A Gallery of Modified and Repainted Models - Nigel Tregoning
With the Covid-19 lockdown, an opporunity to complete some unfinished projects presented itself. Prior to the current epidemic, we had had a few running sessions on Smithick Vale. One such event produced a number of vintage products from Hornby-Dublo and Wrenn, as well as more modern models.
From my own locomotive collection, two such models were a Wrenn re-built West Country and GWR Castle, or more accurately, a BR(W) one.
More will follow here in due course....
With the Covid-19 lockdown, an opporunity to complete some unfinished projects presented itself. Prior to the current epidemic, we had had a few running sessions on Smithick Vale. One such event produced a number of vintage products from Hornby-Dublo and Wrenn, as well as more modern models.
From my own locomotive collection, two such models were a Wrenn re-built West Country and GWR Castle, or more accurately, a BR(W) one.
More will follow here in due course....
Wrenn - Castle
The Wrenn Castle (originally produced by Hornby-Dublo) was fine model in its day. Obviously it lacks the finer detail of today's models, however when it comes to power, these models can haul far greater loads with some ease. Mine had languished in its box for some twenty-five or more years, and with drop of oil and a wheel clean, it ran as sweet as a nut when it went on the track. Originally it was 4075 'Cardiff Castle' when purchased some forty-five years ago. After some use it was given a repaint (before the days when Wrenn prices went silly) and became 4079 'Pendennis Castle'. Perhaps no surprise here, given where we live. Some years later, I wanted to improve its look and so it got a second repaint, which was hopefully better, and it became 5058 'Earl of Clancarty'. 5058 was a regular performer in Cornwall in steam days, indeed one or two books referred to the loco as a Truro engine, this is not the case as Truro (83F) never had an allocation of Castles. The locomotive was allocated to Laira (83D) as far as I can tell. Following the run out, the loco was tidied up a bit and given a coat of matt varnish to protect the transfers.
The Wrenn Castle (originally produced by Hornby-Dublo) was fine model in its day. Obviously it lacks the finer detail of today's models, however when it comes to power, these models can haul far greater loads with some ease. Mine had languished in its box for some twenty-five or more years, and with drop of oil and a wheel clean, it ran as sweet as a nut when it went on the track. Originally it was 4075 'Cardiff Castle' when purchased some forty-five years ago. After some use it was given a repaint (before the days when Wrenn prices went silly) and became 4079 'Pendennis Castle'. Perhaps no surprise here, given where we live. Some years later, I wanted to improve its look and so it got a second repaint, which was hopefully better, and it became 5058 'Earl of Clancarty'. 5058 was a regular performer in Cornwall in steam days, indeed one or two books referred to the loco as a Truro engine, this is not the case as Truro (83F) never had an allocation of Castles. The locomotive was allocated to Laira (83D) as far as I can tell. Following the run out, the loco was tidied up a bit and given a coat of matt varnish to protect the transfers.
Wrenn - Re-built West Country
This loco was birthday present more years ago than I care to remember, or indeed, prepared to admit on here! The loco started out as 34005 'Barnstaple' and saw intensive use on a selection of layouts, including the then Falmouth Model Railway Club's extensive layout in Arwenack Avenue during the club's two week summer exhibition in August each year. Subsequently, the loco was repainted and lined out, but for some reason was never finished, probably I couldn't make up my mind which name/number I wanted. So this year I decided on 34005, partly due its sentimental value. The plates were ordered from Modelmaster Decals, together with crests and cabside number sets. Those eagle eyed visitors to this site will recognise this loco as the one used on our poster for the ill fated March 2020 open day, I guess I'll need to redo that poster with loco in its finished condition. Like the Castle, 34005 lacks the finer details of modern models, but its a great runner and when sweeping through the Vale, looks superb. It's also worth mentioning that Wrenn locos will run on Code 75 track with no issues. 34005 easily hauled a rake of Wrenn Pullmans around Smithick Vale with no issues, and that was after some years of not being run at all.
This loco was birthday present more years ago than I care to remember, or indeed, prepared to admit on here! The loco started out as 34005 'Barnstaple' and saw intensive use on a selection of layouts, including the then Falmouth Model Railway Club's extensive layout in Arwenack Avenue during the club's two week summer exhibition in August each year. Subsequently, the loco was repainted and lined out, but for some reason was never finished, probably I couldn't make up my mind which name/number I wanted. So this year I decided on 34005, partly due its sentimental value. The plates were ordered from Modelmaster Decals, together with crests and cabside number sets. Those eagle eyed visitors to this site will recognise this loco as the one used on our poster for the ill fated March 2020 open day, I guess I'll need to redo that poster with loco in its finished condition. Like the Castle, 34005 lacks the finer details of modern models, but its a great runner and when sweeping through the Vale, looks superb. It's also worth mentioning that Wrenn locos will run on Code 75 track with no issues. 34005 easily hauled a rake of Wrenn Pullmans around Smithick Vale with no issues, and that was after some years of not being run at all.