Back to basics modelling

One thought thats recently come to me was to get back to basics modelling. This will involve making use of the of older lima locos and using bits of plastic, etches and other bits and ending up with detailed models. Thats how we used to do it but it seems now all we do is get a loco and stick it on the track. That to me isnt really modelling and i have to say i feel like i dont have the skills so i also felt this would be a good way to improve my skills. The bonus being i would end up with a fleet of unique locos and it would also be relativley cheap. There are a few layouts that the stock could run on so it most certainly wont be a wasted effort. My thoughts are on the 31,37 and 47. Obviously they would need etched fans, and in the case of the 37 and 47 there would need to be removal of the roof straping on the 37 where needed and the the boiler port on the 47. On the 47 id also like to do the correct fuel/underframe tanks to the correct type for the loco. The 37 would also benefit from the correct window frames but i might leave this, they also need roof mounted horns as but they might be slightly compromised as the real ones are slightly inset but that cant be seen once the horns are in place. The 47 would also get the flushglaze. The 31 doesnt really need to much modification other than handrails which the 37 and 47s already need. Obviously all of these models will have full bufferbeam detailing. The other classes i will be looking at will be the 50, 56 and 60. The 60 doesnt require too much work and most of the work can be completed with requiring repaint. If you avoid the first 5 sector liveried models 60001/002/003/004/008 have an incorrect sized grill on one side wheras later ones have the grill corrected. The grills themsleves can be replaced without a repaint as they can be masked up once its been replaced. It will also need the internal equipment added as with grills opened up you can see straight through. The 60 also needs bufferbeams and the bogie footsteps. The 56s are only really correct from 56056 onwards without alot more work to modify the front ends. Apart from etched grills and working lights the bodyshell is pretty good. While some of the paint jobs are ok, the yellow is generally a very odd shade so needs to be repainted but again it can be done quite easily without needing a full repaint. Flsuhglaze is also required to help improve it. And finally the class 50. This could do with alot of work as the body has numerous detail faults. Below the underframe the biggest problem is that the bogies are incorrect and undersized however lima class 37 bogies can be fitted with ease with the footsteps modified. Above the underframe the model will obviously have etched grills, opened out exhaust ports and filled in sandboxes as they were removed when the refubished them back in the early 80s. The front ends could do with the wires for the multiple working boxes. Also the indicator box needs to be correctly plated over but etches are available for all of this. One other thing that can be added is the lifting points which are just behind the doors. This model also benefits from flushglaze. most of these models should cost no more than around £30 each and that includes the purchase of the original model. I would then have a completely unique fleet which might not worth much despite all the work its still a one off fleet and it will be all my own work.