Over the last three weeks or so I have been detailing and numbering seven Class 37’s. Over the next seven days I intend to publish a photo of one loco per day.

The first Loco is 37402 Stephen Middlemore in Large Logo livery. I have brought it right up to date in every way I can, but did not fill in the bodyside window modification as recently done by DRS. I was very unhappy with Heljans latest DRS Multi Working attempt, so I have made my own variety out of odd transfers, not perfect but will do until someone does better. The buffers are also incorrect for current 37’s and again would be replaced if/when possible.

I purchased some extra lamp irons so that I could model with the correct pattern for each Loco. These cost £2 each via Gaugemaster, Heljans UK spares partner, I can only say — What a rip off – £2 for something that probably costs 5p to make is disgusting.

I have added the correct form of cant rail stripe, the correct O/H warning signs, the Door kicker plates, The MW sockets and all the little signs that now appear under the sand boxes and fire alarm boxes. Heljans add-on items were also added to the buffer beam.

The Nameplates are Fox and the Transfers are a mixture of Fox and Railtec.

This is a story about always keeping an open mind on developing something a bit different. This Loco was purchased from the first batch of 37’s many years ago and was happily running as D6712 in my 63-65 era. One day I was looking through my stock and it occurred to me that I could make something quite special from this older Loco, namely 37057 as running with Colas for the last few years. This loco was purchased by Colas out of preservation and returned to mainline service on test trains etc.

There was quite a bit of work to do on the model to make it accurate, but we finally got there after lots and lots of research. The loco still has to be weathered.

This Loco started life as the Heljan DRS Blue offering with no numbers symbols or anything. Once I decided to do this Loco it took a lot of research on the Internet and my own photos. While staying in East Anglia for the RHTT and Plough duties it gained a few embellishments. I have tried to incorporate them all and consider it is as running at present (14/3/21).

The Loco now has all its previous numbers and its current number all displayed, it has a very small BR emblem, a black head code box and a Cockney Sparrow, as used in the 1980’s and beyond.

I am trying to produce a DRS Coupling Socket along with Graham M, as I feel the Heljan transfer example is very weak. The other thing that needs addressing is the lack of lamp brackets on the nose, Heljan saw fit to only put one on the RH side and have given none in the spares pack – this severely hinders doing your favourite Loco. Sadly this is the same on all liveries in the second batch of 37/4’s. 37422 is three per end, LH, RH and centre top !!

The Loco is still to be varnished and weathered.

Here is a Heljan Class 37/4 in Large Logo, but unlike the two recently posted loco’s, this one requires a lot of work. The below list is a worksheet on what I intend to do to bring it to the current (2021) condition. I will also list the jobs that will not be carried out, mainly because I may backdate the loco to an earlier era at a later date.

Jobs to be done.

Add Cant Rail Stripes— Add Nameplate ‘Stephen Middlemore’— Add Large Scotty Dog — Add latest O/H Flashes—

Add Loco Number — Add Full Detailing Pack— Add DRS Multiple Working Socket—

Add Snow Ploughs — Light Weathering—

Jobs that will not be done.

I will not be filling in the window on the bodyside — I will not be doing any amendments to the bogies — I will not be turning the tail lights into the later LED versions

I will do further photographs when this loco is finished.

This is another recent purchase from the latest batch of Heljan 37/4. I just love the livery on Colas loco’s and just had to have one, although I had to borrow the money! The only things to do are add the detailing pack and a light weathering. I would also like to update the cab Colas logo to the latest variety if and when they become available.

This is the first time I have been asked to weather a Loco to 8-9 out of 10 level. I was supplied with photographs to work to and that I should really ‘go for it’. Well this is the result of my work over a two day period, checking the photos as I progressed. I must admit it makes a change from doing light and medium weathering, but there are a lot of areas that need care, especially drying times before second and third coats of paint. The effect on the body sides was created by wiping with a cotton cloth slowly after the last coat was applied.