Heljan class 52

[D1030western musketeer]

Having no idea where to put this i hope this will do.

I brought some time ago D1001 western pathfinder in gloss finish.

I set about renaming her 1062 western courier.

Overtime and looking at her for real and loads of pics i found that the maroon to me was to dark and over glossed.

I set about repainting her and completley fouled her up.

I then set about her again as not deciding to replace her as await dapols version.

I would like to no what others think as from a distance she looks ok but the photos show up blemishes.

richard.

[Rugd1022]

Hi Richard,

 

If it were mine I'd give it a damn good weathering.... start off with dirty black / brown diluted turps in all the louvres, door shuts, panel lines, headcode panels and round the window frames etc, wipe it off vertically and go from there. I'd also make the underside of the roof peak almost black to give it some shadow...

[D1030western musketeer]

Thanks for the reply,but alas D1062 is kept in pristine condition and thats how i have attempted to portray her as all my westerns are preserved examples.

regards.

richard.

[virginhst539]

i work with preserved locos they my look clean but trust me they are never prestine! best thing would be if possible would to go see a class 52 and see where dirt has stayed on the loco body after a good blast from the pressure washer but your are right they never let them get filthy like some of the locos you see on the RHTTs

[John Tomlinson]

Another option which may or may not work is to polish the loco with Tcut, which ought to smooth out some of your lumps and blemishes. I'd suggest you try a little on a cotton bud and rub carefully but firmly. Beware of rubbing too much or you could go right through the original paint as well. If it does work you'll make the loco shiny again, and you could then use a spray of satin varnish to tone it down.

 

As has been said above the precise condition of locos is never straightforward. Remember as well the so called scale effect of gloss. On the real thing any finish looks duller the farther you are from it because of the muck in the atmosphere - try washing your car and then looking at it from 50m away compared to by its side and you'll see what I mean.

 

John.

[D1030western musketeer]

Since my last posting d1062 was re-brought from a western queen and the rough one went into western prince.

Also know we have had dapols release which looks a beauty.

My delema now is do the heljans stay or do they go.

They have all had extensive surgery such as.

roof profile reshaped.

better lights fitted.

scratchbuilt brake rigging fitted.

and scratcbuilt roof fans and grilles fitted.

I admit i have grown to love them as a personal time and effort spent on them but cant see Heljan doing any more know.

Heres some in all there glory.

Your comments welcome.

 

richard.

[D1030western musketeer]

Having mentioned that I have grown fond of my Heljan western fleet I have decided to keep them.

This as mentioned elsewhere has come about due to reasons beyond my control both financially and not being able to run dapols excellent looking version.

I am now in the process of going through the whole fleet of aligning all the brakes to the wheels and adding sand fillers to them.

Also I have added more detail to the cabs and refining the headcode box areas.

3 more infact have been donated to me to add to my fleet.

D1000/D1040 and D1054.D1011 is now in ex works 1968 blue livery.

The fleet consists of 1000/1010/1011/1023/1030/1040/1041/1045/1054 and 1062.

 

Richard.