The Hornby Pacer is an aging model with an appalling mechanism. However despite it's age and mechanical inadequacies I think it really captures the look of the prototype really really well, and am interested to see how it will respond to some gentle improvements.
Rose Hill is a slow burn project - and I've settled on no specific stock purchases (although if successful I may splash out on a 101 and 150!!) and so my original Pacer was dug out from Mum and Dad's a few weeks ago for evaluation as potential stock for the layout.
In summary the model served me well on my first layout, after the two cars were permanently wired together - and it was modified with kadees each end and some weathering. Less successful was the addition of toilet windows and corridor connection.
So what's the plan?
In brief a phased approach to create a model of contemporary standards! I've split this into distinct stages...
First up Bodywork...
Replacing all moulded handrails with seperately applied wire examples.
Fitting lamp irons to cab fronts.
Improving folding doors.
Adding radio pod to cab roofs.
Improving exhaust representation on inside ends.
Modifiy and improve toilet window glazing.
Look at flusher glazing cab front windows.
Modify front fairing to include automatic coupler.
Add Kadee couplers to inside ends and close couple units.
Add a corridor connection between the units (to disguise the wire connection).
Repaint into Northern livery (with custom transfers from John at Precision Labels).
I've gathered all the raw materials together, and have stripped down the model to it's component parts. Here are some photos of where we stand at the minute!
This is as far as I intend to take the model at this stage of Rose Hill. Once Rose Hill nears completion I will look to improve the performance of the model.
Secondly mechanical...
I intend to fit the Highlines motor/gearbox/flywheel chassis improvement to one of the cars (which includes trailing axles too) and fit an unpowered version in the second car. This may need some extra weight adding to the drive car to enable decent performance.
Finally DCC and lighting...
Finally if the chassis improvements work and performance is improved I would love to take it to another level by adding lighting, both to the head and tail lights and the interiors using a kit available from Express Models.
I usually have a few models in progress at any one time, and this along with building structures for Rose Hill and Paxton Road will mean this project moves very slowly. I shall update again once the model is ready for painting.
5 Comments
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now