A tale of two engines - twice!

Almost sounds like something from Thomas the Tank Engine but it is not so I will explain. First off it was another day at the Rocks by Rail Museum with yet more ballast washing on the agenda. With the temperature just above freezing and water flying about it was always going to be a tough job. However we were not expecting the screen over which the ballast passes when it comes out of the mixer drum to partially collapse nor for Harriot the JCB to develop an oil leak. So whilst we did not get much ballast cleaned we did get cold! Despite these set backs things are repaired and its the knowledge, dedication and determination of the guys at the museum that makes this all possible. Now moving onto the engine reference. It was the turn of Betty's sister loco, Jean to come out for some exercise today. They both look like twins apart from the nameplate as you can see in the photos below, but it was nice to see the other half out in the open air even if it is only the nameplate which shows the difference.

Back at WMD HQ I had time for an hour of model building. As I cannot do anything on the narrow gauge layout or the Heller Scania 141 LB at the moment I had to do what all modelers do and start another project. I have started the Italeri Scania Streamline 143 H and the beginning for me is the engine. Now this is interesting as the Heller kit engine is still not in the chassis so I can compare the two kits interpretation of what is more or less the same engine. The additional level of detail with the Italeri engine even though it is the early stages of construction, is obvious looking at the two together and the part count for the Heller engine is only about half that of the other engine which sort of confirms that observation. Whilst there may be more parts to assemble in the Italeri kit hopefully they will not have the twisted, warped and mis-moulded issues that the Heller kit has and the time taken to fix those. 

A tale of two engines - twice! What more could you want! Well a nice warmish day to finish spraying the Heller kit, the model water on the narrow gauge layout to dry, finish Mrs. Woody's job list, a lottery win...............and off to the land of fantasy I go!