Rail Steven

I just received my blue version from the bay and it runs perfectly with no wobble or distortion of the running plate.

Yes, the bogies on both of my Class 82's are indeed Class 85 bogies but they really are only a temporary measure to get the loco's rolling, so to speak. In due course I will scratch build them myself as I have done so for both of my Class 83's. I note that the Class 82 bodies for sale on eBay represent the Class 82 in it's original form as they have the long central grille so I don't think that they are suitable for TOPS liveried locos.

Class 82 82008 with domino dots.

I get that LOL! Tempting fate a little more, attached are a couple of pictures of one of my 82’s. This one is the plated over variety and I’be also done a domino dot one as well. It’s fitted out to the same DCC specification as my class 83’s.

Thank you again for your kind comments. They are not constructed from a kit but I have used a pair of Bachmann class 85 cabs as the starting point. I have re profiled them to try and capture the class 83 shape and then added the wrap around rain strip to complete the effect. I’ve used the R S Carter drawings for reference as well as many other photos to scratch build practically everything else.The Class 83 was quite a short stubby A.C. electric loco and I’ve mounted the body onto a milled Heljan Class 26 chassis. All the bogies, underframe equipment, buffer beams and roof mounted bits including the air tanks were again scratch built. I’ve also incorporated the pairs of hooks under the cab doors and there are many other subtle details added such as the chains on the bogies and the fire handle pull boxes. There was quite a lot of electrical conduit on the buffer beams and again I’ve modelled that using brass wire. My pet hate are the yellow LED’s that nearly all the manufacturers use that create an unrealistic ‘sodium’ glow so the domino dots and cabs are all lit by nano warm white LED’s. The grilles are courtesy of Michael Edge. I hope that is some interest for you and in due course, I’ll post more photos of my early AC fleet.

Thank you for your very kind comments. I was a bit nervous of putting the photos up as this is my first ever post on any model railway forum. The sound on board the 83's is a very special project and is complete with tap changing effects as well. The twin speakers are concealed in the under frame equipment which I've scratch built. They are both incredibly loud! The lighting consists of independent marker lights, independent tail lights and independent cab lights and fitted out cabs. Well spotted concerning the 310 and 87 006. The 87 is the current Hornby one which I have completely gutted and rebuilt electronically from scratch. Using a Loksound 5 I've been able to fit the correct shade of marker lights, separately controllable centre headlights, independent tail lights and independent cab lights. I've also fitted some LED's in the equipment room which are a lot dimmer and again they can be switched on and off, a total of 9 lighting functions. I've removed the circuit board and hacked the chassis and I've managed to get a very loud sound out of it by fitting a larger speaker. The cabs are detailed and even include the ammeters. The 310 is the first kit that I've ever built and being originally from the midlands I remember them very well. I've fitted out the interior as I remember them and even put curtains in the 1st class compartment. It's very sad that none survive. In time, I'll post some more photos of my fleet which does include Class 81's, & 82's. To start the ball rolling, here are a couple of photo's of 87 006 & 310 084.

Being a massive early AC electric Loco fan, I have suddenly found more time on my hands so I've decided to start building models of the early AC electric classes. Top of my list was the Class 83 so I've just completed not one but two of them. They have full DCC sound and functionality and attached are a couple of photos of the completed locos. More loco classes of the era to follow! LMK if you want any further info.