Bron Effans

My cabin fever in the Lockdown continued. I managed to obtain two Lynton and Barnstaple Carriage bodyshells. They were intended to become part of a project to create more GWR/ Pullman style carriages... But! After fitting the bogies to them and testing them out on the track, I was struck by a realisation.  I really liked the look of them and how they fit in with the layout. I simply could not vandalise these models. I have decided to keep them as they are and source a suitable brake van for this rake. I am considering refurbishing the Indian Red Brake van or sourcing a new one for this rake.

I found myself a real bargain the other day in the form of a RTR brake coach in Southern Green to compliment the composite coach. I was a little downhearted when I realised that it was missing the footboards and the rear window of the guard's compartment. I considered sending it back. However, it was the start of the 'Lockdown' to combat the Covid-19 virus. I thought that I would take advantage of a time of crisis and alter this carriage to become a First Class Saloon Car for one of my rakes.  I began by removing all of the Southern detailing and spraying it in black to give it a solid base. I also spruced up the interior to emulate the interior of a Pullman carriage.  The exterior was given a coat of the same livery as 'Dulas' the Pullman carriage on the WHR rake. I removed the windows and the duckets on the guard's compartment. It is looking very promising. There are some issues that I need to fix with regards to my sloppy paint...

Progress on the third Fletcher Jennings locomotive is gathering pace. The conversion to a real-life example has proven to be my favourite to date. The green has turned up really well and I have been waiting on the shapeways smokebox to complete the look of the locomotive.  Im not really familiar with 3D printed materials, except the Budget Model railways kits, which are usually solid plastic. This transparent example threw me at first but it already adds a good level of detail to model that I am really happy with. The plan over the next few days is to line the engine and I am looking forward to maybe purchasing a new one to form a replacement for the model of Glyn should it fail in future.

The conversion of the Bachmann Rheanas has come on in leaps and bounds with the removal of the original chimney and the replacement of a more authentic looking chimney.  Rheanas looking rather bald.  Removing the chimney took a great deal of effort which required me to invest in some needle files to remove the spare material from the base of the chimney.  Once the smokebox was added I decided to keep the original cab from Rheanas and began the process of basecoating the locomotive. Presented in the basecoat ready for the delivery of the paint for the final coat. I am in the process of procuring a new shade of red paint for the locomotive that will set it apart from the other red locomotives in the fleet. I have LMS Crimson Lake in mind which would set it apart from the Indian Red I have favoured thus far. Time will tell.

I have finally sourced my replacement for Dolgoch and it arrived the other day. I had decided to replace my version of Dolgoch as I didn't really want a version of it with a green livery, I have designs on another locomotive in green. To this end I have obtained a Bachmann Rheanas which I am going to convert into a Fletcher Jennings using the Narrow planet conversion kit.  I am planning to use the new funnel and smokebox on the boiler and add the additional details from the box. I don't plan on utilising the cab as I feel that the current cab exhibits sufficient detail for my needs. The replacement cab will be retained for a future project... watch this space.  Anyway here are a couple of quick photos of Rheanas, before he goes under the knife, please excuse the blurriness of the pictures.