I've never been fussed by model coaching stock. Wagons are much more interesting, and far more interesting to build too. The paintwork is easier for a start.
Recently, I found my first coach model. It's a Lima MK1 in my favourite blood'n'custard livery.
The thing has been through the wars. Almost certainly operated on our very first layouts, even before The Cawood Wistow and Selby line.
At some point, the couplings have been removed, but not replaced by Sprat & Winkles. I seem to remember this is the point where I discovered that you had to fit S&W's to the body, but this limited the curve radius the model would than traverse
Window glazing is from Wills vac-formed units, and looks pretty good to my eye, even today,
I'm not sure what to do with the model next. I'm not going to throw it away, too much history there! Maybe a quick tidy up, but then I find myself wondering about those roof vents. Replacing them would make a difference, and the roof is cracked anyway.
What about the handrails? Fiddly to do, and the paint will need touching up. Can I match the shade?
3 comments:
I don't think I ever had any Lima Mk.1s, yours certainly seems to capture the overall shape and "feel" of the real vehicles very nicely and the flush glazing lifts it hugely.
It definitely deserves a gentle refurbishment as you describe, though I don't know what to suggest for paint matching, or couplings for that matter.
Perhaps replacement wheels would look good? Gibsons or Romfords should fit the original axles I think.
It will be good to see what you do with it (perhaps in BRM?),
Simon.
For the moment, I'm going to put it back together* and carefully store the model. To most people, it's a bit of junk, but it's valuable to me. The flush glazing looks better than I remembered, and as you say, really lifts it. Sadly, I don't think these Wills packs are being made any more. Maybe I need to grab some, and make up a rake of coaches...
*I've taken it apart to appear in a BRM feature!
Excellent, I'll keep an eye out for the article.
Peters Spares are showing them as in stock: https://www.petersspares.com/c/detailing/flush-glaze-oo-windows/all-flushglaze-windows
Simon.
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