HEA Hopper Conversions: MEA Renders

Making a change from the procession of HEA variations it's nice to be able to show some work in progress renders of the MEA box wagons we have under development as a part of our HEA Hopper Conversions expansion for Train Simulator 2014.

The top render shows one of the early conversions with the end ladder still in place. The second shows a later version with angled ends to the side ribs and the ladder removed as a safety precaution.

HEA Hoppers - Post BR: Murky Mainline

Having seen the HEA hoppers for Train Simulator 2014 in their pristine shadow privatisation and post privatisation liveries it's now time to take a look at how they have stood up to the tests of time.

First up for scrutiny is an example of a Mainline liveried hopper that would have originally have had offset access ladders but these have now been removed, just leaving scars in the paintwork. A general fading of the paintwork has taken place and everything now has a liberal helping of dust and dirt.

One notable feature of all the hoppers that are still carrying these old liveries is that they are faded and generally grimy but not necessarily black. A surprising thing for a coal wagon but possibly due to their use on short term traffic flows and spending a fair amount of time out of service in sidings?

HEA Hoppers - Post BR: Faded Railfreight

We've spent the last few blog posts showing you new liveries applied to the HEA hoppers in more recent years. What is noticeable from photographs is that there are still some examples of the original Railfreight liveried hoppers still in service, albeit in faded and work worn condition.

The HEA Hoppers - Post BR expansion pack for Train Simulator 2014 will feature work worn Railfreight liveried examples from both the early central ladder type and the later offset ladder versions.

Of note is the removal of the access ladders from the hopper ends, application of more modern overhead warning flashes, the painting out of the original logos and renewal/updating of the lettering on the wagon.

Ready for Conversion

Conversions are the main source of income for the works at the moment.

The resident ex-BR Class 08 is seen bringing 3 HEA hoppers in from the exchange sidings for conversions to MEA box wagons. In the background, newly rebuilt ZCA Sea Urchins wait to leave. Behind them, more VDA vans are stored ready for conversion to ZCAs.

HEA Hoppers - Post BR: Red & Gold Variation

Completing the series of posts revealing the different liveries to be applied to the HEA hoppers in our HEA Hoppers - Post BR expansion for Train Simulator 2014 is this variation on red and gold livery.

Making a much more bold statement compared to the previous version this wagon has a striking wide band at the top of the body and much enlarged lettering on the body.

With all the liveries now unveiled it's going to be time to take a look at the work weary versions (with subtle detail differences) that will accompany these sparkling examples in the expansion pack.

HEA Hoppers - Post BR: Red & Gold

The HEA hoppers have seen a lot of different liveries in their time. The latest version to be completed includes a representation of an up-to-date red and gold livery still to be seen around the network today.

HEA Hoppers - Post BR: Fresh paint Loadhaul

After showing you the Transrail liveried HEA for Train Simulator 2014 earlier in the week it's now time to give you a glimpse of the Loadhaul liveried version that will feature in our forthcoming expansion pack.

The Loadhaul liveried Hopper is a bit of a mystery as we've still only seen pictures of models but have a reference to a published photograph of a number of Loadhaul liveried examples in service.

With this in mind we've based the livery on the model and are prepared to add them to the expansion pack as they are more likely to have existed than not!

HEA Hoppers - Post BR: Nearly new Transrail

The post BR versions of the HEA hoppers for Train Simulator 2014 are taking shape nicely now - in many cases needing their own shape to make the livery sit properly and definitely new decals all over the place for each version!

Here we see the second example to be seen in the shape of a recently out-shopped Transrail liveried hopper. There's still a bit of work to be done blending decals in properly but we're 99% there!