Wagonmaster

I agree that it would perhaps have been better to produce the model accurate to one time frame. At least it would have been right for one point in its life. However, as already observed, photographs showing both sides on the same day at the same location didn't apparently turn up until after tooling commenced. But let's just see what turns up, if it's that bad, I'll get the Judith Edge kit!

Personally, I'm going to wait and see what actually turns up on my doorstep rather than all this speculation. If it is the same as the black version I saw at Gaydon and in Jenny Kirk's photos, I will be a bit disappointed. However, I suspect that if it is wrong regarding the number of nose grilles, then some helpful fellow modeller might produce some after market etches or something. Not ideal, but maybe the best we can hope for at this late stage. After all, I spent years sticking etched detailing on Lima and Hornby models!

I thought I'd have a go at building a model of ED10. As you are probably all aware, this was a 3ft gauge Ruston 48DS that worked at Beeston Sleeper Works. It is now preserved at Irchester. My main question here is what livery did it carry in BR service? As preserved, it is in BR Green, but I'm not sure if this is original. I haven't yet managed to find any photographs of it in BR service. Plenty as a preserved loco. Any help gratefully received. Steve

When I built mine (quite a few years ago now), SPUD's were not quite so expensive. Daves kit is quite heavy being white metal and I figured two SPUD's would be less of a strain. As John Isherwood says, a Black Beetle would be a much better option. It's finding something that will fit in the narrow body profile really. In my Irish GM's I have used the Athearn SD9 chassis. Would that be an option?

Yes, that is who I thought would have had a go at it by now!

Hi John, I think I do have a photo of D9998 somewhere. I'll try and dig it out for you. If I remember correctly, it didn't carry the number and was painted orange. I believe it spent some time at Gloucester Docks.

Ah, probably bad wording on my part. No, not a prototype as in 'one off' locos such as Falcon, Lion, Kestrel etc. A prototype as in the 'real thing' as opposed to a model. In the same way say Bachmanns Class 47 is a model of the real thing and looks 'prototypical'. Does that make any sense? I think you know what I mean. I would have thought the Class 70's would have been produced by now with their long lives and numerous liveries from Southern Railway green as CC1 etc. up to Banger Blue.

Another prototype no-one has mentioned yet are the Southern Railway electrics, later BR Class 70 numbered 20001-3. These lasted until the early 1970's and were even painted in Corporate Blue livery. I am surprised it has taken Heljan so long to produce 10800. It seemed a logical follow on from their Class 15 and Class 16 produced quite a few years ago. The same chassis probably could have been used. The Dave Alexander white metal kit made up well, as did all his kits. If there is a sudden glut of unmade kits on a well known Internet auction site, it could be a cheaper alternative. My version runs on two Tenshodo SPUD's, is DCC fitted and lights.

Yes, you're right, there is. Judith Edge Kits produces a kit of D2999 with alternative parts for industrial versions. The kit would even make D9998. Below is my model of D2999.

Although there are not any RTR models of the Armstrong-Whitworth D9 diesel, JCL on here has posted some files for a 3D print of one in 4mm scale. I have one, but not completed it yet.

Thanks for that Ian. I checked them out, as you say, reasonably priced. Worth having a go with. Still soldiering on with 'Tommy' at the moment. Trying to get a running chassis going at the moment.

Although I haven't posted anything recently, work is slowly progressing on the 123's. Been busy trying to get 'Tommy' up and running! Finally got some retracted buffers for the various cars and fitted them. Inter car coupling is the next job. I usually like to use Kadee couplings with the tails cut off. Non in my stock, so will have to order those and fit them. Then hopefully, I can couple everything up and test run the complete unit. Headcode lights still need fitting as does some of the interior lighting. Still need to work out the best way of adding the silver cab side window frames that I missed during painting. Oh, and the exhaust pipes need alteration to include the covers!

Small yellow panels were literally that, a panel. They didn't tend to wrap round the cab front and as such, I don't think you would see it, as it would be obscured by the DMC in front of it. However, I think we'll just have to agree to disagree on that one!

I think they are all being posted, albeit slowly. Mine arrived yesterday!

Are you sure the yellow you are seeing is the yellow end of blue/grey DMC rather than the front of the all blue car behind it?

Thanks for your reply Simon. I have tried the Railcar site, it's my usual first stop for dmu's. However, I haven't seen any mention of seat or curtain colours for Class 123's! I'll have to read it again, maybe I'm missing it? All I can see is a reference saying they followed mainline stock, which I guess is what you're quoting? I could try Robert Carrolls LHCS group, but it does specifically state that multiple units are outside the scope of the group. Thanks again

Thanks for that info 45125. Sounds like the first class curtains were a similar colour to those in the Class 120 first class. Do you have any idea of the seat colours?

Thanks for your kind comments Steve S. I have a confession to make, I never saw them in green either! It's just that my modelling period is early/mid '60's. I think the Shapeways version you saw may be the Recreation 21 model. Looks about right and certainly saves a lot of cutting and shutting. The only thing is the printing material used, if it's the same as I have had before, has a bit of a hard grainy finish and needs a lot of work to get smooth.

Thanks Pippindoo, like the photo. In blue/grey days, the curtains were an orange/brown colour across the dmu fleet. Usually just in 1st Class by this stage though. However, my model is from the earlier green period and the curtains and seating upholstery were different colours. Thing is, what? Maybe I should have just made a blue/grey version! ;-)

Thanks for your reply ColinK. Appreciated. Just to clarify, in what period do you remember this colour and was it in Second Class? Thanks

Thanks ISW and 45125 for your contributions. Yes, that is the corridor side of the DMC. However, a useful photo as it answered another question on whether there were hand rails fitted as on mainline Mk.I corridor stock. There is! Looking at some more pictures following ISW's suggestion, the curtains I can see seem to be a brown colour. Is this right? Still can't make out any seat colours though.

According to the Railcar site, speed whiskers had been replaced by small yellow warning panels by the time these units were delivered. I certainly haven't seen any photos of any sets with whiskers! Were you perhaps thinking of the WR gangwayed Gloucester parcels units?

The next dmu in the workshops is a Swindon Class 123 Intercity four car dmu. The model is being constructed in 'as built' condition. I have progressed reasonably well with the bodies fairly complete, just a few little detail bits to sort out. So, with attention turning to interiors, I was wondering if anyone knew what colour the seats were originally? I think there were also curtains fitted and if so, what colour these were. I'm guessing here that curtains were only fitted to the compartment windows and not the corridor side? I've already had a look at the excellent Railcar website, but it just states 'followed mainline practice'. Would appreciate any help. In the meantime, below is a photo of one of the driving cars. Still a bit to be done, mainly to the underframe, as you can see.

An update on the Class 120's, they're finished! Taken a while with a kit bought 14 years ago with a very start stop approach to construction. However, they are now ready to enter service on the WR section of my layout. Time to move on to their cousins, the Class 123 Intercity units now. Thanks to everyones help with this project. Below are some photos of the various cars.

So, an update on the Class 504's. Having bought and fitted some Shawplan Laserglaze, they are now finished. Thanks to everyone for their help with this project. Below are some photos of the completed unit.