A couple of nights in Adelaide for an EL-001 meeting provided an opportunity to catch up with a few of the local gunzels for a feed, do a bit more work on the BHG & MBC, and visit that temple of fine gunzel dining, the Belair Hotel.
A few images of the prototype are on my flickr site (scroll left). After enjoying a nice scotch fillet at the Belair pub, I ventured out for a late running 3PM1 (6023/6028/X53), videoed at Glenalta, then moved a little further up the hill to Belair for NR2/8232/NR22 on 5AM5. Not really enough light on the standard gauge, but I thought I might as well record the passing parade. I'll have a crack at Sleeps Hill in the morning - haven't been there for 16 years. My last visit was with Steve Howard during our Bulldog Marathon, Sydney 2000 avoiding adventure.
After getting the coverage, I retired to the Rydges on South Terrace to work on the models.
The MBC has had its body re-glued, with the corners reinforced with a bead of araldite.
The BHG sides & ends assembled. The Hawksmoor kit really is junk, nothing fits, everything is warped. The inconsistencies in moulding thickness, shrinkage etc are a real pain to deal with. I doubt that I'll invest in any of the others that have been "remastered" from the old Protype models. It would be far easier to draw them up in 3D and make new masters on a 3D printer.
The roof needed a little filing to get a snug fit between the ends.
I was thinking about putting in compartment walls and maybe even lighting this van, but the kit itself is so rough I'm not sure it's worth the effort.
Temporarily placed on 2AE bogies. There will need to be some packing to get the sideframes clear of the floor, and probably some milling out of the solebars to get enough play.
That'll do for now. The family is off on a big trip next week, so hopefully I'll get to make good use of the evenings while they're away!
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