Heljan Lion

[ERMick]

Monochrome pictures especially if sourced from BRCW and taken for advertising purposes, may well look exagerated: the style of photography known as 'high key' was in vogue in the early 60s, it is relatively easy in monochrome to expose, develop and print to accentuate the brightness of a well lit light toned object against its' surroundings.

That could well explain Lion's appearance in those photos then, thank you so much for that, very interesting.

[Bosstang]

There are some good shots of the Lion on this little vid on youtube, it was taken on the day of Lions departure for mainline testing and the days prior to that when it was on static test at BC&WC works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW9-s_J53N8

It was originally shot on "cine super8" film, hence no sound.

[Phipps]

I got a message back from Howes who seem to confirm that Heljan won't be bothering to produce a spare undetailed bufferbeam for those of us who'd rather not hack bits off their models,just to enable them to haul AND negotiate bends/points etc.Looks like I'll just have to get busy with my knife blade or remove my bufferbeam altogether when pulling coaches & replacing it after use..............
TBH,I won't bother with any future new releases by them,if detailing is going to be factory-fitted

[Splop.]

That's a rediculous attitude by Heljan. How do they expect us to haul a train with it if you can't use the couplings? Or are we supposed to run it light engine all the time?

[dubdee1000]

I couldn't bring myself to part with money for Lion as it just looked too 'odd' for my liking, but Heljan do seem to have a curious abilty of shooting themselves in the foot with some of their releases, unless their intention is the collectors market where Falcon, Kestrel, Lion and the other prototypes will never turn a wheel.

[Phipps]

With a bit of gentle effort involving delicate fingers & the tip of my blunt knife,I managed to successfully remove all the bufferbeam detail at both ends.Having committed my act of sacrilege,in actual fact it wasn't too difficult to remove the fittings & none needed cutting off,merely just poking through.If I ever had to re-apply them to the beams,they should go on without any trouble.
Crucially,Lion will go around bends & even managed to swap from one line to another without any derailed coach bogies

[Phipps]

No means of editing so here's a pic taken today of the 1B21 end.....

You may just be able to pic out the residue paint on the beams,removed to enable the couplings to be fitted.It's the same at the other end,as this diesel will need to runaround a carraige rake & pull fom the other end.............

[Metadyneman]

I have to say, nice though the model is, the white on the bogies does make the loco look very "plasticky" and would benefit from a "dulling down" with some weathering powders. I have resisted buying Lion and this has allowed me to purchase the Bachmann 2-EPB which is awaiting delivery to Bambrough shed for work on the new Brinkfield branch line.

[Metadyneman]

I have been able to resist no longer and as it's my Birthday on Wednesday I have treated myself to one of these beasts. So you can all look forward to videos of Lion whizzing round my garden when she's been run in and put through her paces!

[D605Eagle]

Bet you wash your hands before you take it out of the box after taking the lid off! These are a beauty to behold, they really are, and look stunning pulling a long rake of maroon Mk1s.

[Metadyneman]

I'm actually thinking of toning down the bogies a bit with a bit of graphite.... I'm a seasoned modeller D603.... white is way too clean!

[D605Eagle]

I'm actually thinking of toning down the bogies a bit with a bit of graphite.... I'm a seasoned modeller D603.... white is way too clean!

Well yes indeed, but its like nothing I'd seen before and sooo white and clean! Last thing you want is dirty paw prints on it, and its D605 BTW
Jim

[Metadyneman]

Where I got D603 from I'll never know!

Hopefully my white Lion will be waiting for me on my return from holiday in Spain later today.

[Splop.]

Do go too mad with the weathering though, as Lion was almost always kept in tip top condition.

[Metadyneman]

Oh don't worry, I won't be weathering anything other than toning down the bogies just a weeny bit to reduce the rather unpainted plastic look!