This is somewhat of a re-post, but a lot has happened to 37422 over the last fortnight or so. It has received a few more embellishments and more importantly a name. It is now named ‘Victorious’ and although it seems a bit different to DRS normal naming policies, it is much welcomed.
The nameplates are Proto Neo and the transfers are a mix of Fox, HMRS and Railtec.
This is another DRS repaint into a heritage livery, this time it is 37425 Concrete Bob/Sir Robert McAlpine. The same detailing has been applied to ‘Bob’ as to the previous posts in the 7 in 7 blog.
The nameplates are Fox and again the transfers are a mix of Fox and Railtec.
This Loco is currently working out of Norwich on route learning and March on engineers trains. Certainly brings back very fond memories.
Here is another of the DRS Heritage repaints, this time it is 37419 Carl Haviland. This Loco is in Inter-City Mainline livery similar to the original variety in the late 80’s.
I have again tried to bring the Loco right up to date and as running now. All the usual DRS refinements have been added and the details are the same as yesterdays post.
Nameplates are again Fox and the transfers are a mix of Fox and Railtec.
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.
Graham has recently developed some more O Gauge items for our group:-
We now have Station Name Boards and Running in Boards for our chosen Model Station.
It is available in several styles of legs etc.
Next we have the ‘Skip’. I have lettered it, but is still needs weathering and possibly some contents!!
Lastly Graham has developed a high intensity BR Head Light for me – thanks Mate. I will disclose the Loco when it is painted.
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.
Graham has continued to progress his 3D printing abilities. Here we have another platelayers hut printing, a different type to his first one. Also there are another five cabinets that will be going to group member Jaeson.
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.
