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+--- Thread: Converting Harvey into a DMU (/thread-845.html)
Converting Harvey into a DMU - George_Gipping - 03-08-2015
Hallo everyone
Recently introduced myself on the general board, I've since bought lots of track and rolling stock! Am now embarking on my first mods.
IMG_20150308_155827.jpg (Size: 167.12 KB / Downloads: 233)
It occurred to me that Harvey, an un-powered 'dummy' was actually pushed around by a motorised carriage. Picked one up cheap on ebay and I think the opportunity to convert Harvey (or rather his motor unit) into a DMU or EMU is too great to pass up. Progress so far...
First job was to find some carriages to make up the rest of the set. In a job lot of carriages I bought from eBay a few weeks ago I got a whole load (12 or so?) of Annies and Clarabels. I noted just two of the Clarabel coaches were longer than the others - conveniently the same length as Harvey's motor carriage. They will do nicely!
IMG_20150308_160040.jpg (Size: 162.31 KB / Downloads: 233)
Sadly they have both had their couplers snapped off, so first job is to replace those.
IMG_20150308_160803.jpg (Size: 189.77 KB / Downloads: 230)
The motor carriage has an unusually powerful motor compared to the other Trackmaster locomotives I've got so far, and a really large weight. I almost regret turning it over to this purpose, I think I could also connect it up to a long passenger train (perhaps half way down), to provide a boost to the engine pulling it around the garden layout.
As you can see, I've replaced the front coupler too, so it has loops at both ends rather than a loop and a hook. It originally had an unusually heavy hook so it would stay permanently attached to the dummy Harvey.
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And that's it so far - now need to clean, prime, and paint these. Does anyone have any advice on which paints work best without chipping etc. I imagine most paints won't take too well to the polished surfaces, so any prep tips appreciated.
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At the moment I'm leaning towards a Humbrol Spray Brunswick green for the bodies and a matt grey for the roof.
I've not yet decided on which real-world set I should base it on, but I'm presently leaning towards the British Rail 201, which had a motor baggage car, meaning most of the leading car had no windows - just like the Harvey power car.
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Wondering how to model the leading end - windows, lights, jumpers, destination code board etc.
All advice and thoughts welcome!
RE: Converting Harvey into a DMU - Super - 03-08-2015
Excellent ideas George and a nice pictorial. Anxious to see what comes next.
RE: Converting Harvey into a DMU - George_Gipping - 03-08-2015
I don't suppose you, or anyone else, knows why these Clarabel carriages are longer than the rest? I wouldn't mind getting one more to make the set slightly longer...
RE: Converting Harvey into a DMU - Super - 03-08-2015
I wouldn't know but I do know that we have plenty of experts here that do. Maybe one is Trackmaster and the other is Tomy?
RE: Converting Harvey into a DMU - ROCKINATOR - 03-08-2015
Super, the longer clarabel is from the steam along thomas. The annie is powered.
RE: Converting Harvey into a DMU - George_Gipping - 03-08-2015
Interesting! Perhaps I would be better off getting the Annie carriage then - so all of the coaches in the set match?
I presume the Thomas has a battery oil smoker in?
RE: Converting Harvey into a DMU - ROCKINATOR - 03-08-2015
Oh I should mention that annie powers thomas smoke unit as well and pushs him.
RE: Converting Harvey into a DMU - chrisjo - 03-08-2015
(03-08-2015, 06:50 PM)George_Gipping Wrote: I presume the Thomas has a battery oil smoker in?The steam is produced from distilled water.
(03-08-2015, 05:48 PM)George_Gipping Wrote: And that's it so far - now need to clean, prime, and paint these. Does anyone have any advice on which paints work best without chipping etc. I imagine most paints won't take too well to the polished surfaces, so any prep tips appreciated.Use Halfords (if in UK) grey primer in a spray can first. See reviews - mostly scale modellers singing its praises.
RE: Converting Harvey into a DMU - George_Gipping - 03-08-2015
Good job it's a Sunday and no one is in the office...
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RE: Converting Harvey into a DMU - ROCKINATOR - 03-08-2015
And so the modding begins...