Yes, I've succumbed and bought a model of Skarloey, Bachmann USA's new addition to their Thomas and Friends range. Technically it's not a child’s toy as the box says 14+ and believe me it isn't going to look like this for very long (in fact it already doesn't but that's for another blog post). As many of you will probably know Skarloey is based on the loco Talyllyn of the Talyllyn Railway built by Fletcher Jennings in 1864. Originally the loco was an 0-4-0ST but was soon altered to give a 0-4-2ST which is how it is today and how it is depicted in the model of Skarloey.
Over the years as well as the addition of an extra set of wheels it's had a number of body work changes and I'm not entirely sure which version I'm going to model, but I'll definitely be replacing the face with a proper smokebox door and the over sized cylinders will be replaced with something a little more prototypical. While I figure out exactly how I'm going to butcher the model for parts here it is running around my test track. Hopefully it will still run this smoothly once I've taken it to pieces and rebuilt and painted it.
If you fancy one of these models yourself they can be a little tricky to get hold of in the UK due to licencing issues. In the UK Hornby hold the exclusive license to 4mm scale Thomas products so Bachmann are not allowed to sell the model here. You can probably buy one direct from the states but you'll have to factor in import tax etc. A number of online stores in the UK are managing to import them and I bought mine from Tootally Thomas which seems to have the best price and excellent customer service. Stock is limited though so you'll need to e-mail them to reserve one from the next batch they can get.
I'm seriously tempted to order one myself, despite my dislike of engines with faces (Ivor hasn't got a face so he's ok...) and a general disinterest in RTR. It wouldn't stay as bought for long though.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing what you do with yours Mark.
It's certainly easy to dismantle as I've now had it down to it's most basic parts (I left the pickup strips in place but other than that) and back together and it is a really nice running model, so I'm hopefully I'll be able to build something good on top.
DeleteI'm not sure how much of the body will get re-used but I've had a couple of ideas already from looking at some old photos, and they all require some fairly serious butchery of at least the plastic footplate. I'll probably end up doing quite a few posts as I cut up and rebuild the parts especially given I don't have much else on the workbench at the moment and this should be fairly entertaining.
I've, er , just sent an email to Tootally. I've been trying hard to resist but the temptation to backdate one to pre-cab condition is just too great I'm afraid.
DeleteThe pre-cab, post extra axle, version is very tempting. I've even found a great modern photo of the loco without the cab that would help with building an appropriate backhead. The problem is some of the cab detail is on the main body casting so you'd need to cut some of that off, not impossible but more hassle than altering the plastic. I think I'm going to go for an early cabbed version...... on this one, but I might well end up doing a cabless one later.
DeleteUsefull photo.
ReplyDeleteA new chimney and dome are on the cards, the former because I don't like that heavy band at the top and the latter because I think the moulded dome is a little underfed.
A new chimney is on my list as well, assuming I can turn one; I actually wondered about cutting this one off and then turning down the band, but turning one from scratch would be more satisfying. I'm less worried by the dome, although I think it's both slightly too small and not quite in the right place. I'm going to start from the rail top and work upwards though so a new chimney is quite a way down the road (plenty of time for me to learn to turn a new one)
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