Obadiah

Yes, the LNER and later BR(E) planned further extensions to the 1500v systems, and for a short while the 1500v DC system was the BR standard system. Originally 27 EM2's were ordered, though Mr A H Peppercorn personally cut this to a mere 7 machines. As for speed the EM2's could really move. When the Dutch Railways NS first considered purchasing the class, one locomotive was taken out of store and gave a demonstration return run over the Pennines. During this run it certainly ran well in excess of 65MPH, some observers at the time estimated that 90+ MPH was briefly attained, and what ever the true speed might have really been, the ride was exciting enough for the Dutch to stipulate they never went that fast ever again!

Indeed she did for a while, but only on one end, that being the one furthest from the boiler.

Curses! you noticed the windscreen wipers, or lack of them, they're still on my "to do" list. Yes the class 40 bogies would be a suitable alternative, giving a 8' 0" + 8' 0" wheelbase against a prototype 8' 0" + 7' 8" wheelbase, though this would mean a new shorter boiler tank between the bogies, as clearance would be very tight. My use of the shorter 7' 0" + 7' 0" class 37 bogies came about as initially I was going to use two modified plastic Tri-ang side frames, that failing to give what I wanted, I tried using Silver Fox sideframes, but these being originally for 10000/10001 the secondary springing is incorrect, hence my use of a scratchbuilt set. These have a subtle bit of lengthening at each end to take up any gaps left by using a shorter wheelbase. You pays your money, and . . . . . . Still she does look tasty on a set of maroon Mark 1's. Remember though, after 1959 most EM2 hauled trains over the Woodhead line had only a five car consist.

I have already trodden this path with a Tri-ang EM2. My answer to a rebuild was as follows. The body was been detailed with seperate handrails, lamp brackets, etc and the moulded lining carefully removed. The chassis is a heavily modified Bachmann class 37, with new bogie sideframes constructed from scratch using plasticard and other bits from the junkbox, as the Tri-ang models has one cast, and one plastic bogie of only moderate detail. However by using the class 37 as a base, the new bogie wheelbase remains, like the Tri-ang model, a little too short, but with careful arrangement of the bogie centres this is not too noticable. No RTR chassis seem to possess the correct wheelbase measurements. The Pantographs are from Judith Edge, and though fiddly to build, they give a more realistic appearance than is given by using other ready assembled H0 pantographs. I enclose a pictue of my conversion, and I have placed further views in my Gallery 'North Eastern Electrics'