Lima produced their MK3/3a coaches from the late 1970s until 2004 when they ceased trading and their assets were acquired by Hornby. This series of articles will include the models of the First class, Standard class, TGS, Restaurant buffet and Scotrail composite coaches.
Visually, the main differences between Mk3 and Mk3a coaches are the roof vents and buffers. The Lima model has the roof vents of the Mk3(HST) and the buffers of the 3a(loco hauled).
The models themselves were produced in various guises, some were parts of trainsets, some were boxed and sold individually. Starting from the ground up, I will try to describe the variations and what options are available to make improvements.
Wheels
As far as I can make out, there are four types of wheels fitted to these coaches; plastic wheels & axles, deep flanged metal wheels on metal axles in two diameters and brass wheels on plastic axles. Only the brass wheels are compatible with code 75 track despite the fact that they have rather wide treads. Unfortunately, Lima axles are shorter than the 00 norm so drop-in replacements are not so easy to come by.
Bogies and Couplings
The bogies are a fair representation of the BT10 but they don’t have the anti slip gear which is a fairly important omission. The bogies also include the large ‘D’ coupling, typical of most models produced in the late twentieth century.
Buffers
Very simple, MK3 = no buffers, MK3a = buffers
Coach ends
Depending on the model, the coach ends could range from being completely plain and undecorated to having painted vestibule doors and data panels.
Interiors
Coach interiors are mostly good but the standard class interiors are completely wrong since it is exactly the same as that of the first class coach, 2+1 and orange rather than 2+2 and blue.
Windows
Lima windows are part of the roof moulding and as such mean that they are deeply recessed.
Roof
Fine if you want to model the HST/Mk3 version but the vents are wrong for the Mk3a in general. However there are variations, so if you are modelling a specific coach, you must study photographs and other reference material before making alterations to the roof vent details.