Duff red diamonds (Part 1)…

‘Bargains’ make it difficult to maintain resolve. I was already working on a bare shell respray locomotive makeover yet despite that, a great price and a life long association with the Class 47 has led to this model actually moving ahead of its Railfreight Distribution shed mate…

It won’t be for everyone, but bare-shell resprays really are the ultimate in making an out of the box model your own. In a world of ever increasing fidelity, difficult to replicate elsewhere on our model railways, taking something and putting your own mark on it is a signal of intent, to be confident enough as an artist to move away from the pack and take a risk. I started in the very early 90s with Lima models and carving off handrails - today, I’m working in N, but those same skills, learnt the hard way and honed over tens of years serve me well. They elevate the modelmaking to an act of meditation and the result has both a physical form as well as a mindful benefit.

When a model is reduced to around £100 it feels much less of a risk to undertake such work - you may find you have your own limit - there are still plenty of older models around should you wish to improve your own skills. This project uses a Farish 47 that came decorated for DRS, sourced from Kernow.

The weekend after it arrived I was reminded once more about my connection to these previously omni-present type 4s by 47449 running a charter on the Llangollen Railway. Growing up they were the ‘diesel’ of choice at Crewe - if you didn’t see an electric, chances are it was a 47 - freight or passenger. Their distinctive almost friendly face and powerful exhaust note wonderfully preserved here in the Dee Valley.

The model features a ‘Crewe cut’ buffer beam. After repairs Crewe had taken to removing the cowling to improve drafts in the cab - and so when they began a more thorough overhaul of the class locomotives received this modification at each end - a process that appears to have begun in earnest in 1990. A pleasant  comparison of my childhood spotting book and Flickr to determine which models received the modification and when, to meet my Spring 1991 time period resulted in the selection of 47095 as my muse.

Following a complete strip down and removal of paint in 91% IPA, necessary to make sure the smoothing was completed accurately, the first stage (and not really evident here) was the removal of the MU socket in the former headcode box and the filling of the remaining ETH socket hole on the lower cab front. Once filled with some styrene softened in liquid poly this was left to dry - and once that was certain, the remainder cut flush. Filler and sanding over several iterations and I finally was happy that this was smooth. I carved off the cab front handrails with a fresh knife blade, using the point to put an indent at the end of each to act as a drill starting point. 0.35mm holes were drilled, very carefully, and brass wire formed for each, the upper not fitted yet. 

White primer followed by Humbrol 28 (a great stand in for BR rail grey) as the base, then, remembering ‘I mix my own’ a mix of 28 and 5 for the upper grey. Masking is critical, I used Humbrol tape for the main joints, and cheaper DIY store for general ‘fill’. Precision rail yellow applied to each end, and a mix of Humbrol 31 and Precision executive dark grey for the roof. Black 85 applied around each cab and finally orange 82 added using a bow pen for the cantrail.

Gloss lacquer applied and then decals, in this instance I tried Railtec RfD markings as well as the numbers, which were ok - perhaps a little thick, but very easy. Overhead flashes are Fox. Sealed with satin lacquer the model could then be re-assembled with glazing and handrails, touched in suitable colours.

DG couplings allow full pipework to feature, and the red beams and silver buffers were toned down with more Humbrol 85. Weathering, started but not finished, is a mix of 33/98 on both chassis, roof and body, applied as a home made wash and worked in on the underframe, and the same but removed, in various levels, on the bodywork and roof. There are a few stages and details left, but they can wait for part 2!

Already, sat here on Paxton Road she exudes real character. Not the first Railfreight 47 to grace the rails, but thanks to her Next18 chassis with motor and personalised finish, certainly the last - she is a keeper!

I am continually surprised and delighted at how relevant this 500cm of 1990s goods yard remains here in my workshop. A stage for a new muse, or perhaps a mindful shunt. Equally, the scale and period, buildings, collecting and personalising models for this time period continues to give me a real pleasure. 

In parallel, British N gives me a retreat from my commission modelling, keeping things fresh, sharpening my skill and giving me the opportunity to enjoy both your work as well as my own. Until next time, more soon…

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