Bachmann 08 painted

[Ressaldar]

Hi all,

I have swapped my untouched two-tone green 47 for a plain green 20 and, subject to obtaining the correct shaped buffers - (I need ovals in lieu of the rounds) I plan to produce 20008 in BLUE as running in the late 80s with the large numbers & Kingfisher emblem (I have had the set of transfers from Precision for some time now.

The other area that seems to need changing (apart from the buffers) is the removal of two lights from the rear cabsheet, and a 'plate' to fix between the rear cab windows.

Having removed the headcode discs from the rear of the cab, the white leds that are to remain, are quite prominent - is it ok to file them down or do I replace them?

 

[Ressaldar]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

I have spoken to Howes and all of the required bits seem to be in stock, including the buffer heads - the downside is that the steps are part of the bogie side sprue and I'll end up with unwanted spares

Having made the phonecall, I thought it was safe to proceed with the work - first job was to get into the cab as apart from anything else, one of the side windows had been pushed in. This was something of a chinese puzzle - I had tried pulling the bulkhead out - Class 37 style, without success and noticed that there was a gap between the bottom of the cab and the footplate, then looking through the rear windows noticed two screwheads on the bulkhead - how to get to them - simples- eventually - prise off the rear windows (they are a push fit from the outside and after first removing the windscreen wipers) and insert the small Phillips screwdriver through the hole and presto - the cab comes off - then the bulkhead pulls out, along with the control desk moulding and the 'plate' which has the LEDs fitted for the rear lights - the lenses are a seperate fitting into the cab rear. The other windows and wipers were removed as were the handrails (I had ordered some of the handrail brackets from Howes, anticipating trouble, but in the event, they will be surplus to requirements, so long as I don't lose any!)

It was then a straightforward scraping exercise to remove the unwanted bits and also file down the 'white' marker lights as they are not connected to the LEDs.

 

[lancer1027]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Hi Mike
Interesting project . I will be following this one regularly

Rob :wave:

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Always lots of  to those who have the nerve to take a knife to £400+ locos...!!! 

It's worth saying that Howes do an excellent spares supply service, as long as they can get the parts from Heljan.

 

[Ressaldar]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Hi Jordan,

and me with a very dodgy right eye as well

The guy at Howes was very helpful and seemed to think that all of the items were in stock - we'll see next week.

cheers

Mike

 

[Ressaldar]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Hi Rob,

I had prepared a reply and hit the 'send' button, only to find that the post has dropped into the 'grey yonder'

Not having seen a 20 out of it's box before, I am very impressed - a good improvement over the 47 & 37 - especially with regard to the electrical side of things - looms and PCB. I will be saving up the pennys for a 33 to add to the collection and they say that the 33 is a great improvement on the 20 - can only be good for the hobby.

cheers

Mike

 

[40126]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Hi Mike,

I'll also be watching this thread with interest 

Steve  :wave:

 

[Ressaldar]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

no pressure on me then guys  ??? ??? :

cheers

Mike

 

[28ten]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

I had one across the bench and I agree they are nice models for the money. I have also done a JLTRT which is probably a better representation, but YMMV when cost is taken into account.

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

...but YMMV when cost is taken into account.

Sorry to be thick, but "YMMV" is a new one on me...??!!?? :scratch:

 

[Phill Dyson]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Sorry to be thick, but "YMMV" is a new one on me...??!!?? :scratch:

Doh  ???.......yes I was wondering too ?  :scratch:

 

[marsa69]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

'your mileage may vary' or 'your method may vary'  ;D

 

[Ressaldar]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

The 'cut and carve' is complete and the body resprayed and ready for the transfers and weathering. I have already 'relieved' some of the cabside window frames to show the original ali finish and the buffer beams will tone in with the weathering, as will the roof vents on the top of the bonnet and cab. I intended to include a driver, but the surgery required was too much when the view into the cab was taken into account

As it turned out, I did not need the replacement handrail knobs - the originals came out quite well, but it was better to be safe than sorry and frustrated - although you have to buy the complete sprue, so I have a selection of spares now. Unfortunately, Howes were being over optomistic regarding the oval buffers and I had a root around the spares boxes and found a set which fitted the housings and filed them into (I hope) an acceptable shape.

I hope to fit a Loksound chip in the near future - both Howes and SWD are out of stock at present. Heljan seem to have got their act together regarding DCC and the terminals on the fitted PCB are now screw instead of the plug and sockets used on the 37 and 47 and the 'instructions' simply say remove one and replace with the other??? I thought that there was an issue with resistors for the lights and again, there seems to be a change in the Spec as the LEDs are now microscopic and a separate item to the lens - so a conversation with Howes seems to be on the cards.

 

[lancer1027]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Looks impressive Mike

Rob :wave:

 

[Ressaldar]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Hi Rob,

thanks for your comment, I'm getting there - I hope.

cheers

Mike

 

[40126]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Hi Mike,

I agree with Roberto, Looking very good. 

Steve 

 

[Ressaldar]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Hi Steve,

thanks for commenting, I applied the transfers today, except the warning flashes - waiting for the Postie bringing them from Fox as I discovered that I only had those on the HMRS sheet 14 - wrong period

I'm looking forward to giving it a good run at Llanbedr on Saturday week.

cheers

Mike

 

[Rob Pulham]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Looks good Mike , I hope to get my level of spray painting up to the same standard - I don't do too bad with spray cans but I haven't had much airbrush practice yet.

 

[Phill Dyson]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Nice work Mike  ...........will you be doing a Heljan 33 or the Deltic ?

Phill  :wave:

 

[Ressaldar]

Heljan Class 20 'conversion'

Hi guys,

many thanks for the kind comments.

This 'conversion' such as it is, will be my last exercise in model buildng/cutting and carving (not that there was much of that with the 20) - with the exception of painting. I have had to make the decision as, despite my efforts in trying to extract the nasties from the workbench, I am still affected by them to the extent that I have almost constant flue symptoms and as you will appreciate, that does not let you have a happy existence. So, to put temptation out of the way, I shall be selling my tools, equipment and unstarted kits etc at the forthcoming GOG Area 4 Get-together at Gresford in July (I'll be posting full details on here soon) and continue with the layout, restricting myself to using only PVA glue. I shall continue with the painting - I have an excellent face mask which I use when airbrushing, I can just about get away with wearing my glasses with it - something I cannot do when sitting at the bench. I will scour the Bring & Buy stalls for bargains and hope that all that is required to modify any of them, is a few coats of paint and some weathering - either that or go over to ready to run OO     

All I can say is watch this space.

cheers

Mike

ps I'll post a list of the sale items in the Member's Area later