Here is a batch of nine Class 47’s from the sector period. All are detailed as per my other class 47 posts and again research played a big part in deciding which  loco’s to model. On the exposed buffer beam models the Shawplan detail kit has been used. These are all loco’s I saw regularly during this time and were either Stratford based or visitors. Again they all await weathering – I am way behind at present.

Here we have yet another batch of Class 47’s. These are all Eastern region, especially on the GE mainline, just before the 86’s took over. They are all awaiting weathering . The roof detail is changed as required for each prototype.

Here are another six Class 47’s, but this time for Scottish Based Loco’s. These are to the same specification as the WR class 47’s and again are awaiting weathering. The loco’s have been totally researched and photographs in this condition were used to verify livery. I have also ensured that the boiler ports are as prototype.

Here we have a batch of six class 47’s that have been made ready for my garage layout. They are to run with Westerns, Warships, Hymeks etc. These have detailed buffer beams at one end, but retain the tension lock at the other. They still need to be weathered and the below photo’s will be replaced when weathered.  The loco’s have all been renumbered and renamed and hopefully cover most liveries on 47’s at that time. All  loco’s are  early models by heljan and have no chassis problems. All plastic cab door handrails have been replaced with brass ones.

 

You can see pictures of Alex Bridge in the Layout section, however this only featured a few loco’s, here are the rest.

I intended Alex Bridge to be used for multiple region use, but to date I have only completed the NE Region. Hopefully other regions will follow when time and of course money is available.

All loco’s have detailed buffer beams at both ends, some have had turned brass chimneys to replace the original poor mouldings and most have crews. There are a few with fire irons, but more are needed.

 

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.

Over the years many people have asked me to heavily weather steam loco’s. I usually tell them that I can do that, but for my own stock I usually stick at medium weathering. I like to read the numbers and plates after weathering, just my preference. I usually use a scale of one to ten, ten being absolute filth. I do my loco’s up to about six or seven.

I also try to encourage people to vary the degree of weathering, having ten loco’s all heavily weathered is not good. Even towards the end of steam shed pet loco’s always had a little more care than the rest. Add to this nicely clean Railtour loco, and you have your mix.

Below are a mix of loco’s from about four to seven on my scale. All are for a shed layout and have detailed buffer beams both ends. They have mostly been ‘crewed’, coaled and have lamps.

Class 37 are my favourite Loco’s by a mile. I still remember the first ones on the GE section of the Eastern Region back in 1960/61. I can still see them to this day working off Norwich on passenger services.

This is just a preliminary look at a few of my collection and a more detailed look will follow later, especially the detailed Lima variety.

All Loco’s have detailed buffer beam on one end and a tension lock on the other, these are used on my ‘garage’ layout. Most are lightly weathered.