Steve Johnson Modelmaker
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BR Locomotives
6 PUL, 6 COR, 6 CIT, 6 PAN, 6 TC Class 404 4 COR, 4 RES, 4 BUF, 4 GRI, 4 PUL Class 415 4 EPB, 4 COM
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Class 442 5 WES Wessex Express Class 442 5 WES (5 Car WESsex express). I have always liked these stylish Mk.III based EMU's. I was fortunate to be able to travel on them quite a few times and was always impressed. So therefore I suppose it is quite obvious that I would want to recreate one in miniature. I had intended to build the Hurst Models version, but have been unable to acquire the necessary parts as they seem to have been unavailable for several years. I then happened to notice the cab ends for sale on eBay made in cast resin. They actually looked better than the Hurst Models castings, so I bought them.
Cast Resin Cab Ends and Air Dams In addition, the seller also had a set of underfloor equipment for the Motor Buffet Luggage Standard (MBLS) coach and some correct pattern cast resin sideframes. The only items I require are some donor Mk.III's and a motor bogie. Well, I also need to do something about the MBLS as this has quite a different window arrangement to a standard Mk.III. Hurst Models supplied an etched brass overlay for the MBLS in their range, but sadly this isn't available either. However, I have a plan I am working on that might yet yield results! So, after purchasing a cheap Hornby Mk.III, I set about cutting off the carriage end and grafted on a cab front. A little bit of filling and fettling was required to get it to fit, but nothing too bad. In addition, I drilled out holes in the cab front for the lights, as I intend to have working lights. Lighthouse type LED's will be used for the headlight and red rear tail lights. Small grooves were also made in which to put pre-wired Nano LED's for the marker lights.
Looking little rough at this stage, the next job is a coat of grey primer so I can see what needs to be filled or filed.
The above image shows the DTSO primed and ready for the first layer of paint, which is Network SouthEast white. In this case, Phoenix-Precision P.178. The subsequent blue, red, yellow and grey areas will be applied, with the relevant areas suitably masked. Bogies are a problem for these units. The trailer cars have T4 bogies, whereas the motor car is fitted with P7 bogies. Fortunately, the supplier had also produced some resin T4 and P7 sideframes. The problem was how to use them. These bogies are an 'H' frame type bogie and does not have the end transverse members at the end of the bogie. An idea struck me to use some Southern Pride bogies (P146) and glue the sideframes to this. Having done so, then remove the end transverse members. The wheels are 3ft. diameter and so I then needed to source some suitable wheels with one side live and a live axle. This was so that I could use the DCC Concepts pick up springs to supply power for DCC decoders and lighting. Most available wheels seem to insulated on both sides, but DCC Concepts make a pack already fitted with pick up springs. Unfortunately, these were not available anywhere when I came to buy them, so another search found Peter's Spares PS84. These need the springs fitting, but the wheels have already been blackened.
Class 442 in first pass painting
MTK has produced a kit of this class. Brittania Pacific produce a hand made RTR model of this class. Hurst Models have produced various parts to convert Mk.III carriages to a Class 442, but haven't been available for several years now. |