HOW TO
UPGRADE A ‘GREYHOUND’
George Dent adds some extra detail to the footplate of his Hornby ‘T9’ after changing its number to celebrate Model Rail’s 300th issue.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GE ORGE DENT
In previous landmark issues of Model Rail, I’ve created models to match the occasion: A Class 45 ‘Peak’ as D100 and a Class 150 DMU conversion for the 100th and 150th issues (in case you hadn’t guessed!).
For this issue, another diesel option would’ve meant a disc-headcode Class 40 as D300.
While I seldom pass up the chance to work on a Class 40, I did fancy something ‘steamy’ instead. A wee bit of research threw up a Scottish-style LSWR Drummond ‘T9’ 4‐4‐0, which carried No. 300 up to nationalisation. Did the real thing wear the wartime plain black with ‘sunshine’ lettering? I hoped so, as that would make for a very easy re-numbering project.
Alas, I drew a blank in terms of pictorial proof, but I decided to gamble and go ahead anyway.
One thing I’ve found in recent years, with the scarcity of certain ‘OO’ locomotives, is that some of my projects have been dictated by what donor models I can actually get hold of, without spending a fortune. A trawl across a well-known internet auction site turned up a wartime black ‘T9’, with the correct six-wheel tender and wide cab/splasher arrangement, at a sensible pre-owned price.
I’m not sure if the model (Hornby R2829, ‘T9’ No. 314) had ever been used, so I felt pleased with the purchase initially. However, when I came to remove the body, the motor housing disintegrated – the dreaded Mazak rot! Luckily, it turned out that we had a much more recent Hornby ‘T9’ in the Model Rail office, so I could effect a rapid chassis swap. This prompted Chris Leigh to check his ‘T9’ collection, some of which were also affected, as he mentioned in last month’s Backscene.