Hi

I would suggest starting with a simple wagon kit to build your confidence and experience before attempted something as complicated as the 444.

If you are a member of the N Guage Spciety they do a few kits that are ideal for a beginner.

A few examples
https://www.ngsjoin.com/kit-14-lnerbr-8-plank-mineral-wagon-ngsk0140-611-p.asp

https://www.ngsjoin.com/kit-47-br-ex-lmslner-highfits---twin-pack-ngsk0470-820-p.asp

https://www.ngsjoin.com/kit-61-br-vanwide-van-ngsk0610-8335-p.asp


Cheers

Paul

Repainting a 350 as a 444 is definitely an option if you think that would satisfy you. Not meaning to continually rain on your parade, but be aware you can't buy additional 350 coaches, so you'd need to find a donor from an additional second hand set, and only one of the 4 coaches would be suitable (as you'd not want a second motor coach), so that could be awkward.

Personally I'd just give it a go. The kit isn't hideously expensive in the grand scheme of things. You'll be able to strip the paint off if you're not happy with it, just keep trying until you are. You probably do need to manage your expectations. Very, very few people would be able to create a ready-to-run standard model from a kit like that.

Hi Paul

Thanks for the advice yes I used to be a member of the n gauge society few years ago, I forgot to renew it and never got around to doing it - now is probably a good time to do it so I don't forget again

njee - yes the kit is worth the money and looks good but from everything what has been said in this thread it's far to complex even for me to paint - unfortunately it just doesn't seem like it's a viable option

Thanks for the tip with the class 350s I'm ok here as I have a few of them in my collection so would be good to go there assuming I can find someone to paint it as a professional service

Either that or hope and pray that revolution trains decide to do a class 444 but I don't think that will happen and can't see any other manufacturer doing it so feel the class 350 repaint would be best option in this instance.

Also does anyone know if it's possible to buy a class 319 in London Midland livery?

Someone like Mercig would definitely be able to do a repaint into a 444-esque livery. I imagine it would be about £1000, and you'd have to have it weathered, even lightly, as he doesn't just do repaints, but it would be RTR standard (or indeed better).

Ian Monks (IMR models) may well take it on as well.

There has not been a Farish 319 in London Midland livery, no. Between Dapol, Farish and Revolution there is a 153, 170, 321 and 350. 

Thank you to those who recommended me to assist with this project.

It looks a nice kit, with lovely underframe detail and bogies. In theory, if a suitable donor chassis can be identified, I'd be up for helping with the respray and lighting. I think the glazing is probably beyond me.

I think one of the issues of getting this, or a class 350 into white SWT livery is the lack of available decals. The SWT livery is pretty complex, with multiple curves, lines and spots, in multiple colours. Without some decals such as the blue 1st class spots and maybe the red and orange end curves, I'm not sure it would be possible to do to a professional standard, at least by me. I can't see that either Fox, Railtec or CCT do any 2mm SWT decals.

Rob

Thanks njee & ensign elliot

After considering what you both have said and what others have said I'm going to abandon the idea for now but I am grateful to all who have offered advice here

I guess I should just focus with getting on with a layout plan/idea

The only thing I have decided to do is go with dcc just not sure weather to go Kato or peco for track - will have to research this further

If I might make a suggestion, I think what might do you a power of good is to finish something. How about a very small micro layouts like an inglenook shunting layout? Keep it small, only needs two points, buy a shunter like the NGS Hunslet and a few NGS wagon kits to build to shunt around on it. You could do some really basic scenery like a ratio oil depot and some piles of ballast or something. It will give you a useful but bite size experience of many aspects of building a larger layout without overwhelming you. I feel like far to many people get stuck in "one day" land in this hobby because small achievable projects aren't really the prevailing style in the mags etc. But it's one of the best ways to just relax, learn a bit, have fun and end up with something you can be proud of.

My mate Matt did something just like this and covered it in one of his videos. Take a look and see if something like that inspires you!

https://youtu.be/hZfErFC-CrI?si=Hycvx0tm-CsKwh_U

Thanks will for the suggestion, it's good advice and I will take a look at the video provided

And yes I can definitely relate to that in getting caught up in the one day land I might build a layout etc

Also I find I can never settle on something - I start to over think everything... Plans always changing - can decide on an era etc...

I'll definitely give it lots of thought what you have suggested - I already have a couple of the ngs shunters in my collection excellent models - plus like the idea of doing a small freightliner termail or something along those lines

I class myself as a very basic modeller and having been a member of the N gauge society took advantage of the kits they offer.  I chose a box van as my first model.  It's as simple as it gets, 4 sides a top and a base.  I even documented the build on my Youtube channel


The first didn't quite come out perfect, I could have lined up the mitred edges a little better, but the end result met with my approval as as I'm the only one who will see it running there is no pressure.  The video isn't the best (lighting issues and framing - but then that was also a new hobby    )

I'm sure if you follow the instructions in the kit and watch the video you too cold have some kits built.   

I think it can be difficult because we all want different things. The OP wants a 444, so building steam era vans and tiny dioramas may not be a productive use of time/funds/skill, even if there's transferability. I'm much the same. I could've completed myriad bucolic branch line termini, but it isn't what appeals to me, I've no interest in the finished article, hence there's no motivation to do it. I'm happy cutting my teeth on bigger projects. They may go wrong. They may never get finished, but I'm motivated by the end result.

I think sometimes we're too quick to say one should start small, to build up, but in the OP's situation I'd just buy the 444 and have a go. Worst case it languishes in the 'roundtuit' pile for years unfinished.

I realise the OP has said he doesn't want to do that either, but just providing a bit of a counter to the "start small" mentality; it's ok to start big as well, it's all fun!

Mac c thanks for the advice and video will definitely have a watch thank you

Will - I did watch that video yesterday your friend Matt did - he did a fantastic job building that small diorama - very impressive in how quickly he made it all look realistic

njee - yes that is partly true in my case what you are saying though I am very grateful for everyone advice and suggestions and I can be open minded - but at the same time my interest is based on 

south west trains, gwr modern - since it rebranded to gwr green it's current livery, cross country, freightliner then some early 1990s stuff hst intercity regional railways etc

I have done tons of research over the years and still doing lots on track, scenery, baseboards, electrics, DC or dcc, I have decided on going dcc and I was going to use a door for the baseboard as a door is about the maximum free space I have available

But before I start work on the door, I will attempt at having a go at building a small shelf layout like will suggested

Also njee I would really like a class 444 model but I could never in my lifetime build/paint it - and let's say I did give it a go, I would make a pigs ear of it and it would look horrendous because I wouldn't know where to start I know nothing about painting models and would probably use poster paint or something lol I'm absolutely useless at everything

You'll soon see, as when I attempt to make small layout & eventually the door layout I can make a new thread on this forum with the progress

Quote from: GWR_XC on January 03, 2026, 02:45:08 PMYou'll soon see, as when I attempt to make small layout & eventually the door layout I can make a new thread on this forum with the progress

Hi

We all have to start somewhere just don't bite off too much in one go otherwise you may create a self fulfilling prophecy. I completely get where njee20 is coming from but you need to build your confidence with simpler items.

Cheers

Paul