Back to basics modelling pt 37

Ive been looking at this more and im comming up with a potential list of models id like to aim for. The 37are the most difficult to decide upon as for a centre headcode example its best to get one of the updated lima moulds which had the horns fitted and also the plated boiler area of the roof. It is possible to do the horn mod on a non fitted one with simple sticking the top of the roof but ideal they would need to be inset. The roof near the boiler port can be done using a flat blade knife to shave off the ribs and a little plasticard or filler to sort out the actual port itself. There arent that many models which have the mod fitted so for base models its quite a limited so to do its most likely there will be some respraying required. I know i will need two departmental ones and one coal one. I have one departmental split box 37003 which has been done as 003 in is BR Blue colour scheme with its Tinsley unofficial name and i might cheat and a 37069 from lima but i would prefer to get a centre headcode version. One thing i will be able to do is to get 37308 as it could be used a domestic coal version. Im also looking at getting a pair of 37/5s from the St Blazy pool. Now i know the lima volcano set of 37/4s does have the later body but id like to do one of the sector liveried ones. Now they did a few of the St blazey pool but only 37674 in its transrail scheme has the updated body so its either a partial respray or a roof mod to 37671 or 37673. For class 37s thats pretty much it as i would need to a few but the temptation to do just ex split box ones is too tempting to the extent im doing everything i can do resist it. Ill see if i can upload some photos in my next blog update to show what i mean.

Motoring Maintenece

No not of the 12 inches to the foot kind. Im talking more of the 4mm kind. The last few weeks ive been servicing up some old lima mechs. They really are incredibly simple to work on and very easy to get running to a smooth if not quiet standard. I find with most of the mechs i need to check all of the gear trains for damage or moulding flash. I then run the motor with a small amount of toothpaste in the gear train. Toothpaste has a slight abrasive quality which cleans the gears up a treat, but make sure you clean all of the toothpaste out once youve finished. The other thing i find people dont do is to lubricate the motor bearings. Only the tinyest ammount is needed but it will make heaps of difference! Im currently going through a doing a fleet of older Lima locos possible for Llwydd but maybe a 1990s club layout but i have to say that it makes a nice change working on something so simple and quite rewarding when at the end you get a mech that keeps up with most of the newest models on the market. Over the next few weeks i will document the introduction of some of these locos that i plan to do.