Hornby 4 wheel coach re-branded as Southern Railway

Recently I visited the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and was very impressed with their restoration of an Oldbury coach.

There is a booklet which details the restoration for a television competition. Fascinating read and so an idea started to emerge.

Having already amassed a couple of sets of Hornby 4 and 6 wheel coaches- the 6 wheel ones having the centre wheels removed- I thought a varnished set would suit my embryo IOW layout.

So, finding an inexpensive GNR example at Model Railways Direct a brake 3rd was ordered. When received I felt that I couldn't reproduce the teak effect so out came the T-Cut and the GNR branding and emblems were removed.

Numerals, Pressfix, were affixed over the removed emblems and Southern Railway inserted into the top panels.

Looking at photos of ex-LBSCR 4 wheel stock there is a strong similarity, the only exception being the lack of panelleing on the end duckets.