pdanny

Lighting coming along. Mini LEDs from Express Models are fantastic need to secure them and eradicate the bleeding Fiddly but effective. The Mk3 underframes are fantastic for hiding all the electronics. Internal lighting next once the interiors are complete

It seems only natural now that the 6REP is finished that work begins on the successor, 5WES. I built it back in 2006 with very limited skills, time and resources so I've wanted to go back and revisit it for some time now. Working on one vehicle at a time, I'm stripping each coach back to the basics and replacing some components, rebuilding some elements and repainting to a higher standard. First up is the Driving Trailer First The original Hurst cab has been completely replaced with a 3D printed one from eBay. After some minor modifications to the Jumper Cable boxes and lighting panels, it's come out to look pretty much like the real thing. Using the Lima Mk3s as a base, the bodyshell has been adapted with plug doors, roof corrections and a fair amount of filling work to ensure its a true representation. With the paintjob now done, I'm moving onto lighting and interiors before I restore the laser glazing.

It's a great base to work from. I built a 6REP using this method!

Thanks number6, its fascinating the things I've learned about these remarkable units. The way the BR Southern tried to re-use and recycle the stock it had available to it, such as passenger units, de-icers and service vehicles is just incredible. It was truly an age of intercompatibility!

I've got my head around them now. I guess you just get used to them. I try not to couple/uncouple them too often as i'm wary that they'll break at some point, lol.

Last coach has been built as is ready to join the set First Class delivery ;-) Just have to weather the bogies, underframes, inner ends and roofs but i wanted to do all 6 cars together. Next project is to rebuild my 442 which seems ironic following on from the 6REP Looking forward to giving this a good run now all 6 coaches are finished

First test run this weekend with all 6 vehicles painted went well. All lighting and electrical elements worked well and unit runs well. With the trailer first detailing still to do and glazing to follow, i should have the unit finished by the end of the month with just weathering and undercarriage soiling to do. Really pleased with it

Seriously, i was so in awe of TWY when i first saw it and to this day, it is by far the best representation of the southern in NSE. Seeing all the CEPs, VEPs & EPBs in all their glory on a layout for the first time in the array of liveries of that time was such an inspiration especially when no-one else even seemed to recognise the region existed post steam/BR Green. So glad you've resurrected it and to see you adding to it again. For us modelling the southern circa 1990, it is the benchmark.

By hand for the NSE units but with transfers for the B/G white lining. By hand is down to good priming, sharp & clean masking and a whole lot of patience, lol.

MTK were the only provider of the range of Southern EMUs back in the day so for us they were the only option. As such I had the 4REP, 4TC, 455 and 2HAP which i bought and built in the 80's. Tonbridge West Yard was such the biggest inspiration for Southern modellers because it totally encompassed the best of the southern modern image at a time when no-one else even recognised it. I absolutely love this layout and I'm thrilled to see it back. I'm currently building a 6REP to join my fleet using a Hornby VEP as a base but last year i decided to rebuild the MTK 2HAP and 455 to a more modern standard with additional components from MJT (2HAP) and Bratchell (455). The 2HAP is almost done but the 455 needs work doing on the cab front, with lights fitted, the bogies and interiors replacing and a full reglaze. The REP & TC on the other hand were sold on ebay and replaced with a MJT builds... Thanks for the inspiration and fantastic layout though Lyddrail

Finally adding some class to the 6REP Following the MSO rewire, i also had to rewire the TF so it has lighting throughout the 7 compartments and 2 toilets Hoping to get the build finished and primed this week ready for painting next week

Finally finished the motor second open following electrical issues. Had to rewire the entire coach due to poor soldering connections on the original Ready to move on to the trailer first now that 5 of 6 are complete Looking forward to weathering and aging the underframes and roof when all six are built.

Absolutely Stunning!!! I'm currently working on a 6REP in 4mm but I'm in awe of your 4TC. I love all the detailing and interior work, amazing. Danny...

Coach 62145 MSO near complete Detailing and transfers added Ready to glaze now and paint interior seating Will lightly weather all 6 carriages when i finish the trailer first.

Thanks 4630, this is brilliant. I'd seen it a long time back and completely forgotten it. So much detail and most importanly vehicle numbers which i was struggling with. Much appreciated, you're a star! Dan...

DMSO in the paintshop receiving NSE stripes so I'm working on the interior while the paint dries. I was nervous of how i was going to do this as it's an open coach and has interior lighting. Happy with the result and surprised at how well it worked. A few refinements and it's ready for painting excluding the circuit board and socket, lol. Once glazed and the wiring plugged back into the socket, it should be reasonably hidden. Even the motor is fairly well concealed... RESULT!!!

Haha, so true number6, I was having this conversation yesterday! That's why i like the Southern too, so much interchangeability and so many unique elements too: 3rd rail, Slimjim 33/2s, Electro Diesel 73s, Hastings DEMUs, Push Pull 4TCs & 4REPs with 33/1s and even MLV EMUs and everything was intercompatible.

Thanks Jon. A little too much tbh. At this rate, it will be finished soon and then i'll have to crack on with a new project?!?

Thanks number6 - I'm not 100% sure but as i understand it, it's all to do with the jumper cable connection boxes between each carriage. The jumper cables in between carriages are only on one side of each carriage except in the TBSK where it swaps them from one side to the other. As the earlier sets had 2x Trailer Firsts in them, the TBSK at the TC end had to be placed the same way around as the REP ends one in order to connect all 6 carriages in the set. When the later edition of the sets came out with the DMSO in the centre of the train and 4TC DTSOs at both ends, this was overcome as the former cab of the DMSO connected to the Trailer First via one of the two connection boxes originally on the cab front. The other one was panelled over.

Commencing on the DMSO This is the one I've been looking forwards to the most MJT cab front plated over and filled Filled, prepared and getting ready for priming

All done on the TBSKs Enjoyed the detailing although the excessive number of No Smoking labels was a bit tedious weathering to do when they're all finished that's 4 out of 6 coaches done so that just leaves the DMSO and TF next

thanks 37038 - I did think about it but decided not to on the basis it would look a bit mad when it's parked in the depot, lol.

Interiors done... Even added a few extra elements seeing as the lighting will highlight them Just Windows and No Smoking to follow. Mild weathering (heavier on underframes and bogies) will be done at the end

Working on interiors this week... The 6REPs had two TBSKs which means the interiors are quite a build, twice. Unlike the VEPs & CIGs i've built where the motor is hidden in the MBS, these Brake's are trailers with the motor going in the DMSO so the interiors are visible and lit too! Hence, gotta add the detail. One is open ready for bikes (to be added) and the other locked with mail bags. Ready to start painting them now...

Working on the two TBSKs in the set at the moment. Coming on well and enjoying the build. Thanks to team member South Central for the pics found, they're a tremendous help. Once the paintjob tweaks and external detailing are done, I'll glaze the windows and commence on the interiors before moving on to the Trailer First and former 4REP DMSO to complete the set.