*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Prototype Locomotives
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Bulleid Diesel
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Brush Class 53 Falcon
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
HS4000 Kestrel
*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Bulleid diesel 10203 captured at Hornsey Broadway. A detailed and weathered Kernow model
to include the missing bodyside beading.
Brush prototype 0280 Falcon passing through Hornsey Broadway with a mixed freight. After
its visit to Swindon Works in 1970, it emerged in blue livery fitted with air brake only.
This Heljan model is from the Shenston Road fleet.
Shenston Road 1200 Falcon regauged to EM with some additional detail. This image highlights
some of the deficiencies of Heljan's model, and in particular the moulding lines around the cab.
1200 Falcon (circa 1973/4) at Aberath. A Hejan model with additional detail work, to
include removing mould lines, fitting handrails on roof panels, moving placement of
hole just below exhaust ports slightly, fitting front valances directly to body and
fitting angled chassis members from valance to just below the cab doors, this also
involved filing some of the chassis away to allow clearance for the body to still be
fitted. Other work included subtle changes to the cab fronts and flush glazing the
front windows, fitting a grill on one side where the middle engine room window once was,
a modification carried out when the loco received it's BR blue livery at Swindon Works.
Finally the tanks were cut up and modified with bits of plasticard too make them look more
prototypical. Falcon crests and works plates were from Fox Transfers and Romford 14mm wheels
were used to regauge the loco to EM.
The Canada Street version has many of the issues with the Heljan model addressed. A detail
view of the cabside before weathering began. Joining the bufferbeam valance to the main
bodyshell removes the unsightly joint line and allows the diagonal structural brace beneath
the cabside to be added. Re-setting the glazing more flush also improves the authenticity.
The completed bodyshell ready to be re-united with the chassis. Weathering was matched to
photographs of the loco from late 1974, during her time on trip freight duties off Ebbw
Junction shed. A feature article about this model appeared in the recent ‘Rail Express’
magazine No.168, and further details can be found on the May 2010 Update page within this
website (go via site map page).
Hawker Siddely / Brush HS4000 Kestrel - a Heljan model detailed and weathered to represent
it during the last year in the UK, before being exported to the USSR in 1971.
HS4000 Kestrel heads north through Wibdenshaw with a freightliner service, passing a 6-car
Class 110 DMU. Kestrel was used extensively on freightliner and MGR coal workings during
its last couple of years of service in the UK.
