RAILWAY MANIA

No.1 was Pat’s first kitbuilt loco, a GVT steam tram engine, which he later rebuilt into the form shown here.

Cleaned up my first locomotive build which shows a number of sins. The Glyn Valley locomotives are true favourites of mine. One day I would like to model all of them.

I had decided to refurbish the first locomotive I built, (Peco Glynn Valley tram in 009) having sold the 5 that had followed it. I felt it was worth keeping, plus I think they look great! But as I removed the cab I realised that I think I prefer them without. Maybe this will turn out unlike I had originally intended….

So I've made a start on the cabless tram. I'm just going with the flow on this build.

I managed to get 95% of detail added plus crew, and I've chosen a chassis and converted the kit to fit it. I had both the pannier 0-6-0 chassis and the kato 103 0-4-0 chassis, and I've decided to use the kato as its easy to add the DCC decoder, and the pannier chassis isn't ideal for dcc. Next prime, fill, file and prime again.

Another of Pat’s early projects he rebuilt, this started life as a kit for a La Meuse 2-6-0T and ended up as the handsome 0-6-2T you see here.

This is my converted Neil Sayer - ‘La Meuse’ I bought on the original run back in 2014 and built immediately, which was probably a mistake as it was a little sloppy in construction. It had been sitting ‘almost finished ‘for over 4 years. 6 months ago I added a decoder and in a moment of madness painted the frames red. I immediately regretted it 🤦🏻‍♂️ After examining it yesterday I decided to chop it up further.

Being cut up for the second time. A general tidy and new paint is definitely on the cards. I do think this is moving in the right direction though. This is only a mock up. I have turned the chassis around to make it a 0-6-2T, added a larger dome, and I’m thinking about adding a coal bunker and a load more detail.

This has started to look like a locomotive again. Ive replaced the foot plate and built the coal bunker. I’ve curved the edges on the coal bunker to match the front edges on the tanks. The coal bunker will now house the decoder instead of it being glued to the inside of the roof panel, with the wires hidden behind the crew. Next I need to modify the frames and add them.

Good progress on the rebuild of 0-6-2 Beyer Peacock - ‘Lamorna’ Almost ready for paint. The name plates and works plates are both by Narrow Planet. The locomotive in a different form is produced by Neil Sayer as the La Meuse 2-6-0T kit, also available on Narrow Planet website.

Very happy with this beauty now. It’s been fun too. Although all the issues were cosmetic, I do find I learn a lot when I go back over old models.

This Is the Beyer Peacock 0-6-2T I have converted from the Neil Sayers La Meuse kit. It still needs valve gear, crew, roof attaching, numbering and weathering. I’m pleased with it, although it was most definitely an impulse rebuild, but an improvement I think.

I’ve certainly improved the quality of the build having originally built it a few years ago. I like the new livery design I have chosen for it too. It’s a new type of livery for my locomotive rooster. Dark crimson-ish with black lining.

The prototype, it was built by North British Locomotive Co. in 1908 for the Kalka Shimla railway in India.

This is the results of me having a chest infection and being at home for a few days. Although this exercise took about 6-7 hours, and I’m quite happy with the results.

Almost filled, filed and sanded.

New tip.... Dry, wet and dry paper cut into tiny squares is great for getting tiny scratches out and gets the surface of the body as smooth as eggs! 🥚

Fine sand and detailing stage.

Progress has been steady all week and then I had to go away with work over the weekend. I’m not far from finishing the project now, but struggling with a livery.... I’m also unsure whether to move the chimney forward? The prototype I’ve been following has it set back but I’m not sure if I like the look.

Although this looks for the best part finished i still have quite a lot to do. I haven’t even started testing yet, but it has been only two weeks since i started this project, so I think I need to slow down a little.

I need to add more rivets. I followed the rivet pattern from the prototype I’m using as a reference. Unfortunately they are fairly spaced out so they seem to disappear into the green livery. I’m going to order some white/ black / white lining transfer too.

The rear of the cab Is different from the prototype to make it fit a more British outline.

I’ve been planning a series of narrow gauge GWR locomotives ever since I got a book by Peter Johnson about the absorbed VoR and W&L by the Great Western.

The plan is to build three of these and possibly one bigger mallet in a similar style. It’s a very County Gate-esque thing to do, but that’s the plan. The results of this project have been great, so I’m looking forward to the rest taking shape.

Peckett & Sons 0-6-0ST No. 6. This was 1 of 4 6-coupled Pecketts belonging to the Cornwall Electric Power Company (CEPC) located on the north quay of Hayle Harbour. She wears the original Black with white lined livery used by the power station.

Number 6 / 0-6-0 Peckett ‘Tryfena’ final touches added. DCC ready. This is an amazing RT Models kit and was great fun to build. I always liked the idea of have a few like this on an industrial layout of some kind. Picture narrow gauge NCB line 🤔

Im really happy with this engine. It was such a pleasant kit to build, and runs beautifully, and of course has benefited from my heavy weathered approach.

Peckett 0-6-0 'Tryfena' DCC heavily weathered and lined.

Peckett 0-6-0ST No.6 ‘Tryfena’ made from an RT Models kit.