Diesel Loco 1

The third loco started as a 7mm NG project. At the 2016 Tolworth show, a small US layout had a 4-wheel Plymouth diesel that ran very nicely. It turned out to be by Model Power. I'd read that it was a good runner although many thought it over-scale for HO (which suited me!) When one came up on eBay it was purchased. Although in good condition, the movement wasn't perfect, but a running session improved that. On stripping down, I then realised how cheaply-made it was - hot-melt plastic fixings and 2-wheel drive! I persevered with the 7mm idea, but the wheel spacing just didn't suit that scale. I then offered it up to the Gn15 loco's and decided that was a better use of the chassis. 

The two previous battery loco's were open-cab, so this would be the 'outside' loco - a diesel. After checking how the On30 Kadees would be fitted, a plasticard footplate was cut out to accommodate the overall length. At first, an abandoned, part-complete open-cab body was assessed for cannibalisation, but after a while, a new body was decided upon. The original body had a single self-tapping screw in the centre, so securing the new body was straightforward. 

With reference to books and Google Images, another freelance diesel began development. The research process continued to seek out details that would enhance the final model.

Details - I never like gluing the cab together until I've explored all possible access requirements, so assembly pauses until I'm sure I don't need to get inside any more. I wasn't completely happy with the completely flat side panels as the doors get a bit lost and the radiator looked a bit low.

​Further Google searches uncovered a diesel with doors slightly recessed - just enough to make them stand out (in actually). It was fiddly, but worth the effort to convert both side panels. Another photo showed an unusual base casting to a radiator, which was duly replicated, lifting the radiator slightly above the bonnet. A bolt with the slot filled-in became the cap. Again, not gluing this to the bonnet immediately was worthwhile...

Lights - I'd made up a headlight​ unit for another loco, but never used it. It was made from a child's 1£ torch and comprised a bright LED, a battery case (2xAA) and a mini slide switch. (A second LED came from stock). The LED's round fronts were sanded down to look less like LED's and to make the light more diffuse. A coat of dilute yellow/dirty paint will make it more realistic. The battery box terminals were modified into a small box suitable for R44 batteries and fitted on the front of the bonnet, behind the radiator. The radiator would be removable by gluing a small neodymium magnet inside the bonnet and a strip of steel to the back of the radiator. The switch was encased in a little plasticard to enable it to be glued into the bonnet top. The 'lever' will be disguised by a fuel cap, or maybe an air vent. Or what about an exhaust pipe?