706 Update and Bob Hawke

I've done a little bit of work since my return from the colder climes on 'sunny' Melbourne and the 'tropical' Gippsland...

706 (likely to be renumbered to 703) copped a bit fabrication work in the form of bent brass wire in different gauges and some steps courtesy of ILM. I know the 'brake piping' and 'sand pipe' are not strictly prototypical - and I should have replaced the brake cylinders as well, oh well - they are there to add some detail and depth to the otherwise flat and boring bogie sideframes. I like the effect and it will doubtless look better when it's all painted and weathered. The coupler lift bar is also incorrect and a bit rough but when the hoses are on, it will help to flesh things out a bit. Air and MU hoses, blinds/sunshade/visors, the correct horns, lift rings and antennae plus correcting the nose stripes and AN 'snail' and replacing the nose grabrail are yet to happen. Oh and staff exchangers and destination boards.

Another 'long term' project is an old Powerline BL 26 "Bob Hawke" model that I've been chipping away at. The ultimate plane is to retrofit a an excellent Proto 2000 SD45-2 mechanism that I have sitting around. It is going to require some serious work to make it fit (modified chassis and driveshafts etc). But in the meantime I've just bee detailing the body.

From the photo you can see the standard horns have been replaced with cast brass ones, the nose grabrail has been replaced (not attached yet, just posed on the loco!) with a fabricated wire one in attempt to make it 'squarer' and a Powerline Kadee adapter pocket has been fitted.... which was a pain in the arse and required a bit of mucking around and a lot of filing to make it fit and for the #58 coupler to sit at the required height to meet the Kadee coupler height gauge. Underset shank couplers would be a logical and simpler solution!

Flush glazing is waiting in the wings as are visors, hoses, lift rings, antennae, coupler lift bar etc. LEDs and DCC control with sound will follow if I am happy with the final result of the detailing.