7mm On Heather's Workbench - Prairie ago-go

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
This is as close as I can get!

I think we had the same image!

Keep at it, it's coming along nicely :thumbs:

Ta. Nearly there, apart from the electronickery. My job, really, is to get the thing reassembled, get it slightly weathered, take some nice photos of it, and then let the client know it’s ready for the next phase.

BC50DF7E-24B2-40E6-933F-E66052C07178.jpeg

The number plates arrived this morning, and they’ve had a first coat of satin black slapped on them. A further incentive to achieve completion as soon as I can. Besides, I’ve got such a backlog of work the forthcoming lorry queues on the M20 are chicken feed by comparison.
 

Dave Bowden

Western Thunderer
Hi Heather
Just to add to Dave's photo here's one of mine. I have a series of photos of 4566 including the letters if you haven't added them yet.
4566_plate.jpg

In the photos I took the yellow disc is in a different location on 4566 than the one in Dave's photo.
Also when the loco was painted black the yellow C was where Dave's is.

Here's a shot of 4566 in black side on.
4566_SVR.jpg
Dave
 
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daifly

Western Thunderer
Just to muddy the waters a little, here are photos of the RH cabside of 4569. First, in service, 1964.
4569 at Yeovil shed 1964.jpg
Second, on the Swindon scrap line 1964.
4569 at Swindon scrapyard 20Sep64.jpg
As you can see, the disc/letter is just below the handrail.

Contrast this with the loco just 4 years earlier - 27Jul60:
4569 at Wadebridge 27Jul60.jpg
Here, the disc/letter is just above the numberplate. As everyone says, work from a dated photo if you want absolute accuracy!
Dave
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
As everyone says, work from a dated photo if you want absolute accuracy!

An excellent point.

I have two photos of 4567. One is pre-war with the full GREAT WESTERN on the tank. It doesn’t appear to have the route disc anywhere. The other is post-war, with GWR on the tank. That one shows a route disc above the number plate.

I am supposed to be rendering the model in mid-1930s condition, so I guess the pre-war image is where I ought to be heading.

Other locos show the route disc in a variety of places, including the cab panel ahead of the side opening, on the sliding shutter!
 

daifly

Western Thunderer
Pre-war, the usual place seems to have been on the cab side thus:
4505 at NA shed c1930.jpg
4505 at Newton Abbot c1930. Photographer unknown.

It’s not always easy to discern the discs on pre-war photos.

When shutters were fitted, the discs initially appeared on the shutters but were soon moved to just above the number plate (to facilitate visibility in blackout conditions apparently).

Dave
 
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daifly

Western Thunderer
I think I may go with the discs in the orthodox position above the number plate. It’s what is generally expected.
Pre-war, I don't think they were ever above the numberplate on this class. Every prewar photo I have of this class shows the disc as shown in my photo above but it's your build....!
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
Pre-war, I don't think they were ever above the numberplate on this class. Every prewar photo I have of this class shows the disc as shown in my photo above but it's your build....!

Again, good points.

Honestly, at this stage, I just want it finished. I’m not really bothered by historical accuracy. I will check with the client, though.
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
I'd go with Dave on this (but it's the client's call, of course) because it would niggle me no end.

Lovely work, Heather.
 

Heather Kay

Western Thunderer
Cheers both!

You see, that photo of 4567 is my problem. I’ve elected to fit the cab shutters to this model. That pushes its actual dating to quite late in the 1930s, but still pre-war. It ought to be right to assume when the shutters were fitted during a works visit the route discs would have been painted at the same time on the shutters.

I’ll put the evidence to the client. I think he’s probably going to admit to not being all that fussed, but I'd rather it was his decision.

Transfers (and paintwork in general) always give me the jitters. Excellent timing, when I need a steady hand. No matter how much measuring and markings out, something is usually on the squiff. Indeed, the first transfer above went on crooked, despite all the measuring. It had to come off, and a second attempt was made. That, too, was a bit off, but I have managed to correct it. Extra effort has been made with the other side, but it’ll still be crooked, you can guarantee it!
 
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