Making a Lima Class 31 look less plasticy with a budget of £zero

More on my Facebook page here / wallsrail
A project, for a friend, thats been on my workbench for some time finally gets done!!
With a budget of £zero, I had to scratch build or scour the spares bin for parts.
The only parts I bought were the reinforcemed window surrounds for 427. They were purchased from
Shawplan, here..
www.shawplan.com
Other paint tools and materials were as ever purchased from Trains4U
www.trains4u.com
Reference photos from my own collection this time, one of which can be found here...
www.flickr.com...
Converting Lima Class 31's to ETH fitted Regional Railways era (1991-6) 31408 & 31427

[@kjamison5951]

I wish my hands were that steady… cracking job! Thank you!

[@kellypaws]

Probably watched this half a dozen times. It’s still enjoyable.

[@richardsanders4624]

Excellent Video-Summery. Thank You 👍

[@chrisclarke7051]

Enjoyable video, superb job considering no budget.

[@johnbill9201]

Great video thanks for sharing, John

[@Shelfandtabletoplayouts00gauge]

I’m so glad your headlights wouldn’t sit straight, I feel human. I fell for the 31s living next to the WCML in the mid eighties to nineties when they were well used especially the 31/4s. Superb job, watched this several times, still amazed how clear the filming is and neat the results 👍 Great front detailing and lining.

[@Wallsrail]

Thanks 👍

[@TheDaf95xf]

Hi Buddy. Really enjoyed that. I remember those work horses on the Oldham loop 👍🏻

[@Wallsrail]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@petersmith4455]

great video.i still use the triang class 31s as i was a child when they came out so fond memories.also i used to go on them out of paddington stn in the 70s as they were used on the paper trains at night, a friend of mine was a driver for br, also went on class 52s. they were brilliant !!

[@Wallsrail]

The tri-ang one was just a bit before my time! Airfix produced one in the late 70's, of which I had a few. Both good models and only let down these days by the motor, but if your not DCC and they still work, great!!

[@davidsmith5523]

Great work.

[@shanestephens2877]

Your a good friend to have, all that time and effort on a budget of £0. I hope they took you for a few beers 🍻. Great result and I'll look forward to watching your other videos.

[@railway187]

Really fantastic upgrade! I adore the way you organised the cables inside. You are right about trying not to stick cables to the upper part of the body, it makes opening the locomotive for maintenance less easy. In one of my Lima’s I managed to install led-lights in the chassis, but usually the only way to install them is in the body ☹️ great video, thanks 🙏

[@garypalmer7540]

They look fabulous well done you.

[@davecourse4234]

Fantastic video really enjoyed it

[@MapTheDragonRailways]

Very fascinating to watch, thank you for sharing.

[@cravensdmufan4449]

Very enjoyable, thanks. Another zero cost "enhancement" that I always did with my Lima locos was to paint the cab interiors and inside window surrounds with dark grey. Cheers. Vivian

[@gs425]

That's was a great video to watch. When I next get a chance to do a video it will explain how easy it is to add extra pick up to Lima 3 axle bogies with no soldering, and you'd be pleased to hear zero cost ! Gary

[@JoodBloxer]

Incredible!

[@086DEN]

Great stuff, I like your way.

[@Wallsrail]

I appreciate that!

[@ciaranburke3243]

Nice work 👍

[@jasonpierce-newmodelbarmy3394]

Nice work....you were right about Greg's Chinook!

[@reakingringpiece]

that looks brilliant... i didnt quite catch what you made the eth cables and sockets of exactly? finished engine looks great... good old limas :)

[@Wallsrail]

ETH cables made from solder wire. Boxes and sockets from styrene rod. Indeed, lima locos holding their own, detail wise! Only let down by a poor motor, although replacements are now available....

[@vinniecross1092]

Given me some ideas to improve 31407,31410 & 31466. Thanks

[@poodle559]

31 439 (Garfield) was the one before it rocked up in the north west. Good job by the way.

[@andrewbailey399]

Outstanding

[@donniblanco5239]

Nice Vid & Great Job 👍🏻

[@Wallsrail]

Thanks! 👍

[@darrenhillman8396]

Nice job! You have a like and a new subscriber!

[@jasonc9194]

Nice work and great video - Subscribed

[@danielsellers8707]

They look good; just spraying the yellow front ends and other detail painting makes them look better! The body looks better than the modern Hornby model and NOT MADE IN CHINA (except if you have the Hornby Railroad model from the old Lima tooling).

[@Wallsrail]

An underrated model!!

[@TanVasinTrains]

Will you get the Accurascale version of the Class 31?

[@Wallsrail]

Probably 🤔

[@kellypaws]

Not much of a friend that gets you to do all that and gives you no contribution :(

[@Wallsrail]

He's seen it, and feels guilty 😂👍