Commission: NG15 in 009…

There have been a lot of models crossing my bench in recent weeks so there is quite a delay in them appearing here on Commission Monday, I’ve got them stretching out into September now already! This week let me introduce an 009 model bigger than some OO commissions of the past - a South African 2ft gauge NG15 2-8-2 tender locomotive…

This particular example is based upon the one that is now running in North Wales on the Welsh Highland, but finished in a ‘what if’ livery inspired by some early artwork shared during the prototypes restoration. The Bowaters / Avontuur models kit was used along with the suggested Kato D51 mechanism - a smooth running solution that gives the right wheel arrangement but sadly inside rather than outside frames. I have gone some way to disguise some of this by adding pony truck extensions and framing as well as cylinder and firebix overlays.

Up top there are a smattering of extra details added, most visibly the handrails. The paintwork is a reinterpretation of Stroudley’s improved engine green - which I’ve lined red and edged Brunswick green.

The tender runs on Peco bogies with metal wheels and the model uses Bemo couplings.

The finishing touch is the ‘Welsh Highland’ lettering which I designed as straw shaded red and black, and applied to the large tender sides. A removable coal load fills the void in the Avontuur body.

The finished model has real presence and I believe was lucky enough to visit the Isle of Stoner before its recent demise. If you would like me to create a model, real, imaginary, from a kit or scratch build then please get in touch - you can use the contact form here on the website or via email on my Facebook page. In the meantime, back to the bench for me, more soon…

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