Anglo Franco Belge

Hey,

 

My Atlas HO scale static Class 81 turned up on the doorstep yesterday! Here's some quick pictures...I've not had the time to inspect it fully, but will do so soon.

 

Nice box, gives me the vintage feel!

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Some nice detailing there, not the finest or the best, but that's what modelling is for right?

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Two side views, fairly simple but effective packing.

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My plan is to add a motor bogie (or two) to this model and add a proper Sommerfeldt pantograph to it. I'm going to be motorizing it and gifting it to somebody. Might repaint it too. If anyone has suggestions for a Sommerfeldt pantograph that closely matches the Class 81's please let me know.

 

Now to head off and buy the motor bogies.

Hi Sarah, yes nice loco and a great manicure too :triniti:Madame !

On the repaint front, I have bought two of these with the idea of having one in the earlier electric blue. I was wondering about trying to go for full yellow ends, but but electric blue for the main body. Not sure where I would get the silver lion and numbers from yet. Transitional livery if you like, to avoid messing up the windows. I have seen photos of other electrics in this 81-85 family in this transitional livery, but have not found a class 81...yet. If anybody does know where we can find such a photo, their reward will be in heaven !

Looking forward to your motor bogie exploits, I would love to know what sort of haulage power you get.

I found Lima class 67 bogies to be a decent enough wheelbase and wheel diameter match, which I paired with a Bachmann motor and cardan shafts from a 25.  I suspect you could shorten the Lima cardan shafts and use their motor too, I just went for what was the least effort using what parts I had kicking around.

Interesting....did you have to cut down the width of the chassis, as the class 81 is slim creature in HO! Have you a photo of the chassis post operation?

I've purchased an off-the-shelf motorized bogie

Would you mind sharing the supplier & reference. I have been looking a steam era black beetles....is that where you got yours?

I was going to do HO scale Class 86s, 87s and 92s. Would probably appeal to the British HO and European HO markets.

Yes Please!

For the HO version, I am still struggling to track down a chassis ( a tatty but sweet running donor from Ebay would be ideal) that might have a similar wheelbase, the class 81 seemed to have quite long bogies compared with , say SNCF or SNCB prototypes ( these are the ones I know well). Any thoughts. Something from Eastern Europe ) would be great! Any thoughts....? 

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It's in bits now, having a mechanism shoe-horned in.

As a fanatic Class 81 - 85 fan, AND HO British Collector, this is a great addition to my collection.!I have been looking at RTR mechanisms that could be adapted. Tricky : Due to the slim nature of the British loading gauge, Both OO and HO Continental chasis are all a bit wide. I could go for a Bull Ant or Tenshodo type solution, but doubt I am going to get the power I need to haul 20+ HO Ferry Wagons I have in my collection! So love to know what you have come up with...! Best Wishes with your  project!