On impulse…

The impulse buy that started this latest Canadian Adventure, a Canadian National zebra striped F unit. Classically North American, well captured in miniature by Intermountain. An older tooling it runs well and has lovely flush glazing but is slightly less detailed than more recent releases…

The impulse to buy quickly delivered a second to give me the even more classic pair… and then the same impulse led me to carve off the horns on the centre of the roof and embark on some gentle re-working.

The new horns are from a cheap Kato part and are not expensive nor accurate but capture the look well enough. The old horns had the trumped cut off and fitted inside a bracket formed of some brass off cuts to create a bell of sorts. Kato MU hoses are also neat recreations in a robust form, added to the front and rear based upon photos and the cab sunshades are from Details Associates.

The real transformation was the weathering though, applied in my usual manner with a 98/33 wash of Humbrol enamels to the chassis and lower body sides, finished off with airbrushed dirt on the lower nose, ends and roof and some exhaust. Dry brushing the steps finishes the job.

The result is a believable miniature far removed from the Bachmann toy I had as a child that fuelled the purchase. The impulse to buy and modify is something of a pattern with me - but one I choose to embrace. I hope you enjoy the journey too… we’ll see where this one takes us! Until next time more soon…

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