Of all my recent upgrades to some of my Locos, this was probably the most complex. I had to do quite a lot of amendments to move this LNER Loco to a BR version, mainly moving from a 300 type boiler to the 300A boiler. I am pleased with the results so far, but I am still researching at least two more amendments that are required.
I purchased this loco from a trader for a reasonable price knowing I had to do the above amendments. It was an older solidly built model and an excellent runner.
Like the J72, this loco will join will join my Steam Shed running NE region in the early 50’s.
I purchased this Loco very much second hand and in poor condition, but well made and at the right price. I have since given it a complete makeover, a new identity and partial repaint. It will now take its place on my Steam Depot Layout with BR(NE) stock based in the early 50’s. I have added a crew and coal in the bunker. The loco is DCC fitted with stay alive, but runs fine on DC – so will leave it!
It will be weathered and have a LNER Oil headlight added in future.
I have today ‘started’ to change four O Gauge Steam Locos that I felt were ‘not quite right’. This is the start of a project to upgrade, blend and re-number and weather where necessary. These modifications are not for the faint hearted, but in my view were necessary to get nearer to the prototypes appearance. Thanks to Graham M who brought his ‘flame Gun’ around to remove the old incorrect items.
Loco One – L1 BR(E) 67706
My overall opinion of this kit is that it is Excellent – apart from the Chimney, which I felt was skinny and not the correct shape – A new one was purchased based on a LG Models replacement.
Loco 2 – 4F BR(M) 43953
On this Bachmann Brass Loco I had already replaced the awful Bachmann rendition of the chimney! But after doing this I realised the dome was under sized. It is now being replaced by another LG Models replacement, to the right pattern and size.
Class B1 – BR(E) – 61059
This is one of Sanchengs excellent models and it really is an top class engine. Dare I say it – except for the chimney. This is yet another LG replacement.
Class Q6 – BR(NE) – No. TBD
The last Loco is a kit built item to a reasonable standard. It was purchased ready build, as an LNER example. It therefore was fitted with a type 300 boiler, this was changed to a 300A boiler in early BR days. Sounds easy but the upgrade was quite complex. A snifter valve was added, a different pattern dome was used, the safety valve base was removed and lastly a new whistle was used. The new parts were purchased from several different sources
I will update when all the new parts are added and then again when completely finished.
This is just a renumbering and weathering job. The Loco was well made and painted from an unknown kit. This is one of those almost there kits that in truth, could have been a bit better. There was no draincocks on the cylinders and the chimney just does not look right. I think a better chimney could be purchased and with a close up photo of the draincocks, I am sure a decent representation could be made.
It was a North Eastern based loco, but after renumbering it has become an East Anglian based one. I needed rather a lot of 7’s for this change and I did not have enough, so I had to look around for a different make to my usual ones, which have become very expensive. I have purchased a lot of Modern Image transfers from Railtec, but never Steam ones. I investigated further and I ordered some as a trial, they were really good and went on very well, giving a realistic finish.
After varnishing, a light to medium weathering was achieved by my usual methods.
This is possibly the best Lima O Gauge conversion I have ever seen. It has been converted to a very high standard and other than very stubborn original transfers, caused no problems.
The LMS original transfers and heavy varnishing caused me to repaint the Tender, Cab and smokebox after removal. Its new identity is pure BR(M) and very well it looks.
I am lead to believe it will be DCC sound fitted and end up operating on one of my old layouts, Little Sefton. The Engine and Layout will be appearing at the O Gauge Bressingham Exhibition in April this year.
Polly really is a very sweet little lady. She came to me for a light weathering to enhance an already well made and painted Loco – she is DCC sound fitted and will be appearing at the GOG Kempton Park Exhibition later in the year.
All usual methods used for weathering except a coat of matt varnish applied to flatten the quite gloss paint finish.
Another superb starter kit from Connoisseur Models – best ‘starter kit’ ever.
Here are two steam Locos that have recently been worked on, One repair for a dropped Loco and change of identity for another.
The first Loco was a change of identity from LMS to LNER, reasonably straight forward for this Sentinel, but removing the old LMS transfers was not easy and I had to respray the sides. HMRS transfers used, followed by a light weathering. I think some glazing would benefit, but that was not in my brief.
The second Loco was a repair after being dropped, the whitemetal chimney was off, the driver/fireman were lose and it had a slight crease in the roof. All were repaired, but a new chimney in cast brass would have been a slightly better option. After adding all bits back, it was a partial repaint and a varnish. If you did not know what had happened then it would not be noticeable.
Here we have a pair of Siphon G Bogie Wagons. Both needed renumbering as ones that had visited the Eastern Region during the Late 50’s – Early 60’s. After much research my friend came up with two numbers that I believe paid us a visit.
The renumbering was relatively easy, although spacing between the body slats had to be done with care. All other information panels etc. were as original Tampo Printing and they blended well with the new number transfers (HMRS).
Now we come to the weathering and my instructions were to have one ‘dirty’ and one ‘absolutely filthy’, I think I have achieved that. I started with my usual wash and wipe, and the first thing that made life difficult was the slats were vertical, but the vents at the top were horizontal. This meant the ‘wipe’ part of the operation had to be done in two parts, very carefully and slowly to avoid taking any paint from the crevices. The roofs were washed and lightly wiped, and then lightly stippled to create a mottled and distressed look.
It was then over to the airbrush and my usual four colours were used, the ‘absolutely filthy’ wagons was given a extra bodyside coating to ensure it was grottier than the other one.
After Airbrushing I did my usual Dry Brushing highlighting several areas of the bogies and underframe with dark rust and matching brake dust.
This is a Dapol/Tower Limited Edition ‘OSBORNE’ open coal wagon with RTR weathering! I was asked to completely re-weather the wagon to give a more realistic look, this was to include a replaced plank, reflected inside and outside the wagon, as it was to run empty.
I must admit I am not an admirer of ‘Splash and Dash’ one colour weathering, and its not always easy to pull them around and make them more realistic. Luckily this one was not over-splattered! I used five different colours!
By the way, I have left the original coupling as they will be replaced by ‘Dinghams’ before use.
Here we have three vans that I recently purchased. Although Dapol released them some time ago, for some reason I did not purchase any, probably the age old reason – could not afford them!
After opening the boxes, I sealed the ‘tampo’ printing with a coat matt varnish. I have had problems in the past with thinners attacking the printing during weathering, this stops any deterioration of print.
Two types of Vans here, firstly two air braked VEA’s and a vacuumed braked predecessor, VMV.
All Vans had the wash and wipe method, airbrushed and dry-brushed.
