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Pacesetting... (excuse the pun)

James Hilton

Entry posted by James Hilton

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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!

 

med_gallery_6671_270_345676.jpg

med_gallery_6671_270_417424.jpg

med_gallery_6671_270_342271.jpg

 

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.

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5 Comments

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Pugsley

Before you do too much with flushglazing the windscreens, have a look at the relationship between the bottom of the windscreens and the light clusters, I think the windscreens may be a fraction too deep on the model:

http://newimages.fotopic.net/?iid=1yxurh&outx=600&noresize=1&original=1&nostamp=1

 

Of course, it could be that there isn't much you could do about it, and it may not bother you in the first place :D

 

Are you going to go the Branchlines route for the chassis?

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James Hilton

Martin I've had a look - it's hard to determine... I actually think they may be a fraction to shallow on the model. The fact the I've carved off the handrail leaving that area yellow (when it's black on the prototype) tricks the eye a little, and I think the Hornby light clusters may be a fraction underscale (literally just a smidge). I'll test paint one end when I've fitted the handrail and see how it looks before progressing too far - thanks for the thought.

 

For the chassis - I think I'm going with the Highlines option - I can't find any info on what the Branchlines chassis offers? The Highlines is a replacement etch that allows the fitting of a motor/flywheel, through a reduction work drive to a driven axle - all in the space of the existing motor. It also includes a compensated trailing truck - and they do an 'unpowered' version for the trailer car.

I've test run the Pacer last night though, and it's performance might be acceptable for all I require (if a little noisy!)

 

 

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Pugsley

I'm not entirely sure what the Brachlines chassis offers TBH, it was just the only option that I was aware of. I should imagine it's not really any different to the version that you plan to repower yours with.

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James Hilton

Just a quick mini update. Work has progressed a little on the Pacer project. I've fitted the handrails to each cab end!! :) Typical slow progress!

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Ian Fisher

Branchlines offers a complete remotor and trailing options, I have bits and bobs for 16 of them!

 

Considering it was another Hornbvy model that was tooled as the real ones where being built it stacks up as an OK model and what unit hasn't had alterations or such like over a twenty year service?

 

I dont think there is actually much in either kit between Highlevel and Branchlines. I have highlevel power bogies but for the 142's I went Branchlines.

 

I had a thread on demu forum which set out my thoughts on doing a fleet of them.

 

Ian

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