

I like to kitbash things into other things, and this is no exception. In 1:24 scale, 9mm gauge scales up to 8 1/2" gauge, and anything built will borrow a lot from 7 1/4" gauge tried and tested locomotives and rolling stock. I've taken a "Pugbash Permitter" from Rushbys Resins (the usual no connection etc), a Kato 103, an Airfix / Dapol Drewry shunter, some styrene, and so far made this:



The last picture shows Pete the fitter standing beside it.
I've wondered for long enough if it would be possible to successfully shorten the Airfix shunter engine cover; it turns out that you can. The newer kits (the Dapol ones made from recycled plastic) are quite soft and easy to cut and file with an emery board. For their age, they are still quite detailed mouldings, and when painted and with tools / odds and ends added hopefully will look ok.
I used the cab front as is, mainly because it was an easy solution, and (I think) looks ok despite the cab windows. The footplate is a styrene rectangle with styrene "girder" glued underneath to clear the top of the Kato chassis in the Pugbash Permitter.
Next is to add the seat, basic controls - brakes, throttle, clutch pedal and gear lever - as well as a cab side (one side only) and a low back. I'll knock these up out of odds and ends from the scrap box.
Les