This is one of the era’s I run on my garage layout. I really like the loco mix of this period, especially in Scotland. They range from SWP green to the latest blue painted loco’s. All loco’s are Heljan and Bachmann, some renumbered, a few with repainted warning panels and all with detailed buffer beams one end and tension locks at the other. I would have loved to photograph these loco’s on trains of carriages and wagons but sadly my garage has no windows and is very dark. I do not consider myself a very good photographer and struggle even with my eight year old digital camera, also when it comes to lighting a scene, I am lost!!

There is a mix of weathering ranging from spray, dry brushing and weathering powders. I have to say the Heljan weather much better than the Bachmann. Sadly the Bachmann around this time suffered from over oiling/lubrication in many cases and this does not help weathering. I tried to clean all bogie sides with thinners to help neutralise the problem, but it still seems to seep out for years to come. I guess a complete strip down and re-assembly is really required, sadly I had neither the time or the inclination. I have not seen this problem on new Bachmann Loco’s for the last five years or so.