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On 23/04/2024 at 21:09, TT100 Diesels said:

Hi,

 

Wish I found this thread before. Bought some Railmatch 2206 Rail Grey at at the Macclesfield show. Perfect for LL 37 roof. Looks about right through the transparent pot, but the actual paint is more very light brown than grey,  started painting and built up a few thinned coats by brush (my usual way), and hmmm, not quite right looking colour shade.

 

Back to trawling photos of blue grey ic coaches and LL roofs, all much "whiter" to the eye. So that is a long winded way of agreeing with above posts.

 

Just been on the railmatch web site, 2206 is listed for blue grey stock, LL loco roof etc. But it is not actually, as above posts its  looking like the intercity beige livery element.

 

Anyway, sorted it, mixed some white and Citadel "Administartum grey", two thinned coats over the existing 2206 has done the trick, to my eyes anyway. I was going to do this anyway before I saw the 2206 on sale,  still had to in the end!

 

But as a bonus, I think the iteration of 2206 I have would make a great colour for the translucent grp panels on loco roof, like on the class 25, 26 etc. I have a 26 and a 27 to build so it will come in handy for them.

 

As usual with modelling, every day is a schoolday.

 

Note - Some of the posts above are quite old and quote slightly different numbers, but the overall issue would appear to be the same.

 

Note 2 - Just emailed Howes Models who market Railmatch paint to point out the discrepancy. If I get a response, I will post an update. I am not bothered about the couple of quid for the pot, its more about helping solve the discrepancy.

 

Cheers,

 

TT100 Diesels

 

I have found that Halfords racking grey spray paint is a very good roof colour for large logo locos, it's slightly on the whiter side of grey but I think it looks more accurate than the Bachmann grey.

23 hours ago, The Johnster said:

Even then the fact that the lights were on was barely detectable in all but the gloomiest daylight conditions, a situation that also applies to post-mk2d coaches with tinted windows.   Lighting on RTR models in general is far too bright and gimmicky, and if the layout is ambient-lit for daylight conditions (and most are lit for summer sunshine) the only lighting that should be immediately apparent to an observer is the loco high-intensity headlights, and these were unknown in the UK until the introduction of the HST in the 70s, and not until the next decade on other stock (‘Heart of Wales’ line excepted).  
 

Not saying lighting is a bad thing, it isn’t, but the RTR approach needs a bit more subtlety and toning down, especially on steam-age locos and stock IMHO.  Of course, if this were done, there would be howls of protest from ill-informed modellers complaining that they couldn’t see the lighting that they’d paid for, so the manufacturers understandably respond to the demand, but perhaps we could have a  ‘dimmed/realistic-level’ setting as well as the standard ‘retina-burner/visible in normal ambient’. 
 

Pre-flourescent  coach lighting was by 25watt filament incandescent bulbs powered by the 20vdc dynamo/battery supply.  As well as the main compartment lights, which could be dimmed by passengers who wanted to sleep, there were reading lights on the divider walls which could be switched off.  None of these were very bright, and even at night were not readily obvious in well lit areas like big stations. 

We used to remove the bulbs and store them on the luggage racks whilst doing overnights up the east coast, replacing them at Edinburgh, so definately no light emitting from our compartments.

2 minutes ago, 'CHARD said:

 

That's a total of 510 locos, you must be a millionaire!

510 locos and not a single 47555....how bizarre!

31 minutes ago, 'CHARD said:

 

That, simply put, is the nub of it. And by recent, I mean the previous iteration without the tinted windows, whiplash aerial and racing trim.

 

 

I expect people with significant quantities of pre-2022 Bachmann 47s would be highly unlikely to add, even less swap to, the Danish duff.

I did have intensions of buying 47450, 47555 and 47492, but having seen pictures and reviews have actually gone back to the original Bachmann 47 and recently purchased 47436, 47406 and 47461 so that probably says it all for myself.

2 hours ago, SulzerPeak said:

I remember well the first trans pennine coaches being introduced used to travel on them a lot. They had black roofs.

1 hour ago, adb968008 said:

Until someone has better intel, i’m leading towards the Bachmann riding a little high. 

 

But on width they are the same, but the front end taper is different.
 

 

it may have something to do with clearances on curves as a CO- CO powered model, where as Heljans is an A1A-A1A powered model.

 

it sits square up to Accurascales buffers

 

but theres a 1mm difference to Bachmanns 47

 

but old and new Bachmann 47’s align.

sitting on the desk in front of me they play nice…

 

 

i just wish they’d got the front end around the bufferbeam cowling corners/bottom of cab sides better, and if they sort the roof panel on the next run as well I think the gap between the Bachmann and Heljan 47 would narrow a little… if they dont I suspect it will struggle longer term.

 

If this kind of modification needs a budget i’d suggest looking at a 47901.

 

meanwhile I might take a look at taking a Bachmann 47 down a millimeter on the bogies, as it does look nice on Heljans… look at the gap between body and bogie on 47628/47596 above.

 

The problem I see for both models, is whilst its an improvement on previous, the previous wasnt bad… so why trade up ? The demand is imo limited to gaps of whats not been done, or high demand liveries rather than reruns and repeats*. Theres already a lot of not bad 47’s out there.

 

* Lima is ripe for picking, not sure about Vitrains though there 47’s arent bad either.

 

Spot on adb, the old Bachmann one was decent and i have just rekindled my admiration by buying a few 1987 liveries, 47710, 47712, 47436, 47576 and 47444.

Had to whip off the aerials on the two large logos and spray the roof with halfords racking grey because no grey i have matched! And gluing the windows back in is always enjoyable.

Repainted november 1986 at crewe works and the cabside data panels were there by 1987 so either crewe put them there or missed them off and Eastfield finished the job.

Bogie frames will need to swap ends for the speedo cable to be correct and silver kick plates need to be the lower body colour.

17 hours ago, SouthernBlue80s said:

Does anyone know if Bachmann will bring out a plated headcode version in rail blue, the everyday loco of the early to mid 80s. Are there any anouncements due?

 

Or if there is a kit, shawplan or similar, to change the domino headcodes 47012?

 

Thanks

 

 

Photo Awwalker - Flickr

Hi, a complicated way for the headcodes is to buy a cheap 47004 and cut out the headcodes and file them into shape then pop out the glass panels and stick the replacents in with blacktack.

And if you want working headlights as well use the 47004 chassis. 

I have a few 47s with this mod using Hornby class 31 headlights with the glazing from the 47004 lights or even cut out the 47004 headlight and modify.

Its best to first drill small holes around the headcodes so they dont crack when cutting out and you can just carefully file down. The colour is a perfect match as well.

No I'm mistaken, I have compared the model to a photo of 47522 and Heljan have nailed it.

1 minute ago, Legend said:

Abomination ?  I think you need a bit of perspective here .  I think it looks pretty much like a 47 to me . Don’t see any abominations 

To the right of the orange ets socket, the sticky out yellow bit at the bottom of the cab.

11 hours ago, MidlandRed said:

bits of slightly overlapping yellow on this model are not particularly visible with the naked eye

But that abomination around the skirts is ignored?

I'm wondering if aftermarket etched nameplates will fit over the printed names on these 47s and not stick out on both sides.

Heljan have previous on this and i'm pointing my finger at you 33114!

These are really excellent coaches, my W5488 has been reallocated to Polmadie.

The W was really stubborn to remove so I resorted to a sanding stick and masking tape.  Scotrail rub down transfers and a dusting of halfords matt varnish and now a coach to go with the two mk2c scotrail coaches in the pipeline.

I have no idea if this is correct but i'm blissfully unaware.

2 hours ago, Hal Nail said:

Probably take 5 mins in total to drill and push them in?

But you shouldn't have to, is anybody thinking of drilling their Cavalex 56.....?

I think the green livery is better than Bachmann's especially the yellow. 

There are lots of niggling little errors in my opinion, the top handrail is too low and straight and reminds of a hymek, the footsteps are too close together because the bodyshell is essentially a modified cut cab version, what was Heljan thinking using this short cut? 

The headcode panel looks too low and slightly too big, the whole face is just not quite there, this is not a £212 loco. 

1 hour ago, classy52 said:

I would like to show the contrast/differences between the Accurascale WCRC Mark 2B coaches and the Bachmann 39-354 MK2 coach, I was hoping both brands would go together in a rake but as you can see from the photo's the colour and the font branding applied are pretty different and basically don't match especially the colour for both body and roofs, in regards to the WCRC lettering the Accurascale font is visibly larger with more depth.

I had a browse on Flickr for photo's of the WCRC coaches and IMO Accurascale have captured the livery colour better where the Bachmann one appears to be a much darker chocolatey maroon if that's the best way to describe it.

I shall leave this here for everyone to discuss/debate but unfortunately I'm looking at selling on my Bachmann coach & cancel my pre-orders for the other Bachmann WCRC coaches due this year because of the glaring differences and when it comes to detail & lighting I will stick with Accurascale MK2's as they have gone up a couple of levels with these beauties.

Anyway, these are just my observations and if these differences are prototypically normal then yeah I'll stick with the Bachmann one and my pre-orders but atm I'm not convinced.

 

 

That's disheartening, the Bachmann colours look like they are the same as the loco's and the coaches have always been brighter

On 01/03/2024 at 22:35, 61656 said:

Probably my favourite part of weathering a loco is doing the research on it. Bachmann’s 47035 is my only 47/0 and a central part of the freight fleet. I have a 1986 and 1987 copy of the Platform 5 book that gives good information on numbers, liveries, depots and class variations. Ideally I like to model a loco that was within regular range of Chester and in the right colour in Jan 86 and Jan 87, which gives me confidence that it’s right for my period. 
 

A quick look shows that 47035 was no more in 1986, having become a 47/4 in 1984. In looking for a suitable new number I usually opt for a Crewe Diesel allocation, and then try to find photos on Flickr to confirm livery, likely workings, any unusual variations and such. 
 

My 47/0 is used for various turns, but includes MGR and Freightliner, which it turns out are somewhat exclusive. Some of the 47/0 fleet were slow speed control fitted for MGR work and thus didn’t get used on much else. This is good news as it means I need another one!

 

All this means 47187 is in the process of being created. 187 was a CD loco, banger blue, no slow speed, correct fuel tanks, regular freight loco, so looks like a good choice. It does need yellow headcode and a high intensity marker adding. Let the fun commence!

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but 47187 had a different boiler port, 47035 had the spanner boiler so the choice of 47/0 should be 47001 to 47035 and 47096 to 47186. 47096 had black panels at one time. 

16 hours ago, Bryn_Bach_Railway said:

 

They are also incredibly free rolling, so much so I ended up with multiple runaway trains when setting up the rake (probably best not to set these up around an incline) and I can’t get them to stay still over the Kadee magnetic uncouplers I’ve got installed.
 

To be fair that last point is much more of a problem with my layout and not the models, but is there any advice on how to increase rolling resistance 😅?

Maybe the talented guys at Accurascale can engineer a DCC operated brake in the guards area of the BFKs lol

Looks like the standard body is a cut cab version with a separate part fitted to reinstate the original cab sides, something i tried to do with Bachmann's 47745 with plastic strips, my attempt was just as poor as this, 47450 looks really bad.  I hope this isn't the finished model as there are several liveries here that hit the spot.

5 hours ago, Legend said:

Some pics from Model Rail Scotland . Not sure what the difference is with the two red stripe one . They had the same manufacturers ref but I noted they actually were two different class 31s  31149 and 31180 I think 

Somebody's quick off the mark, 31435 has already been renumbered!

56 minutes ago, Growling said:

Looking forward to mine. Thanks all for the heads up on spare sets becoming available.

 

It didn't take long for a couple to appear on eBay. 

Even used accurascale's photo......

2 hours ago, 97406 said:

 

Yes, I think it was very likely a case of 'great minds think alike' and coincidentally, both 31 projects probably started at about the same time.

A sensible comment at last, the red stripe 31 looks fantastic, I shall be having at least one of those. 

12 hours ago, APT Fan said:

Do we know if the motorised fan assemblies are available as spares? I assume they can be added to the sound version, looks like the decoder supports them.

The fan assemblies were available a few months ago but definately not there now, I think they were around £30.

2 hours ago, SRman said:

 

I agree that there's something "out" with the Heljan front. I just went onto Rails' website to see if I could find some similar photos of the two to compare from roughly the same angles, and came up with these two:

https://railsofsheffield.com/products/class-47-316-br-blue-plated-headcode-panels-diesel-locomotive-dcc-sound

 

https://railsofsheffield.com/products/Bachmann-35-414-class-47-4-47435-br-blue-diesel-locomotive

While they aren't exactly the same, my attention focused on the front "ledge" below the windscreens; the Bachmann one shows a slope on top while Heljan's seems almost level. There may well be other slight differences, but that's what caught my attention first. It seems to result in too much flat metal below the windscreens, above that ledge, although it could be a trick of the lighting.

 

The bogies or the body seem way out, the outer axle box should be level with the first handrail and its about 3-4 mm out and the cab footsteps are also misaligned with the cab doors.  It could be the wide angle lens of course so I just don't know but it just doesn't quite look right.