AC cars Railbus Project

rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
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A few years back I bought an O gauge Heljan AC railbus. It didn't run very well. I got it running better and sold it on. I still wanted one so I obtained a bodyshell and bought all the sprues from Howes when they were still the importer for Heljan. I set about making a chassis for this, I'm using a Roxey gearbox and Peartree wheels. Here's a few pics of the progress. Its all plasticard and is weighted with some lead flashing.
Ross
 
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rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
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The idea is that unlike the Heljan it will come apart for ease of servicing/repair. Once the roof is unclipped the inner roof which is to be secured with 4 screws on the 4 white posts (see pics) can be removed easily then 5 nuts will allow the frames and engine unit detail to be removed as one unit thus giving access to the motor/gearbox etc.
Ross
 
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rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
Ok. I always did it that way, I thought it saved space. Its fairly easy to tap the IMG / jpeg link next to the photos isn't ?
Ross
 
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rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
It’s easier for you to do it than us to constantly have to open/close/open/ close etc. Please post full size like nearly everyone else does. Thanks
Dave

Not a problem I can do that at this end. Its a long time since I posted on WT. Wrists slapped and I'll be a good boy now. ;)
On the original WT forum space was limited the Guv asked us to load as thumbnails to keep the size down
I'll have a look and see if I can edit the last two posts and make the pics full size.
Ross
 
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rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
Railbus will be running on DC but I'm making it DCC ready with a 21pin socket in it. As it is now it will have a blanking plug on the socket. I'm using a spare Dapol 08 one so the lights will be directional and it will have interior lights and I'm also fitting a speaker for a later date too. Ross.
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rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
Just a representation of the corrugated floor and bracing. Added some evergreen square rod to represent this. There is horns to add which are on the sprue which came from Howes. It'll look better once it has some black on.



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Ross....
 
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rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
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All the plastic rod trimmed to length and a coat of black on. Did both ends and have added some of the engine and underframe detail. Seems to run well had a few runs up and down the layout.

Ross.
 
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rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
Really appreciate the likes and thanks for those, but where are the comments and feedback like there used to be? The only comments I've had were pulling me up on the size of my images. It takes a while to take photos and document a build for others to see.
Regards to All Ross
 

Overseer

Western Thunderer
Really appreciate the likes and thanks for those, but where are the comments and feedback like there used to be? The only comments I've had were pulling me up on the size of my images. It takes a while to take photos and document a build for others to see.
Regards to All Ross
It is good to see you back posting. I have enjoyed seeing what you have done with the railbus but I don't know enough about the model or the prototype to make any meaningful comments along the way. I was surprised to read that the Heljan model didn't run well but then on reflection was not so surprised. That you obviously knew what you were doing to make it work could explain the lack of comments, also many of the currently active members were not around when you received your unique tag line and may not be familiar with your work.
 

Ian@StEnochs

Western Thunderer
Ross,

I have watched your thread but as my only experience with modelling a rail bus was with the Airfix kit, I don’t have anything constructive to offer.
I still have it somewhere, Triang x500 motor and Studiolith wagon wheels. It did work and reminded me of the few lively rides I had between Kilmarnock and Ayr.

Ian.
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
Interesting to see this, particularly in light of the observations on Heljan's approach to mechanism design; you have my sympathy on the getting the things apart and back together again... We have a vintage Anbrico version of the AC Cars 'bus (in EM) on long term loan which weighs the proverbial - though probably less than the Heljan model - my layout project might well merit an occasional visit as the Yeovil shuttle used one but there are other calls on my bank balance right now.

Adam
 

rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
It is good to see you back posting. I have enjoyed seeing what you have done with the railbus but I don't know enough about the model or the prototype to make any meaningful comments along the way. I was surprised to read that the Heljan model didn't run well but then on reflection was not so surprised. That you obviously knew what you were doing to make it work could explain the lack of comments, also many of the currently active members were not around when you received your unique tag line and may not be familiar with your work.

Thanks for the kind words, I lost my mojo and have been busy with two little ones who can now do most things for themselves, plus having time off during the first lockdown enabled me to get lots done. Including getting my layout (Pudham) off the ground.

Ross.
 

rosspeacock

Modelling on a £1200 table.
Ross,

I have watched your thread but as my only experience with modelling a rail bus was with the Airfix kit, I don’t have anything constructive to offer.
I still have it somewhere, Triang x500 motor and Studiolith wagon wheels. It did work and reminded me of the few lively rides I had between Kilmarnock and Ayr.

Ian.

The old Airfix (Now Dapol) Park Royal railbus was one of the first ever kits I built. Needless to say I didn't make a very good job of it Ha ha. Always liked the 4 wheeled railbuses I remember riding on the W&M ones the KWVR when I was younger.
 
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