Oh dear, it's brass, it's UP, it's a turbine and it's OMI....resistance was futile.
To be fair it's a bit of a pigs dinner but if you can look through the mustard paint job and at the bits in the boxes it looks like most of it is there.
There's no tender chassis but importantly the truck castings are present and I've more than enough info to work up a chassis. A quick browse of Brasstrains.com is always good and they often photo models from all different angles which is good for reference, especially if you want to restore back to factory condition.
There is some damage and I suspect there will be either castings missing here and there, what I don't understand as yet, is why there are three chassis and apparently enough motors, wheels and trucks to make them up, though there may be some drive train parts missing. The brass one looks in the best shape and won't need to be stripped of paint. It looks like there are two cab unit chassis complete with trucks, wheels etc and one turbine chassis sans trucks, wheels etc. I'm presuming that's all the bits in the one of the boxes.
I've got several options, first obviously is strip it all down, get rid of all the paint and see what the metal work is like underneath; assess any damage and parts missing and work from there. Once it's all cleaned back to metal and polished up you could assemble what you have, get it working and even sans tender frame probably move it on for a respectable profit.
But it's an OMI UP GTEL and anyone who knows me, knows that's not a realistic prospect .
The next option would be to try and completely restore it back to factory and try and source any missing parts or get new etches done for any damaged or missing plate work, plus a fabricate a new tender frame. You could then leave in cleaned bare metal and move it on for more profit.
But it's an OMI UP GTEL and anyone who knows me, knows that's not a realistic prospect .
One step better than that would be to get it professionally painted, Microscale do decals, probably on several sheets and then move it on for a big profit. A fully restored OMI GTEL usually goes for £1500-2500.
But it's an OMI UP GTEL and anyone who knows me, knows that's not a realistic prospect .
Moving up from that is to add a few bits of detail and clean up the factory work, good as OMI are, they are showing their age compared to modern brass models, especially in the lower regions. They're also factory built in Korea and good as the factory workers are, you still get the odd joint not quite fitting here and there.
I had a really good look at a near mint OMI SD40-2 yesterday at Kettering, very attractively priced as well and it would of been mine today if I'd not won this GTEL overnight. It was good but there were little things like the number board surrounds being soldered on slightly on the wonk and gaps where the grills were soldered onto the body. To be fair that does make them pretty much individual models and that alone when compared to computer made RTR conveyor belt models, can often add to the price and collection value.
A recent weathered OMI GTEL with a few additional details in P48 went for over £4000.
But it's an OMI UP GTEL and anyone who knows me, knows that's not a realistic prospect .
copyright, some geezer on the web.
The final (nearly) option is to go all out and really super detail the model, new fine detail mesh screens, roof details and upgraded chassis with pipe and plate work. Other things like the sand fillers which are a bit 2D would need upgrading and the trucks too. Whilst the stock trucks are ok on the track, they loose that appeal the minute you turn it over, so you'd need to work up some internal bracing to replicate the real thing.
But it's an OMI UP GTEL and anyone who knows me, knows that's not a realistic prospect .
The factory model does come with a turbine representation so you can open the doors and see it in there, GTELs often ran with turbine body doors open, it aided cooling but probably didn't help intake filtration
. I'm not sure if this one has the turbine present, the exhaust scoop is present so hopefully it is. If not then I'll work up a basic one for the first few options above, but for the super detailed it'd have to be pulled out and a really good nice detailed one dropped in.
The only issue with the last option above is that you are taking the model away from factory stock, in some cases that will result in a loss of sale ability and authenticity and you may not attract the best resale price. There's also no original OMI box, that's a massive loss on sale ability and it'd be a hard item to find, you'd also have to match the stock box sticker to the actual model.
The model is a late generation, with widened cab unit fuel tank and a HIII dynamic brake grid layout, that limits it to engines 16-30. It's also got the larger 24-C tender which will further limit your choices and time periods; I'd have to get all the books out and narrow that down in the next few weeks before delivery.
The final option is to restore it to as near factory finish as reasonably practicable, certainly a new tender chassis will need to be built up, then the choice is to leave as bare brass (which often has it's own unique pricing) or have it repainted. Having done that I'd go over it for measurements (OMI are usually pretty accurate in sizing and details) and cross reference with the drawings and data I have here. Then work up my own nickel silver etches, modifying where necessary to upgrade to an all out super detailed model kit. Next would be to work up some new castings and generally make a whole new engine from the ground up. You could then either move on the OMI model or just keep it in as near stock condition as an investment.
But it's an OMI UP GTEL and anyone who knows me, knows that is probably the most realistic prospect .
I've wanted an OMI model for years, at least 25, but could never afford the price tag, to get one now and a UP GTEL to boot is amazing (especially given the price, shipping and taxes are a bit of a hit mind, but acceptable in the circumstances), granted there's a lot of work ahead but It'll be a pleasure I'm sure.
MD