Andrew Barclay in 7/8ths: plates fitted...

I received an exciting packet this morning, the finishing touch to my 7/8ths live steam locomotive, works plates from Narrow Planet...

These look superb, and are just the thing to finish off the model. The size is spot on, I opted for the smaller design, and ordered via the website which now offers a 7/8ths scale option.

They were painted with Humbrol Matt 33 and when the paint was almost dry, this was buffed off leaving the lettering bright. They were cut out, the edges filed smooth and then sealed with dull-cote. Fitting to the cab side was with Superglue Gel - which has a longer setting time allowing you to adjust the placement a touch before they fix.

The finished model is now exactly as I had hoped, with the whistle also fitted the only things left to look at are blackening up some of the metalwork required for the operation of the live steam locomotive.

Future plans may include a canvas screen for the back of the cab, and some glazing for the cab windows. For now though, she is finished! More (but not on this locomotive) soon...