Commission: Reliving a Lima 60…

I have absolutely loved working on this Lima model. I was fondly reminded of childhood and my own 60002 ‘Capability Brown’ in petroleum markings. This example must have been a very early release, (perhaps even before the prototype) as it doesn’t have a depot plaque…

This model belonged to my customers father, and he had chosen it from the collection to hold on to whilst the other models have found new homes. A small diarama has been constructed and he asked if I’d breathe some life into her Italian factory fresh finish…

I love that these models are pre-China. Models made by Europeans, reminding us of a time when we, as modellers were happy to accept these lower detail levels and the skills we learnt in replacing handrails and adding detail. The Lima tool making is fantastic, such suble rivets, the angles of the cab and body captured wonderfully, let down only by the side grilles and the application of the sector markings… oh and the yellow was too translucent on all of these… I remember the same on mine…

So a subtle finish. A wash on the chassis in my usual and preferred way and then on to the roof and bodywork. Applied with reference to the prototype of course, but channelling that childhood excitement of these massive, British new freight diesels… 

I love it. The model, the finish. Part of me yearns for this period of modelmaking - perhaps it is the fuel for what I do with modern N gauge? Anyhow, if you have a model, of any vintage, you’d like me to work on for you, to tell your story, get in touch and we can make it a reality. Until next time, more soon…

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