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Where to begin?
Well having finished my little N-gauge layout which sits on top of the OO layout, I was going to put a OO warehouse shunting layout down the opposite wall, just an end to end, that way I could have all the different operating elements in 3 layouts.
The worst thing I could have done was look at photos of some of the O-gauge layouts....wow simply stunning...and very expensive!
Then I saw an advert for O-16.5mm Narrow gauge.
I didn't have a clue what all that was about so started to research it a little, what a perfect compromise, O-gauge scenery with narrow gauge engines running on 16.5mm track.
This was quite appealing as on our various excursions this year I've actually been on a few narrow gauge railways; Bure Valley, Bala lake and Talyllyn.
Now I had no idea what size these locos would be, saw photos of some but there was no other locos at a different gauge near to compare to. Having searched around I realised that the locos would have to be kit built, saw the Peco offerings and although nice, quite expensive too.
Most of the other kits I saw were the brass etched kits, which seem a little daunting to me, so tried to find something else.
I actually called Just trains about the Peco offereings when he mentioned to me about Smallbrook studios, who manufacture 7mm NG resin body kits, which fit onto the Hornby chassis from 'Smokey Joe' , 'Toby the tram' 'Bill/Ben' or the GWR 0-4-0T type chassis.
Now I tried to find them......very difficult there isn't a website and I just couldn't find any more information than the little adverts in the back of Railway Modeller.
Searching about found this shop in Cornwall who actually stocked the Smallbrook studio kits!!
Mevagissey Model Railway
This shows a little bit of the kits, so took a chance and ordered two.
1x Diesel 'Harlech Castle' (uses 'Toby the tram' chassis)
1x 'EROS' This actually is a body modification on 'Bill/Ben' loco.
Managed to win a 'Toby the tram' and a 'Bill' off Ebay.
Let the fun begin!
Bill all nice, just been scrubbed clean a bit, ready for the kill!!
The kit arrived and I was somewhat taken aback!
Ok I've never done anything like this before but when I saw this was a little shocked!
Doesn't look much, there again though I've never seen a resin kit so didn't really know what to expect.
All opened up not too many bits which is good news in a way!
Second page of instructions, the first is all writing, but straight forward, it's just easier to read it a few times while going through all the individual items.
Followed the instructions, to remove the body from the chassis all quite straight forward, now the best part.....the modification:-
For those of you, easily offended do not look at the following photos extreme carnage on BILL!
Thats the body modified, Cab sawn off, Bill's "face off", all the stacks sawn off along with the buffers.
The new buffer blocks have been fitted.
The rest of the parts now fitted, just the back of the cab to fit, which I will do once all of the cab detail has been fitted and painted, otherwise wont be able to get in to do it!!
More to follow!
Ian
Well having finished my little N-gauge layout which sits on top of the OO layout, I was going to put a OO warehouse shunting layout down the opposite wall, just an end to end, that way I could have all the different operating elements in 3 layouts.
The worst thing I could have done was look at photos of some of the O-gauge layouts....wow simply stunning...and very expensive!
Then I saw an advert for O-16.5mm Narrow gauge.
I didn't have a clue what all that was about so started to research it a little, what a perfect compromise, O-gauge scenery with narrow gauge engines running on 16.5mm track.
This was quite appealing as on our various excursions this year I've actually been on a few narrow gauge railways; Bure Valley, Bala lake and Talyllyn.
Now I had no idea what size these locos would be, saw photos of some but there was no other locos at a different gauge near to compare to. Having searched around I realised that the locos would have to be kit built, saw the Peco offerings and although nice, quite expensive too.
Most of the other kits I saw were the brass etched kits, which seem a little daunting to me, so tried to find something else.
I actually called Just trains about the Peco offereings when he mentioned to me about Smallbrook studios, who manufacture 7mm NG resin body kits, which fit onto the Hornby chassis from 'Smokey Joe' , 'Toby the tram' 'Bill/Ben' or the GWR 0-4-0T type chassis.
Now I tried to find them......very difficult there isn't a website and I just couldn't find any more information than the little adverts in the back of Railway Modeller.
Searching about found this shop in Cornwall who actually stocked the Smallbrook studio kits!!
Mevagissey Model Railway
This shows a little bit of the kits, so took a chance and ordered two.
1x Diesel 'Harlech Castle' (uses 'Toby the tram' chassis)
1x 'EROS' This actually is a body modification on 'Bill/Ben' loco.
Managed to win a 'Toby the tram' and a 'Bill' off Ebay.
Let the fun begin!
Bill all nice, just been scrubbed clean a bit, ready for the kill!!


The kit arrived and I was somewhat taken aback!
Ok I've never done anything like this before but when I saw this was a little shocked!

Doesn't look much, there again though I've never seen a resin kit so didn't really know what to expect.

All opened up not too many bits which is good news in a way!

Second page of instructions, the first is all writing, but straight forward, it's just easier to read it a few times while going through all the individual items.
Followed the instructions, to remove the body from the chassis all quite straight forward, now the best part.....the modification:-
For those of you, easily offended do not look at the following photos extreme carnage on BILL!


Thats the body modified, Cab sawn off, Bill's "face off", all the stacks sawn off along with the buffers.
The new buffer blocks have been fitted.


The rest of the parts now fitted, just the back of the cab to fit, which I will do once all of the cab detail has been fitted and painted, otherwise wont be able to get in to do it!!
More to follow!
Ian