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 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.
Saying goodbye to some of my Heljan original 47’s on Sunday. Below are the ones already sold, but I will be at the Stowmarket Railway Modelling Club’s Swap-Meet at Needham Market this Sunday (1st) selling about 20 more, Super Detailed Hornby Class 86’s, about 10. Also some Hornby and Bachmann Steam Locos. all mint and never used. My move to O Gauge continues.
This is an industrial O Gauge Tank Loco that has been named and weathered to a medium standard. This is an EFE variety and purchased at a very good price. These are great little Locos to start your O Gauge journey.
Here is an O Gauge shunter, it is out of the box, but has been given a medium to heavy weathering. Usual methods used – dilute Humbrol matt black wash and wipe to get shadow into all the crevices, Airbrushed with four Railmatch weathering colours and finally a little dry brushing.
This is a loco purchased by a friend, it was not in the best condition, but at a reasonable price. I was given it to enhance the appearance, add back missing parts and give it a general clean up.
It did turn out to be a slightly more difficult job than expected as parts of the bodywork was ‘superglued’ together rather than the usual soldering on a brass kit. The only body part that may need replacing at a later date is the Cab Roof, its had a hard life, and is not a good fit!
Overall it has been made into a respectable static model, the motor does work, but a new set of pick-ups are required before full operation is possible.
Here we have a recent purchase from a trader. I do model a little BR(M) and this loco looked something just a bit different from the normal RTR Locos available and popular kit builds.
It came with a very good specification, with a Buhler motor and a multi cog gearbox. both the Loco and Tender were compensated chassis. The paintwork was tired and in LMS with a little doubtful weathering, that did not worry me as a partial re-paint and a new BR identity was required.
The Loco duly arrived on the stated day, and I was eager to open the package. Oh dear it had had a very rough journey, despite being quite well packed. Sadly the package did not have any ‘Fragile’ or ‘Handle with Care’ stickers to indicate its contents were delicate!!!! The carrier obviously treated it badly and evidence of one nasty bash or drop appeared on one of the ends.
I decided to keep the loco and repair it as it was a rare model not often offered for sale. It took me about six hours to put it back together. repaint and re-number.
It is an unfitted loco that spent some time allocated to the southern end of the Midland Mainline in the early 50’s – so may have visited Cambridge or March in my area, but no proof of that at all.
Below is the finished loco and I have to say I am very happy with the results – its in line for weathering, but sadly that will be a while, as I am way behind.
