Class 123 DMBS at Hereford in 1976. This photo, courtesy of Chris Hallet is one of many images that will provide the prototype information for this modelling project by Paul james.

This view of a pair of Bachmann Mk1 coach sides, is the begining of a new project by Paul. This project is unique, because it's going to be the first one he has promised to finish, and by May 2007 at the latest!!!!!

Called PROJECT 123, it is to be an acurate representation of a Swindon 4 car Inter-City DMU (class 123), based on parts from the Bachmann Mk1 coach. Apart from the obvious underframe details, the 64ft DMU coaches had shallower windows and no underframe trusses. To replicate this feature, the window apertures have been fitted with plasticard bases to reduce their height.

Once painted and re-lined, replacement cut down glazing units will be fitted. The intermediate trailer cars (TS and TC) are similar in layout to the standard mark 1 coaches, but the outer driving cars will require extensive modification to the window, door and brake compartment layout.

The 4 vehicles have been fitted with B4 bogies (as per the prototype, and identified them apart from the Trans-Pennine class 124 sets which had B1 bogies). Initial thoughts are that the brake compartment will house a Hornby motor bogie, as used on their latest class 121 Bubble car.

Trials have taken place using the Hornby 121, and 3 trailing coaches borrowed from revenue earning stock at Wibdenshaw. The unit has performed very well on 3ft radius curves and slight inclines. The Hornby bogie centres and wheelbase are the same as the Mk1 coach.

The DMBS is starting to take shape, as seen in this view. This vehicle is made up from parts of Bachmann mark 1 coaches, and the brake section at the driving end utilises part of a BG. The drivers cabside window is marked up, but has not been cut out yet, as the final positioning is dependant on the fit of the whitemetal front.

At this stage of the construction, it was been decided to use a Tenshodo motor bogie mounted in the TC, and not the Hornby power unit in the DMBS. The reason for this change was to allow better bi-directional running, and problems were being encountered in the DMBS with mounting the motor, and its close proximity to the cab front.

The MTK whitemetal ends are not the same profile as the coach sides, so some modification has been carried out by splicing a section in the middle to make it wider. The crude cast whitemetal corridor connection has been removed and will be replaced by the one originally fitted to the now removed coach end.

The first view of the fully assembled rake, as seen here at Shenston Road. All vehicles have been fitted with B4 bogies and EM wheelsets. The passenger section windows are still full height on the DMBS AND DMS, and need to be reduced in height to match those in the already modified TS and TC.

This view shows the DMS end of the formation, and the difference in window height can be clearly seen. Once all the fillets have been fitted, the sides will be sprayed and the original glazing will be cut down and re-fitted.

The above photo shows the DMBS. The sides and roof on all vehicles are finished, and ready to go to the paint shops. There is some doubt about the cabside window size, so they may yet be altered slightly.

This is the DMS. After some discussion, it was decided to remove all of the roof ribbing from all the vehicles, because the class 123 doesn't have such prominent ribbing, or of the same pitch as the standard mark 1 coaches.

The TC pictured here, has the Tenshodo motor bogie mounted at one end, and is more than happy with its load of 4 vehicles. Brass pinpoint bearings have been fitted to all trailing bogies in the set.

This is the TS, which will be ommitted from the set when running as a BR (W) 3 car unit, on the succesor to Eastwell Ironstone. When in use on Wibdenshaw BR (M) the TS will be included.

Some weight has been added to the TC in and around the motor bogie, and this view shows the set on test prior to painting.

DMBS - This shows the Bachmann coach construction with removable sides, and makes painting easier.

Whilst the sides are being painted, work will continue on the underframes and other underslung equipment.

The coach sides are shown here after painting by Greg Brookes, the lining is still yet to be applied.

This view shows the TC, assembled, glazed and with some underframe detailing.

The DMS in a similar state, with lettering and some detailing still required.

A 3 quarter view of the DMS, showing the underframe detail, bufferbeam equipment and fully glazed. The gangway connector is temporarily fixed on with blu tac at this stage.

A view of the recently glazed DMBS and TS undergoing testing at Wibdenshaw.

This view shows the 123 at Wibdenshaw in its finished state, along with a class 108 and class 110.

Another shot showing the full 4 car formation as it leaves the station.

The DMBS at the rear, as it heads off northbound towards Skipton.