Modifying a LGB Frank S into a tank (creating a Franco Belge KDL11 look alike!)

Haha I'm not really sure I'd ever have the time to take commissions! I suppose if there were a couple of the same project that could be done in parallel I'd consider it. Send me a PM if you're serious.

The red door handrails are 'copied' off the original. I think they add a touch of relief to the otherwise drab livery :) The smokebox door handle is red as well.
 
jameshilton said:
....... I sourced some real coal from Mum's old coal bunker and then enjoyed smashing it up gently with a hammer whilst inside a sandwich bag .......
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The amazing thing about coal is that you can keep on smashing it up and it still looks like coal, even down to z-scale.
 
A few weeks (or at least it feels weeks) since I've posted any progress - I've been waiting for the custom works plates from Steve at Narrow Planet (www.narrowplanet.co.uk) - well they arrived whilst I was in Chester and boy were they worth the wait:
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Can you believe they were custom made and painted for less than £10?

I also wanted to share a few photos I took yesterday (more can be seen on my blog or duplicated here on the forum in my 'EJ&KLR' thread in the G-scale Pictures sub-forum)...
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(obviously the plates aren't fitted as the loco is in Chester, whilst the plates were delivered to home).
 
jameshilton said:
I also wanted to share a few photos I took yesterday (more can be seen on my blog or duplicated here on the forum in my 'EJ&KLR' thread in the G-scale Pictures sub-
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Outstanding. Simply outstanding. Applause all round is in order. :admire:
 
Well guys I couldn't help myself - cut the worksplates out from the fret, tidied up with a file and have fitted the first of them this evening...
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Yum. Very happy indeed! I cannot recommend Steve at Narrow-planets service more highly :) This is the crowning glory on this model - the perfect finishing touch, just a tiny amount of 'bling' that echoes the subtle detailing elsewhere (rivets, conduit, wiring etc) but lifts the final model nicely. Great colour match on the red paint Steve used too!
 
James,
What a stunning project. It looks the peice totally. The detail I like the most is a really small one. The bars across the rear windows!! They just look the real thing. Hmmmm....... commissions eh.
 
David, Henrik - many thanks for you kind words. To say I'm delighted with the model would be an under-statement. When I started, I knew I could do it, but I did wonder how my smaller scale modelling skills would translate - and I never dreamed I'd have such a convincing model at the end. For me it's the little details as well... like the wires that connect the lights to the conduits, the custom transfers that reference places that are important or mean something to me and the crowning glory is definitely the custom works plates - they look exquisite in the flesh :)

It has left me wondering what next... hence the balcony box car conversion to an OBB style brake van I think. It will be sometime before I do another engine. I suspect this one will always be my favourite.
 
jameshilton said:
It has left me wondering what next... hence the balcony box car conversion to an OBB style brake van I think. It will be sometime before I do another engine. I suspect this one will always be my favourite.
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James, judging by your superb work you obviously like a challenge. Well for your next project, how about the NOLB Steam Railcar? There were 4 of these 40-44 and in the big Green Austrian book "schmalspurig Dutch Osterreich" which I think you have there are pics of it on p104 and 105, drawing on p277. They even managed to use them "mitt zwei Gutterwagen" so would be a great prototype for you. If you have not got this book would be happy to help you out with information.

Would suggest that the Lgb 20232 Usa loco chassis makes a good starting point as thia is a 2-4-0 like the Railcar is. As for the coach body, I am sure that you could do wonders with a cheep starting point like a Newquida ( dare I say that ... Oh I did),

Good luck with whatever you do next.
JonD
 
Yes, excellent write-up in the new CM, James. Oddly enough, if you look at the article immediately before yours in the issue ("Halte Weijerweg", page 821), there is a little Roco 0-6-0 in HOe scale that looks (at least superficially, it's a small and dark picture) remarkably similar to your G conversion! :bigsmile:

Jon.
 
Yes the Roco model is their version of Bielefield, the HF110c that was converted in Germany in preservation, so has flush tanks and a different bunker arrangement to my ficticious post war Austrian conversion, inspired more by the 0-8-0 HF130Ds.

It's great to see it in the wider press, I've also done some stuff for Garden Rail with a bit more a G-scale slant on the modelling aspect so keep your eyes peeled in the new year :) I really enjoy writing actually... I've found it really good fun.
 
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