Modelling a DRS Class 37/6 in 4mm scale.

DRS Class 37/6 37612

THERE’S NEVER ENOUGH space within the magazine I work for to cover detail projects in the kind of space that I would like, so here is another view of my most recent model, Direct Rail Services ‘37/6′ No. 37612.

This image shows most of the major alterations that took place to the model, as well as displaying the whole of the side which was only seen in part on the cover of the RAIL EXPRESS Modeller supplement. No. 37612 is something of a prototype that was built to test a number of ideas for future models of the Class 37s in this scale.

Most obvious are the modifications to the nose ends, which included completely new bufferbeam pipework and screw coupling, replacement oval sprung buffers, removal of the Blue Star multiple working equipment and the replacement with DRS’ own inset socket, new light clusters (Shawplan), brass lamp irons and blanking plates for the original marker lights. There is also a new etched cab front windscreen, turned brass horns and scratchbuilt top headlight.

Moving to the body, the centre bodyside window on this side has been plated, while I also filled in some of the overscale cutouts at the base of the body. The roof sports a new Shawplan etched roof grille, and wire access door grabs.

Finally, the underframe has seen extensive changes, which include replacement of the bogie sideframes with the cast type, sanding pipes from 0.25mm phosphor bronze wire and a complete overhaul of the underframe tank area in an effort to better represent the real thing. Most of this region was scratchbuilt based on observations, measurements and photographs taken of the real No. 37518 at the Nene Valley Railway.

Paint came from the Railmatch range, while transfers were a combination of Lancaster City Models for the main logos and Fox for the orange warning stripe (applied with Microsol/set), post-1998 OHLE warning flashes, DRS numbers and data panels. The only thing it was missing when the photographs were taken are the small nose repeater numbers.

More in-depth details about this project can be found in the current issue of RAIL EXPRESS.