Upgrade Lima coaches

George Dent proves that age is no barrier when it comes to breathing new life into an old Lima Mk 2.

With their sunken glazing, chunky moulded detail, huge wheel flanges and obtrusive couplings, it’s no surprise that many of us have disposed of our RTR coaches from yesteryear. However, there are still potential uses for models dating back to the 1980s – and earlier. Indeed, I regret trading in my old Lima, Airfix and Replica stock, as there are numerous Departmental prototypes that can be readily reproduced using these cheap, basic models. Furthermore, Departmental conversions resolve many of the shortcomings of older stock: poor glazing and basic levels of detail become irrelevant when the windows are plated over and fittings removed. Upgrading wheels and couplings is simple enough, providing a dramatic uplift in looks and performance. There are certainly plenty of prototypes to choose from, for steam and diesel-era modellers. Barrier or translator vehicles, works test trains, mess or tool vans and camping coaches are all possibilities. The degree of accuracy is down to personal aspiration and available reference material. A modicum of compromise may be necessary, depending on the models you have at hand. To illustrate the possibilities, I’ve unearthed an old Lima Mk 2, with the aim of converting it into a barrier vehicle for Mk 4 stock.

IC225 BARRIERS

When BR’S flagship Mk 4 stock emerged, a fleet of barrier vehicles was also required, to allow individual coaches to be moved by locomotives with traditional draw gear. A total of six redundant carriages (four Mk 2As and two Mk 2Cs) were duly converted into barrier cars, with knuckle couplings installed at (and buffers removed from) one end.

Alas, my Lima Mk 2B coach is not an ideal donor model. While it’s easy to correct the pattern of doors to portray a Mk 2A, the fact that it’s a Second Class carriage is the main problem. Real barriers were either First Class Corridor or Standard Brake Opens, so the number and spacing of the windows is not correct for either. Accuracy issues aside, I’m more than happy with the finished result – it provides an interesting addition to my early privatisation-era stock. An unloved model that would otherwise have ended up in the scrap line or sold for peanuts has been given a new lease of life at minimal cost. It certainly looks at home with more modern RTR stock. In fact, my Hornby Mk 4s now look in dire need of a detail upgrade themselves!