I re-painted the bunker exterior in Brunswick green&--8211; first it needed the Bachmann applied lettering to be stripped off. Before that remove the two handrails at the cab end and store them for re-fitting later. For the stripping I used the UK product Modelstrip &--8211; follow the instructions, and do one side at a time and the lettering will come off quite easily. Then wash the bunker sides and let dry before re-painting.

The two headlamps supplied are apparently electrical types, they can with some re soldering of the feed wires be replaced; I added a couple of fume chimneys to them to make them onto oil fed versions &--8211; make from small bits of scrap and pieces of half tube for the curved tops. There may be some filler needed where they are fitted onto the curved top of the lamp housing &--8211; paint them black. The lamps are moulded with side panels &--8211; these I think were either plain steel sheet (as on the model), opening panels so the lamp could be lit, or could be glass sheet with the loco&--8217;s number on, the can accept a transfer number, and then give them a couple of coats of Johnson&--8217;s Klear to gloss them to indicate glass panels.

The cab can be re-fitted, ensure that it is seated down on the 4 raised rings that surround the 4 fixing screws. It can be &--8216;wiggled&--8217; around the Johnson bar (reversing lever) linkage, but will need the slot (in the original cab style) making into a cutout shape (it is almost a square with the open end of the cutout close against the firebox); it is almost invisible when in position.

All the bits that were removed so long ago can be returned to their positions. For the sand control wires, and also the wire to the crank behind the engineer&--8217;s side a pair of long nosed pliers will help get them back. When they are all in position (don&--8217;t forget the pipe from the rear of the engineer&--8217;s side air tank) the valve handles can be painted red.

Bachmann used a piece of black thread for the activation cord for the whistle and bell &--8211; it went round to both via the cab interior. This I replaced with twisted together 5 amp fuse wire ( 2 thousandths of an inch thick fine steel wire); cut a length off fit through the hole in the bell and then bring the ends together in a pin vice, gently twist it together till it is evenly, and closely twisted by eye, then remove the pin vice. Do the same for the whistle; a small dab of glue of the whistle and bell end will ensure that it stays fixed (there is only a single strand there) and the other end can be fed into the cab through the pre drilled holes.
The original whistle has a cord that extends through the centre roof strut to the rear one, the bell is shorter and runs just to the central roof strut. Give the new cords which can be arranged in a much better shape than the thread to your satisfaction, and then give them a quick lick of black paint.

I added a large organ pipe whistle; made from bits of scrap, with a core of a bicycle spoke (1.9mm diameter); this is fitted into the fireman&--8217;s side, and has a rigid pull system, made from 0.8mm brass rod, inside the cab there is an extra cross piece to hold the inner end of the pull rod, add a small wire hook to ensure that it is held still against the roof. These fittings can be seen on the photo of the cab interior. The new whistle is 20mm high and 5mm diameter.

Finally I painted both the floor of the cab, and the front pilot deck, plus the small deck at the rear, and the front and rear beams below the decks with a mixture of &--8216;khaki&--8217; and &--8216;earth&--8217; colours; they look much better than the plain black that Bachmann supplied, and it brings out the grain as well. The 4 poling pockets at the ends of the front and rear beams are given a wash of a &--8216;rusty&--8217; colour to further add some more colour. The power trucks are prime candidates for some weathering which I have started; first blacken the springs, and add some earth on the brake beams, with some &--8216;rust&--8217; on the brake blocks especially, but also on top of the darkened springs. There is plenty more weathering to add to this loco yet.

Here are a three photo&--8217;s the loco is waiting for its crew &--8211; I think they will also bring more bits and pieces(provided in part by Bachmann) to add to the loco!







©Peter Bunce 2005