mikeford2002uk

I suspect the class 99 will have many common features of the Eurodual Co-Cos as modelled by Sudexpress. An exquisite model if somewhat pricey. This is my sound fitted example in Swedish GreenCargo livery. I'm not certain Sudexpress don't have an exclusivity deal with Stadler in HO and N so might for 4mm too..... C&M models in Carlisle are the main UK dealer I believe Mike

I do wonder if there will be an announcement of the Cumbria mountain express next Saturday which will the first WCRC operated railtour since the judicial decision https://www.railwaytouring.net/the-winter-cumbrian-mountain-express---27-01 Nothing on real train times yet either Mike

Just to add what has already been said multiple times. As a frequent visitor over the last fifteen years to Warley and the NEC , I’ve appreciated the strengths and weaknesses of both but have enormously enjoyed the weekend and appreciated the hard work by multiple members of the Warley club, to make the show the success it was for so long. I’d like to think (but have no information of course) that some collective great minds are being focused on a replacement for an Autumn showcase for this great hobby. Too late for this year but perhaps something in 2025 ? I also wondered if the organisational model of Model Rail Scotland with its Association of Model Railway societies in Scotland (AMRSS) could be used as a template, for something south of the border, with joint management of the show arranged through several model clubs, not just one ? Just a though, we live in hope. But thanks for the memories Mike

I've heard the same "vendetta against the national trust^ theory myself and given the source, believe there may be a degree of truth in the idea

More the MPG which caught my attention!

Don't know if Britannia Pacific would send a kit, you could always contact them www.britanniapacific.co.uk/Southern region 442s.htm

Evening all I've been trying to wire in the rear red tail lights (and later my cab lights) to the above Zimo chip for a O gauge Heljan 47 with sound. Anyone any idea of which function output and what CVs to amend please? Many thanks Mike

Irish C class Bo-Bo?

Wrong type 5, I believe

Sorry tried to measure the running current but as soon as introduce my multimeter in series to the circuit it blocks the dcc signal and the motor stops - I suspect the absolute maximum will be 2 amp and likely to be much less except when starting a heavy load. The snowplough is indeed a different design to the instruction but fits up the two slots behind the bufferbeam but in front of the metal chassis block

As said above the running quality of my 26 is very good on DCC - almost silent at low speeds and plenty of pulling power as well. To me the most recent models which Ben Jones has cast an eye over look more convincing than say the 25/3 and 60 models. Hopefully you won't be disappointed with your 27 as well. I've got a Scottish 47/4 underway (I know of the window shelf and roof detail "Issues" but still like the model and being a Co-Co it really pulls! Roll on the Mk2s and hope they look better than the Mk1s do

Evening all My version of a tatty Eastfield class 26 from the recent Heljan O gauge model. Yellow paint through the black and blue paint through the grey! Railmatch paints, Tamiya weathering powders and Railtec transfers. Lovely model, although not without its issues - the screw coupling broke at a shackle and to fit a (better) Dapol replacement was quite a job! Also the roof fan is very temperamental, as though the feed voltage is too low or the motor too weak (Heljan are aware) Finally, this is the first O gauge model I've had with the pin interface for the ESU Loksound V5 XL decoder and although it is mentioned in the instructions for the model, it takes a leap of faith, on a £250 chip, to snip off the two extra pins that prevent the decoder seating correctly! Mike

Hi Are you on DCC or DC? If DCC does the roof fan spin please? Mike

you haven't mentioned that you tried function 12. Unlike some un-prototypical models the accurascale 55 doesn't light the rear lights as default (as it would usually hauling something) hope this helps Mike

Unfortunately, according to the BBC there will be no trains north of Glasgow or Edinburgh on the Saturday https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61808898 so won't be able to make to journey north, which is a shame as it looks like a great show Mike

Try Rainbow Railways

thought it might interest some that it showed how the new entrants to modelling business got a larger proportion of my business in the recent past Shows Heljan and Dapol tie with a creditable six, Bachmann with Seven and in the lead Accurascale/Irish Railway models with 10! Hornby is in fourth place with 4 Just wondered if others buying habits had been similar (although I understand period modelled is the most important consideration) Mike

Just wondered if anyone has any plans to head to the Malmbanan this summer to witness the museum workings? I've booked the flights and hotel so far Mike

Given System X and Y exchanges are a minimum of thirty three years old its not really a statement you could level at this technology though!

Having purchased a Dutch liveried O gauge Heljan 31 at the Electric train show back in October I started to look at the numbering possibilities.The Rail Express magazine 126 of November 2006 with its Retrospectrum article on the Dutch livery was the place to start (I think an excellant idea for a magazine!) Anyway what I needed was a loco without the Doncaster works vertical radiator slats modification, without the raised roof fan cowling, with headcode boxes at both ends and most importantly without a headlight (at some point). This last point was the hardest to satisfy but having cross referenced the list of candidates in the article with a trawl of fickr I came up with the following examples 31163 31185 31186 31188 31219 31237 31238 31250 31268 As I didn’t want to add a ETH socket but did want a depot plaque I settled for 31238 which had BR emblems and a Crewe diesel leaping cat cabside plaque This is my loco after finishing - once funds allow a sound chip will follow - note the driver and his rather recumbent colleague!

If you have the black rattle can out, you might like to check out the door hanging guides at the top of the body sides, quite a number including 230078 and 230117 (as modelled by Dapol) appear to be painted black on Paul Bartletts site https://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/vea Mike

It is the same on the O gauge model of course ,which I do have one of. Whilst I like the model and its mechanism there are elements of the roof that are all over the place, and I don't really want to weather it too much to hide it all! Shame really and definitely one for Ben to cast his eye over for version 3! On the evidence, I'd say Bachmann has the lead for a 4mm model at the moment though.

I thought there may have been a o gauge 75 ton Cowans Crane in the fiddle yard of Heaton Lodge junction, could be wrong though!

Photo of the Heljan 47 in the display cabinet at Heaton Lodge Junction in Wakefield this weekend

Just a quick note I was lucky enough to win one of the official DRS 68s 68033 "The Poppy" in the DRS closed auction with a seal bid Love the model, the numbering looks to have been printed on and is very neat, certainly doesn't look like a transfer its one of only six though Good to support the British Legion and a nice addition to my fleet