Model a derelict diesel
George Dent takes a cheap plastic kit and - following a little improvisation and several visits to the spares box - creates a jaw-dropping addition to a locomotive depot scene.
Turn a cheap plastic kit into a stunning scenic element for a depot.
The idea for this project emerged a number of years ago, with a desire to make use of one or more of the popular ‘OO’ gauge plastic locomotive kits on the market. My initial thoughts involved the attractive Knightwing 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 diesel shunters, but I ended up motorising those. What I really wanted was a static locomotive or two, preferably in a state of disrepair or being stripped for spares. While I pondered a way forward, the kindly folks at The Airbrush Company gave me a 1:35 scale kit of a Maybach HL42 TRKMS diesel power plant from Great Wall Hobby. The subject of the kit may be more at home in a Second World War tank, but I reckoned it wouldn’t look too out of place within an industrial diesel locomotive. Although much bigger than the prototype’s original power unit, the Maybach would just fit within the bonnet of Dapol’s Drewry 204hp shunter kit. This former Airfix product dates back to 1961 but, with a little effort, can be built into a convincing rendition of an attractive subject for BR and industrial service. Costing around a ‘tenner’, Dapol’s kit is a real bargain. Having fettled the parts carefully before assembly, you can add more finesse by removing much of the moulded detail and replacing the handrails with fine wire. Other fittings, such as coupling hooks and brake pipes, were sourced from the spares box, while the protective mesh behind the cab footsteps was cut from a tea strainer. The Great Wall Hobby engine kit provided an impressive level of detail, with extra plumbing, mounting brackets, radiator fan and cowling, gearbox, output drive shaft and mounting brackets. Extra plumbing could be added with copper wire if desired, but I felt that the kit’s offering was enough. As parts of the roof and bonnet would still be in place, you only get a partial glimpse of what’s inside anyway. Alas, the Great Wall Hobby kit is difficult to get hold of (although Hannants has limited stock) although plenty of other engines are available, in motor vehicle kits or separately, in various scales. The exact type isn’t essential (unless you’re a detail obsessive) and a degree of improvisation will be required. But that’s all part of the fun!