Heljan BR class 02, conversion to S7

[RichardG]

I managed to acquire £20 in discount vouchers from Heljan when I bought the class 45/0, and so I have bought this as something more suitable for any S7 layout I might build for myself. Yes, £130 for an 0 gauge loco - but there will be work here.


The model has a split chassis within an outer chassis.

The wheels are of plastic with metal hubs, the hubs being insulated from the axles. These hubs run in plain bearings machined into the inner chassis. There are strips of metal across the backs of the wheels (not visible here), to connect the hubs to the tyres.


The keeper plate provides additional electrical connections from the hubs to the inner chassis.

I have never seen so much engineering achieve so little!

My first thoughts turn to making a new chassis and buying a set of Slater's wheels for it. Slater's do wheels for the 02, from the days of the DJH kit. Keep the Heljan side rods but not much else. This would be my first scratchbuilt chassis in 7mm.

Maybe there is a better way?

 

[Rob R]

Richard.
If you are half expecting to scratchbuild a chassis then you have nothing to lose in trying to modify what is already there.
Can't offer any advice as to how because I have not seen one in the flesh.
Rob

 

[RichardG]

If you are half expecting to scratchbuild a chassis then you have nothing to lose in trying to modify what is already there.

Well, I reckon the conversion can go one of two ways. Either re-profile the HJ wheels and pop them back onto their axles a bit further out; or buy Slater's wheels and put them into a completely new chassis.

If I begin with the Slater's option, I would have a chance of selling the original chassis as a going concern. This is I think all I would lose if I try to convert the factory wheelset and mess it up.

I could ponder the longevity of the factory wheels and indeed their bearings, but this isn't really dreadfully important given the kind of layouts the loco is likely to run on.