Judgement Day For Patrick

[Tigger]

I bought Patrick nearly six years ago for the L&TR's 30 anniversary with the idea that a quick repaint was all he needed before going into service.  However I soon decided that I wanted to fit a more suitable cab as well - and so he's been waiting ever since with just the very occasional bit of use to see if he still works!  Yesterday I took a hacksaw to the cab.  For good or bad, I'll let you know how it goes!

[B.Meldon]

Now I totally agree that these garish yellow versions of the Roco diesel do indeed need a re-paint and a different cab and I would do the same if I had one. But I would not be surprised that because it looks so bad, was not popular at all and most have been re-painted that in 20 years time this version becomes a valuable collector

[pilotfriend]

I bet you pulled the legs off spiders when you were little ;D ;D ;D

[berryr99]

Must have been a very low bridge he went under !

Bob

[invercloy]

Is that a snowplough in the background?

[MickT]

I would not be surprised that because it looks so bad, was not popular at all and most have been re-painted that in 20 years time this version becomes a valuable collector

[Tigger]

Now I totally agree that these garish yellow versions of the Roco diesel do indeed need a re-paint and a different cab and I would do the same if I had one. But I would not be surprised that because it looks so bad, was not popular at all and most have been re-painted that in 20 years time this version becomes a valuable collector

[invercloy]

I thought it was a snowplough.  I look forward to hearing what you do to that at some point.

Patrik's new cab looks great, has a sort of Fowler feel to it.

[B.Meldon]

Perhaps a single waste line strip would look good on the flat cab back, but that is just my opinion.

I have also seen others raise the level of the cab door on these locos to hide the motor a bit more. (Roco in their wisdom designed the chassis so that the top of the motor is higher than the cab door!)

Another way to further anglicise these locos it to add UK style buffer beams with out the steps and a different front (radiator) to the bonnet.

But this is all extra work that you may not wish to do and just changing the cab, adding proper handrails and giving the loco a more suitable paint job will do wonders for the appearance.

Brian Meldon

[tedp]

Starting to look like an attractive little engine. Hope it runs better than mine - it wobbles due to the sub-standard running gear.

[MickT]

Have you decided on a livery for it yet - I thought industrial yellow might be a good choice................. ;D :-*

Mick

PS I like the look of the new cab - it has re-kindled my previously moribund diesel bashing node

[Tigger]

Very briefly, many thanks all for your encouraging thoughts - all taken on board I might add for serious consideration!

I may not manage a lot of progress in the next week although last night I was bending up new wire cab handrails.

[Tigger]

Ahem...
You get to a point in a project when you think "have I done the right thing?"
That point wasn't, surprisingly, when I decapitated Patrik.  However, I did start to wonder when I was drilling out the radiator!
I think I got away with it!  The extremely fine woven brass mesh is well over 30 years old, was incredibly expensive and comes from the time when I was testing the tear resistance of polysulphides.  I've only got a couple of square inches and I wish I'd had a few more offcuts!
As you'll see Brian, I've taken your suggestions on board!  The strap across the backsheet and along the back end of the cab side comes next...

[membership]

The angle of that last shot makes him look boss-eyed!!!javascript:void(0);

[B.Meldon]

Wow! That fine woven brass mesh looks amazing David! As you say shame you have not go that much of it. I can see that this is going to turn out very nice indeed.

Brian Meldon