Inspection Saloon Linda
We have all heard of Caroline, the Network Rail inspection saloon, here is my take on the subject.
I had a “spare” blood & custard O gauge Lima Mk1, so I decided to convert it.
To start with do some research on what Caroline looks like. So looked at photos off the internet and proceeded to alter the coach accordingly.
First to be removed were the corridor connections with a junior hacksaw, then a lot of filing & sanding to give me a smooth surface.
Next was to work out the position and size of the windows on the driving ends, with a bit of calculation all drivers’ windows were marked out and cut out and all rough edges smoothed off.
Next job was to make the headlight boxes and jumper cable boxes with cables. A quick rummage in the spares boxes and found the bits required/suitable to give the right impression. The jumper cables were made from an old scart plug internal thin wire.
With all the bits glued in place it was off to the paint shop or in my case the garden shed to give the body a coat of primer. When the primer was dry it received 2 coats of Pheonix Precision paints P125 B.R. (S) Coach Geen (Dull). The “glass” is from a curtain rail package cut to size. Lettering is a mix of Fox Transfers & HMRS waterslide Transfers.
The interior is scratch built from odd bits off plasticard from the spares department cut to size and positioned to fit in the windows, so I did not have to cut and shut the main body.
The driver is a Modulu HST driver washed & dried, then painted accordingly. The driver’s seat is an old Lima O gauge oval buffer cut with the backrest made from plasticard cut and shaped to fit.
This model is a representative of the real thing as it is not entirely accurate.
This has been a project I have enjoyed, and I am pleased with the results.
Northolt Model Railway Club 
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