This is my attempt to make myself a Class 46. The donor Loco was one of the very reasonably priced 45’s from the current Heljan/Accurascale Sale. I must admit I do not think I would have tried this on a full price Loco!

The main difference between these classes was nearly all internal and not part of this exercise. The main things to change were all the bodyside grilles were left intact and not plated or riveted over. One word of warning here, the lower grille on this model had the covered plated bottom grille ‘glued in’ and was not easy to remove – strange as you get the options in the ‘add on’ pack!

The other modification that is noticeable is an extra inspection grille on the roof at the fan end. This I made from a piece of plasticard, after studying as many photos I could find. I am pleased with the size and shape, but I think I made it a bit thicker than needed – a mk2 may follow – we will see. The loco will be weathered and the new items blended.

Numbered as 46052, the last of the Class I saw a March stabling point !

Today I have added the Scottish type headlights that Class 37’s carried during the early/mid 1980’s. Although they are not wired in yet, they will be made to work later.

They are a little oversized but are more than acceptable, having working ones is a big bonus.

37011

37264

Here is a Sector Class 56 in Metals livery and named ‘Thornaby TMD’ . 56069 had received the plates when 37069 lost them after a change of use. This was another purchase from the Heljan/Accurascale recent sale, I certainly could not have afforded this loco without the price reduction. It will be weathered later

This is a Gateshead based loco as running in the mid 1980’s. It was a great buy from the latest Heljan/Accurascale Sale. I specifically wanted a snowplough fitted loco that was not Scottish based, and one that I saw in East Anglia. This Loco was converted to a 37/3 and was later based at Stratford (SF) as 37376. It will be weathered later.

Note the Gateshead Crests above the number.

I usually try to model locos that I saw or can prove visited my native East Anglia. On this occasion, I have found no proof so far, but I am sure it must have visited some time during the 1970’s, 80’s or 90’s.

So why model this loco? Well it was one of the last 37’s to retain its original BR Blue, possibly the last! I added the frost grille which it retained and covered the steam boiler port. I also found one photo with a few of the ‘Selwyn Sheep’ stencilled on the body! So to be different I added some Railtec transfers of the said beastie.

Here we have two Scottish 37’s modelled in the 84-87 era. I have tried to keep away from Celebrities and Namers and portray something a bit different.

37155 by this time was a Motherwell engine working mainly freight workings and awaiting the call to works for a complete refurbishment before returning as a 37/7. It will be heavily weathered later.

37264 – Although a Scottish based Loco for most of the mid 80’s, it seemed to escape quite a bit and I have four photos of it in East Anglia. It seemed to change its Depot Pet Logos quite often and I saw it with a large Scotty Dog, a small Scotty Dog, an Inverness Stag and with nothing at all ! It was fitted with a ‘car type’ headlight which moved from above the head code box to below the head code box. I have one on order from Lees Locos, but not sure where it will go yet. It will also be weathered later.

A recent Heljan purchase finished off today. The nameplates are Proto Neo and transfers by HMRS, It is modelled after its time in Scotland, and was found roaming the country. I saw this loco between 1989 and 94 several times around East Anglia and thought how great it looked. By the way this Loco retained round buffers all its life, and I replaced the ovals with the correct paten.

It will be weathered, but that is going to be a while as yet!

Due to the heat in my garage over the last few days, I sought slightly cooler temperatures in the house. I have ended up numbering and detailing some of my recent O gauge purchases from the new Heljan website by Accurascale. The prices are really keen and their delivery is brilliant.

Class 27 – D5402 – 1966-68 – ScR

Class 24 – D5038 – 1963-67 – ER

Class 27 – 27029 – ScR 1984 – 86

I have been prepping a small batch of items for weathering over the next week or two. I am going to move over to my four unfinished layouts now the better weather is here. I only have about a 12- 14 week window for my layout work using our bench picnic table, sorry- my workbench!!!! I have no inside areas available at present, although I hope that will change eventually. Please come back to see them after weathering.

Class 31 x 2

Class 56 and 58

Class 02

After research – I found one of the 02 engines that moved from the NW to the NE.

Two Sand Wagons – one ready to run and one kit built.

Here are the four locos I prepped a couple of days ago, they have had various levels of weathering.

J15 – light weathering 0-6-0

N 7/3 – Medium 0-6-2T

F5 – Medium 2-4-2T

K3 – Medium 2-6-0