12" Barclay - Swanscombe

Well, it took longer than I expected but I've finally finished the Barclay Steam Locomotive, a model of "Swanscombe". In the metal, it looks really nice and the colours, copied from the prototype sit very well.

As a project, well it was more effort than expected but hugely enjoyable. The only parts from the 14" Mercian kit that didn't need modification were the front buffer beam and cab roof. Having said this, it was still a lot easier to start with the kit than to scratchbuild the model from raw metal. Looping off a few mm from the side of the tank or centre of the cab front is much simpler than trying to mark out the curves and cut them accurately.

The photographic name plates are surprisingly effective too. OK so etched ones would be a little better but if these weren't an option I could live with them so perhaps I will for a future model.

In the cab, the owner poses holding the regulator. The bunkers are filled with welsh steam coal and things are pretty spic and span for a mucky little loco. But then this is a well loved machine with no dirty to been seen anywhere. Perhaps for a layout some gentle weathering would be nice but a loco with a strong colour doesn't demand this IMHO than a black one.

All in all a nice little engine.