Triang Hornby Hymek

Yesterday’s post featured a Hymek diesel hydraulic loco. It’s a pretty ancient Triang Hornby model I picked up on eBay a good 25 or so years ago way before the far newer incarceration from Heljan. But at the time it was all that was available, with this one probably dating from the 1970s or even before. Originally in moulded blue plastic, amongst other detail upgrades I replaced the moulded hand rails and re-glazed it with ‘Gem Flush Glaze’, which were vacuum formed clear plastic more akin to packaging. I’ve yet to add windscreen wipers quarter of a century on, maybe one day. I replaced the knurled pizza cutter wheels with what I recall might have been Ultrascale, they taking months to arrive followed by the lowering of the body by several millimetres. Then of course a full repaint and weather. It’s runs really nicely on the original 3 pole motor, and has a wonderful reassuring growl with a hint of ozone. From around a yard or so it looks okay, but definitely wouldn’t be able to hold…