Dixie Dean

I think it's a very valid thing to do, and would be a great talking point when running at an exhibition. Be nice to see it all finished and running! I would encourage you to go for an APT S with a driving power car and the DVT. I've remotored my APT following the method used by legomanbiffo (Heljan 26/27/33 chassis with extended drive shafts) and it goes great with 2 extra articulated coaches which Shane on here has made in the past. Almost a shame that Hornby are going to retool it! But I had signed up for a DJM one and I shall probably get a new Hornby one as well. I have also been cutting and shutting Eurostar motor coaches and made up 4 articulated coaches which are to be repainted into GNER navy blue and red to make a 10 car train. I was short of the connectors for the articulated bogies and decided to contact Hornby customer services for a couple, as they are making them again at the moment. Quite surprisingly, I received a couple free of charge in the post this morning. I had also mentioned that I could do with a BWHS pantograph (didn't say why though) and one of them of the Class 87 was included. This I intended to fit on a raft on top of my APT!

I'm still going with Cavalex. I've got to say that I'm very impressed with the photo of the model on Grimleygrid's post on Wednesday. An excellent rendition of the real thing.

It was all rather traumatic and for some quite expensive, but I guess it is time now for us all to move on. At least the 3D prints give us all an idea that they will be vastly better models than the originals. I just hope that they don't try to cut any corners!

I've done my old one the same Andi. Not got a pantograph for it yet though. Still waiting to be able to buy a decent one as a spare.

I really hope so, also I'd like plenty of fine detail. But if anyone can find out about the pantograph I'd be interested to hear about how they are going to mount it. The old one was badly mounted and very large. I'd prefer it was the BWHS version as well!

Can any tell me whether they have said if it is a central motor driving the two bogies, or it just a motor mounted on a bogie with traction tyres? I'd also really like some more clarification about how they are going to mount the pantograph.

I've got to say though Shane that you're extra APT coaches were pretty good and my 7 car set looks not too bad whizzing around! In the circumstances you did a great job.

You never know what 2021 will bring!

Well, all's well that ends well. At least we will get brand new shiny ones. Only things to hope for now are a decent pantograph (with the correct tilting mountings) and a decent centre mounted motor similar to the one I've build and Hornby! (listen to this please) NO TRACTION TYRES! Perhaps, Phil, you could pass that along, please?

I would definitely be interested in a couple of each. All we need now is a willing manufacturer.

I'm sure they will be. Sadly I have only just finished off my remotored APT and 2 extra coaches (which I started off before the DJM announcement and finished after the whole project collapsed) to make a 7 car set, which doesn't look too bad. But I guess I shall be unable to resist popping along to Hattons (which is only 2 miles from my house) to buy some of these when they are available. As I said elsewhere, have only just done the 4 articulated coaches for my 10 car Eurostar, so that will probably happen in 2021, knowing my luck!

All I need now are the extra coaches for a Eurostar (just made 4 which are being sprayed as I write this) and a remotored Eurostar power car and all my homemade projects will have been superseded.

My goodness, all these new goodies, bang goes the bank balance again!! I wonder if DJM Dave provided anything to help this project along?

It would be good to offer it as an option. I quite like it as well. Would be good if it was less clunky noise wise.

I'm sure it would cut costs down to do both a 88 and a 93 at the same time as the differences are minimal. The bogies are almost identical, maybe some slightly different routing for cables or pipes, but otherwise very close. Engineering wise, I think they can cope with a maximum of 125 mph, although they may be restricted to a lower speed in practice. In the end there may not be many differences. Hopefully some engineering drawings or photos might be available soon. My layout is diesel and electric and I would quite like one or two of each!

I've not seen any particular reason quoted for it, and can only assume it is a development as a result of use of the class 68s. Might be worth speaking to a driver to see what they say. Alternatively it could be for an engineering reason.

Would be good to be able to get some line drawings or detailed photos of the sides and roof of each.

I've been considering having a go at the class 88 by buying a used 68 shell and converting it, and then altering the underframe appropriately. Altering the door handles and top of the door shape wouldn't be easy. Here are the 68, 88 and 93 compared:

I might still give it a go, but right now I'm still in the middle of creating 4 articulated coaches for my Eurostar, my first cut and shut project, so this one will have to wait until the Spring I would think. Hopefully all 4 will be off to be sprayed in the GNER navy/red livery over Christmas.

Just in case anyone is interested, I have now completed 2 coaches out of 4 in order to have a 10 car Eurostar, the maximum I can realistically get into a station on my layout. I've attached some photos. I have since improved the filling to make the poor cuts I made much better. When I get a moment I will add some photos of the underframe and window unit which has to be similarly cut up. You can see my technique improved with the second coach I did.

Some have commented that the 68 and 88 are of differing lengths. However, I have now found photographic confirmation that this isn't the case. I am unable to confirm whether this is the case with a 93 though, but from comments made in articles about it, it would appear not. However, another obvious difference (apart from the top of the doors) is the door handles.

Just come across Vulcan Product Fan's thread, in fact a few others as well, including yours MGR Hooper about doing a conversion kit. Suppose it might be worth asking Dapol first if they have any plans.

Oh, right. More research needed then! If you come across that thread before I do, please let me know where it is.

I'm thinking of creating a class 93 from a class 68 body and chassis. Has anyone on here given any thought to doing this? And if so, have you managed to get any drawings with measurements?

No sign that anyone is going to manufacture one of these, so i might just have to have a go at altering a class 68. I've not really tried airbrushing yet so that might be a challenge. I really like the look of them and think the sounds from it will be great, electric, diesel and .... silence (well almost)! Might have to carry undercoat as I doubt anyone has done suitable transfers