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Modelling the VSOE in 1998


The Fatadder

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Edit 1/1/20:  I am debating reserecting this project later in the year, so have been spending some time updating the research. Updating this old blog as a good starting point...

My intention is to revisit this post again later this evening to add in photos of the current state of each build.

 

This is another one of those long term projects which rears it head now and again, given the length of the rake it is far longer than anything which can realisticly be fitted on my current layout.

 

The intention is to put together a full VSOE formation in 1998 condition, it will initially be built in OO while I decide on my future layout direction (with the added benefit it will get a run on Brent when playing with modern stock).  The intention is to build an accurate formation (so no using the same Hornby coaches for everything).  Pullmans are well outside of my area of expertese, so I have tried to keep things simple and stuck with the year of build (at any rate VSOE significantly rebuilt everything anyway).

This thread also had some details

 

I am planning to expiriment with the Precision Lables product for the Pulmann livery elements, to see how I find the end finish.  The thought of lining these coaches has been one of the main stumbling blocks preventing their compleation.

 

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Minerva - ECML 1927 Parlour 1st

This is the only example of the new Hornby model which is suitable for my formation, and its also the one which needs the smallest amount of work to get to a usable condition. Other than a requirement for Gresley bogies, air break equipment and a repaint eventually to match the rest of the rake. Inside I plan on painting to match the prototype, but first need to check and see if there were any modifications made to the layout in VSOE service. the working table lamps will almost certainly have their power removed to get a consistent rake.

Current Status: Out of the box

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Ione 1928 MCW Parlor kitchen 1st

This will be a conversion of an original Hornby Pullman with Comet etched sides as a conversion intoa kitchen first. It has also requires the rebuilding of the roof (to get the vents in the right place for a kitchen) and file down the oversized roof ribs. The body was first prepared by cutting the windows open to a bigger size than the new holes (so as to make glazing easier.) It will need to be fitted with MJT gresley bogies, and new underframe trusses. The interior requires major work to scratch build the kitchen.  I will be needing Ibis as well which should follow similar construction.

Current Status: New sides fitted, roof detail started but incomplete, chassis unstarted.

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Zena, Lucille - 1928 MCW Parlour 1st

Again these are based upon the old Hornby model with the Comet sides. This corrects a slight error in the location of the toilet window, as well as giving a consistant finish with Ione. The interior needed a slightly less major modification to get it to match the drawings.  The Comet etches are not great, there is a lot of surface detail on these coaches (raised ribs etc) which is missing on the etch and will need gluing on from plastic strip.   I did draw up an etch for the sides for Ibis but never made it.  Im now thinking about running it through the Silouette cutter and making a set of plastic sides...

Following the update I have made to my Centenary build (the last completed stock with etched replacement sides), I will needThe three 1928 coaches have a very distinctive riveted roof which Triang/Hornby did not model. While I have filed back the roof ribs to get a slightly improved finish, its not by a long way correct. I am now considering whether or not I add this detail with Archers transfers, or live with it.   I am hoping I can stomach the latter, as otherwise it may be easier to buy 3 of the "new" Hornby 1928 pullman and modernise those...

 

Current Status: As per Ione

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Cygnus, Phoenix  ex Festival of Britain 1951 stock

This is the hardest part of the formation to model through a combination of a lack of available kit components along with the fact that they were heaivily rebuilt by VSOE to look more like the traditional Pullmans (noteably the oval toilet windows).  However they are fairly similar to the 1927 built coaches, with 3 main areas of differnece:  The roof (Minerva has a continous rainstrip and cutaways over the doors, the ex1951 coaches have only got rainstrips over the doors while the roof has no cutaways.)  The doors are completely different designs, and the ex1951 windows are shorter (so there is a band of cream above and below the window frame).    Sorting the roof will make a big difference, I have seen it done before on the forum using filler, however my approach is to build it up in plasticard and finish off with filler.   I had originally planned to to etch new sides / doors in order to fix the window issue.  However now I am tending towards an easier approach, the doors are a simple job with the Shilouette cutter (chopping the whole door out of the model and refitting with a laminate of 20thou plasticard.  The side could be done the same way, however I think just adding a strip of 30 thou plasticard to the top and bottom of the window frame will do the job.  They will of course also be needing Gresley bogies / air brake equipment.

Current Status: 2 Hornby 1927 builds as Cygnus and Minerva

 

Audrey  ex 5 Bel kitchens.

The final coache that is planned will be an ex 5 Bell kitchen.   Lots of work was done to these in overhaul, particularly around the chassis so there will be a lot of work needed to modifiy a Hornby Brighton Bell coach.  The ride height was changed to match the other stock in VSOE's fleet and they were fitted to B4 bogies.  I will need a cheap single Brighton Bell coach (or even a body only) for conversion, but its rather a long way down the procurement list.  I do keep my eyes open for damaged stock that might do the job...

 

The last coaches to model are the mk1s on the ends, reading through some period documentation it seems that it only needed a mk1 on one end for saftey reasons, however photos do not appear to show this as common practice.  Instead there are a massive range of vehicles seen sandwiching the VSOE in 1998.  The first candidate (appearing in quite a few photos) is a mk1 RKB 1566 in Southern Green livery.  This has been modeled using Comet sides to reskin a Bachmann Mk1 buffet.  At the other end it is a little less clear (if only the proliferation of digital photography had come a few years sooner!)   Mk1 brake 99538 looks to be the ideal candidate for the other end, given it is in simple BR Chocolate and Cream livery and will be an easier paint job.  Although I have no idea when it was introduced EWS BG Generator van 6313 would be a bit more interesting (I think it was a slightly later early 2000s addtion though.)

 

As for haulage haulage, lots of interesting options have cropped up so far.  With a quick scan of Flickr coming up with a Large Logo 50050, a Royal Train and a RES Class 47 and Clan Line.  The latter is alredy in the fleet (though half converted to P4), as is a RES 47.

 

Finally the formation, an area which I am struggling with (not helped by having no true working to model).  I have found a good photo (linked on the formations page) from which my best guess is the below (having changed the mk1 arrangements to fit my plans).

Mk1 RFB 1566, Lucille, Ibis, Phoenix, Audrey, Ione, Minerva, Zena, Cygnus, mk1 BCK 99538

 

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