Steven B

Given the 16.5 vs 14mm gauge difference, perhaps they should have modelled them to a different scale so the track gauge was correct! 😉 Steven B

Window frames and bonnet top would be black - a very dark grey (Humbrol 32?) would give a nice weathered effect. I use very light grey (Humbrol 147) in place of white for the same reason. With the 37s, the roof started out as light grey but soon weathered to near black - if you're not comfortable applying weathering then a dark grey wouldn't look out of place. Steven B

Large logo was generally: BR Blue BR Yellow Goose Grey (roof) The mid/light grey roof generally weathered to a darker shade with soot from the exhausts. Class 50s were the big exception - several large-logo blue locos had black roofs, others had black panels with cab roofs being blue. Twelve class 47 appeared with a blue roof. There were also some non-standard versions such as 37116 and 37361. Steven B

Lovely use of a photographic backscene; great scenic work - particularly the blending with the back-scene. Shame about the factory weathered loco and stock: (Trevor Plackett on Flickr)

I wish my scenic modelling was good enough to replicate this: (terry eyres on Flickr) "40152 climbing towards the high level bridge across the Manchester Ship Canal at Knutsford Road Latchford with 6E95 20.04 Arpley -Harwich PQ ( Whitemoor ) Speedlink" Steven B

Double check with the data sheet - many are rated at 3A or more per pin. Voltage also shouldn't be an issue with most rated for over 100V. I doubt you'll have any problems. Worst case (far end of the layout with multiple locos and several trains with track powered lighting) you may need to use a second pair of conductors. Steven B

The old Farish model will be quicker! Steven B

What era? 1950s would be different to 1980s Steven B

Yes, the Spartan could travel on a Warwell if needed. The weight distribution is an interesting question: Landrover RWMIK - 3500kg Jackal - 6500kg FV103 Spartan - 10600kg You'd need to see what difference in axle loading is/was allowed. Steven B

Train Tech make a DCC accessory decoder with two relays - Train Tech RL1. A slight more involved (but less expensive solution) might be to use an accessory decoder and one of the many relay boards designed for use with Arduinos. These should allow the logic level output of the decode to safely switch the relay as required. Steven B.

For those wanting to avoid these "fake" models - I've only ever seen wagons being advertised as shipping direct from China - no coaches or locos. The N Gauge ones have tended to be covered coil and flat wagons - made by Dapol for Modell Bahn Union - not Dapol's British range. That may have changed of course... Steven B

Supplying power to the piggy-back wagon via the track won't work - as soon as it moves away from the dock it'll start seeing 009 track power to it's own loco at which point the load will start moving on the transporter wagon! I'd use some brass or phosphor bronze strip at the end of the wagon that comes into contact with pads at the end wall of the dock. Alternatively, similar strips soldered to the standard gauge rail ends that brush along the sides of the rails on the transporter wagon should work. Have a look to see the various arrangements used for connecting cassette fiddle yard modules. Steven B.

Ventilators. You'll find similar vents on departmental/engineering coaches. Steven B

Great to hear you had a good weekend - good to see Yorkshire Area Group member's layouts are also powered by as many biscuits as a regular group meeting! Steven B

Hopefully this is the same wagon! Hot box on the road (with Cadzow or Pickfords as the haulage contractor): And a couple more images of the wagon: https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/resources/head-wrightson/gallery/5315/ https://heritage.stockton.gov.uk/resources/head-wrightson/gallery/5316/ On the rails, heading to Devonport: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/latest-input--news--old-pictures-etc/3rd-september-2022 http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/uploads/7/6/8/3/7683812/067b-199x-probably-unknown-33-date-or-photographer-climbing-away-from-langford-bridge-towards-daignton-br-version-of-nuclear-f-copy_orig.jpg https://flic.kr/p/bbjfVk And at Carnforth: https://flic.kr/p/baNXte https://flic.kr/p/baNWXv https://flic.kr/p/baNXZ2 Steven B