L110      FM RAIL BLUE PULLMAN DETAILS £2.00/£4.99/£5.99 FM Rail created a modern train designed to bring back some memories of the long gone Midland Blue Pullman services. Similar in formation, with engines at each end, to the original design which inspired the still current HST sets. Refurbished coaches were painted to be a very close match for the historical livery, Nanking blue and white. It was operated by FM Rail as a charter train for only a short while, throughout 2006. Assets were sold off when FM Rail went into receivership and the train was then split up. Cotswold Rail obtained most of the coaches and have operated them as The Blue Pullman Limited since February 2007, hauled by other engines in various liveries, including their own silver livery, the Blue Pullman headboards have been retained. Currently Direct Rail Services own the engines, 47712 Artemis is now apparently to be repainted in DRS blue. Hornby released their R1093 train set in 2007, a coach pack for additional Mk1 and Mk2 vehicles is due for release soon. Several shops have split the sets to sell the engines and coaches separately, with loose models appearing frequently on eBay as a result. This means it's easy to build up the complete train formation, but there are some finishing touches needed. The Hornby model is of 47709 Dionysos, made using the former Lima tooling with a new motor and detachable couplings. The engine that ran on the other end being 47712 Artemis. In real life, both engines carried Class 57 style pipe work above the tanks on one side, they were also fitted with TDM jumper cables and hoses around the noses. The leading engine carried the special headboard with the sixties style Pullman coat of arms. Prior to use in the FM Rail Blue Pullman train, Dionysos and Artemis were in the black Fragonset livery, with the maroon arrow head side stripes. The nameplates and special round plaques were painted with a matching maroon bacground. Lima models have been released in the past of Fragonset Class 47 engines. For some photos of the real things in action, visit the gallery at www.class47.co.uk - copy and paste these links in to your browser for our favourite pictures - other web sites can only link directly to their home page. Artemis Link: www.class47.co.uk/c47_zoom_v2.php?img=1154051001211 The Train: www.class47.co.uk/c47_zoom_v2.php?img=0628020563023     We've put together three packs to cover the recent history of the Blue Pullman train and associated engines. For the FM Rail Blue Pullman, our L110 pack contains: The special headboards, Blue cab side numbering patches for both engines, Turquoise name and plaque plates for both engines, Orange TDM nose cable ends and ETH socket markings sufficient for four noses, White Class 57 style pipe work sections for both engines. To model the now current Cotswold Rail Blue Pullman Limited, L110A provides a pair of the special headboards, ideal for those purchasing just the Hornby Blue Pullman coaches to run with say a Cotswold Rail silver Class 47. For those with black Fragonset livery Class 47 models, our L110B pack contains details to help create the engines that later ran in the Blue Pullman train: Black cab side numbering patches for Dionysos & Artemis, Maroon name and plaque plates for both engines, Orange TDM nose cable ends and ETH socket markings sufficient for four noses, White Class 57 style pipe work sections for both engines. A final option here, for those looking to improve later Class 47 models that should have the Class 57 style pipework, our L110C pack contains just the pipework labels. Our labels provide improved shading on the name and round plaque plates versus the Hornby printed details. They are sized to fit precisely over the Hornby printed details for painless identity changing or improving, without damaging the original models in any way. Our TDM cable assemblies are completed by the addition of some black cotton between the end label tabs supplied. For those willing to permanently alter their models, some fine painting of the axle box covers in yellow, cab steps and bogie pipes picked out in white, and coach bogie springs in red, all helps to complete the as new look - when weathered in service those features are barely visible in real photos. Hose accessories, available as spares from various sources, make a big difference when fitted to the train ends. Simply detach the coupling and drill out the buffer beam using a 1mm pin vice where required. In the picture on the right above we've fitted the Heljan Class 47 hose accessories, including their rigid TDM mouldings for comparison, and also cab roof aerials. For our second engine, to avoid any possible problems with two motors running at same time, we have a set-split body on an old Lima underframe - it was easier to remove two of the drive cogs and cut the wiring to create a free-wheeling dummy end. We also removed the big body weight to make that un-powered end more like another coach to haul. Can't wait for the other coaches to be released now. We're really pleased to have this model in our collection and appying the little extra detailing was very entertaining. See also our L72B pack for the steel door kicker plates as fitted to 47712 Artemis - details in the Various Regions section of the site.   L110 FM Rail Blue Pullman Details - For A Full Train. £5.99 L110A Cotswold Rail Blue Pullman Limited Headboards Only - Three Pieces From L110. £2.00 L110B Fragonset Dionysos & Artemis Details - Details For Both Engines. £4.99 L110C Class 57 Style Pipework For Class 47 - Two Pieces From L110 & L110B. £2.00 For 4mm, and also for 7mm and 2mm, we produce 3D printed Class 47 or 57 radiator pipes see K15-* in the Marketplace section of our site.