Class 57 Conversion – A real “Body Snatcher”

Using an original Poole Graham Farish Class 47 I purchased a new Class 57 (57309) body. The newer Chinese Graham Farish has a very different chassis and required me to remove some of the original metal from the loco. The older Poole model doesn’t have DCC or lighting so I had to remove the lighting from the new 57 Body and make slight alterations to the fitting of the buffers.

I also replaced the aging Poole motor with a new coreless model from BR Lines. This now runs beautifully and the new 57 body looks fantastic!

First Great Western Class 158

Another old Poole Graham Farish model. This was originally in the BR Regional Railways livery and was a very noisy inconsistent runner. After a long time of tweaking the electric pickups and changing the gears it began to run smoothly, but still noisy.

I decided the model could stay in the collection but needed a new coat of paint. I have added the FGW livery as a vinyl from Electra Graphics. This has brought a new lease of life to a 30 year old model. Technically the livery is from the Class 159 collection but I think this works a treat.

Network Rail – Railhead Treatment Train RHTT

I created my own N Gauge RHTT after finding no one has actually produced a ready to run model in N.

Using a pair of Dapol freightliner liveried flat wagons, I found some excellent 3D printed parts that perfectly fit on the top of the wagons to make my own current Network Rail version. With the addition of the decals and some fine fencing I then heavily weathered the models.

I had a spare EWS 66 that I have converted as a dummy model. I striped out the motor and gearing so I can now run this as a Top and Tail 66 treatment train. Both locos are suitably weathered and run round in all directions on the layout, just like real life!

Network Rail DBSO 9714

To help with my Network Rail Test Train I have converted a Graham Farish ScotRail DBSO.

The original model has some amazing detailing but needed to be repainted in Network Rail Yellow. The front cab end needed to be modified as well. I removed the original carriage walkway to flatten the front and painted over the relevant windows.

With the correct NR decals and numbering I then picked out the details in white which adds a really nice touch. It was difficult to get the enamel paint to be as smooth as I wanted but I think the textures add a certain beaten realism to it.

Network Rail Mk2 Test Train Carriages

I had a number of dilapidated old Graham Farish Mk2 coaches that were surplus to requirements and I discovered some vinyl stickers from Electra Graphics that could be used to bring these back to life.

These do look really good as they go round the layout, especially with the DBSO I repainted. There are a few windows that haven’t quite lined up but I don’t really mind.

The bright yellow does add quite a feature when they sit in their siding next to Loughtbury.