Desmond...?

I've looked it up, and (as mentioned) the livery is completely stock standard including nameplates and number. The face is from Thomas himself (not Hornby), and it's the only change done to this copy. Makes it look like a standard gauge Sir Handel IMO. There was never a character named Desmond, so I assume the owner didn't care/want to remove the nameplates. Good purchase.

I was pretty sure 'Desmond' was a stock Hornby model, and to be honest would have bought it at the price I paid regardless of the Thomas face on the front, but regardless I also thought it was pretty cool as it has been done reasonably well.

Having a bit more time to google it I found the Hornby model it is R779 - Desmond which was apparently only available from 1981 through 1983 which is a pretty short period for a loco.  More to the point it shows you just how hardy these little loco's are that it is based on that info yet looks pretty close to mint condition.  It could do with a little brush up, but nothing major.

 

Is not the only #7 character in the series Toby?

Maybe, just guessing, the original modifier has a son named Desmond whose favorite number and color are 7 and Red?

I must say though...if that is a home made red paint job, it is perfect. No imperfections almost as if its solid red plastic. I do love it being a flat finish and not glossy.

Hi Super,

It is actually a factory finish paint job, as I mentioned the boiler is actually diecast metal, making these little loco's a lot heavier than you'd suspect.  Even more surprising is that model is actually a survivor from between 1981-83, the only period it was made available.  It was a good design though, so much so that they still make loco's to that exact design today, same diecast body, but now being made in China instead of the UK they have refined the push rods to make them slightly finer and given them a dark steel finish and improved the level of livery detail even further.  But under the hood they are still the same, metal chassis, same motor, the lot.  Just for once its nice to see a company not trying to fix something that was never broken in the first place.  Best part is I only paid just over £20 for it, good value in my opinion.