37114 Posted October 26, 2020 Author Share Posted October 26, 2020 Due to further upheaval in the garage from the ongoing garden room and Land Rover rebuild the layout is currently trapped in front of the aforementioned vehicle. Unfortunately the Bedford lorry is currently in the layout so attention has turned to the class 37.... Over the years I have owned over 30 class 37 models peaking at one time when I owned 17 Lima variants before finally selling my last 3 Bachmann 4mm versions earlier this year. The latter 3 had undergone substantial surgery over the time I owned them and hence a critical eye has been run over the Heljan model currently in my possession. Originally dating from the late 2000's the Heljan model is passable at 10ft and many will be happy to apply some numbers and weathering but for me it has plenty of scope for improvement and refinement. The way I would describe the model is like an upscale 4mm version as some of the detail is either missing or clunky. Luckily PH Designs provide most of what is required.... First off the bogies need some work. Axle box covers are virtually non existent and the air cylinders for the brakes are missing the pipe feeding them while rather bizarrely Heljan moulded a speedo cable on every side frame even though it was only fitted on the driver side at no 2 end. The cable was ground off the bogies then the air pipes were made up from 0.45mm wire, and the axle box covers were fitted to 11 of the 12 boxes. The Heljan footsteps also are ok but not great and will be replaced by etched brass PH ones. I did this in 4mm and it was "fun" to assemble them so hopefully these will be a bit easier... One of the most jarring thing on the loco for me is the poor roof fan grille so an etched brass one is being fitted, seen here being trialled for fitment. The original Heljan one was carefully removed as I am keen to avoid a full repaint of the model. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 37114 Posted October 29, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 29, 2020 Due to the drive set up.of the Heljan class 37, the cab interior is compromised by the motor encroaching into the cab. Heljan provide a curved bulkhead that they have chosen to paint a cream colour. I am not sure this accurate for when the locos were new but certainly in later years they were grey. The absence of detail on the bulkhead is also noticeable. The picture below shows what I mean: The removed interior is an awkward shape and thus adding raised detail would be difficult I resorted to photo trickery. Thankfully Brian Daniels Flickr page has loads of pictures of loco detail including in cab shots of both ends of 37377. Due to the compact nature of the loco cab these are taken at an angle and I had to stitch some photos together to get a complete bulkhead, changing the loco number to 37029 in the process. I then scaled them, printed them out and cut them to fit. In a handy twist of fate, the convex cab interiors counteracts the concave appearance of the photo, actually removing some of the distortion. The remaining beige bits were then painted Matt black so they are not so obvious in the cab Job done, although not perfect it looks much better 13 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 The class 37 is now progressing at pace and I have been sorting the Headcode box fronts. In reality the headcode glass is flush with the metal frame and is held in by a rubber beading and the Domino markers were stuck directly to the back of this glass. Heljan have modelled the beading as part of the frame but also replicated the beading again on the perspex insert and then recessed the actual glass front. They have then stuck the domino marker to the back of the thick perspex which at about a scale 0.75 of a foot thick makesthe marker lights much to recessed. This is also accentuated by the yellow paint on the inside of the headcode front. Making the most of the original Heljan parts, I filed off the raised beading from the glazing insert. I then found a reasonably head on picture of a class 37 and cropped the image to create the "00" for the headcode which was stuck on the front of the glazing insert. To create the flush glass front of the headcode I cut out sheets of thin perspex and glued those into the outer frame, having previously painted the inner edges black. In place on the loco it looks a distinct improvement on the original Heljan effort. If I was modelling a loco with dominoes I would have put the domino image on the back of the new glass front, whereas roller blinds were set slightly back from the glass. The photo below shows the end result and also shows the new horn grilles. 15 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Looks great Rob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 22 hours ago, sb67 said: Looks great Rob Thanks Steve. The class 37 is temporarily back in one piece as I have put the bogie sideframes in place to fit the Handbrake chains. Due to the sideframes needing to be removable I needed an easy way to make the chains removable from the body. The answer is Neodymium magnets which I bought 8 of from ebay for a few pounds. They are 1mm x 2mm and I glued one magnet to the chassis and 1 to the brass operating arm per corner. The magnets are very strong bearing in mind their size but they also provide some resilience to the chain/arms getting knocked during handing. The chain is some I had in stock and was secured permanently to the bogie frame. Also visible are the etched brass PH designs steps, which are a bit easier to assemble in 7mm but still fiddly. Not really visible above is I have made a front bogie cross member and fitted brake rodding across the front of the bogie. This is secured at one side only so the frames remain removable. I am contemplating how to replace the poor guard irons Heljan have fitted and also would like to fit some front sand pipes as well. Not long to go with this one now and with the garage nearly back to normal I can crack on with the layout. 10 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steadfast Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Excellent work on the 37 Rob. I really like the cab wall idea, a great compromise based on the limitations of the model. Looks spot on through the windows Jo 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 7 minutes ago, Steadfast said: Excellent work on the 37 Rob. I really like the cab wall idea, a great compromise based on the limitations of the model. Looks spot on through the windows Jo Thanks Jo, I am really pleased how this is shaping up, the Heljan model has a fair few bits which could be better but some simple detailing does really lift the models appearance. Can't wait to get it weathered. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Good work ! I’m amazed at the Heljan accuracy ( or lack of ) for £500+ 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 1 hour ago, rob D2 said: Good work ! I’m amazed at the Heljan accuracy ( or lack of ) for £500+ It is a tough one Rob, discounting the Skytrek/ DJH / ex RJH models which are in my opinion worse models, there is only one other option and I did look at going down the MM1 models route but that would have cost a lot more and that has it's own faults. I am probably picky as to the level of detail I want on this loco as it is likely to be the last loco I buy for some time. The Heljan model has an issues with the roof which compresses the body side grilles but it is not that bad and to be honest it is nothing compared to the issues with the first 2 attempts Bachmann made of the class 37 in 4mm which were released at the same time as the original Heljan release. The fact that the latest batch of blue ones sold out before they landed in the UK says there is enough demand at the price so can't blame Heljan charging what they do. I would love Accurascale to do a 7mm version though... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 I never cease to be amazed at the speed Railtec spin round custom transfers. My order for these transfers was only placed at lunchtime yesterday. They are for 3 platform trolleys on order. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6775 Posted November 7, 2020 Share Posted November 7, 2020 They will look ace on your platform. I have been thinking they need a pile of Head bags on one! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 2 hours ago, D6775 said: They will look ace on your platform. I have been thinking they need a pile of Head bags on one! Hope so, I just need a few spotters as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 19, 2020 Author Share Posted November 19, 2020 On 07/11/2020 at 16:36, 37114 said: I never cease to be amazed at the speed Railtec spin round custom transfers. My order for these transfers was only placed at lunchtime yesterday. They are for 3 platform trolleys on order. My 3 Platform trolleys turned up today, really impressed with them and the service from model railway scenes. I was initially sent a 00 set in error (which Pete let me keep so these will be a final addition to Parsons Vale) but the O gauge ones arrived with a complimentary set of jerry cans and fire extinguishers. Amazing, especially when you consider the trolleys are only £3.85. I am busy finishing building our Garden room so no progress on the layout for a few weeks but can't wait to get the 37/Bedford Lorry and these finished and on the layout 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) I couldn't sleep last night so did the bulk of the weathering on the class 37, I am pleased how this is turning out and the difference compared to the out of the box loco. Also making progress is the Bedford, I have modified the front axle to pose the wheels turning to the right. I have removed all the glazing and now need to mix up some paint for the cab Edited November 21, 2022 by 37114 Add photos back in 15 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb67 Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 I just love the bulk that makes O gauge loco's look so real. The weathering really sets it off, fantastic work Rob 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted November 23, 2020 Author Share Posted November 23, 2020 2 hours ago, sb67 said: I just love the bulk that makes O gauge loco's look so real. The weathering really sets it off, fantastic work Rob Thanks Steve, It is a heavy old lump! Some O gauge stuff does look toy like in my opinion fresh out of the box when it is clean and shiny.. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted December 5, 2020 Author Share Posted December 5, 2020 As part of the operating sequence 3 of the 16t wagons will arrive on the layout empty to be exchanged with 3 loaded scrap wagons originating at the scrap yard. The plan is that I can remove the loads from the outgoing wagons once in the fiddle yard and then replace them in the wagons on the layout at a convenient point. To make the wagon loads I have followed the same process as on Peafore Yard where a small block of wood is placed in the bottom of the wagon, a piece of black card the size of the wagon on top of which some scrap is glued. The photo below shows the 3 steps although the scrap is loose in the picture as it is yet to be weathered and I was just gauging how much of my stash will be used up which seems to be most of it... 8 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf315 Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 36 minutes ago, 37114 said: As part of the operating sequence 3 of the 16t wagons will arrive on the layout empty to be exchanged with 3 loaded scrap wagons originating at the scrap yard. The plan is that I can remove the loads from the outgoing wagons once in the fiddle yard and then replace them in the wagons on the layout at a convenient point. To make the wagon loads I have followed the same process as on Peafore Yard where a small block of wood is placed in the bottom of the wagon, a piece of black card the size of the wagon on top of which some scrap is glued. The photo below shows the 3 steps although the scrap is loose in the picture as it is yet to be weathered and I was just gauging how much of my stash will be used up which seems to be most of it... Pretty much the same as I’ve done on Hillport Goods for the coal wagons. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted December 5, 2020 Author Share Posted December 5, 2020 39 minutes ago, sf315 said: Pretty much the same as I’ve done on Hillport Goods for the coal wagons. Yep, it is quite a common approach I think. I just need to make sure I don't accidentally glue them in place when adding the scrap which is something I managed to do on one of my 4mm wagons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sf315 Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 1 hour ago, 37114 said: Yep, it is quite a common approach I think. I just need to make sure I don't accidentally glue them in place when adding the scrap which is something I managed to do on one of my 4mm wagons. Put some cling film inside the wagon before you put your filling in. Should stop it gluing itself in. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Regularity Posted December 5, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 5, 2020 57 minutes ago, sf315 said: Put some cling film inside the wagon before you put your filling in. Should stop it gluing itself in. I knew my dentist was doing it wrong... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 This has been the reason for the recent hold ups on the layout, designed and built all by me (except the Electrics), should be finished this weekend. hoping that after this weekend I can put the layout up in the garage for a bit to get on with things 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calnefoxile Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 Must've taken a few pallets to build that Cheers Neal. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37114 Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 3 hours ago, Calnefoxile said: Must've taken a few pallets to build that Cheers Neal. The cladding is sustainable Siberian Larch, I have moved on a bit in carpentry since building "Pallet Lane" Neal! I did gain 4 pallets from various materials delivery but they have all been converted to wood burner fodder! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Adrian Stevenson Posted December 10, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 10, 2020 Very nice cabin. Well done. Cheers, Ade. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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