Southern Electric Modelling Gallery

Below are illustrations of 4mm scale EMUs produced ready-to-run by major manufacturers. Not many types have been produced and there is yet to be a super detailed high quality model produced. Details of how to contact manufacturers and suppliers can be found in our modelling contacts section.

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Triang R156+R225 ... "2"
	Between 1957 and 1964 Triang produced a Southern EMU model which has variously been described as a "Bil", "Nol" or "Sub". In fact it is none of those. The cars modelled, S1052S+S1057S, are actually a freelance 1920/30s design suburban EMU. The model is very crude by today's standard but it was a "state of the art toy" when it first appeared. It features a hefty motor bogie which will probably go on forever which also had serrated wheels intended to aid adhesion but actually had the opposite effect as they gathered gunk! It also featured (at least in early versions) protruding axle ends in unpowered bogies. The key feature was an illuminated headcode box in the motored car only. The cars are far from being scale length. The model pictured is a repainted example picked up at a Swapmeet for Ł40. The dreaded serrated wheels have been replaced by nearer to scale nickel silver wheels obtained from Modelspares Burnley (see contacts list).

Hornby Dublo 2250/3250+4150 ... BR Class 501 marketed as 2EPB
	Appearing between 1962 and 1965, this was the most desired model of the day for Southern Electric fans - well the few that could afford Hornby Dublo prices! Although the cars numbered S65326+S77511 are of a BR 2EPB this model is actually of a LMR 57ft 501 unit. It features a mighty ringfield motor but only driving one axle and was fitted with traction tyres. This makes it capable of hauling itself but not much else, though that is all that was required of the real size units. The model pictured was bought in the nick of time just as the Hornby Dublo company went bankrupt, though financial sacrifices had to be made to acquire it!

Hornby Eurostar
	First produced in 1996 and a version is still currently available, Hornby's Eurostar models are more towards the toy end of the market than the scale model sector. That is not to deny that parts of the body mouldings are finely done and the paintwork is to a high standard. However, the trunkling along the centre of the roof is heavily done and the articulated bogies with corridor connections are large to accommodate train set radius curves. Additionally only three car types have ever been produced - Hornby did once say they would consider more car types but none have ever emerged - so modelling a realistic formation, at least without recourse to Hurst Models conversion parts (see contacts list), is not possible. However, these models provide a useful basis for such conversion projects. These models are sold in trainsets or outer car four car packs (top three pictures) and inner car two car packs (lower two pictures) or even a six car pack. The model is powered on two axles in one power car only by a small motor within a bogie. This results in it being underpowered if working as a six car set, most unlike the real thing! There are various solutions to underpowering, one of which is to obtain the relevant spare parts to motor a bogie in the second power car.

Hornby Networker
	Hornby have produced two differently numbered versions of the Class 466 Networker in both Network SouthEast and Connex liveries. In addition in 2006 Modelzone commissioned a limited edition (1000 pieces) version in Southeastern livery. The Network SouthEast versions were available between 1997 and 2000 and the Connex versions between 2003 and 2004. Being initially produced at the point Hornby were beginning to get into accurate scale models, this model, whilst promising, is a real "curate's egg". The bodywork moulding and detailing, save for a gap around the dumb buffers, is excellent. The model comes with directionally controlled head and tail lights and separately applied fine detail. Unfortunately, the model is only powered on one axle by a small within bogie motor. The lower section of the body is cast in alloy to provide low down adhesion but given the lack of power from the small motor this unit can give a very good impersonation of running during "leaf fall " season. To be fair, due to some "tweaking" the Connex and Southeastern versions seem less underpowered than the NSE versions. Repowering this unit by various methods can provide a very creditable model. Note due to body differences between Class 465 and Class 466 a four car 465 can only be produced from this model by extensive surgery... though some have done this.

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