ebay mike
Retired, but still hoarding. (GOF)

In anticipation of the reinstatement of Orient Express through services to Istanbul later this summer (albeit via a new route from Hemsby in Norfolk using the North Sea Tunnel) the HVR workshops have been busy refurbishing appropriate coaching stock. Last year's acquisition of an ex-SNCF Mikado prompted the purchase of several coaches, some of which are already in a serviceable condition. Four 1st class Pullmans (two of which require a repaint) are being joined by a baggage car and Pullman Restaurant car. The work on the baggage car was completed this morning and the restaurant in well on the way. Before and after photos show what can be achieved with the minimum of expense. Paint used is Plastikote high gloss Royal Blue (mine came from B&M at £3.99 for a 400ml rattlecan). The Pullman crests and oval windows were produced from photos of the real thing and the colour fine tuned in windows photo gallery until a match was found. They were then ink-jet printed onto thin adhesive labels and after application the whole lot was sprayed with Humbrol matt acrylic lacquer. They don't look too bad from a distance of a few feet so I am quite pleased with the result.



