Steve Johnson    Modelmaker

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GWR Railcars

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Derby Lightweight

Metro-Cammell Lightweight

Swindon Intercity

Class 100 Gloucester RCW

Class 101 Metro-Cammell

Class 102 Metro-Cammell

Class 103 Park Royal

Class 104 Birmingham RCW

Class 105 Cravens

Class 106 Cravens

Class 107 Derby Heavyweight

Class 108 Derby Lightweight

Class 109 Wickham

Class 110 Birmingham RCW

Class 111 Metro-Cammell

Class 112 Cravens Mechanical

Class 113 Cravens Hydraulic

Class 114 Derby Heavyweight

Class 115 Derby Suburban

Class 116 Derby Suburban

Class 117 Pressed Steel

Class 118 Birmingham RCW

Class 119 Gloucester RCW

Class 120 Swindon

Class 121 Pressed Steel

Class 122 Gloucester RCW

Class 123 Swindon Intercity

Class 124 Trans-Pennine

Class 125 Derby

Class 126 Swindon Intercity

Class 127 Derby

Class 128 Gloucester DMLV

Class 129 Cravens DMLV

Class 130 DPU (Ex-116)

Class 131 DPU (Ex-122)

WM Railbus

Wickham Railbus

Park Royal Railbus

AC Cars Railbus

Bristol Railbus

Park Royal Vehicles Ltd Railbus

Park Royal Vehicles was invited to produce lightweight four wheel diesel railbuses. They built five units numbered M79970-4 and were initially allocated to the London Midland Region. These 42ft long vehicles were powered by the 150hp AEC unit with a standard transmission and drew heavily on the company's bus body building experience. As with the other railbuses, they eventually ended up on the Scottish Region. Sadly none survive.

Heljan released a model of these units in 2015 in various liveries. The departure here for Heljan was to have a one piece body that attaches to the chassis rather than the split body. Removing the body gives access to the interior and fit a DCC chip. Two versions have been produced, the standard 'Midland' version and the 'Scottish' version with folding steps. It has working lights that change with direction of travel Obviously there is not a rear red light as these vehicles carried an oil lamp on the rear. The model is very heavy and runs extremely smoothly. Detailing is excellent, but the large windows beg some better interior detail and painted seats. My version is M79971 is in dmu green and has yet to be fitted with a chip.

Airfix, now Dapol, have famously made a plastic non working kit of this railbus since 1960 and I think we have all had a go at it one time or another. Various motorising options have existed, but perhaps the best have been the Branchlines or DC Kits chassis.