This is a job that I never thought I would ever tackle, especially in O Gauge on a Heljan Loco. I did this modification many times thirty or so years ago on OO Lima 37’s, but the cost of messing it up would be small, under £25. Trying this on a Heljan Loco in O gauge costing about £500 is another story! Over production of the last run of 37 bodies and their selling off at £65 has perhaps made the decision slightly easier.

This is not for the faint hearted with lots of scraping, sanding and a little filling – but if you want something a bit different on a split head code loco – then you have to try.

Photos of my attempt are under.

Here are two more of the Locos that have been prepared for weathering. As usual transfers added and detailed. A special note on 37084, it has had the extra strengtheners added to the cant grills.

37050 has got to be fitted with original Round Oleo Buffers (on order)

37084

These O Gauge Locos have all been prepared for weathering. They have been numbered, named and detailed. They are all Eastfield (ED) Locos that were allocated in these liveries in the early 1980’s. Weathering will have to wait until it gets a bit warmer!

Note:- 37026 still needs Snowploughs added and Split Headcode boxes painted Black.

Here are another two Heljan 48DS – the yellow one is weathered as working at a Cement Factory and the Dark Green one is for general use.

This is the fourth J15 I have painted over the years, this one was also detailed and lightly weathered. This was for a friend, I have had it for several months and only just finished it due to ‘losing my mojo’ for a while, not sure it has returned yet, but I am happy with the loco.

This is my first weathering for over a month. This is for Colin French’s new layout planned for this year, it is a Coal Yard micro layout. Based on being a coal yard, the weathering reflects this. This Heljan product is excellent, I liked it so much I purchased a similar one for myself.