I have had a GEM North British “Glen” 4-4-0 kit for years (don’t ask me how many) and I decided it was time to assemble it and turn it into something that’s not North British. Now I did get a GEM L1 chassis when I got myself the kit but, as I have two spare Tri-ang L1 chassis, I thought I would use one of them instead of assembling the GEM one. The first thing was to convert it to three rail using a Marklin skate and shorting out the insulated drivers then, once it was running, fit it to the footplate and make sure it still ran, which necessitated the removal of quite a bit whitemetal to get enough clearance. For what I intend to do with it I had to file off all the raised detail on the footplate in front of the smokebox and fit a different style of cylinder cover (a brass casting from Caley Coaches). I also have to alter the cab side sheets, and a Great British Locomotives Collection T9 provided the bits I needed. As well as the cab side sheets, the cab front windows have to be changed to a circular shape and the cab roof will need shortening slightly, and I have made a start on that, but it’s getting rather late now, so I think I’ll call it a day……
At least in this case the kit is still available from Lytchett Manor Models so, if I decide I want an NB Glen, I can easily get hold of one. The thought of doing all that lining is rather off-putting though.