My Q6 is now weathered after an extensive rebuilding program as stated in a previous post. I have given it a medium standard that reflects a really hard worked engine. A crew has now been added, but oil lamps still needed.

There seems to be several Q6’s for sale at the moment in O Gauge. They all seem very expensive and have been lettered and numbered as BR, which does not look right as they do not have the upgraded type 300A boiler amendment done!

Was it worth doing all those amendment? Yes, I am not a rivet counter, but the amendments are very obvious!

This is another Loco recently updated with a better chimney and fitting of drain cock piping. This was followed by patch painting and lining touch up.

The loco has now been lightly weathered with airbrushing only to a state I would say was about a month after a works visit! Any overspray on the tanks and lower bunker has been wiped away.

Oil lamps and crew need to be added.

After a complete refurbishment of the J71, I have eventually got around to weathering and almost finishing! I still have to fit ‘Oil Lamps’ and do a little powder weathering, but that is a quick fix.

This is a Medium weathering application, airbrushed and dry brushed.

These three locos have only had one replacement part each, two chimneys and one dome. As I said in a previous post, all new items were purchased from LG Miniatures. Partial repaints were then done and varnishing completed the jobs. All Locos to be weathered and/or re-weathered

B1 – new Chimney

L1 – new Chimney

4F – new Dome (Chimney already done)

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.

To be heavily weathered.

Before – LNER 2255 After removing old parts.

After – BR 63406

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.

BEFORE (ex LNER)

AFTER – BR(NE)

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 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.

The loco is finished to a Medium weathering.