I'm James by the way and hence my favourite engine as a kid. Good to meet you guys.

Mr Bob,

Not sure how all this quoting business works haha. In my experience British models have always been easy to come across. As Alex said, usually easier than the Australian stuff. I find the Bachmann Thomas range harder to find than Hornby. I live near Sydney and the main model railway shop 'Hobbyco' only stocks Hornby, unless things have changes since I was last there. I'm not too keen on Hornby Thomas engines because as you have also said they aren't TV series accurate, however I don't mind their rolling stock so Hobbyco is always an option there. I started my Bachmann engine collection 4 or 5 years ago buying off eBay from the US. I have Thomas, Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy and Diesel. Still have Toby, Henrietta and Duck to complete my immediate collection. I like the look of Bill and Ben/Donald and Douglas, but they might have to wait a little while yet, priorities. If Bachmann announce Daisy I'll grab her straight away, that would be a great addition to the collection.

Cheers for the feedback, I think I might just try and slice the noses off and buff it all up, see how that turns out?

SeaEagle, I haven't seen either of those loco's selling for anything resembling a reasonable price, did you manage to get them for a reasonable price? And also, what company produces them? Sorry for the questions, I am just rather curious about those 2 engines. I must admit, I've taken a brief pause from my Thomas collection to build up a collection of circa BR engines, but I intend to return to the Thomas collection as soon as possible, but I have digressed way too far.

Thank you for all your help, Mr.Bob, and best of luck in your endeavors, SeaEagle,
~Alex
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Cheers for the welcome Alex, didn't think there'd be many Australian's here but good to know. I don't have either of those loco's yet, and yes, as you suggested they're about $600 a pop!! A company called Eureka Models seems to make them but they seem to only do limited runs of them based on demand. You're right, Australian models get almost zero exposure overseas so there will never be great demand for them, hence the higher price. Those models look quality though.

If you're interested, there's a documentary called Pure Steam. I had it on video when I was a kid and watched it to death. It's about the 3801 and R761 touring together in 1988 for our Bicentenary, the Flying Scotsman is in there too and that's why they're my 3 favourite 'big' loco's. It's on DVD too, I found it at an ABC shop. It's called 'The Flying Scotsman Down Under'. The link to Pure Steam is below, Mr. Bob you might enjoy it too.

Also, where do you buy your Bachmann Thomas stuff here? I find it hard to come by, and eBay prices are going up as our dollar goes down 

https://youtu.be/1TXp0SV2JII

Cheers for the advice, I'll give it a try this weekend. I was thinking of just leaving them as is, I like the end windows and not sure if my modelling skills are up to cutting one end off to glue on another and doing a good job of it. Obviously that still leaves the noses, it's comical just thinking about it but it won't bother me too much one it's done (I think haha). Also, I'd like to add lights to all my passenger coaches too, so that way the end windows will still be effective.

I plan to collect some non Thomas locos as well, aleady have a Flying Scotsman, got that when I was a kid. But I love those BR Prairie tanks so I'll get one of those and a standard pannier tank as well for starters. It should all fit with the Thomas stuff contextually, my layout will be small town/countryside Britain circa 1930's/40's. The only departure from that will be two great Australian loco's (I'm Aussie): The 3801 and the Hudson R761.  Hopefully two main lines for parallel runs and a branch line for the smaller engines with fiddle yard for the shunters.

Good to hear you've got some track underway, keen to see some of these trains pounding the rails.

Hey mate,

Found this thread a couple of weeks ago and have to say you've done a really top job here. I'm like yourself and really enjoy series 1 & 2 much more than anything after that, must be an 80's kid thing haha. Most of the posters have asked anything that that I would ask myself, but one question I have for you is: What is the best way to go about removing the names and faces from the Bachmann Annie & Clarabel's? I'd like to do James' coaches myself and a little unsure how to do it without marking the orange paint.

Top effort mate, keep it up. Particularly impressed with the James makeover, old branchline coaches and the Flying Kipper. I'll be tackling those projects myself in good time. How is the layout coming along?