Castell Criccieth

Repaint and refresh for this miniature Criccieth Castle which was brought to us in late 2024 for a cosmetic restoration. This steel bodied locomotive is privately owned and we were pleased to return this loco to its former glory. The loco is an imposing 5 inch gauge scale model of the real 0-6-0 which operates on the Ffestiniog Railway in North Wales.

Castell Cricieth as it arrived at MRW

The project was started by assessing the existing paintwork and forming a comprehensive report to be sent to the customer detailing the work to be undertaken. This report found the key following points:

• Most of the body work was in reasonable condition but had suffered from rust forming, as well as multiple re-paints.

• A number of handrail stanchions were missing.

• The plastic windows were damaged and needed to be replaced.

• The roof needed an additional bracket fabricating to ensure that the sides of the cab had adequate strength

• All of the lights were to be replaced as per the customers wishes

• The underside of the running boards and the buffer beams were in an acceptable condition so the customer was happy for us to leave them for him to tidy up later.

Rust around the front grill

Broken handrail station

missing lining details

needs no caption!

Incorrect detail to the end face

Cloddy windows

First job was to remove all the hardware from the loco such as lights, handrails, lights and other details.

Interior showing the rusty finish

Windows and frames removed

Windows removed

Once this was completed the entire body was sent for shot blast and powdercoating which gave us this lovely white body shell free from rust and ready for additional layers of paint to be applied.

Soon the body had been masked and prepared for additional layers of spray paint to be applied, resulting in this finish.

Body after fist few coats of paint

Close up of the finish

Our apprentice Ryan achieved an outstanding finish and the customer was more than satisfied. After some edging trim was applied the painting process was then completed.

Tape trim was then added to give the yellow/gold pinstriping.

A very proud Ryan stands next to the part finished body for the loco which is now only awaiting the

Inside the cab view of the windows after installation.

Detailed view of the handrails and windows on the finished body.

The finished loco complete with re-painted name plates and fresh windows sits in the workshop awaiting collection.

Close up of the Castell Cricieth Name plate after cleaning, polishing and a repaint.

Ryan posing with the loco he spent a considerable amount of time repainting and returning to its former glory

Ryan now tackles all of the new build work for the manufacturing of new build locomotives under the Phoenix Locomotives range for Miniature Railway Workshop. To learn more about our range of ready to run locomotives head to www.miniaturerailwayworkshop.com/locomotives or to enquire about how we can help with your existing locomotives’ rework please contact us on the details shown below:

Tel. +44 (0)7591 006642

Email. miniaturerailwayworkshop@gmail.com

Miniature Railway Workshop, Unit 1a & 1b, New Line Road, Kirkby-In-Ashfield, Nottingham, NG17 8JQ