D6775 Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 (edited) Although this is my second venture into 7mm scale (the first stalled and was sold on) this is the first time I've done any of the work myself. I thought hard about buying one (or two) Heljan 26's when they were first released but kept talking myself out of it as 'I've no space for 'O' gauge' but when one came up at a reasonable price I figured why not, so here it is! Heljan O Gague 26 by endoftheroad, on Flickr Stripped of its component parts the body has been been given a bath of surgical spirit with some of the more stubborn bits worked off with Precision Paints Superstrip. Now the fun begins. Paring off all the raised detail on the cab doors, bodyside water filler and some of the cab front light brackets. Heljan O Gague 26 Body by endoftheroad, on Flickr Next job will be filling the tablet catch recess, cab door windows and some of the cab front lights. Then on to the chassis, air tanks have been order from JLTRT, fuel tank will be split from the water tank and the bogies modified to set the springs back. The biggest question now is livery!! I can't decide between three options, 26024 in rail blue with Lage ED Dogs and DCE flashes, 26025 in Dutch with ED depot plaques or 26037 in RF grey with blue doors on the 2nd mans cab side. Decisions decisions!! Al. Edited May 16, 2021 by D6775 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted December 23, 2017 Author Share Posted December 23, 2017 (edited) Not quite sure where from but I seem to have a little modelling mojo from somewhere. All raised detail that not required has been removes, tablet catcher & door window blanks fitted. Redundant marker lights, tablet catcher recess & door windows filled (will need another fill and rubbing back, probably more than once!). Snow baffle fitted over the horn grill & boiler blanks fitted on the roof. Heljan O Gague 26 Body by endoftheroad, on Flickr Now, has anyone done this mod before? I keep looking at pictures and the bodyside window frames, I keep thinking they are far too proud on the model and wondering whether to carve them off. On all the pictures I look at the window frames appear pretty much flush with the bodyside. Any suggestions? Al Edited December 23, 2017 by D6775 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 Hi Al, done quite a few of these now, you can find them on my pages is a bit of searching! Probably a bit late now, but the door units can be completely removed....they are separate fittings. I find this much easier...a new door is made up from appropriate thickness plasticard. Never noticed the window frames before, I shall have a look. Getting the tablet recesses filled and invisible is an absolute pig of a job. The locos look stunning in Railfreight grey. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted December 23, 2017 Author Share Posted December 23, 2017 Hi Al, done quite a few of these now, you can find them on my pages is a bit of searching! Probably a bit late now, but the door units can be completely removed....they are separate fittings. I find this much easier...a new door is made up from appropriate thickness plasticard. Never noticed the window frames before, I shall have a look. Getting the tablet recesses filled and invisible is an absolute pig of a job. The locos look stunning in Railfreight grey. It was the yours that have tempted me into it, I did email you about doing it but I think you're rather busy do having a go myself! I've already trawled your FB page of pictures and saved a couple for reference (particularly the under frame!). Didn't realise the doors pop out, I might still be able to get them out to clean up! I suppose the other option with the tablet catcher is to completely cut out the cab side (as per the prototype suffering from tin worm!) and graft a new piece of plasticard in. Will see how it goes. I do like the look of 037 in ratty RF with blue doors but I think it might be beyond my capabilities so I think I am leaning towards024 in Blue, no cant rail lining and just two colours. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 It was the yours that have tempted me into it, I did email you about doing it but I think you're rather busy do having a go myself! I've already trawled your FB page of pictures and saved a couple for reference (particularly the under frame!). Didn't realise the doors pop out, I might still be able to get them out to clean up! I suppose the other option with the tablet catcher is to completely cut out the cab side (as per the prototype suffering from tin worm!) and graft a new piece of plasticard in. Will see how it goes. I do like the look of 037 in ratty RF with blue doors but I think it might be beyond my capabilities so I think I am leaning towards024 in Blue, no cant rail lining and just two colours. Ah yes, I remember now :-) Yes sorry, I recently completed 3 26s, have just started another 4, and have more due next year, as well as everything else :-( I too thought about cutting the whole cabside panel out, I guess the new one could then be 'welded' in place and then made good. I will be interested to see the results should you choose that route. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 Having been away for a few days I've now sanded/filed back the first layer of filler (a second layer is now drying). Heljan O Gague 26 Body by endoftheroad, on Flickr Heljan O Gague 26 Body by endoftheroad, on Flickr Now if only I could find my piercing saw I'd make a start on the bogies....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 Didn't find the piercing saw but a small razor saw has sufficed! The bogie frames have had the central spring assembly carefully removed then re-fitted around 2.5mm back with the use of a few scraps of square plastic rod. Heljan O Gauge 26 Bogie Frames by endoftheroad, on Flickr Heljan O Gauge 26 Bogie Frames by endoftheroad, on Flickr The above picture is not the clearest but the top frame has been modified, the second being as it came off the model. I've done this mod on all of my 4mm 26's as the bogies don't look to have enough depth to me. Well, I think that's it for today, there may be some more progress tomorrow if can keep this motivation up! Al. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
84B Oxley Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Inspiration? 26029 on Preston Group's layout The real 26024 passing through Princes Street Gardens in August 1986. Jeff With apologies for double picture............. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted December 30, 2017 Author Share Posted December 30, 2017 Cheers Jeff, anything to keep the motivation up! Think I am pretty much settled on 024 but it will be a little later than your picture with large ED dogs and DCE logo's under the second mans cabside. Latest progress has been to file back the second fill, mostly happy with this but I have slapped another layer on and I had forgotten to fill the holes for the discs above the marker lights. I have also filed off the bodyside window frames as every prototype picture I look at the windows look to be flush or even slightly recessed, hopefully the following picture makes it clear (one of my Dad's): 26042 Glasgow Central 101289 by Alan Tait, on Flickr Lastly the latest picture of my 26: Heljan O Gauge 26 Body by endoftheroad, on Flickr Al. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted February 10, 2018 Author Share Posted February 10, 2018 (edited) OK, so I lost my motivation during January! The JLTRT air tanks turned up and I lost patience with them when I first started to take a look at putting them together. Well tonight I have set my self up with some of Lee Edmondson's photographs on the laptop for reference and the Just Like the Real Thing Air Brake tank kit. Now at first glance it looks relatively simple, cut all the bits off the sprues and tidy up any bits of flash, then stick together. Oh no, its not that simple! As I started test fitting all the bits together I found one part of the frame was missing a locating pin and two brackets (circled in red on the instructions below). So out with some bits of plastic 'I' beam & scrap and some new brackets manufactured. O Gauge 26 Air Tanks by endoftheroad, on Flickr And the finished article: O Gauge 26 Air Tanks by endoftheroad, on Flickr Next job is some filler/primer on the body then hopefully a first full prime! Al (Hopefully with a little more motivation!) Edited February 10, 2018 by D6775 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 Well done, the first time is a bit fiddly, but then again what isn't? I have another pair of locos to do these on again myself this coming week, wish me luck ;-) 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted February 10, 2018 Author Share Posted February 10, 2018 (edited) Thanks Lee, looking at your photos has been invaluable! Good luck, I don't envy you, I think this will be my only one!! Edited February 10, 2018 by D6775 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted February 10, 2018 Share Posted February 10, 2018 I guess that's the joy of doing a few...eventually one becomes reasonably okay at making them up! They are worth it though, produces an individual and very nice model. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted February 11, 2018 Author Share Posted February 11, 2018 Fuel tank re-built this evening, still a few detail bits to add but nearly ready to put the chassis back together. O Gauge 26 Air & Fuel Tanks by endoftheroad, on Flickr That'll be it for a few days at least! AL. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 Excellent! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted February 17, 2018 Author Share Posted February 17, 2018 Well, I wasn't happy with the filled in windows in the cab doors so off they have come! New door blanks cut, filed and fitted! Heljan O Gauge 26 Body by endoftheroad, on Flickr 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 If in doubt..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 Well, first proper coat of primer has now gone on the 26, I've done a few coats of Filler/Primer on the drivers cabside. Fingers crossed the time taken filling/filing/filling/filing etc has been worth while and the holes which have been filled will no longer be visible! Heljan O Gauge 26 Body Primer by endoftheroad, on Flickr Heljan O Gauge 26 Body Primer by endoftheroad, on Flickr I've also been painting the cab interiors but they're not really tidy enough to show!!!! Lee, how do you go about the door handles? I am sure I have seen a post by you somewhere (here or FB). Cheers for now. Al. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 A better picture now the sun is shining into the kitchen. Heljan O Gauge 26 Body Primer by endoftheroad, on Flickr I've now had a good look at this prime and overall I'm very happy with it. Some small blemishes to tidy up before another coat and a little work to do on the cab fronts as the former marker lights are ghosting through. My biggest fear was that the tablet catcher recesses would be visible, but they look ok! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeighties Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Excellent progress well done. For the door handles, I use a small square of plasticard painted silver, and some handrail wire for the actual handle bit. Very effective and very easy to make! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted March 10, 2018 Author Share Posted March 10, 2018 Cheers Lee. Slow progress at the moment as I'm lacking motivation, but the first couple of coats of yellow have gone on this week. A couple of spots that want rubbing back a little (Paints is a bit thick) and another coat should do. I'll probably touch in the cab handrail recesses and the tail lights by hand. Heljan O Gauge 26 Body Yellow by endoftheroad, on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hal Nail Posted March 11, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 11, 2018 Fuel tank re-built this evening, still a few detail bits to add but nearly ready to put the chassis back together. AL. I do like this! Will give my 33 tanks some thought along these lines. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted March 24, 2018 Author Share Posted March 24, 2018 Still slow progress but I was eventually happy with the yellow and have masked up and started the blue. There have been a few bits where I've had some drips and had to rub back and start again but its nearly there. Another coat or two and it'll be time to take the masking tape off. Heljan O Gauge 26 Body Blue by endoftheroad, on Flickr Heljan O Gauge 26 Body Blue by endoftheroad, on Flickr 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted March 25, 2018 Author Share Posted March 25, 2018 Amazing what natural light does, it looks much better in the garden this morning. Heljan O Gauge 26 Body Blue by endoftheroad, on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted March 25, 2018 Author Share Posted March 25, 2018 Starting to come together now. I decided today that I was as happy as I am going to be with the blue so it was time to take the masking tape off! Considering this is my first proper foray into 7mm and my first full blow loco re-paint I am pretty happy how this has turned out so far. Some bits have bled in places but I should be able to tidy them up without too much bother. Its actually come out better than I expected, it will be pretty filthy when I finally get it finished. Heljan O Gauge 26 Body Blue by endoftheroad, on Flickr Heljan O Gauge 26 Body Blue by endoftheroad, on Flickr 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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