Can anyone suggest a donor model?

[PoshPaws]

I'm sorry to ask a question which I would rather research myself, but photos of individual models are harder to come by here in the USA, where most ebay sales are blocked.

 

What I'm looking for is suggestions for a suitable donor model to become 47053 in 1983, preferably ViTrains (first choice) or Bachmann. The basics are that it had a flat rebuilt number 1 end, a standard number 2 end with the plated over headcode box and a working (sometimes) Stone-Vapour boiler.

 

The number 1 end was very unusual with the rubber grommeted lights normally found on a non-rebuilt front end rather than the hinged marker lights normally found on rebuilt cabs, but I know I wont find that on any donor.

 

If there isn't a match then does anyone know of a model with an open Stone Vapour port and the usual plate over the Spanner / Clayton location?

 

Thank you in advance

Mike

Edited September 9, 2017 by PoshPaws

[GordonC]

When you say flat rebuilt front - do you mean like the accident damaged flush fronts some of the 47s got?

 

only, a quick check on Flickr of pictures of 47053 around that time (BR Blue, no headlight but plated headcodes) seem to suggest it looked like a standard Class 47 at that time - the rubber grommeted opaque disks at one end and marker lights at the other.

 

Is the DPS limited edition of 47408 any use to you?

 

http://www.hattons.co.uk/82265/Bachmann_Branchline_32_800W_Class_47_47408_Finsbury_Park_in_BR_Blue_Deltic_Preservation_Society_Special_Edi/StockDetail.aspx

 

or 47001

 

http://www.hattons.co.uk/82880/Bachmann_Branchline_31_659_Class_47_0_47001_in_BR_Blue_weathered/StockDetail.aspx

 

or possibly 47560 (with the headcode to paint yellow)

 

http://www.hattons.co.uk/33461/Bachmann_Branchline_32_800Y_Class_47_4_47560_Tamar_in_BR_Blue_with_Half_Yellow_Ends_Domino_Headcode_Chelte/StockDetail.aspx

 

not sure about vitrains models, but Heljan are good too

 

47508?

http://www.hattons.co.uk/305215/Heljan_4791_SAS_Class_47_4_47508_S_S_Great_Britain_in_BR_blue_livery_pristine__Pre_owned_sold_/StockDetail.aspx

 

or 47555

http://www.hattons.co.uk/264415/Heljan_4793_HW_Class_47_4_47555_The_Commonwealth_Spirit_in_BR_blue_livery_weathered__Pre_owned/StockDetail.aspx

[GordonC]

ah apologies!! I've just seen a photo of 47053 and see what you mean about the flush disk end. There isn't any sign of the headcode box at all!! Thats a new combination of end that I've not noticed before and it may well be unique!! Any flush fronted ones I've seen have always had the marker lights on the flush end

 

not sure if you could cut the headcode panel out to bring it forward to leave the disks flush

[45125]

ah apologies!! I've just seen a photo of 47053 and see what you mean about the flush disk end. There isn't any sign of the headcode box at all!! Thats a new combination of end that I've not noticed before and it may well be unique!! Any flush fronted ones I've seen have always had the marker lights on the flush end

 

not sure if you could cut the headcode panel out to bring it forward to leave the disks flush

 

Done some time between 81 and 84.

[PoshPaws]

Thank you very much. It was done in June 1981. I think Ican easily convert a regular flat rebuilt front to what's there, and expect to do a full respray so livery isn't an issue. What I think I need if I can find it is the combination of flat front number 1 end, plated headcode box number 2 end boiler tanks and ideally the Stone Vapor boiler grill

[wirey33]

Bachmann have only ever released four Stones-Vapour versions : 47522, 47190, 829 & 745. They have also announced the following which have yet to be released : 47727, 47209 & 47714.

 

The models of 47522 & 47190 have flush fronts at both ends with the cowling still present. These are the only two 47’s with this combination, so Bachmann have chosen pretty much the worst configuration possible. If you’re brave, you can remove the cowls and do 47299 (from a 190 Bodyshell)

 

Stones-Vapour fitted 47790 also got flush fronts around the time it gained it’s Northern Belle livery but also gained the modified class 57 style cantrail grills. It had previously lost it’s cowls too.

 

Your combination request.... ( flat front number 1 end, plated headcode box number 2 end boiler tanks and ideally the Stone Vapor boiler grill )

 

47053, 47197, 47204, 47210 & 47270 had flush No.1 end and cowl removed.

47521, 47526, 47044, 47045, 47506, 47509, 47554 & 47512 had flush No.1 end and cowl present.

 

Of course these changed over time and you also have to look out for re-numberings etc.

 

It’s often far better to start with a loco in mind and find a model to match rather than the other way around; there’s just too many differences in a 512 strong class.

[PoshPaws]

Thank you. Actually I may have found the nearest, even if it is almost sacriligeous to use the ViTrains 47484 GW Green limited edition as a donor. The main mods needed will be:

 

1. Reinstate boiler tanks, either scratch build or (if useable) I have a spare Heljan full set sitting around.

2. Comes with plated over clayton vent. Change to open Stone Vapour, I think Shawplan do this.

3. Change lighting set up at number 1 end.

4. Complete strip and respray.

 

Can you think of an easier option?