1956 ER 1500v DC 4-Car EMU

[crompton 33]

Yes agree  5.54 in is green  . The black must be dirt . Better go to specsavers.

[SRman]

The green ends on the Sr for EMUs and loco-hauled stock was a 1960s thing, which I believe was actually instigated on the SR and other regions followed later (with maroon ends on loco-hauled stock). It was reportedly  implemented to simplify the painting process with sprays.

Edit: according to Wikipedia (not always correct, mind you), the painting of coach ends to match the body colour started in 1964, coinciding with the introduction of spray painting. I had it in the back of my mind that it was 1963 (but I could be wrong too!).

Edited November 22, 2017 by SRman

[Brian Kirby]

Apologies everyone, I haven't been on here for a few days, and you've all come up with new information, many thanks! I agree, preservation liveries should be taken with a pinch of salt, in certain cases, the interpretation of old liveries is just as difficult for the restorers, as it is for us modellers. The Class 306 unit was preserved over thirty years ago now, back then it was repainted from Rail Blue into a convincing shade of early BR multiple unit green from the DC era, the present day video seems to show a bluey-green shade, like on BR/SR coaches, or is it the 1980s shade after three decades of weathering?

     I believe it was SR Eastleigh works that started off the body colour ends phase c.1963, the other regions adopted the practice the following year. This tells us that pre-1963 SR inner ends were generally black, the Southend units were built at Eastleigh in 1956, in a very SR style, so I would assume they were painted the same. Strictly speaking, i'd say the preserved Class 306 with yellow panels, should be in a darker green representing mid-60s AC condition, but i'm not sure of their shade immediately after rebuilding in 1960/61, or did the earlier lighter shade live on for a few more years?

     Another problem with sussing out inner end colours, are the various examples where the side body colour is carried-on around the corners, for a few inches, with black between. Quite a few DMU classes had this variation for a few years.

      The next puzzle to ponder on my original 1956 unit, was how and where were the no-smoking sections allocated. I decided to copy the similar 302/305/308 car arrangement, with sections in both compartment and open cars, whereas of course the 1956 bodies were re-arranged, when becoming AC Class AM7. Pics to follow soon.

                                                                                 Cheers, Brian.

[BernardTPM]

Brian, the old 1st edition abc of BR Coaches includes EMU diagrams, so I'll see if I can find it tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it shows smoking/no smoking layouts.

[Brian Kirby]

Hi Bernie, would that be the Kichenside ABC first edition, rather than the electric loco and emu ABCs?

                                                                                Cheers, Brian

[Brian Kirby]

Here's my interpretation of the no-smoking allocation, two compartments in the middle of the MBS, two compartments in the DTS, three open bays in the DTSL, and just one first-class compartment in the TC. I've used Replica suburban plug-in windows throughout, but they don't make a correct size window for the toilets on these units, you could cut down one of their corridor Mk1 loo windows, but the clear plastic is rather brittle, and chips easily, you'd have to use very fine files, which would take ages. Instead, I cut out sections of 1mm perspex, fitting them as plain windows, then I added thin strips of black electrical tape, to represent the centre framework, which was then painted body colour.

       I've added air-brake cylinders to all vehicles, but I think I still need to add a compressor to the TC chassis? I read somewhere, that this was located under the first-class end, which led to many complaints of noise, from "Disgusted of Billericay".      BK

 

 

 

 

Edited November 26, 2017 by Brian Kirby

[BernardTPM]

Yes Brian, it's the Kitchenside Coaches abc. I've found it now and everything agrees save for the Motor Brake Second which is all smoking by the diagram.

[Brian Kirby]

Thanks for checking the seats Bernie,

        I based my version on pics of the 1956 end cars, pics of the middle cars close up, are of course more difficult to find. There are a few floorplans for the AC/DC EMU family in Fleet Survey 11 (IA 1990), but not for a MBS, I shall remove the four stickers from my MBS immediately. It just goes to show how much it was the "norm" to smoke back then, non-smokers were regarded as rather puritan, how times change? So my 1956 Motor Brake Second will now have 96 seats for everyone to puff away, I wonder how many of the 96 passengers in just that one coach (car), outlived the Class 307s? 

       As many will know, by the late 70s/early 80s, the smoking/ non-smoking ratio was reversed, smokers then being regarded as the unhealthy minority. 

       BTW, the ABC author was Geoffrey M. Kichenside, not Kitchenside with a 't', which sounds like kitchen sink. (Oh yes, it is, when you go back to check the book, then double-check by Googling!)

                                                                              Cheers, Brian.

[BernardTPM]

Yes, I had to look carefully twice at the plan in case I'd missed something. Duly admonished on the name though!

[Brian Kirby]

Many thanks Dubscottie, those Barrowmore plans were very kindly donated by our very own Clive M of this parish, so many thanks to Clive as well. Drawing BR 404 shows the 1956 Motor Brake Second (scroll down, it's just below the Class 310 units, along with the other cars, plus the 1962 rebuilds to AM7), but ello, ello, ello, the MBS is shown with two no-smoking compartments (after i've just removed them!)? Perhaps Bernie has an original 1956 drawing, and these Barrowmore drawings here, depict the units a few years later with additional no-smoking?       BK

 

http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/BREMUDiagramsIssue.pdf

[Clive Mortimore]

Many thanks Dubscottie, those Barrowmore plans were very kindly donated by our very own Clive M of this parish, so many thanks to Clive as well. Drawing BR 404 shows the 1956 Motor Brake Second (scroll down, it's just below the Class 310 units, along with the other cars, plus the 1962 rebuilds to AM7), but ello, ello, ello, the MBS is shown with two no-smoking compartments (after i've just removed them!)? Perhaps Bernie has an original 1956 drawing, and these Barrowmore drawings here, depict the units a few years later with additional no-smoking?       BK

 

http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/BREMUDiagramsIssue.pdf

Hi Brian

 

Thanks, I am now off to find my coach book and check against my diagram. The trouble with the diagrams, unlike BR drawings, if there has been an update it is not noted.

[Brian Kirby]

Here's the MBS with no-smoking transfers removed (gnashes teeth!  ). Maybe the solution is put the transfers back on just one side, to depict both periods? 

 

 

Another job has been modifying the Replica BR bogies to the single bolster variety on the three trailer cars, this involves chopping out the central spring and suspension detail (compare with pics above). This would have been more easily achieved before the bogies were assembled, they need a splash of black paint now to hide the scars, i've added steps to the bogies under each cab. The leading bogies also need guard irons on the front, these were made up from my old favourite office staples, the speedometer drives are two Peco track pins linked by cotton thread for flexibility. These close-up pics are truly "warts and all", that guttering is looking a bit rough at three or four times actual size, a quick filing should sort it.    BK

 

[cheesysmith]

I must say the end result has justified the work. I`m also glad to say that i avioded going to the replica stand at Warley and doing one myself. I do have enough half done projects already (and I think I already have the bits in boxes to do one myself).

[Kelly]

Looks great :-) I have enough replica bodies to keep me going for a number of years I think. My 3rd rail emus are likely to be started over again as I found problems with the way I'd gone about things.

[Brian Kirby]

Thanks Everyone,

      We're just about there now, but no doubt i'll carry on applying a few tweaks to the model. Here are two more pics, showing the now finished cab fronts, and the four cars in their correct formation. I could have used Replica's plug-in cab windows, but I forgot to buy some. They would have saved time, but instead I cut them out from 1mm perspex, which takes longer, but might give a superior finish, not suffering from the "fish tank" effect? One other late addition, I noticed that the jumper cable socket had an underslung cap hanging down, when the cable was berthed out of use, but this cap would be closed when units are coupled, in an effort to keep the electrical circuits dry. It's a black disc with a white or yellow (rubber?) ring, seen here behind the cable.

                                                          Cheers, Brian.

 

[Clive Mortimore]

Now for a Shenfield unit.

[FPH 603]

Looks great! Hope to see some pics of it in operation!

[Brian Kirby]

Now for a Shenfield unit.

It's funny you should say that Clive, I was starting to think that unit 28s needed a little friend, to keep it company? Perhaps a toss up between a Shenfield unit or an AM7?      BK

[Brian Kirby]

Now I know Bill Bedford has done etches for a LNER Shenfield unit, but I have some old Bachmann Thompson bodies to use up. The sides aren't much use, the corridor stock windows are too long at about 4'6", I estimate the Shenfield windows are a mixture of 4'0" and 2'6" long, which means I could use Replica plug-in windows on new sides, with the bottoms of the windows sliced off (like my Swindon DMUs), which would give an even more flush look than the etched kit. 

     Here are two 58ft Compo bodies and one 63ft type, allowing for the flat inner ends the 58ft are just long enough for the trailer roofs, the 63ft donor would be needed for the longer motor coach. The roofs are gonna need a jolly good scrape!     BK

 

    

[FPH 603]

Now I know Bill Bedford has done etches for a LNER Shenfield unit, but I have some old Bachmann Thompson bodies to use up. The sides aren't much use, the corridor stock windows are too long at about 4'6", I estimate the Shenfield windows are a mixture of 4'0" and 2'6" long, which means I could use Replica plug-in windows on new sides, with the bottoms of the windows sliced off (like my Swindon DMUs), which would give an even more flush look than the etched kit. 

     Here are two 58ft Compo bodies and one 63ft type, allowing for the flat inner ends the 58ft are just long enough for the trailer roofs, the 63ft donor would be needed for the longer motor coach. The roofs are gonna need a jolly good scrape!     BK

 

20171129_164949.jpg

Let us know when you start! It will be an instant follow from me, and I will do so with interest.

[stewartingram]

In my RoundTuit box, I have a 306 kit. I picked it up at an exhibition from Street Level Models, but they no longer seem to list it on their website/ebay shop. It is a card kit, my intention (which I have cleared with them as ok) is to scan it, then print on to A4 size sticky labels. These can be stuck to plasticard before being cut out and stuck together in the form of a plasticard bodyshell, with layers added as necessary. I've never tried it with rolling stock, but have done this with card buildings, and it works.

 

Stewart

[stewartingram]

In my RoundTuit box, I have a 306 kit. I picked it up at an exhibition from Street Level Models, but they no longer seem to list it on their website/ebay shop. It is a card kit, my intention (which I have cleared with them as ok) is to scan it, then print on to A4 size sticky labels. These can be stuck to plasticard before being cut out and stuck together in the form of a plasticard bodyshell, with layers added as necessary. I've never tried it with rolling stock, but have done this with card buildings, and it works.

 

Stewart

I've just done a search for this 306 card kit on my PC at work. However, in their wisdom, our IT dept. has blocked the webpage for Street Level Models. But a bit of searching, and I find they are associated with CDC, a webpage I managed to open here at work. I don't know how current the page is, but the 306 can be found here:

 

http://cdcdesign.webplus.net/trains.html

 

Stewart

[FPH 603]

It has been a while since Brian last posted, although he was active yesterday, I'm not sure what's happened with this project...

[griffgriff]

It has been a while since Brian last posted, although he was active yesterday, I'm not sure what's happened with this project...

It's only been a couple of weeks and it's a busy time of year... give him a break

 

Griff

[FPH 603]

It's only been a couple of weeks and it's a busy time of year... give him a break

Griff

Oops... How impatient am I! I follow so many threads (5 pages worth, currently!), this was one I was really interested in. I really lose track of time on these...