The Penguin 0f Doom

Hello everyone. I just wanted to ask, doea anyone know of a producer of the Red/White InterCity Executive livery stripes in 7mm scale please? I've enquired with Fox, but they do not do them and They're not listed on the Railtec website either. Thanks in advance.

Hi Michael. I've just started your 104 kit and it's coming together nicely. I think I'll sit a few stages behind you and follow progress. 😁 I've not built many kits like this, (The only similar one to my memory is a Westdale Mk1 Sleeper), so I think it's going to be quite a learning curve. Great kit though. 👍

Thank you Phil, glad you like it. ;)

Hi all. I finally finished my model of 9004. I won't flood the thread with a boring blow by blow account, but if anyone's interested, it's all here..... https://www.facebook.com/groups/987152598004135/?ref=share

As I said, with a tape measure, (well, in this case, 2). It was quite simple really, straight edge across the front, centre front as your datum point and plot at fixed points (in this case each screw head along the lower cowling). Hooe this helps.

Mr blueeighties....just out of interest, did you read my post above from 29th November 2019?

Seriously Ben? Firstly, let me re-iterate that the curve on the front of the later body 25 is better, but it is not correct, it is still too flat. Now, the overwhelmingly positive feedback is all well and good and it's great that people think it looks good, but no matter how you argue it, it is dimensionally incorrect. Before I responded, I took the liberty of having the newer bodystyle 7mm model measured up against its earlier cousin, (I believe it was yourself Ben that said the 4mm model was a lift of the 7mm model, so I'll go with that, I don't have acces to a 4mm one obviously). Now, here's the clincher, on both models, the cab doors are too wide thus pushing the correctly dimensioned cab sides forward (not far, but far enough to push the proportions out noticeably), and flattening out the front. You've got the curve too shallow as a result and whether your experts are satisfied or not is really not the point here, if they or anyone else had taken the time to check and double check, the discrepancy would have been apparent. If the 4mm model is a direct lift of the 7mm one, the doors will be too wide on that too and the inaccuracy will be replicated. I assume also that both 7mm versions use the same chassis block which if this is the case, would not help with reprofiling the body (I had to take a fair chunk off mine once the bodywork had been completed). The photo you have used above doesn't really illustrate the point you are trying to make either. I have added a picture below which shows the curve much better for you as well as some of my basic drawings showing what I have measured prior to commencing my models, (please feel free to check them out in the latest railway modeller). Just to clarify here, I used the same drawing for both bodystyles as they were used for note taking purposes only. So, here's the deal, I've pointed out where you have got it wrong and there is still an opportunity to make what is admittidley going to be a good model into a fantastic model. I have offered to consult with anyone from Heljan to sort the issue, so it's up to you now. I presume you still have my email address from our last contact, if not, drop me a pm? There can't be any harm in opening up some dialogue can there? Over to you....

As I said above, I concede the later body style is more curved than the earlier body style, but it is still way too flat across the front. The error from the earlier model has been repeated in the more recent 7mm model and looking at the 4mm model, the error is there too. I have offered here to discuss the matter with anyone from Heljan, but nobody seems to be bothered. Ironically, its quite a simple fix and appears to be borne from one incorrect measurement. I could understand if I was just saying the model is wrong, but I can actually tell them where the fault is so they can rectify it, infact the RM article says where the error is and I have all the measurements should they want them. I'll bet I still hear nothing though....

Considering Mr Jones has been back to this thread since my last post, with no response to me and I've not heard anything via PM, I can only assume Heljan aren't that bothered about rectifying the flat front of the 25..... The article in the January 2020 Railway Modeller highlights the errors and what is required to correct them for anyone else who is interested.

Unfortunately, it is not a myth as regards the 7mm 25/3, it is still too flat. I concede it is more curved than the earlier body style, but the same error Heljan made with the earlier model is repeated in the 7mm 25/3 and I fear will be repeated in the 4mm 25/3 if the pictures I have seen so far are anything to go by. Having been over a number of the real loco's with a tape measure in order to produce an accurate model based on the Heljan 7mm loco, I can point out where Heljan have made their error, but having tried to make them aware of the issue in the past and being met with blank faces, it is my honest belief that they are not interested in rectifying the issue and achieving a much more accurate model. If you happen to know anyone at Heljan who is interested, please feel free to ask them to get in touch, my consultation fees are very reasonable.....

Thanks for the concise replys guys. Looks like I'll have to plug the video recorder in (when I find it), as I might also have that video stashed away somewhere. Plenty to ne going on there though, so I'd best start deciding which way I'll be going (can only afford to model one coach at the mo). Cheers again.

I would imagine it needs the front end "fettling" for a start to correct the overly flat front, that's its main issue.

Thankyou Hexagon788. So, to get this straight in my mind, the Mk2z coaches were not exclusively Push - Pull stock, but could appear in standard loco hauled trains too? I don't want to use a DBSO, just standard stock you see. This brings me to answer the next question, I only have capacity for a maximum of 4 coaches, so a little bit of modellers licence has to be applied, hence foregoing any 1st class accomodation on this particular train (well, any full 1st class Mk2s - I may use a Mk1 CK or BCK in the set). I just wanted to add a little livery variety to my rake as opposed having a full Blue/Grey set. Many thanks for your answer. :)

Hi all. I would like to model a Mk2 coach in the old ScotRail livery (as per the InterCity livery but with a Blue stripe), but photographs of coaches in this livery seem suprisingly scarce. Checking my old spotters books, the coaches below are listed as being in ScotRail livery but I wanted to know if anyone could advise of any Mk2b or Mk2c coaches were painted in this livery also please? I would also like to try and find out if any of the Mk2 coaches listed (or any others that members can advise on), were specifically loco hauled only IE, not Push - Pull fitted. I am aware that some Mk2s were formed in push pull sets for use with the 47/7s and I'd prefer not to model one of these. Finally (and I know I should know this), but when did non Mk3/DBSO coaches start to get the ScotRail livery applied (I really wish I'd paid more attention back in the day). I have only listed 2nd class coaches as I cannot justify a 1st class coach in the rake I have planned. Thanks in advance. Mk2z 5146 5152 5153 5176 5197 Mk2d 5623 5653 5659 5662 5663 5671 5673 5694 5711 5716 5726 5740 Mk2d (Mini Buffet) 6601 6604 6605 6613 6614 6619 Mk2e 5813

I'm afraid the new bodystyle appears to me to have the same issues as the earlier Heljan effort in that the cab doors are too wide, shoving the cab front forward. Granted it's less flat than their earlier bodystyle but it still appears too flat to me. In anticipation of this, I started a conversion of the earlier Heljan class 25 into the later body style in much the same way as we used to do to the 4mm Hornby 25 before Bachmann introduced their later bodystyle model. It's not quite finished yet but progress can be seen on my facebook group here..... https://www.facebook.com/groups/987152598004135/ Cheers.

Hi all. My final Mk2 post. I have finished my improved versions of a Mk2 TSO and BFK and have posted lots of shots of the completed models over on my facebook model railway group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/987152598004135/ I hope you have enjoyed my modelling efforts over the years, I have certainly enjoyed doing the conversions. Of course now that I have finished them, knowing my luck, one othe major manufacturers will announce a RTR version..... Cheers. Sean.

Lovely job that! Could I ask please where the speaker(s) is/are mounted? Mine are in the body but are a little muffled. Cheers.

Thanks Mike. I only caught this after the auction had ended. Fortunately, I'm looking at a 7mm version so nothing lost. ☺ Thanks.

Thanks Nick. I've never been good on flickr but must try logging in - there seems to be a good few subject pictures there. As regards the SDR, I will get in touch, I'm a big fan of supporting such causes especially where one can potentially benefit in ways such as this. Thanks again.

In addition to the above, I do have a drawing of the coach but it shows the side/end joint as following the tumblehome contour whereas photos look to show this joint to be vertical (much like a Mk1 coach), so I'm just trying to find out which is right, my eyesight or the drawing.....

I believe both 9004 and 9005 are preserved o the West Somerset Railway (happy to be corrected), but sadly, this is too far for me to justify a visit. It is also my first foray into anything GWR (apart from a Lima Western when I was 12), so I'm still finding my feet as regards research material. Cheers.

Thanks for the confirmation Chris.

Digging this thread up again...... Does anyone know if the ends of this coach were flat or curved and if so, to what extent please. Better still, is anyone able (and of course willing), to take a picture of the preserved example side on showing the end profile. As usual, beer awaits anyone who can help. Cheers.

Brilliant work m'lud!

Thanks for the positive comment. Glad you like the 25 - it was something of a labour of love project.