I initially enquired about this kit several months ago, but they were 'out-of-stock' of the bodyshell until I received an email a few days ago that new stocks had arrived, so placed an order and the kit landed today. Like much of the "Golden Arrow" models range, "Silver Fox" models are basically resin bodyshells with other small parts to fit to a proprietary 'RTR' chassis, in this case, either Hornby or Bachmann Class 37. Maybe I initially got it wrong or perhaps 'Duff info', but I got hold of a 'Vi-Trains' Class 37 chassis, very similar to the Bachmann with both bogies cardan shaft driven from a central motor, quite a heavy beast in the 'Heljan' manner and likely much better than the Hornby model, so as I'd had the chassis for a few months and had already prepared and DCC fitted it with a 21 pin LaisDCC decoder as is my usual preference, all I've had to do so far is to remove the bogie side frames in preparation for gluing on the replacement mouldings supplied in the kit. The metal chassis ends are slightly rounded, so I just needed to file the ends square to enable the body to drop onto the chassis snugly, although I intend to glue blocks into each cab end so that I can screw the chassis to the bodyshell. I don't normally model GWR, but I do have an interest in prototypes, one-offs and or 'oddball' locomotives, and I think (hope) I can get away with this one as there was a reasonable amount of 'overlap' onto each others regions between the GWR and Southern......if not, well, Rule 1 applies! Here's what you get in the kit, transfers and glazing included. To be continued. Keith.
......and this is the beast in question, ordered in the 1940's from Brown-Boveri in Switzerland by the GWR, but by the time it was delivered it had become BR Western Region.
Should make an interesting addition to the fleet Keith. Bit of a coincidence, but I was rummaging around in the spare bedroom today and found some books I'd forgotten about and there is a photo of 18000. I will try and scan it and post it up. Cheer's, Pete.
Hi Keith, this is the photo. Hope it turns out ok, I had to crop it out of a page. Seems ok. Cheer's, Pete.
Hi Pete. Funny that the top caption with your pic mentions 10203, as I'm currently waiting for my preordered model of this loco from Kernow. Should be landing April-ish! Keith.
Just completed this loco this afternoon, and it runs very nicely with the 'Vi-Trains' Class 37 chassis. I've not bothered doing a "How-to" mainly since it's not really what I'd call a 'build', more of a 'body swap' to be fair, and since most kit builder members will be 'Au Fait' with painting/decals/varnishing/finishing already, I'm not gonna try and teach anyone to suck eggs. Suffice to say, it's a pretty easy conversion, although in creating cab interiors with control desks, seating and drivers, I stopped myself from being able to fit working front/rear lighting even with optic fibres, but I did end up fitting cab lighting, switched from F1/F2 on the decoder. Anyway, another project completed, just awaiting the wheelset for my SR "W" Class loco now, so an enforced break from modelling, as I'm not starting anything else until after I hopefully get some more parts at the York show. Here's the completed loco. Keith.
Very nice finish to an interesting project Keith , what a shame all the internal guts on the big one was lost, at least the original still exists to study. Paul
Interesting project and a great job completed Keith. The up side down leaf springs on the centre axle are different ! Cheers, Gary.
They certainly are Gary, one of the reasons why I wanted photo's, as I was initially unsure myself which way up the bogie side frames went before I fitted them! Keith.
They certainly did Rob, the GWR's diesel hydraulics and all the different Regional types of 'railcars', EMU's/DMU's were other costly errors too! When you think of the millions of pounds BR spent with different experimental types of loco's and diesel units under the banner of "Nationalisation", heaven knows what the future holds if the railways are Re-Nationalised! The real problems are too much political interference, running by people with no railway experience (a bit like our NHS run by 'Managers' with no healthcare background), reluctance to commit to a particular form of traction and no long-term vision of future railway network needs. Whatever happens and whatever "White Elephants" are dreamed up in the future, we can be sure of one thing, It'll be UK taxpayers that'll be funding it! Keith.
