R3036XS Class 08661 Rfd 'Europa'

[59205]

Hi Everyone,

 

I was/am interested in buying the above model. After reading the review of the item in Model Rail 168, I felt slightly put off.

 

I wanted to ask if anybody on here knows whether this particular locomotive carried both a blue at one point and a dark grey roof. The Model Rail review says "At first glance, 08661 in this guise appears to be a sensible and attractive choice, but a little research reveals several traps for an unwary manufacturer. Although RFD European livery featured a blue roof as standard, contemporary photographs show that 08661 had a dark grey roof in this livery"

 

However I've stumbled across some photo's on Flickr what appear (to my eyes at least :-/ )to show it with a blue roof around 1994. http://www.flickr.com/photos/d33206hg/5294827054/lightbox/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/queenfanjohn/6362877761/lightbox/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmc1947/5758400170/lightbox/

 

The review does throw up some other points which I agree with, the lower bodyside grey is a touch too dark.

 

The comments about the market light arrangement and oval buffers at one end being other valid points.

 

If anybody could provide any information it would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[brushman47544]

I can't help with 08661, although I agree that in the first picture in particular the roof does look blue but this could be an effect of the blue sky. The second on the other hand looks quite grey, but then the sky is more overcast.

 

Looking at photos of Class 47s in RfD European livery, it can be equally difficult to tell. For example, in this photo of a quite clean 47338 the roof looks similar to 08661 and is blue http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_zoom_v3.php?img=0998050264210, whereas in this photo of 47344 the roof looks very grey but is again blue: http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_zoom_v3.php?img=1151051366211, as is the roof of 47323 here: http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_zoom_v3.php?img=0770050089210 and http://www.class47.co.uk/c47_zoom_v3.php?img=0748021002000.

 

So I wouldn't rely too much on photographic evidence... and with a bit of weathering noone will be able to tell the difference anyway.

[59205]

Thanks Andrew,

 

Have some thinking to do!!