GWR Dean Single Achilles 3031 Class "Lord of the Isles" 3846, Hornby DCC Heavily Modified

The Dean 3031 Class, known also as the "Achilles Class" (an interesting name connection if you consider this prototype had only one set of driving wheels, and if you know your Greek mythology...) were very elegant machines indeed. Sadly, the only commercially produced models of this locomotive are still made with molds and tooling from decades ago, and were never really intended as highly detailed representations.

After receiving this locomotive several years ago, I set out to do some initial improvements. I was never completely satisfied with the work I did, and didn't run it as much as it deserved. However, I set to work again on this model a few months ago, and have completed what I (humbly) consider an extensive and highly involved workover addressing not only cosmetic issues, but performance and stability issues as well. My work has included:

Fabricating a swiveling footplate extension to bridge the outrageous gap between the locomotive cab and tender
Adding a substantial amount of underframe above the front pony trucks to fill the outrageous gap between the chassis and the pony truck, which not only looks better in profile but keeps the long and previously unsupported front of the locomotive from "hunting" and swinging out unrealistically around curves
Detailing the buffer beams with vacuum hoses and scale screw-link couplings
Minor additional separately added detailing parts
Real coal in the tender, including forming a more realistic coal shape
Extensive paint detailing, including especially repainting the blindingly shiny and fake looking "brass effect" plastic dome provided by Hornby, which stuck out like a sore thumb on this model

The locomotive is fitted with a DCC decoder, and operates very smoothly. Even upon the grades at the Elmhurst Model Railroad Club, the locomotive handled 6 clerestory coaches with only minor slow downs and slipping (remember, only the large center driving wheels are powered on this model, and there is no magnehesion or traction tires, etc to improve grip). My additions and modifications to the underframe also still allowed enough flexibility that the locomotive never got stranded on uneven track or grade transitions, which was a concern.

All in all, I am very happy with this project, which is one of the more extensively modified and re-detailed in my collection.