Hi all,
New to the forum, and returning to modelling after around 30 years. Im looking at modelling either WCML late 1980s (my teens!) or current day (North West), but a couple of questions that you chaps may be able to help with. It looks like there arent any current TransPennine trains around (bit like real life!) other than the Mk5 coaches, and Northern units seem thin on the ground, other than a Farish 150? Am I right in that view? Also, I notice both Farish and Dapol both seem to do Class 66s - is one model any better than the other?
Secondly, if I went down the road of the earlier period, are there any loco-hauled Mk3s or Mk3 DVTs available? From what I can see Dapol only do HST Mk3s? If I was to go down the 1980s route, it looks to be a good time with the Dapol news about the 87! I think 86s, 87s and 90s are all about at the moment, and in suitable liveries.
Any help would be appreciated.
Richie
Hi Richie
Welcome to the forum. There is not much between the Dapol and Farish 66 at the moment but Dapol have announced an all-new model for release in 2024. Dapol are also planning a large range of loco-hauled Mark 3 coaches and DVTs early next year.
I used to run Electra Rail and have recently passed this on to new owners who are restarting operations. Electra produces vinyl overlays for all sorts of things including Northern units and Transpennine 802s.
Have a look at www.electrarail.co.uk (http://www.electrarail.co.uk)
Hello Adam,
That is wonderful. I suppose it makes sense given the Class 87 model. Thanks for the update, and the pointer to Electra-Rail - i'll look at that.
@crewearpley40 @Tank Chris, thanks for your PM, much appreciate. I cant respond at the moment as the PM system needs some spam check system letters typing in, which arent showing - and the audio seems to be giving the wrong letters as its not accepting them, and refresh of the image (which doesnt show) would logically change the letters, but the audio read out remains the same!
Regards
Richie
For modern day WCML there's also the Revolution Trains Pendolino - a new batch of 9 and 11 car units has recently been produced and should be easy to find in the shops that stock Revolution's models.
Farish have a Transpennine liveried class 350 (371-703) on their to-do list.
Voyager (class 220) have been made by Farish and Dapol, with the Super Voyager (class 221) done by Dapol.
Quote from: fh47331 on July 25, 2023, 11:17:22 AMSecondly, if I went down the road of the earlier period, are there any loco-hauled Mk3s or Mk3 DVTs available? From what I can see Dapol only do HST Mk3s? If I was to go down the 1980s route, it looks to be a good time with the Dapol news about the 87! I think 86s, 87s and 90s are all about at the moment, and in suitable liveries.
Dapol do the Mk3 and Mk3 DVT. For the Mk1 BG and other rakes using Mk2 you'll need to look at Farish who are currently producing a new batch of Mk2F which were as much of a staple of WCML trains as the Mk3.
1980s DMUs are better represented than their modern counterparts. For the North West class 101, 108, 142, 150, 156 are/have been available with the 128 and 120 due from Revolution. Classes 121 and 122 were used as route learners in the north west. A new class 158 is due from Farish.
Steven B.
Don't forget you may look at earlier mk2s a, b, c , d on secondary and cross country services plus as Steven points out and Adam' s comments will help. Freight stock wlr can advise on
Thanks guys. Im thinking if Dapol are going to do a re-run of the Mk3s and DVTs early next year, as
@Adam1701D says then Im more swaying towards the late 1980s period, because of available stock - and I always did like the electrics! We need Farish to run their OO gauge '85' in N, because I dont think thats been done. Im trying to dig out some old railway magazines from the period - I seem to recall one issue of Rail (perhaps with an orange front cover) did a list of all the WCML coaching stock sets at Willesden at one point.
@Steven B Thanks for that background. I had noticed the TPE 350 on a Hattons advert at some point, but concluded if I was going to do current day, then it needed to be current day. But it really needs 185s and 397s for the North West, although a rebranded 802 through Electra Rail would be an option.
@crewearpley40 Cheers - yes I need to start saving for some Mk2Fs, but hopefully might be able to pick up some of hte earlier a, b, c, d versions second hand to reduce the cost a bit. Either way I suspect setting it up initally will be expensive ... still there's no rush, and we can only spend whats available, not allocated and not in the emergency pot - so what can one get for 75p?? :)
Seriously, i'll look to pick bits up as I go, but the initial comments from you guys about current day rolling stock v 1980s, im definately swaying towards the 1980s/1990s era, which also has the option that things are a bit more easily available I suspect, rather than the smaller batches of some of the newer manufacturers?
Richie
Richie.
No need to tag me but quick ideas. As for class 85, I'd love one. The only hope whilst waiting for a manufacturer
https://www.shapeways.com/product/M8WG2BCEE/british-rail-class-85-rebuilt-bodyshell-n-gauge?optionId=238868211&li=marketplace
Or contact https://leicestermodellers.wixsite.com/website-1/blog
https://leicestermodellers.wixsite.com/website-1/post/n-gauge-class-85-for-sale
As for mk2 d, e, f farish
2As 374950 FK
374710 Tso
374680 BSo
Farish do blue grey and intercity
Google best bet for stockists
https://www.hattons.co.uk/directory/versiondetails/5047/graham_farish_n_br_mark_2_a_c
https://www.modelraildatabase.com/grahamfarish/coaches/
Hatton do a useful directory with catalogue numbers
https://www.dapol.co.uk/collections/coaches-carriages
@fh47331 This might help a little, Richie
https://www.hattons.co.uk/newsdetail?id=454
Depends which route/ service you maybe interested in I have notes and memories of many formations on the wcml
Quote from: fh47331 on July 25, 2023, 08:17:04 PMSeriously, i'll look to pick bits up as I go, but the initial comments from you guys about current day rolling stock v 1980s, im definately swaying towards the 1980s/1990s era, which also has the option that things are a bit more easily available I suspect, rather than the smaller batches of some of the newer manufacturers?
The 1980s period is certainly easier to do accurately. There are a lot of missing multiple unit classes for current day operations, e.g Class 185 and 397 from the Transpennine fleet, but also class 195, 331 from Northern Trains.
The current day is probably better served in terms of wagons. 1980s is missing decent frieghtliner wagons (no FFA/FGA sets to current standards), air-braked vans such as the VAA and VDA for example.
Batches from the likes of Revolution and Rapido
might be a bit smaller than Farish or Dapol but I'd guess there won't be much in it. Revolution re-run models sooner than Farish - I think there's only been one batch of Farish class 220 Voyagers for example whilst Revolution have just produced their second batch of Pendolinos (a much younger model).
Steven B.
Quote from: Steven B on July 26, 2023, 09:08:24 AM1980s is missing decent frieghtliner wagons (no FFA/FGA sets to current standards), air-braked vans such as the VAA and VDA for example.
Steven B.
Thanks for that. I'd been looking at intermodal wagons, but they seem to be the newer spine type and megafret style, which were mid to late 1990s at the earliest I think. Can anyone advise what types of intermodal wagons were in use around 1989/1990 please? I recall the initial container wagons were five-wagons gets with outers wagons (with drawgear on one end and bar coupling on the other) either end of three inners (bar couplings only) - am I right with that?
Richie
Nick
@njee20 There's arran but can't remember his user name..
All I remember are FFA FGA wagons
See Paul bartlett site plus speedlink, Civil engineering, HAA coal wagons . Shows my age.chris
https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/11165-late-80s-freighliner-wagons/
https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brfreightlinercontainer/h27f1e1e6
Quote from: fh47331 on July 26, 2023, 07:48:41 PMQuote from: Steven B on July 26, 2023, 09:08:24 AM1980s is missing decent frieghtliner wagons (no FFA/FGA sets to current standards), air-braked vans such as the VAA and VDA for example.
Steven B.
Thanks for that. I'd been looking at intermodal wagons, but they seem to be the newer spine type and megafret style, which were mid to late 1990s at the earliest I think. Can anyone advise what types of intermodal wagons were in use around 1989/1990 please? I recall the initial container wagons were five-wagons gets with outers wagons (with drawgear on one end and bar coupling on the other) either end of three inners (bar couplings only) - am I right with that?
Richie
Those are FFA/FGA (inner/outer) wagons. The best approximation for those is the old Farish container wagons, which are basically FFAs, and have no buffers or anything. C=Rail have a forthcoming FSA/FTA wagon, which were early 90s onward. Revolution have done KFAs historically too, which I think may have just been delivered in the 80s. Really though you want Bachmann to scale down their FFA/FGA.
Revolution are also producing the 313 which could be seen on the London end of the WCML, they also did the 321 but that may be too modern for you desired era, the 319 has been done by Farish, the 317 hasn't been done.......yet (Revolution are you taking note?)
We are missing the AL1 - AL5 in N gauge, however you can produce an NSE cobbler set as Farish do NSE mk1s, Dapol produced 86401 in NSE, the new 87 will be nice, watch out if buying 90s there is a mix on the market now of the old Poole ones and the recently released ones.
Also missing are the Dinosaur EMUs, 304/5/8 etc
@fh47331 can you clarify which section of the WCML you're interested in? From your Transpennine comments I'm guessing around the M62 and north.
For freightliner wagons, you really need the FF/AFGA for the 1980s period. Sadly, the closest we have to these is the old Farish model - you'll need find them second hand.
The Revolution Trains KFA were built in Finland between 1987 and '88 so would be suitable. However, apart from MoD and a slightly different wagon used on Binliner Trains they're unlikely to be see in block rakes of the same wagon. The PCV cemflo could be seen around Warrington alongside the Farish Presflow in the early 1980s.
The long awaited C=Rail FSA/FTA were built in the early 1990s to replace the FFA/FGA which by then were around 30 years old.
Suitable RTR wagons for the 1980s include:
Farish:
Done to current standards are:
BAA (steel carrier)
BDA (steel carrier)
CAR (brake van)
FNA (nuclear flask wagon, although Farish haven't produced on in 1980s condition yet)
HAA (power station coal hopper)
OBA (general purpose open)
OCA (general purpose open)
MSV (stone tippler - used on stone trains from quarries in Derbyshire)
POA (stone wagon)
SPA (Steel plate)
TEA (bogie fuel tanker)
TTA (4 wheel fuel/chemical tanker)
YGA (bogie ballast wagon)
Polybulk grain wagon
The JGA stone hopper looks similar to 1980s designs but was introduced in 1990.
There are engineers versions of a number of these wagons.
Under the EFE brand you'll also find the Shark and Mermaid.
Older Poole era models that can be used are the OAA, VAA/VBA, PGA, PCA and HEA.
Dapol have done the Silver Bullet clay tankers, bogie ferry vans and steel hoods. The JHA stone hopper is the right era but generally ran between Somerset and London. The 21t mineral could be seen occasionally in scrap metal traffic. The Dogfish ballast hopper is also suitable.
Revolution Trains (RT) have made the Ferry Twins and IWA ferry van. Due soon are the PFA used by Cawood coal traffic to Liverpool. You'll also find the Revolution Mullet/Parr to pre-order whilst the sturgeon can be found second hand. RT are also making the Cartic-4 car transporter used by Ford on trains to Halewood on Merseyside. You'll also find the PTA iron ore wagon in development. I think these were seen on the top sections of the WCML.
Realtrack models have made the French built PCA cement wagon - the dark grey STS livery one is suitable for the 1980s.
Rapido Trains have the OAA in development.
Sonic made a rather nice VEA - used on MoD and explosives traffic in the 1980s - you'll need to search for second hand models.
Peco's range of wagons are a good starting point, but apart from the HAA and perhaps the TTA they're compromised dimensionally in one form or another.
The N Gauge Society have recently produced the VIX ferry van (common as barrier wagon by the 1980s). Other suitable RTR models include the ZZA Snow plough, carflats and inspection saloon. They also have a wide range of suitable kits including Limpet, YGA Seacow, BDA, Polybulk, Salmon, JGA, PIA/KPA, TTA, YCV Turbot, Warflat/Warwell, VCA, VDA, Boplate.
Chivers Finelines will sell you kits for the OCA and OTA.
Quite a lot to go at (and no doubt I've missed some). There are still some big gaps - HEA, PCA, VAA, VDA to current standards would be high on my list. a FNA in 1980s condition would also be welcome. With those done there's then an almost endless number of hoppers and chemical tankers, alongside the OTA and POA/SSA scrap wagons that have yet to be made as RTR models.
Steven B
As Steven said the pcvs could be seen in this period
https://www.flickr.com/photos/95430950@N07/51063474366/in/photolist-2k7XQ5X-2m9nhk7-2kNiDUs-26TuDhJ-JmaCu6-25gqHqm-26BqCGR-JtyTo6-26UF7ym-CqVaJK-2mMWKy2-DkZx8o-2kd1rBA-25ffLsj-dwz699-2ae8hF2-2nnqD1A-aWNAeX-2bxny3C-2en6GEt-28mnHr7-2mMY7it-JatsTP-2mN19CF-2mN1a9v-2mMY7qC-5TCwAR-2mN2cvd-T91dZE-2mMSF3N-2mMWKSi-2mMWL2M-2mN1a2G-2mN1a5s-284ypCo-fFX8Qe-26CQm9g-2hd1FHe-25ebAUA-2mN2crW-j7z2fo-KS9sjm-Jm8z4T-2mFE2NR-qZAE1o-24Hqu3e-2ae8irR-2bxnxyG-a6mgf6-2iJYgrU
Courtesy jamerail
https://www.flickr.com/photos/153712773@N08/49100369702
Steven clements
Flickr is often a good source
Farish did produce Steel wagons for the ravenscraig deemarsh / Llanwern coils
On the engineering issue
I have heard of bees hill and the https://www.ngaugenews.com/post/bees-hill-models-west-coast-models-n-gauge-wcml-overhead-line-maintenance-train
Ohle train which will be an interesting model
Anthony
@37058 https://youtu.be/csR3qoNWq1I
Chris
Quote from: njee20 on July 27, 2023, 02:55:51 AMThose are FFA/FGA (inner/outer) wagons. The best approximation for those is the old Farish container wagons, which are basically FFAs, and have no buffers or anything.
I need to try and trawl a few places like Flickr and see what needs doing to the old Farish wagons to make them more detailed and accurate. I seem to think I may have a BR Wagons Drawings book somewhere, produced years ago by one of the big publishers, that had drawing and detail images of various wagons, and I suspect the FFA/FGAs would be in that. I'll have to dig that out.
Quote from: Steven B on July 27, 2023, 09:14:16 AM@fh47331 can you clarify which section of the WCML you're interested in? From your Transpennine comments I'm guessing around the M62 and north.
Hi Steven, I have family ties to the Manchester area, so I am currently thinking along the lines of something with a similar track layout to Stafford, but based on the WCML maybe between Crewe and Warrington. Purely fictional of course, but with realistic operations and services.
Quote from: Steven B on July 27, 2023, 09:14:16 AMThe Revolution Trains KFA were built in Finland between 1987 and '88 so would be suitable. However, apart from MoD and a slightly different wagon used on Binliner Trains they're unlikely to be see in block rakes of the same wagon. The PCV cemflo could be seen around Warrington alongside the Farish Presflow in the early 1980s.
I'll have a look at the Revolution site on the KFAs, I seem to recall the odd single wagon in sets, and remember some of the funny coloured (purple or turquoise) PCV wagons in Speedlink services around that time.
Quote from: Steven B on July 27, 2023, 09:14:16 AMThe long awaited C=Rail FSA/FTA were built in the early 1990s to replace the FFA/FGA which by then were around 30 years old.
Looks like the FSA (outers) were delivered from early 1991 onwards, initially formed in pairs, with some FTA inners delivered from mid-1992 onwards to form a small number of triple sets. It might therefore be prudent to stretch the timeline for wagons slightly into 1991, and it would give the ability to run two or three pairs of FTAs front or back of a train so there were some 'modern standard' vehicles. My only concern is whether any of the intermodal wagons will be heavy enough ... although i suppose it would be feasible to put some weight low down in containers to stablise them a bit more.
Quote from: Steven B on July 27, 2023, 09:14:16 AMQuite a lot to go at (and no doubt I've missed some). There are still some big gaps - HEA, PCA, VAA, VDA to current standards would be high on my list. a FNA in 1980s condition would also be welcome. With those done there's then an almost endless number of hoppers and chemical tankers, alongside the OTA and POA/SSA scrap wagons that have yet to be made as RTR models.
Thanks for taking the time to list those wagons types and manufacturers, thats really helpful. I can see a number of opportunities there, maybe even the infamous North West Class 20s with pairs 'topping and tailing' on coal working to Bickershaw and the like!
Quote from: crewearpley40 on July 27, 2023, 09:40:19 AMI have heard of bees hill and the https://www.ngaugenews.com/post/bees-hill-models-west-coast-models-n-gauge-wcml-overhead-line-maintenance-train
Ohle train which will be an interesting model
Thanks Chris. That would be something different to run, and I'd not heard of Bees Hill at all. But the NGN article you've linked to looks very interesting. Ive not been too impressed with some of the 3D printed stuff I've seen - its good, but not quite there yet in my view. But those OHLE vehicles look very impressive, and given they are photos which show up more of the print lines etcc, I suspect they'll be very good to the eye. Definately needs investigating more.
I must admit i've been watching a fair bit of YouTube and trailing round Flickr just recently. Also dug out some of my old DV and Video8 tapes from my own visits to Stafford in the late 1980s. What memories! One of these days I must get round to digitising them and maybe share them on YouTube too.
Richie
Thanks the ohle train Chris says I saw at crewe and Warrington arpley
Plus a 25 or 31 hauling
2 x 20s on the haa wagons from bickershaw or under bank Quay from fiddlers ferry
Stafford. Great place mark
@1977joey is your person to speak to
Freightliner farish catalogue 373450 to 37335i9
Google farish ffa wagon . Hatton maybe able to sell
I brought some there . Martyn do you have any left idlf Richie was interested pm martyn at James Street
Ebay
@martyn may have some.
Peco and farish produce haa wagons
Steven's list is useful
Baa wagon 373900 and 373901
Quote from: fh47331 on July 27, 2023, 11:53:00 AMI need to try and trawl a few places like Flickr and see what needs doing to the old Farish wagons to make them more detailed and accurate. I seem to think I may have a BR Wagons Drawings book somewhere, produced years ago by one of the big publishers, that had drawing and detail images of various wagons, and I suspect the FFA/FGAs would be in that. I'll have to dig that out.
TP Models used to do a kit to convert the old Farish container flats into something closer to the actual FFA/FGA sets. From memory it had etched brass parts to fold up into the buffer beam. Someone somewhere should have photos of the conversion, instructions or even an unused kit.
The Revolution KFA runs well enough that it can be run empty without any problems. I suspect the C-Rail FSA/FTA will be the same, along with the FFA/FGA should someone make it (Farish are most likely as it's in Bachmann's OO Gauge range, but so far there's no sign of it going through the magic shrink ray).
Steven B.
Worsley Works do a FFA/FGA kit. I've never seen them, but most of their models are 'scratch aids' rather than kits, little concession for how to turn them into a working item.
Even just adding buffers and a buffer beam via some styrene strip to the outer wagons would be a big improvement to the Farish wagons. Note they tend to just be called 'container wagons' and were sold singly with a variety of containers, not to be confused with their 'intermodal wagons' which are actually FIA Multifret pairs. Not sure why Farish appear to be scared of TOPS codes on some wagons!
There are also a variety of DMUs available, Manchester area saw 101 (Farish), 156 (Dapol), 142 (Dapol) and 150 (Farish), these are all to modern standards and believe the 142 and 150 can be found in GMPTE colors, I may need correcting on that and some of the folllowing:
142 in Provincial/Regional Railways
150 in Provincial
156 in Super Sprinter, was that considered Provincial too?
Did 153s roam the area? I don't recall seeing them up there.
An older tooling 158 is also available, not sure if it was released with Alphaline lettering though.
An HST would also go well for your area, available in Blue/Grey, Exec or Swallow (or a rag tag mix of liveries), check YouTube for coach formations, I think generally the first class was one coach, buffet was half standard and the opposite way round to later years, possibly no TGS, now that is assuming they had started running cross country in the years chosen, 1982 and later)
Quote from: njee20 on July 27, 2023, 01:12:50 PMWorsley Works do a FFA/FGA kit. I've never seen them, but most of their models are 'scratch aids' rather than kits, little concession for how to turn them into a working item.
I'd forgotten the Worsley Works scratch building aids:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/133/3063-270723153722.jpeg)
Paul Cheffus has done a better job with his (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=97623).
Steven B
Suitable DMUs for the 1980s Greater Manchester:
Farish
Class 101 - any BR blue/Grey & Regional Railways. Move into the early 1990s and you can add Strathclyde and NSE together with some retro BR green.
Class 108 - any BR Blue/Grey
class 150 Original Provincial Light Blue (371-333)
class 150 Regional Railways (371-329 & 370-105)
class 150 GMPTE (371-336) and Regional Railways (371-328) are perhaps a little later
Class 158 wasn't introduced until Autumn 1990 so perhaps a little late. You'd need a Regional Railways or WYPTE version. The former is one of the liveries Farish we be doing when they launch the new model later this year. Alphaline was a pre-privatisation branding from the mid 1990s.
Dapol
Class 121/122 used for route learning - Blue or Blue/Grey suitable.
Class 142 GMPTE Orange/Brown (2D-142-002)
Class 142 Skipper Brown/Cream (2D-142-003)
Class 142 Early Provincial (2D-142-005)
Class 142 BR Regional Railways (ND116B) is a little later
Class 156 in Provincial/Regional Railways livery would fit nicely (ND-028A).
Class 153s weren't converted until 1991. Prior to then they were two car class 155 which would have been seen. It's possible to convert a pair of class 153s to a 155.
Revolution
Class 120 - formations & liveries to be announced. Blue/grey needed, usually 2 car but often with centre car from a different class used
Class 128 - Royal Mail Red, two-tone blue or plain blue. Plain blue ones aren't quite right for Greater Manchester in the late 1980s - need flush front and marker lights, a combination not offered in first batch.
I don't think there are any RTR EMU for the area/period. Class 303, 304 and 504 could be seen depending which side of Manchester you were on. Move towards Merseyside and you could include the class 503, 506, 507 and 508. The other classic WCML EMU from the period is the class 370 APT-P.
"Key" missing classes are 104 & 110. Class 116, 117 could be seen too.
HSTs weren't common in the North West with the exception of the route south from Manchester Piccadilly on cross-country services to the likes of Bournemouth and Plymouth. HST were also seen on services to North Wales from Euston. Choice of Blue/grey, Intercity Executive or Intercity Swallow depending on which part of the decade you're interested in.
WCML trains north of Manchester were loco hauled (class 85, 86 and 87 for most of the '80s with the class 90 coming in 1987).
Loco hauled passenger trains would generally be in the hands of classes 31, 45 and 47. 31s handled local services, often replacing 2nd generation DMUs with three or four Mk1s. Classes 45 and 47 were mainstays of Transpennine services - Mk1 BG, and non-air-con Mk2 (FK + 5xTSO). Class 37 hauled passenger trains weren't common for a few more years. Classes 33 and 50 could be seen in Piccadilly from time to time depending on the year.
There were also plenty of newspaper and parcels trains using Mk1 GUV, BG and CCT in blue or Blue/grey.
Sorry to high jack this thread, I have a problem with a class 03 that is missing a screw. It appears to return the current back to the motor and is missing, I tried a small length of wire down the hole and this seemed to make the motor turn over, The diameter of this screw is about 0.5mm or the BA equivalent. If some can help to shine some light on this problem I would be well happy, I certainly do not want to pay close on £100 for a replacement model.
I've seen hst at Liverpool https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjm2009/8179754924
Don't forget cross country, liverpool to York, Newcastle/ scarborough, there's all sorts of variety
And the Brighton to Manchester/ Liverpool
I have photos of a combined Birmingham to Glasgow/ Edinburgh
Poole Liverpool service
The Liverpool Paignton usual 47. Or hst in.lieu
Agree with Steven..
EssexN why not place query in train surgery thread ??
Someone who can help and it will be in a more useful section
Guys,
Firstly, can I say thanks for the warm welcome to the forum, and for the lists of available rolling stock that people have posted. I think a plan is formulating loosely based on the WCML perhaps a fictional location, just north of Crewe in the late 1980s. A wonderful period of locos (08, 20, 31, 37, 47s, 56s, 58s, 60s, 86s, 87s, 90s) plenty of loco-hauled passenger, first and second generation DMUs, HSTs, Speedlink was still running as were the postals, intermodal aplenty, coal, steel, aggregate. Even the thought of it peaks my interest!
I am looking at layout designs now, which will probably take a few months to nail down. I don't want to jump in and realise I've rushed things, but it gives time to save up! I am thinking to make the most of my available space, the hidden sidings will go under the layout. I have worked out I can get around a 12ft long climb out of the sidings onto the layout so that should give a gentle grade. If I do that, then I've got the potential for one or two 3000mm long sidings down there, which would allow me to recreate the long RMC stone working that used to come out of Peak Forest to the West Midlands with a pair of Class 37/5s, perhaps slight diverted due to engineering work! Not sure how many wagons they loaded to, but with that length of siding I should get 27 plus a pair of 37s.
Any way, plenty of aspirations and thoughts. So thanks to all, you have really given me a push to do something, and confirmed the decision that the American stock will go to fund this.
Richie
We all like spending other people's money ;)
Richie
Don't forget air braked stock. http://igg.org.uk/rail/7-fops/fo-abn.htm
Depends on space you have. Crewe and Warrington are needing a lot of space so a compromise see here https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=52918.0
Simon 's layout dallam.
Any help there's a few of us who model the NW
I noticed modellable trains here
https://youtu.be/0qyeBNvwlf0
https://youtu.be/73nCucOQBhA
https://youtu.be/f8O5k5dHAO4
Then you can see what's involved
Quote from: Newportnobby on July 28, 2023, 11:29:24 AMWe all like spending other people's money ;)
That doesnt surprise me!!! :) I may have just ordered an 86 and a 87 ... oops!
Quote from: crewearpley40 on July 28, 2023, 11:30:32 AMRichie
Depends on space you have. Crewe and Warrington are needing a lot of space so a compromise.
Any help there's a few of us who model the NW
Thanks Chris, I think i've watched one if not two of those video's in the past week! Im thinking of the Crewe-Warrington *area* rather than recreating the location, but with a track layout based on Stafford. Current plans anyway, once I start working things out, it may change!
No worries Richie. It was only a few hints to think through. I thought of modelling Warrington but space is an issue and consideration there. Look forward to progress
QuoteSorry to high jack this thread, I have a problem with a class 03 that is missing a screw. It appears to return the current back to the motor and is missing, I tried a small length of wire down the hole and this seemed to make the motor turn over, The diameter of this screw is about 0.5mm or the BA equivalent. If some can help to shine some light on this problem I would be well happy, I certainly do not want to pay close on £100 for a replacement model.
That really is a thread hijack. Start a separate one, it bears no relevance to what's being discussed here.
Quote from: njee20 on July 28, 2023, 03:22:25 PMQuoteSorry to high jack this thread, I have a problem with a class 03 that is missing a screw. It appears to return the current back to the motor and is missing, I tried a small length of wire down the hole and this seemed to make the motor turn over, The diameter of this screw is about 0.5mm or the BA equivalent. If some can help to shine some light on this problem I would be well happy, I certainly do not want to pay close on £100 for a replacement model.
That really is a thread hijack. Start a separate one, it bears no relevance to what's being discussed here.
I did suggest train surgery section
Look forward to progress Richie and your plans. Stafford could be interesting what with crewe / Stoke one way, lines towards Birmingham and London Via the trent valley
Morning all,
Ok, ideas are coming together slowly, a built of tweaking and moving around, and I think I have the gem of a basis.
Ive started looking at available rolling stock and liveries etc. it appears to me that rather than models being readily available as they were when I was last into model railways, it's more batches and get it while it's available ... and with the wide number of liveries on the railways now, that not all are available.
I remember years ago using something, I think it was some alcohol based product (No, not beer, although that probably clouded judgement!) to remove numbers and then using Fox transfers to create new identities. I'm assuming that can still be done with modern paintwork, so am thinking I might like to have a try, then have a go at maybe repainting a full model - need to have a search through here for any threads where people have said what and how they have done it.
I don't want to risk c**king up a £120 model, so wondered if anyone can tell me where (if at all) spare body shells can be acquired? I found Peters Spares, but they don't seem to have any 37s or 47 body shells in.
Richie
You probably used
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=isopropyl-alcohol&adgrpid=72363660673&hvadid=351592461255&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1006886&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=893553305801768440&hvtargid=kwd-314410087178&hydadcr=16906_1798534&tag=hydrukspg-21&ref=pd_sl_3nny5jyb6x_e
As for body shell
Ebay
Dr Al on ngf
Try
https://rainbowrailways.co.uk/product-category/sounds-noses-bodies/
https://www.elaines-trains.co.uk/index.php?cat=29627
https://www.farishnspares.co.uk/graham-farish-by-bachmann.html?page=all
Chris
https://www.lprails.co.uk/
Lee maybe a good source. Chris
Having seen what one small drop of IPA does to paint on a MK1 coach I wouldn't recommend it for something as precise as removing a number :no:
Good point. Be interesting what others use.
https://www.trainshop.co.uk/blog/post/613-how-do-i-strip-paint-from-a-model-safely.html
I've seen this.
Cotton buds
A bath in IPA may be useful in cleaning a whole model for a relivery but much depends on the plastic/paint. I believe it worked on old Poole stuff but times have moved on.
For a simple renumbering I seem to recall gentle use of a fibreglass pen does the job
Was thinking that mick
Maybe see discussion https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=54852.0#msg727565
Farish are now selling spare body shells for an increasing part of their range. BR Lines also sell some. Dapol body shells can be obtained from Peters Spares.
Steven B
I have rebumbered and lettered a bunch of Dapol Sleepers and a VT to VXC HST, used micro sol or decalfix to soften the old numbers/letters then rubbed over the top with a tooth pick until the old stuff came away (careful not to go through the paint underneath), it does leave an area that you can tell has been altered, then I applied the new numbers and sealed with a varnish (make sure the humidity levels are right for sealing or it will fog), the results I have gotten have been good in my eye (remember at such a small scale and viewing distances there is room for error).
Like you I was apprehensive about ruining what are becoming expensive and sometimes hard to get models but went all in anyway (well one at a time just in case).
Good luck, and if you have questions post to the forum, folks here will come up with advice and tips.
Thanks chaps, I'll have a look at BR Lines.
Richie