Another A1 Models diesel - part 7 interior detailing.

 With such a large cab and big windows there's really no choice but to add some interior detail. Firstly a floor was constructed from styrene sheet, raised to match the door bottom by glueing blocks underneath. At the same time lead was also glued under the floor, making use of the available space. A control panel was also knocked up from styrene, with an angled panel for gauges. The two gauges are made from slivers of round styrene bar. As this is quite a sizeable loco I decided to have two driving positions on either side of the desk, so there are two mirrored throttles, made from Markits N gauge handrail knobs and .33mm brass wire. In the middle of the control desk there's a forward/reverse lever, also from brass wire, and on the front a brake wheel from Cambrian's C42 set acts as a handbrake. Seats are made from L shaped styrene strip and round section, suitably filed to shape. The interior is my interpretation of a loco cab, and although this is a freelance loco I hope that it's reasonably realistic in its layout. 

Here are the parts laid out;

The floor is upside down, note the notch to clear the layshaft pulley and the lead weight.

This is how the interior will look;

I could have just used bent wire for the throttles, but making them from handrail knobs looks so much better. The two dials can just be made out on the triangular portion of the desk;

And temporarily fitted;

Those large windows give a good view, both in and out;

I enjoy this type of detailing even though it can be frustrating, not only from trying to work out what should be there but also from handling (and dropping!) tiny parts. But, the results can be worthwhile, not only because the extra detailing looks good but also because it's a chance to practice some fine modelmaking.

I'll paint these parts later when I paint the rest of the cab interior. The next job will be to get the body ready for undercoating. 

My apologies for the quality of the images, white plastic is a pig to photograph. To see older posts on this build click on the 'A1 Models' tag below.

Paul.