Yet another change from Pre-tops to Tops. I wanted a really dirty Loco and after finding photos of 20164, I knew it was the one for me.

Another Loco move from Pre-tops to Tops. This took a lot of research, finding a loco with its original nose doors in 1976 was not easy. Then I found some photos of 25046! It retained its nose doors up to about 1978, it then had them removed and then two years later it was withdrawn!

Going back to my re-numbering session over Xmas today. This Class 03 was a local Loco being based at March (MR) in 1976. It was also a regular performer at Kings Lynn during this era.

I have given it a Light to Medium weathering.

Another Loco for our Industrial Layout. This time the Young Lady has been called ‘Jemima’ and given a number 3. This lovely little Loco is a 0-4-0 with a Diesel engine and Mechanical gearbox/drive.

I have given the Loco a rather dirty look as in Industrial service it was likely not cleaned often.

As a break from Diesel Loco’s I have just repainted a Kerr Stuart Victory into Black Livery as LINDA Number 7. This will be run on my Sons Layout Grubb Lane with my other Industrial Loco’s. She is the largest Industrial Loco I have and really does look very powerful.

I did a lot of research to find the ideal loco in its original condition in the mid 70’s. I found a great photo of 169 in exactly the right condition in 1978. This must have been one of the last 31’s to have the nose doors changed and the boiler footsteps plated.

The change from pre-tops to Tops was relatively easy and after renumbering I re-weathered the Loco.

This is the third loco to have been renumbered to bring it into 1976-79 era. This loco was already weathered so only needed touching up. I did a lot of research so that I could find a loco exactly as required, no grille covers, this way it could always be converted back to pre-tops if needed.

This is my second O Gauge Loco to move from Pre-tops to Tops livery in approx. 1976-79. I picked this Loco as it was Norwich (NR) allocated at the time and it always seemed to be about when we visited.

I have given it a slightly faded and work worn Blue Livery with lots of Oil and dirt splashes.

This is the last Loco of my holiday re-paints and probably my favourite. I purchased this Loco in full LNER livery with condensing systems and early safety valves. I have now stripped off all the equipment that is not required for a BR variant and added new items. I then repainted and renumbered as necessary. Note this Loco has a lowered cab roof and is made of canvas.

This actual Loco did spend some time in Scotland in the forties but is pure GE in origin. There was some amendments carried out to help shunting, this included enlarged cab steps and an extra hand rail – I have not done these mods as I am still researching and hope to find the right logo for a GE only variety, so that a further renumbering may take place.

As well as doing lots of steam repaints over the holiday, I also decided to renumber some of my Blue pre-tops locos into another era. I chose 1976-79 as it was the era I started to rekindle my interest in Railways and Railway Modelling.. I selected ten loco’s, some weathered, some not. I have quite a job to re-weather and weather them all for their new era and this will take some time. Anyway this Class 37 is the first, it was originally D6753 and is now 37054, as it was a March and Stratford engine around this time. I used to see it a lot in this era.