Richard's Workbench Mainly Class 37s At The Moment

[Steph Dale]

Richard,

An interesting comparison. For my money I have to say that the Heljan probably just edges it for me and the MMP details set plus PHD parts makes up for any discrepancy as far as I'm concerned. I appreciate that the answer may be slightly different if wanting to model a refurbished machine.

You mention the difference in length; just out of interest which (if either) is correct?

Steph

 

[lancer1027]

Hi Richard.

Those 37's look very nice indeed.

Rob

 

[richard carr]

Steph

I beleive that the JLTRT loco is the correct length, I think you might have a different view once 37065 has some weathering on it. Give me till February and it should have.


Richard

 

[Dog Star]

For my money I have to say that the Heljan probably just edges it for me...

This is an interesting comment Steph - why do you prefer the Heljan over the JLTRT?

I think that some of the nose detail appears "Heavy" on the Heljan model, for example:- the vents on the front of the nose... the surrounds to the marker lights.

regards, Graham

 

[Steph Dale]

Richard,
Thanks for that, it just leaves me to wonder how either could have got it wrong!

Graham,
I can see what you mean about the 'heaviness', but it's nothing that can't be fixed, surely? I just think that the Heljan model looks the piece. I've also been very impressed with the running of the Heljan model, especially in DCC control. In terms of value for money it's a bit of a no-brainer, for me at least. I stand to be corrected, but isn't the Heljan about the same price as the JLTRT kit?

Steph

 

[Dog Star]

I stand to be corrected, but isn't the Heljan about the same price as the JLTRT kit?

Um, roughly, yes... and then you start adding the bits, such as motors, wheels, etc., etc..

 

[richard carr]

Steph

Its actually cheaper, £435 from Tower and £495 for the kit plus wheels, motor etc.

My other 3 JLTRT ones are all centre headcod, they are all very enjoyable to build and worth the money in my view.
You can do quite a bit with the Heljan to improve it but you cannot get rid of the heavyness in the grills, at least not very easily.

Richard

 

[alcazar]

I have to say that the comparison photo, I preferred the "look" of the Heljan.

There are quite a number of small differences, so that you wouldn't really want to mix the two makes on a layout.

 

[Dog Star]

After reading one of your posts on your Heljan Deltic thread I noticed that the model has the English Electric builder's plate under the cab windows... a feature of the Class 37 which is not included in the JLTRT kit. What will you do about sourcing the (big) handful of such plates for your 37s?

regards, Graham

 

[richard carr]

Graham

http://www.severnmillnameplates.co.uk/

Seven Mill nameplates will do them for us, just make sure your loco actually had them for when you are modelling it, many works plates were removed in the late 70s early 80s

I have them from there for 40's and 47's but then realised my 40 had lost them by 1981 !

Richard

 

[Dog Star]

Thank you Richard, time to go back to the photos of 37408 and see what is visible...

 

[TheSnapper]

Thank you Richard, time to go back to the photos of 37408 and see what is visible...

I had mine made-up by Diane Carney, from this (cobbled-up in Photshop) image.

She was the only one who could guarantee the wording would be legible...and it is!

Tim

(tried to upload an image, but failed..........)

 

[richard carr]

Now that the Deltics are largely complete I am back to working on the 37s.

One issue I have had with using my own design of bogie chassis is that the delrin chain linking each axle together had far too much slop, resulting in some poor sunning. So it has been necessary to turn up some chain tensioners to remove it, not completely as too tight is just as bad. Here is the finished bogie.



You can see the 2 bright brass tensioners, they are super glued to the sides, it now runs much better.


Here is the top of the chassis.



I have managed to get the 71mm speaker to fit, without any real problems. The plastic card up the sides makes it much easier to keep all the wires tidy.

The unpowered bogie looks like this



I have added some lead to give a bit more weight. it runs very well indeed over my deliberately poor test track.

Richard