Mikkel Kjartan's 4mm Locos

Here's a selection of OO locos from the author's own collection. Several are second-hand models that I picked up cheaply and modified or rejuvenated. In fact I rather like the idea that some of my locos have lived previous lives on other people's layouts. It not only suggests a sort of common heritage among modellers, but also emulates the frequent re-allocation of locos on the real GWR!

633 Class No. 643

This is one of Armstrong's 633 Class locos, with the characteristic open cab and condensation pipes, as seen on the metropolitan members of the class. The loco is built from an M&L kit (now available from Alan Gibson). It was purchased second-hand in a rather battered condition, but with a Portescap-powered chassis that ran ever so smoothly. I therefore set about rejuvenating and detailing the loco, and it is now one of my most favoured locos.

Metro Class No. 1492

This one is a latter-day Metro Class 2-4-0, and another restoration project. In this case it was a rather extensive affair, including an entirely new chassis sporting Portescap motor and Romford wheels, built for me by West Coast Kit Center. A bit over the top I suppose, especially if you consider the somewhat crude SE Finecast body. Still, at the time I badly needed a Metro, fast.

1361 Class No. 1363

This little dock shunter is another Nu-Cast kit, featuring an ancient K's motor which nonetheless runs the loco like a dream – due mainly to the huge flywheel protruding into the cab. It's all a bit out-dated, I know, but with a repaint and selective detailing I got myself a characterful little loco at a very low cost.

388 Class "Armstrong Goods" No. 510

Here is Armstrong's version of the sturdy GWR 0-6-0 goods loco. This one was built by Chris Philips from a Nu-Cast kit to his usual fine standards. The loco has an opening smokebox door, and is powered by a Mashima motor which does the job nicely. The livery depicts the 1906–1914 period.

3232 Class No. 3245

The 3232s are one of my favourite GWR loco classes. This one was built professionally from the Martin Finney kit. The kit is very good, but unfortunately the builder made a bit of a rush-job of the whole thing (so I won't recommend him here). Apart from a repaint, I had to make several modifications to both loco and tender chassis before it ran well. The loco has a Portescap motor and is in the 1906-1914 livery.