The Roundhouse model of Hunslet Beddgelert uses the larger 42mm diameter wheels (most of their other models use 33mm) and these are not available in un-insulated form, so they have a plastic boss that provides their fixing to the axle. With no track power on the owner's railway there was no need for any insulation and so the opportunity was taken to replace the plastic bosses with steel. The main reason for doing this is to eliminate the "wobble" caused by the impossible-to-fit-accurately plastic bosses. My grateful thanks go to Jack at Shawe Engineering for his fine work.

Another modification made was to the sand boxes mounted on the tank sides, which were moved backwards to be against the cab front. The owner's usual black with red and blue lining repaint followed.

I do not do much work on non-steam locos, but doing some paint detailing and weathering on this Roundhouse Hercules battery loco was fun! It arrived on brand-new condition, and although the owner wanted a yellow loco he did not want the very gloss and very bright finish as supplied, preferring something a bit more credible. I hope I have achieved that...

This rather nice Penrhyn condition LINDA came here only for some minor attention to its gas burner. A bit of detective work revealed it was built by a chap called Steve Hodgson trading as Western Engines here in North Wales, and about two miles from where I live. One of a batch of twelve, some were built with radio control, some without. Beautifully made and finished, if lacking in detail. At the time I had not seen one of these before but I was aware of their existence.

And then another one arrivesd, this one dressed as BLANCHE and clearly labelled as the prototype for the design. A bit more work was needed on this one as it did not appear to have been used for a very long time. Fitting of updated radio control and replacement of its missing gas burner jet was followed by a comprehensive steam test to ensure good operation.

SADIE is the first Mildred (like a George but with no tender) that has been here. It arrived in plain black with a list of modifications required by its new owner, including a rear coal bunker. I always think in terms of full-size, and full-size locos always carry supplies of fuel and water. Mildred, as supplied, would have *loads* of water, but where would the coal be stored? Adding coal a bunker makes it far more plausible. It also gained a rear spectacle plate, inner tank sides, additional handrails and lamp brackets. It was then repainted green and lined in yellow with black edging.

Another Harvey Watkins loco that came here in a very unpleasant "rattle can" maroon that had a finish like sandpaper. It was stripped, repainted and lined (in cream), and also received some minor modifications and repairs.

Based on Roundhouse Engineering mechanical components, this Harvey Watkins loco received attention to its valve timing, received some bodywork modifications and was repainted and lined in a scheme based on the full-size Bagnall loco PIXIE.

Some of you may have read my "getting ready to retire" article in 16mm Today (SMT) magazine (No. 190). In it I wrote about lining locos and said "I know my skill limits and have no hesitation in recommending others to take on the job if I consider myself unworthy. Victorian Maroon Double-Fairlies spring to mind.".

This splendid model of Double-Fairlie Little Wonder was built by the very talented Graham Duncan-Smith. He sent me the bodywork which was then painted in Victorian Maroon and lined appropriately. (Photo by Graham Duncan-Smith)

A brand-new loco, SHANKLIN came here for lining in a Southern Railway Lynton & Barnstaple-inspired scheme along with the fitting of some Locoworks detailing parts and de-glossing.

This loco is a delightful Darjeeling 'A' Class made by Archangel. Unlike other A-Class locos that have been here it is (a) made to scale and (b) beautifully made. It arrived here in bare metal and so has received etch primer, paint and lining. .

This Decauville 0-4-0T came here for fitting of radio control, fitting of a Summerlands chuffer pipe and a bit of weathering. The tank tops and cab roof were also repainted black as they would never have been blue on the full-size loco.

One of the rarer Roundhouse models was their Michael. Basically, it was a Lady Anne chassis with a Dylan cab and a Fowler smokebox. Only a few were made, exclusively for SMD Models in 1991.

When I look at a model, one of the first things I ask myself is "Would that work in full-size?" and when I first saw a Michael my answer was "No". It has coal bunkers, but where would it hold a supply of water for the boiler? So...

This one (No. 6) came here for modifications at the request of its owner. Included were dummy well tanks between the frames (solving the water supply problem), replacement smokebox and dome, Accucraft couplings, upgraded radio control and a repaint in to the owners stealthy black scheme lined in blue and red.