Bachmann's new range brings mixed feelings

That's just typical!!!! I have waited for an age for a decent Class 101 in Strathclyde orange and black to be produced so started to build one from the DC kits range due to this lack of availabilty. Now and again the odd Lima model shows up on ebay for a kings ransom so it was with mixed feelings that I welcomed the proposed release by Hornby of the ex-Lima model in this striking livery. It puzzled me that Hornby took so long to produce this livery on the Class 101 given how popular Scottish railways are amongst the modelling world and that the limited edition Lima version can fetch upwards of £100 on ebay.
Mixed feelings because I was struggling with paint scheme and construction of the DC kits model and relieved that an affordable model will soon be in the shops so I can put this project away and move to something more pressing. But I was irritated because it means making a not so cheaply bought kit surplus to requirements. How many of us have bought a kit, started it and then put it to one side for months or even years?
This week Bachmann announced details of their latest catalogue including (you guessed it) a Class 101 in R-T-R OO gauge. I won't have such mixed feelings if they release a SPT liveried model this time - at least I won't have spent good money on a lower specification model in the meantime.

Signal box detailing

I've had some spare time while off work this week and decided to have a crack at detailing a Bachmann Scenecraft signal box I bought some time ago for another layout but I have since downsized my ambitions to something more manageable. This signal box will go on my new Scottish layout and needs a bit of tweaking to make it fit in more with its surroundings and to give it those personal additions that will make it unique.
Basically it is just a repaint of the window surrounds and guttering with the addition of cladding to change the horizontal planking to a narrower vertical style and a modification to the lamp room/toilet on the balcony.
Adding the cladding presents a problem that only became apparent after trialling the roof refit; the cladding makes the walls thicker of course so the roof bargeboards don't match up! A few thin strips of plasticard cured this.

The signal box before modification.

The first of the cladding panels is cut to size.

The new panels cut to size and ready for painting.

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The mismatch in the roof barge boards and walls are apparent here.

Plasticard strips cut to size for new barge boards.

Nearly finished. Just some nameplates and an interior to add.

I will do a detailed interior at a later stage but all that remains is for some nameboards and possibly a small lean to or bike rack under the stairs which are not the finest around.