MoarCrossovers

As promised 4 years ago, I finally got around to picking up one of these, D5901 to be specific. However, the factory-molded detailing is getting in the way when I add the couplings and causes the wheels to jump off at the corners. The instructions do suggest cutting away the detailing to make space, but give no indication to how much I need to remove to order to prevent the coupling swing from derailing the loco. Any advice?

Step 1: Make the baseboard and the track. Step 2: Build the rest of the layout.

Cig Moch is not my first attempt at building a layout, but it is (hopefully) the first one I plan to dedicate my time to completing it so it can be displayed at my club's upcoming open day event. Taking inspiration from one of Phil Parker's creations featured in the pages of BRM's June 2023 issue, the layout consists of a roughly 29cm radius loop that will depict a small Welsh countryside halt on a fictitious heritage railway, notmtaking any real inspiration from any existing locations but taking inspiration from ones I have visited. As you can see, a lot of work still needs to be done, with buildings needing to be finished and painted, track pinned and wired and scenery to be put down, so I'm going to be kept busy for the next three weeks.

I don't suppose Hattons would be interested in re-releasing some of the older liveries at some point in the future?

Has anyone else received a dispatch notice from the BLR shop? I haven't heard head or hair about my order since I put it in.

I am in the process of constructing an island platform for a layout, but have run into the issue of how to create the actual surface itself. It's set in a 1960/1970s style so I am looking at either asphalt or concrete for the top, but many of the out-the-pot texture paints don't outright advertise what scale they are suitable for and I am concerned it may look out-of-scale. The platform itself is also an uneven shape with no consistent width, so trying to use texture sheets would be difficult to pull off and look decent. Are there any products or techniques you would recommend?

Most curious that the BR versions still retain their push-pull gear. Were those type of services still running in the regions where the G5s worked in the 50s and 60s?

D9008 was waiting with my neighbours when I got back from work. I must say, I am quite surprised by the size of the box it came in. Quite a heavy little loco, runs like a dream on my teat layout. Only real issue I am noticing at the moment with mine is that one of the bogey chains are come loose from the body and I now have to fiddle around reattaching the tiny thing.

Upon reading the review of Heljan's new GWR railcar in Model Rail's latest issue, I noticed a comment that mentioned they were sometimes paired up with autocoaches to increase passenger capacity. Was this a common practice? And if so, what areas most commonly employed it?

This is the track setup. The power enters from the spot in the second image. I have gone over the points with a microfiber pen but the problem persists.

I have been working on a small Inglenook style layout over the last few months and today I decided to test the running. Before applying the scenics, I ran a test to see if everything ran smoothly, and it did. But today, when I reconnected the power, the loco struggled to get past the second point. Running a meter on the track confirmed that power wasn't reaching any of the sidings, even after giving the track a firm rub down. Being no expert on electrics and wiring, I'm struggling as to the cause of these power fluctuations.

What was the reason for MK1 coaches having corridor and open versions? Were they intended for use on different services? Would a train have consisted of both corridor and open stock?

So I recently picked up Parkside's LMS 6T Fish Van kit and right off the bat, I've noticed a problem. The goal was to paint it up in LMS colours, but the transfer sheet included uses BR style numbers and load script. Is there anyone who produces transfer sheets with the correct LMS style for these type of vans?

I had the "spiffing" pleasure of receiving such an email as well. I've had to make a new order for them from Kernow Models, and now it's just a case of "wait and see"...

Any recommendations on how to model ash and cinders on the tracks and the ground?

What are the best shades of paints for painting models (mainly rolling stock and buildings) in the liveries of the various BR regions?

What are the general thoughts on Heljan's Baby Deltic? I learnt about them yesterday and am considering hunting one down, but there doesn't seem to be many reviews on them in order to gain a better option before purchasing.

I think my current plan is to focus around the Blackpool North and Fleetwood lines, with emphasis on local trains rather than excursion traffic.

Would you have seen "Porthole" type coach stock in the area, or were they reserved for work elsewhere?

That is certainly a surprise to know that LNER coach stock was run locally on an LMS line.

Oh whoops, I should have said! I'm after stuff from 1957-66. That being said, I managed to locate some pictures on another site that show at least one member of the Class 25, 31/1, 40, 45 and 47 frequented Blackpool alongside this unidentifiable DMU model. https://rcts.zenfolio.com/diesel/br/other/ea8747aad

Both of those pages seem to have the same issue: they helpfully describe the steam fleet roster, but leave no mention of diesel or electric locos.

Is anyone familiar with the locomotive fleet that was stationed or ran to these three sites and what they consisted of? I've been struggling to find much information.

The area I intend to model is the North West, particularly around the Blackpool, Preston and Fleetwood region. As for train service... I'm not sure.

I am hoping that someone will help me out. I have a layout in the works depicting a small branchline terminus during the period of transition when BR introduced diesels and branchlines were getting the axe. For this, some of the rolling stock I will need is some MK1 coaches, but I am unsure what type, between Corridor and Open versions, were used. Can anyone clarify?