Wow, it DOES look like 89001. When you first started cutting I doubted it..........

Truth be told, so did I, but it's starting to come together. The only major surgery left is to make the pantograph well, everything else is detailing like light recesses, bodyside grills and so on.

looking good stu,have you sourced some transfers yet?

Not yet, but Fox have suitable ones in their range.

Well, the pantograph well is cut and the floor in place, though a little work on the sides is still to be done. No photos unfortunately as no camera access atm.

Just found this as I tend to avoid blogs - I'm doing the same thing. I started a couple of years ago and got to just about the same stage, then moved house and inertia took hold. I did manage to get some bogie side frames from DC kits and intend to graft them onto Bachmann 37 bogie frames. If you are interested I can send you some photos.

That'd be great forest, please do.