Grey followed by a spray over over Tamiya NATO black and matt varnish to seal. The sides received a mucky wash which was wiped away when almost dry. Underframes/bogies received a light covering of my home brew underframe dirt with some dry brushing to the bogies.
     
    They need the couplings reaplying but I will use wire to couple them together and they will run with an Hornby Brake 3rd/All 3rd which will look good behind an Ivatt 2MT at normal viewing distance. Other than that I need to reaply some crimson paint to the vents above the doors as this was removed accidently when I masked the roofs off.
     
    They've not scrubbed up too badly but I guess there are errors and compromises in using the Dapol kits. I do need to do a D1925 in maroon at some point. Do I go down this route or buy a pair of Comet etched sides and overcome the glazing conundrum? I'd like to thank Coachman for firstly his help and secondly for providing the inspiration in his coach building thread. Here's Larry's take on a D1905/1925
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/26504-br-lms-gwr-lner-lnwr-mr-coaches/page-7
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  11. 46444
    Recently Oxford Diecast introduced a range of traction engines in their OO gauge range of vehicles. The Fowler steam roller called 'Lord Jellicoe' caught my eye. I thought it would make a nice change on my proposed Teign Valley quarry based layout set in the late 1940's.
     
    Here we see John Luscombe of 'Luscombe Contractors Kingsteignton' making his way up the Teign Valley towards Ashton for a spot of road repairs. He's pulled over and talking to the fireman on GWR Pannier 9717 shunting wagons at the nearby quarry close to Trusham.
     

     
    As it comes the model is in full gloss finish and portrayed as an example seen at the Blandford Steam Fair I do believe? Not knowing a great deal about traction engines I might have to wing this a bit .
     
    Anyhow, I used my usual trusty weathering techniques which involved a coat of Johnson's Klear as a base coat followed by dry brushing and washes of Vallejo acryilics. Coal was placed in the bunker and John Luscombe is one of the excellent Monty's figures. I resprayed the canopy and finished this with Tamiya colours. A further coat of Klear followed by some Tamiya matt varnish airbrushed on sealed everything together.
     

     
    The plan is to scratch build a caravan for the Fowler to tow so I'm looking at prototypes.
     

     
    As for 9717 she's nearly finished so watch this space.
     
    The Fowler steam roller has been a nice little project and something unusual as well-for me anyway.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  12. 46444
    I'm a real fan of the Oxford Rail 7 Plank RCH wagon. I realise it's not perfect but it is has a number of merits including price.
     
    I've a few of these including a couple I've weathered for my 1947 Teign Valley project. Some of them where bought with a view to repainting them into scruffy 1950's/1960's BR ex-private owner wagons. Paul Marshall Potter (PMP) on his excellent Albion Yard blog wrote an article on converting them to this state.
     
    https://albionyard.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/nine-is-the-magic-number/
     
    One thing I liked was the use of the Modelmaster decals for ex-private wagons which would certainly save a great deal of time.
     
    The wagons themselves breakdown nicely into their component parts. I used a mixture of a glass fibre burnishing stick and Humbrol enamel thinners to remove the printed liveries. A coat of Halfords grey plastic primer was then applied. Using prototype photos I worked up the wagon sides with a brush to resemble weathered unpainted planking using Valejo acrylics inside and out. One of the wagons was also sprayed with Tamiya Japanese Navy Grey to represent a recently painted wagon for a spot of variety.
     

     
    The white door stripe was masked off with Tamiya tape and very light grey was dry lightly brushed over the ironwork. A light coat of Humbrol Kleer was then brushed over the wagons as a gloss surface for the Modelmaster Decals which went on nicely and received a coat of Micosol setting solution to give a better painted on look. Must say these really are time savers like I mentioned earlier.
     

     
    Finally I dry brushed some Valejo dark rust and Games Workshop gun metal over the raised iron work and buffer heads. All was sealed with a coat of airbrush applied Valejo matt varnish.
     

     
    Pleased with how these have turned out and a nice variation to the wagon fleet.
     
    Happy New Year,
     
    Mark
  13. 46444
    I'm not normally an Eastern Region modeller although a few classes do stand out. The big Pacifics don't interest me as such and it's the more humble classes like a J15 that appeal to me more. One class that I've always thought had really graceful lines was Gresley's LNER B17 with a short GE tender.
     
    Earlier on in the year I brought a BR version and I really must say this is a beautiful model that Hornby have produced and captures the protype welll. It doesn't have the robustness of a Bachmann loco and the detail is very fine/fragile.
     
    I had a look at suitable names of B17's allocated to March shed in the mid-late 50's and one stood out. Living about 15 minutes away from Kimbolton 61633 'Kimbolton Castle' it had to be. However, in this period the prototype had been fitted with a 100A boiler-which I believe was based on the B1 boiler. Modifications included an additional washout plug each side and a B1 type 'dished' smoke box door. Hornby's model represents an earlier variation.
     
    Tim of this parish had been doing some fancy modifications to get a B17/6 variant and I was fortunate to meet him a few times in passing and glean information on the conversion (Thanks Tim). Here's a link to his take on the subject:
     
    http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/32453-tims-painting-and-weathering-workbench/page-9
     
    The main problem was sourcing the smoke box door. Then I remembered PDK Models do a B17 kit and the castings are available as spares. Unfortunately spares where no longer available as mail order and the only way to source them was through exhibition sales. Thankfully, PDK where at the Peterborough show a few weeks ago and I was able to source one there.
     
    Therefore it was game on and the conversion could take place and here's the finished model
     

     
    Before I startled chopping the model up I removed the boiler handrail and gave the loco and tender a polish with 'T' Cut removing the loco numbers at the same time. This gave the loco a lovely surface to work with and was almost reminiscent of those Hornby glossy finishes from the 1980's.
     
    The valve gear and buffer heads had Birchwood Casey Gun Blue painted on them to try to tone them down.
     
    The additional washout plugs were made as Tim suggested from the the 'nipples' from a Parkside old fashioned Hornby tension lock coupling block, drilled out and a piece if wire inserted. These were glued according to photographs and touched in with Precision GWR green.
     
    Next came the the part of the conversion I was least looking forwards too-removing the smoke box door. It's a shame Hornby never considered doing this as a separate moulding so they could do the later versions of the class. However, the Hornby plastic is thin and easy to work with and all went well. I chain drilled around the smoke box door then cut out the opening to take the PDK casting. Prior to fitting it I'd made a lamp iron out of a bent staple, added a Comet smoke box door dart and used a piece of wire to make the small knob to the left side of the door. This was then primed with Halfords grey primer then glued into place. I masked off the smoke box area and sprayed it with Tamiya NATO black. A dry brushing of Games Workshop gunmetal brought up the area nicely.
     

     
    I then sprayed a coat of Humbrol Clear over the loco and tender ready to apply the numbers. These are Fox decals and went on easily as did the 31B March shed code plate from the same source. The nameplates/numberplate are from the 247 Developments range and were glued over the existing nameplates.
     

     
    I then sprayed the loco with Valejo matt varnish to seal the transfers. I wanted the loco to look not long out of works and have a shine to it so it was lightly weathered. I sprayed Tamiya NATO black across the top of the boiler to represent soot deposits and cab roof going gently over the green sides on the roof as well. I then dry brushed some Games Workshop gunmetal and Valejo dark rust around handrails, the top of the boiler, steps and areas affected by wear.
     
    Homebrew track colour was sprayed around the loco/tender underframe and details picked out with a combination of the above colours using dry brushing.
     
    The tender itself received additional weight and a plasticard filler was cut for the bunker space, Real coal was then added and fixed with a diluted PVA/washing up liquid mixture. Once dry the top of the tender had been sprayed with NATO black as well and further dry brushing took place,
     

     
    The cab, boiler and tender sides received another couple of coats of Clear to represent a clean and polished loco.
     
    To finish some fire irons were bent up from handrail wire and painted with Valejo acrylics, a Springside LNER lamp was given a wash of the same paints and I've given the loco a local stopping lamp code. The crew are Dapol figures suitably modified and painted once more with Valejo colours.
     
    Overall I'm pleased with how this conversion has turned out. 61633 will be a bit special and I think the modifications and weathering have added to the original model's qualities giving the look of a late, fairly clean working B17/6.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  14. 46444
    Evening.
     
    Well the GLR Px48 kits arrived from Shapeways on Monday courtesy of UPS. I'm impressed with the kits and Richard has done a good job of capturing the shape of a Px48 well.
     
    On examination there's a little 'stepping' from the print process on the rear of the tender but generally everything is crisp and forms a blank canvas to add the detail to. There's going to be a lot of it as well.
     
    The kit comes as three parts with the smokebox and running plate forming one of the prints, then the cab and boiler and finally the tender print. The HOe version is designed to fit the Graham Farish 8F chassis and it is a good fit with room to add plenty of weight. The tenders will run on Liliput HOe bogies when they arrive from the 009 Society Members Shop.
     
    The pictures below are a couple of quick shots taken on my mobile this evening with the smokebox and boiler pushed together. Both the locos I'm modelling have a few variations on the Px48 theme so I've started to modify the kits to represent the prototype. On the boiler print there are skirts in front of the firebox either side which I've removed opening this area up a bit more.
     
    Firstly, Px48-1784 pictured in the link below doesn't have recessed handrails on the tender so I've started filling the recess with Revell filler. It has the raves on the bunker sides too.
     
    http://www.tabor.wask.pl/egzemplarz.php?&id=50708
     

     
    The second loco is being modelled as Px48-1919 and has recessed handrails on the tender sides but no raves. Here's the prototype:
     
    http://www.tabor.wask.pl/egzemplarz.php?&id=50754&foto=914#opzdj
     
    On this tender I've cut of the moulded raves on the with a scalpel before sanding to a smooth finish with various files.
     

     
    A close up of the tenders together as well:
     

     
    There's a bit more work to do before giving the kits a coat of Halfords filler primer, then sanding and priming with plastic primer before adding the detail.
     
    More soon.
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  15. 46444
    Some of you may know that the GWR 78xx Manor Class is one of my favourite engine designs.
     
    Perhaps this comes from the Mainline model of the 1980's and seeing 7808 Cookham Manor at Didcot as a teenager.
     
    Believe it or not I never owned a Mainline version. Just the reblown Bachmann version with updated chassis. 
     
    I remember trying to detail and renumber these as well as putting a correct profile chimney on them. Infact gwrrob of this parish and ANTB fame may have my version of 7807 Compton Manor on shed still.
     
    Over the past few years Dapol announced their new version of the Manor and I was ready to pre-order one when Accurascale announced their version. I went with the new boys and ordered one of their's which promises to be something really special.
     
    However, the recent release of the Dapol version got me interested again. A lot of comnents were made about inaccuracies in the firebox shape. It began to feel as if Dapol had misfired and Accurascale are waiting in the wings to clean up.
     
    Being one for supporting the underdog I thought I would bite the bullet and see what the Dapol model was really like. I duly ordered 7827 Lydham Manor from Kernow Model Railway Centre and it arrived safely. Excellent service as ever from the Cambourne team.
     

     
    The packaging and presentation of the model is excellently done. On examining the model you can see Dapol have made an excellent job of portraying the prototype.
     
    To me there is a familiarity about the Manor design perhaps from detailing Bachmann models and having a fair few books with pictures of the Class as reference.
     
    The list of things that stood out for me as needing attention were identified as the following:
     
    1. The 'blingtastic' safety valve cover.
    2. The under nourished smokebox numberplate.
    3. The green paintwork looked a bit flat in my eyes.
    4. Those tyre rims on the wheels.
    5. Black plastic crosshead.
     
    Within minutes of opened the box I was armed with a black Sharpie permanent marker and inked in the wheels. The valve gear including crosshead was treated to a coating of silver from the same stable.
     
    This was the end of play on the first day.
     

     
    So essentially some attention with a couple of Sharpie pens addresses some of the issues.
     
    On my next decent modelling session I blackened the buffers with Birchwood Casey Gun Blue have burnished them first with fine wet and dry.
     

     
    The paintwork was nicely lifted with two coats of Johnson's Kleer floor polish. 
     

     
    The 'blingtastic' safety valve cover was toned down with brush applied Valejo mat varnish. Two coats in this instance. Then using Valejo Old Wood beige coloured paint 2 coats once more gave a base layer. After this I made a blend of Games Workshop metallic colours (Names to be added as away and pots not to hand). 
     

     
    The copper cap capped chimney and smokebox were masked off with Tamiya tape as was the cab roof. Using Tamiya Flat Black I sprayed these in along with the running plate and black areas of the tender.
     

     
    Although the Dapol model comes with separate cabside numberplates to fit over the printed versions I fancied trying the 3D printed ones produced by Railtec. Steve supplied some excellent 3D printed numberplates, shed code plate and smoke box numberplate.
     

     
    Wonderful service and a brilliant product. Easily fixed into position with a dab of Kleer. Well recommended.
     
    In my eyes they also address in my eyes the issue of the under nourished smokebox numberplate. It also adds a bit more interest to the front in my eyes.
     

     
    The nameplate is the factory fitted Dapol version by the way. 
     
    With regards to the tender I filed down the distal side of the coal load insert. This was to help with adding a real coal load. Glued in I then coated the insert with PVA and added real crushed coal and allowed to dry. 
     

     
    A spare set of Bachmann fire irons finish the tender detailing.
     

     
    I should have mentioned the detail in the cab. Its exquisite only lacking the fold down seats. I like the ATC bell housing.
     

     

     
    Essentially in my eyes the remedial work has been completed and addresses the issues I highlighted earlier. As it stands it would be for many a good point to leave the project and have an excellent model of a Manor. 
     

     
    What I do plan to do to finish things off is fit a Modelu crew and their GWR/BR (WR) lamps. Finally it will receive a light in service weathering then 7827 is ready for service. 
     
    I am quiet tempted to give the model the Royal Train embellishments of white paint as well it received in the early 1960's along with other members of the class.
     
    I'll let you make your own mind up on the Dapol Manor but overall I am very impressed all round with it. Final thoughts on the next instalment.
     

     
    7827 Lydham Manor running light at Talledega in 1963. Captured by Jonty Jarvis 
     
    More soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark 😉
     
    Apologies for typos and poor grammar...To be corrected...
     
  16. 46444
    With apologies to Alison Goldfrapp for the title of this entry
     
    Been sorting quite a lot of bits on the workbench of late and making space for other bits and pieces. I've been off for just over a week and have fired up the airbrush for the first time in ages. Next week I need to get on with completing the fiddle yard for Juniper Hill.
     
    Here's a few photographs and descriptions of some of the stock that will be seen running on Juniper Hill.
     
    First up is the ready to run Airfix/GMR Low Machine Wagon (Lowmac). I probably stand to be corrected on this but the Airfix model is based on a Diagram 2/247 (According to the number on the model) 25 Ton design intended for Continental working. Only 13 wagons were built. In my Rowland there is a photograph of a Diagram 2/243 25 Ton unfitted design of which 136 were built.
     
    Now I know this isn't strictly correct and the design differs in a few areas but I fancied something a bit different so went with the unfitted wagon. Here's a photograph of the wagon on my small diarama:
     

     
    This wagon was finished with Tamiya and Vallejo acrylics. It just needs a coat of matt to blend it all together. The photograph in Rowland shows quite a bit of additional timber on the load bed so I cut up a coffee stirrer to make chocks and battons.
     
    I've replaced the buffers with Markits turned ones and added a pair of 10.5mm Gibson wheels as well as fitting a Parkside NEM coupling block for a Bachmann coupling.
     
    The Roco side tipping wagons have also been finished as above. The plan on the Juniper Hill is to have a piece of OO9 track in the foreground with a few rusting narrow gauge wagons. There's a bit of inspiration in this photo linked below but not the raised line:
     
    http://www.flickr.co...N06/6966019662/
     
    Thomas E Gray's quarry was where the preserved Sentinel 'Isebrook' worked. Here's a photo in sadder times:
     
    http://www.flickr.co...N05/3118325693/
    Also temptation (Carol Kenyon/Heaven 17 singing Temptation springs to mind ) comes in many forms:
     
    http://www.madge00n3...k/Shop/Shop.htm
     
    May lead another quick project!
     
     
    Anyway-I digress!
     
    In my bits and pieces box of wagon bits was an old Ian Kirk GWR wagon and one of those beautifully finished Hornby private owner wagons (Princess Royal). Also there were 2 Ratio 9ft chassis and some spare Gibson spoked wheels. I used some excellent turned wagon buffers from H and A Models too for these.
     
    Again finished as above with Tamiya/Vallejo acrylics to represent the wagons at Burton Latimer in the above Flickr link. Numbers are from a HMRS LMS wagon sheet.
     
    The Sentinel in the background is the Model Rail 'Great Southern Railway' of Ireland release. I have two of these which will be weathered and as I write this I've just received confirmation from Narrow Planet that the custom nameplates for them (Cranford/Islip) are almost ready! So these will become a blog entry in the future.
     
    Few more bits to finish then as I say next few weeks fiddleyard and track laying and wiring on Juniper Hill
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  17. 46444
    Managed to do a few more bits on the 'H' Class over the past few days including fitting the cut section of tubing under the saddle tank to represent the boiler. Thank's to Ruston's measurements of his Ixion 7mm version I was able to work out a rough figure for the depth between the bottom of the saddle tank and the running plate. The photos below show the model held together once more with Blu-tac.
     

     

     
    Thankfully, I managed to make up the smokebox door straps fairly successfully with Micro-strip, though looking at the picture it looks as if the top one has a slight 'wonk' on. No SOS calls to Robert at RT Models! The smokebox door wheel is a combination of a Comet smokebox door dart and a Mainly Trains etched wheel from one of the excelllent detailing etched frets they do. I've bent up a lamp iron too from a staple.
     

     
    To the rear I've added to brackets once again made from staples. I forgot to mention in the first post that handbrake housing on the rear panel is a piece of vacuum cylinder from a Parkside kit. Inside the cab I've added bracing to the rear panel,
     

     
    Here's the final view for this evening. The other thing I've done to the cab is added beading around the side cab windows again using Micro-strip. I've made provision for cab door handrails too. The leaf springs are once again from the excellent RT Models.
     

     
    At the moment the loco is sat on a non-working chassis but I'll be getting one next week so as to finalise the build and add the roof. I might look at adding the handrails over the weekend but other than assembly the main work is done. I will be adding the pipe work for the sand pipes and will remove the sandboxes from the new chassis when it arrives.
     
    Steve at Narrow Planet is going to make me up a set of Manning-Wardle works plates and a nameplate as well. I'm looking forward to receiving these. (I've gone for a work number of 1783 and build date of 1912-Totally fictitious of course)
     
    This has been a lovely build so far and really enjoyable.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  18. 46444
    Here's a few shots of the Hornby Ivatt finished except the crew insitu.
     
    Alex (Wiggoforgold) came up trumps with a Comet chimney. I was going to do Cambridge shed's 46466 in unlined black with late crest but had a change of heart.
     
    Instead I finished this loco as 46483 another Cambridge engine in lined black with early crest.
     
    The model was primed with Halfords grey primer then Halfords satin black. Tamiya NATO black was then sprayed on the smokebox and roof. Lining and decals are from Fox.
     
    Real coal was added to the tender before I gave the model a quick blast of Tamiya NATO black/Dark earth mix. Everything was sealed with Valejjo satin varnish with a drop of matt as well. Lamp from Springside.
     

     
    Overall I've enjoyed this project. It was quick and reminiscent of 'Old School' modelling-infact almost adding a Crownline detailing kit to the loco. Yes, the Hornby Ivatt has its failings. The tender is too long and the valve gear is chunky and over simplified. Saying that the loco bodyshell isn't too far off the current Bachmann version for shape.
     
    Having changed the tender and pony wheels and added shedloads of weight to the loco and tender has improved the running too.
     
    In this day and age of economising perhaps revisiting models such as this may be the answer-though I guess a secondhand Bachmann Ivatt can be found for around £30-£40.
     
    Food for thought!
     
     
     
     
     
  19. 46444
    One of those projects I've had sat on the workbench for a while were a couple of those Dapol Stanier coach kits which I wanted to detail. The composite offers the missing link in Hornby's range of Stanier coaches. I'm no expert on LMS coaches but hopefully these modification will bring these 1970's models up to date.
     
    I think I'm right in saying that Airfix/Dapol got the battery box on the wrong side of the Brake 3rd so I modified this as per one of Coachman's threads on modifying/using the Dapol kits. On the Composite I replaced the moulding with a Comet white metal casting. Comet also supplied the brake cylinders, dynamos, cross bracing and regulators. Hopefully everything is stuck where it should be? Using these components is a vast improvement and brings the underframe to life. Buffers are also from Comet. The underframes and bogies have been painted using Halfords grey primer and Satin black.
     

     
    Moving on to the bodyshells I used Valejo biege which believe it or not is an exact match for the Dapol 'Cream' to paint in the window ledges, The printed numbers were removed using a glass fibre pen and I need to gently blow over these areas with some Railmatch Crimson, The sides have received a coat of brush applied Johnsons Klear to add some lustreto the finish.. I've also applied the grey panels on the luggage compartment doors on the brake using Tamiya acrylic paint. Flush windows have been made up for the rear of the brake and I'm replacing the toilet windows too with new ones. I think Airfix/Dapol have got too many frosted windows on the brake.
     

     
    On the ends of the coaches I've removed the moulded handrails/water fillers and made replacements up with wire and short handrail knobs. These will go on once everything is back together again. I also masked off the ends and gave them a coat of Halfords grey primer and satin black.
     
    Roof wise the kits plastic vents were replaced with MJT shell vents and the moulded water filler pipes were cut off the composite, whilst for ease the ones on the brake were left. Following a coat of primer I preshaded the roof with Tamiya Nato black before spraying over a Tamiya medium grey. This has worked well but I need to add further washes/dry brush areas on the roof to add definition.
     

     
    Thats where we are at present. Once the windows are finished its a case of adding the window bars in the luggage compartment of the brake, adding numbers and weathering them both.
     
    Does anyone know of the number series of these coaches? I believe the Brake Third is a D1905 but I'm not sure about the Composite.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  20. 46444
    Apologies to Steve Austin/The Six Million Dollar Man and reference to the cult 1970's TV programme. 
     
    Likewise BR started a rebuild programme of its venerable 16T mineral wagons later in their lives. This entailed new build body work and removal of the top flap door amongst other things.
     
    For more indepth knowledge it's probably best to consult a suitable reference resource. 
     
    From my teenage years long before the likes of Parkside/Bachmann the Airfix 16T Mineral Wagon was the only way to go for the correct 9ft wheelbase chassis. The ready to run boys were using a stretched body fitted to a standard 10ft wheelbase. 
     
    An article from the Railway Modeller at the time discussed modelling suitable prototypes from this kit including 13T Sand Wagons and Iron Ore Tippers. Sadly I lost the article many years ago but it remains influential
     
    Recently I picked two of these kits up for less than £7 in their Dapol incarnation and they remain one of the nicest builds still. The kits almost falling together. 
     
    I decided I wanted to follow in the footsteps of the Six Million Dollar Man and modify the body to represent a rebuild minus top door. 
     
    Here's a reference photo from Paul Bartlett's excellent site:
     
    https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/mineralmortonmxv/h10e54237
     
    In true lack of reference photos I went ahead and removed the top doors on the wagons thinking this correct. I then filled the area with suitable thickness plastic sheet. 
     

     
    Eventually by checking my references I realised the rib above the side doors should be removed.
     
    Drastic action was taken and the middle panel was removed. 
     

     
    Then using the door as a guide the wagon sides were re-united from the component parts. 

     
    Finally the chassis builds up easily.  Supplied Dapol wheels were coulered with a permanent black Sharpie pen. 

     
    Tomorrow I'll replace the body work above the doors with plastic sheet and add the ribbing from Micro-Strip.
     
    Need to order buffers from LMS and source suitable 1970's era markings. Hopefully Railtec will come up trumps. 
     
    Cheers, 
     
    Mark
     
     
     
     
     
  21. 46444
    Evening,
     
    After my 009 diversional therapy (see previous entry) I thought I better get back to the micro-layout I'm building called Juniper Hill (JH) which is based on the ironstone quarry lines of Northamptonshire around Kettering/Corby.
     
    I really need to get in the garage and start the track laying and wiring. Once this is done I can at least start playing trains
     
    However, there were a few bits on the workbench to finish including these two locos that will form part of the motive power. I'm tempted to get a Hattons/Heljan ex BR Class 14 in BSC ownership as well. I've seen some nice shots of these locos running around Corby in the 1970's and the shed at Gretton Brook looks interesting.
     
    Here's a link with a few photos of Class 14's in that area:
     

     
    These two locos I'm building do not represent any protype's as such and are based on the motive power that worked the quarry lines. They also carry names which were carried by locomotives in real life.
     
    First up is an Hunslet design which began life as a Hornby J94 in private owner livery. I've made a few alterations basing the look on the RSH built locos that worked around Corby.
     

     
    I've added headlights made from Cambrian wagon kit sprue, opened the cab roof vent and replaced it with one cut from sheet brass. I'm waiting on a new set of buffer beams to come from RT Models then these will be added along with a set of Comet BR buffers.
     
    I've sprayed this loco in the style carried by the RSH designs using Tamiya acrylics. I've preshaded the panel lines before spraying the green on which I think worked well. Masked off the lining with Tamiya tape before spraying. At present I've sprayed 'Klear' over the loco to provide a nice sheen prior to weathering.
     
    Narrow Planet provided the custom nameplates-this loco being called 'Cranford'. I'm just waiting on the Hunslet builders plate to come when the next batch of etching is complete.
     
    Next up is a Model Rail Sentinel. This started life as one of the GSR of Ireland versions. I thought this would be the easiest to strip off the numbers/crests etc as it only has a small number on each side and on the buffer beams.
     
    I've put new handrails on it in the style of Chris Nevard's take on his Sentinel. I didn't alter the moulded coal though and have left this and will put real coal in once finished.
     
    This Irish version didn't come with a whistle so I found an Hornby one in my spares box which as been fitted.
     

     
    I finished this loco as above with custom nameplates from Narrow Planet once again. This Sentinel carries the name 'Twyell'
     

     
    Obviously this loco is loosely based on 'Isebrook' that worked at Thomas E Gray's in Burton Latimer and is now preserved at Quainton Road.
     
    There are a few bits to do on these two locos and I will post an update soon when finished.
     
    Now where's that soldering iron and the track cutters?!!
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    I think the driver of the Sentinel must have fish paste sarnies because there's a few cats around!
  22. 46444
    The recent introduction of the Halling Zillertalbahn VT1 railcar has been well received by modellers of this iconic Austrian railway which runs between Jenbach-Mayrhofen and I brought one from Winco recently.
     
    The prototype came from the SLB in 2013 and is on long term loan to the Zillertalbahn. Here's some photos of it being delivered (Scroll down):
     
    http://www.alpenbahnen.net/html/zillertalbahn.html
     
    The model itself is made in Austria and is crisply moulded. Those familiar with Vi-Trains locomotives will be accustomed to the number of detailing sprues that the owner is expected to fit however drilling out the holes makes fitting the parts really easy and the instructions are self explanatory.
     

     
    One thing that did disappoint with the model was the mat finish. Zillertalbahn stock is generally clean so I thought this needed rectifying. Dismantling the railcar is easy-four screws underneath and away comes the bodyshell which was given a couple of spray coats of Humbrol Clear-then a brushed coat followed by another light spray coat. Windows weren't masked.
     
    Once everything was dry I started to add the detail parts. Working from the pictures in the link above it would appear that VT1 has a whistle instead of a horn on the left side so a spare shock absorbers were modified and painted and fixed to either end.
     

     
    Dry brushing of the underframes, bogie sides and couplers was carried out with acrylics. The windows were then given a coat of Clear as well to make them crisper.
     

     
    Finally some roof grot was added around the exhaust and the two side vents received a wash as well to define the detail.
     

     
    The model runs superbly and really does look the part. I just need to get on with the layout in the next few months.
     
    The next step is detailing two Liliput Zillertalbahn Gmeinder B-B locomotives.
     

     
    The prototypes were delivered in 2004/2007 and numbered D13-D16. They are nicknamed 'Lupos' (Wolves). D15/D16 both carry advertising liveries as shown in this model of D16. the plan with these is to add pipework, ploughs and weather the roofs. Again the locos themselves are generally clean.
     
    Update soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  23. 46444

    Lima LMS 42 ft CCT.

    By 46444,

    Inspired recently by Alex (Wiggoforgold) and Dave (Max Stafford) I thought I have a go myself at modifying one of these CCT's using Bachmann LMS bogies as a replacement for the incorrect BR ones that Lima fitted.
     
    The moulding is trypical Lima and is quite fine. Even the undeframe is reasonably detailed.I manged to strip off the paint using Mr Muscle oven cleaner. Moulded handrails were cut off, as well as the roof vents and buffers.
     
    Paul Bartlett's site came up with a suitable victim to model:
     
    http://paulbartlett....7fad5#h19f7fad5
     
    This example has additional strapping on the body sides. I made this up from Microstrip. Buffers and roof vents came from MJT. The buffer heads were filed down as per the prototype.
     
    I sprayed the shell with Halfords white primer, then pre-shaded the panel lines and the roof with Tamiya NATO Black. I used Valejo Carmine acrylic for the crimson. The ends were sprayed with Tamiya NATO black as well and the roof was sprayed with German Grey. A coat of Klear sealed this all in.
     
    Decals were from an old Woodhead sheet I've had for years. These are lovely to work with and they were fixed with Klear. It's a real shame they're no longer available.
     
    I replaced the moulded brake wheels with etched examples from Mainly Trains-soldered to some wire.
     
    I then used a watery mixture of Valejo Black and Flat Earth to cover the sides and ends. This was then removed with a wet cotton bud. The underframe received a few passes of Tamiya Flat Earth/Nato Black mixture, before everything was blended together with Valejo matt varnish.
     
    Bogies were fixed on with some Wickes nuts and bolts (6 BA I think?). Packing was with washers to achieve the correct ride hight. The Bachmann wheels fouled the underside of the chassis so i replaced them with Romford 14mm ones I had spare.
     

     
    This has been a lovley little project over the festive period and certainly adds some variety to the NPCS.
     

  24. 46444

    Pannier capers

    By 46444,

    Evening.
     
    A quick update on 9717's progress.
     
    Following on from starting the weathering yesterday I muttered a few words about opening rear cab doors and adding lamp irons etc,
     
    My mind was made up when I re-read PMP's blog for Albion Yard set in the Forest of Dean capturing the works of Ben Ashworth nicely in model form. Other than the rake of Berry Wiggins tank wagons which kind of encapsulates the Forest is the close attention to detail Paul has applied to the ubiquitous Pannier tanks based on the Bachmann model.
     
    Here's the link to the excellent blog and well worth a read through. Brillaint photography and some pictures of the procedure I followed when modifying 9717 this morning.
     
    http://albionyard.wordpress.com/
     
    Here's a photo of the bunker end having been modified with open rear cab doors, lamp irons bent up from staples and the cab roof shutter opened up-replaced by one cut from brass sheet. I also cut the moulded coal away having removed the bunker moulding from the cab . In doing so the green semi-circle (Think this is the hand brake housing) comes with it and needs cleaning up and gluing back into place.
     

     
    I then gently sprayed Precision GWR green to affected areas requiring touching in. This appeared to be a good match for the Bachmann GWR green.
     
    The front end has received the full complement of lamp irons once more bent up from staples and touched in with Tamiya NATO black.
     

     
    Also you'll notice I've given the cab sides a blow over of Precision GWR green to hide the printed number plates ready for the Fox etched replacements and the weight restriction spots.
     
    Next job is to make up the sand box rod pulls working from photographs and add the buffer beam numbers.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
     
    19.43 As an addendum this morning I took a photo of the sandbox pull levers I made up from brass rod filed flat. The picture illustrates one side affixed with genuine GWR Blutac! So I'm led to believe. Not sure whether to go down this route or get the RT Models etched ones. What do you think?
     

     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
  25. 46444
    As some of you may be aware a mate of mine was given a box of tat-namely old 1970's/80's Hornby and Lima stuff. One of the locos was a badly repainted Hornby Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0. Now I'm fully aware of the misproportions of this model and it can never be compared to the current Bachmann RTR offering or the Comet kit but I thought using some bits and pieces I had to hand a few cosmetic adjustments could improve the look of this loco.
     
    Also I have a real soft spot for these little Moguls and the BR version. A trip to the GCR at a Loughborough now provides 46521,78018 and 78019.
     
    Working from pictures and one of my Bachmann models details were added as can be seen using Microstrip and scrap bit of brass etc. Moulded handrails were replaced-missing ones added. Excess plastic was removed from the tender chassis to represent a resemblance of an Ivatt 2MT chassis. A Parkside NEM coupling block was fitted along with a Bachmann coupling.
     
    Additional weight has been added to the tender and the loco itself using alloy wheel self adhesive wheel balance weights.
     
    The front pony truck wheels were replaced with a Romford set I had to hand. The tender wheels are Hornby spoked wagon wheels out the spares box. These will need spraying. Comet buffers were fitted and Comet water filters were added to the tender. I have some Comet steps to add to the front of the loco and the tender.
     
    Sadly, Comet couldn't come up with a spare chimney so I'm in need of a replacement chimney. I see 247 Developments do an Ivatt 2MT chimney which may be suitable (Are there any other suppliers of Ivatt chimneys?)
     
    Here's a few photos I took this morning on a mate's layout hauling a brake van special (See earlier post-not finished yet!)
     

     

     

     
    Once I've obtained a replacement chimney I'm planning on spraying the loco in plain black with late crest as 46466-a Cambridge shedded Ivatt.
     
    Finescale modelling it is not but I have learnt from this quick project. It's also been enjoyable and the loco will quite happily run around a layout. Slow speed shunting is out though!
     
    Next installment soon.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Mark
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