Blobrick

I ve been undertaking some research in connection with the Green and Cream Mk2a coaching stock used on the Kyle line in the 1980s. However, so far l ve been unable to find a date as to when it was introduced or even withdrawn. Does anyone know if it was around the same time the MK1 Tourist stock was introduced on the West Highland line, which was around 1984 through to 1995? Cheers Bob C

Indeed l am, l ve also contacted Rainbow Railways here in Scotland, they produced renumbered/named versions of 37261/262 as a Ltd project based on the current 37260. Alas all sold out, but they are willing to undertake single commissions, so more a sister than a playmate lol Cheers Bob C

Hi Meanach, many thanks for your reply, i ve looked at both models currently on offer and l now see the cant rail, which i totally missed when looking between the prototype photos and the models. No sure if the removal of the cant rail is a straight forward job for a first attempt. I did also look at a 37012 Loch Rannoch also on the Kernow web site, to convert into 37114 Dunrobin Castle, but its marker light is mounted in the middle of the gangway doors, which if moved to the top of the nose as per prototype, would leave a neat hole and the problem of lighting it in its new position. It seems there is no easy path here, Maybe Mr Bachmann will announce more liveries and version by mid year (Suspect not likely at the rate the current 35 xxx series models are selling? Bob C

Can i ask fellow class 37 fans for some advice please? I m wishing to model Inverness based 37421 circa 1989,. Looking at the available new 35-xxx based large logo 37/4s currently available, it looks like the ltd edition of 37418 by Kernow Models is a suitable donor for this project? It seems to have all the lamp brackets in the right place etc, but due to my lack of knowledge on the class have l missed something? Here's betting l have! Fingers crossed Bob C

Well l got the chance to try the Decoder in another loco this afternoon, with unfortunately exactly the same result. The second loco ran perfectly on DC but as soon as the Decoder was installed, dead no movement. As l suspect lightning does not strick twice in the same spot, the issue is the Decoder, so l ll speak to the supplier tomorrow. Many thanks to all who contributed to this thread, you help is very much appreciated. Bob C

Hi there, yes the Decoder was bought new. I did attempt to change the address from the default number 3, but the EZ system could not talk to the decoder in any way shape or form. So the only option at the moment is try it in another loco. As l mentioned earlier l was hoping l d forgotten something or done something daft. Alas it appears not. Bob C

Hi there thanks for replying. I do have another dcc (factory fitted) loco which seems to work correctly on the existing layout. I m now wondering about the DCC socket on the loco itself. I had discounted this initially as the model ran correctly on DC using the blanking plug, but thinking about it, the blanking plate only connects the motor feds so the other pins could be defective in some way, becoming apparent only when the decoder is plugged in. I have another Hunslet tank l ll try the decoder in, l had not tried that option hoping l d done something silly in the first place? Bob C

I am wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem? I have a couple of Bachmann's Quarry Hunslet tanks, which after running in, l wanted to fit a suitable decoder to. I have acquired a Bachmann 36-571 6 pin decoder which l fitted to one of the locos. To my surprise , when l selected the default address of number 3 and applied power nothing happened. I removed the decoder and checked it was the correct way up, reinserted it again, still no movement. I have a basic controller (Bachmann EZ type) with 10 addresses, l worked my way through them thinking that maybe the decoder was set to a differant address. Still no responce. I re installed the blanking plate and tested the model on DC with no problems. Tried the Decoder again and the model still refuses to move. Have l done something wrong or missed something? Anyone got any ideas? Bob C

Hi folks l m seeking the impossible once again! I m seeking a Bachmann Hunslet tank 391-051 "Britomart" I just missed one here a couple of days ago, just my luck. If anyone has one they wish to dispose of please PM me Cheers Bob C

Seeking a Hornby R4235 Ex LMS (BR) Stanier 3rd class coach. Please PM me with details Thanks in advance Bob C

Thanks for the info pH, that's a very useful site indeed. It seems first EE type 1 was allocated 16/01/1960 with the first NBL type 2 allocated on 02/02/1960. Not even a month between them. Cheers Bob C

I have been working through some of the older RMweb threads related to early Scottish diesel allocations. I noticed that in a thread called "Diesels in Scotland pre 1960" (2013 l think) the OP was seeking advice on suitable Scottish diesels around 1958 to 1960ish. One of the replies mentioned D8028 and her sisters being allocated to Kittybrewster around 1958/59?. I had a quick peek at the "Shed Bash" web site, and that only showed EE type 1s and NBL type 2s being on shed from mid 1960 onwards. Does anyone know a definitive date for the allocation of the EE types 1s to Kittybrewster please? Bob C

Ahh right thanks, so there are no holes etc to work with then. Sounds like a blob of glue and position as required then. What type of glue did you use? Many thanks Bob C

A bit late to ask, but how did you work out the holes, for the head code disc s? There are no holes or even indentations on my (D6116) body shell to indicate where they go? Cheers Bob C

Having gone through a large pile of books, and magazines etc, this is the only class 24 (Non Tablet fitted) l ve found, and its a 24/0! . Haymarket based D5095. (Moved to Haymarket in August 1966) Yet another photo found on the GNSRA Org web site. D5095 is seen here at Elgin en-route to Aberdeen September 1966

As an extension to my thread about Non Token fitted locos working in north east Scotland, l ve been looking to see if any non token fitted 24/1 locos actually worked north of the boarder. The indigenous class 24/1 s were all fitted with Token recesses from new when allocated to Scottish depots, and there seems to be plenty of photographic evidence confirming the same. However this got me wondering if 24/1s allocated south of the boarder worked further north. I believe the North east had an allocation and could have possibly worked in to the lowlands around Edinburgh, but they are the only examples that l can think off. Does any one know of any other workings? Bob C

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion, its has helped my understanding a great deal. As l now see it there is no impediment to a non token fitted loco operating on a token area. Its more of an operational convenience to operate token fitted locos as it speeds up the exchange process. It would explain why l ve had difficulties in finding photos of non token locos working on token fitted areas. So far l ve only found one photo of a non token fitted class 26 (D5307 64B) working a freight on the Ballater branch in the mid 1960s Cheers Bob C

I had wondered the same, these services were stopping already so not really an issue as far as time was concerned

I ve been doing some research on the GNSR web site, (good site, well worth a visit) and noticed that almost all the diesel locos featured therein have Tablet Catcher equipment or the recess in the cab side for the provision of such equipment if required. I noted there were a fair few photos of BR class 105 Craven type two car DMUs featured, but l could see no provision on the 105 body work for Tablet Catcher equipment. How did these units operate on tablet worked branches? Was the token passed manually when working these units, and via Tablet equipment for other suitably fitted stock? Bob C

Many thanks Gents, that's a great help Cheers Bob C

I found this photo on the Rail online web site. Hopefully l ve not been too naughty by cropping a section of the relevant subject in the photo. It shows a BR class 21 just arriving at Larbert, some time in the 1960s. The train consists of three Mk1 coaches, which is made up of a Brake bringing up the rear and what l suspect are two SO/SF coaches. Can any of the experts amongst the Rmweb membership identify the vehicles in question please? Thanks in advance Bob C

Hi there again adb, sorry for the slow reply, but family+xmas duties have kept me busy today Must be that time of year! Thank you for the advice, l ve spent what little spare time l ve had today looking at photos of Scottish 08s and there does seem to be quite a few with no centre lamp iron on the front radiator grill. Those with it missing seem to have the orange piping feeding a set of electric lamps on the buffer beam and one centrally on the top of the front grill. The version of the 08 l have is D3200, so l m actively seeking a photo of that loco, to see how accurate the Hornby model is. Once l ve found one l ll decide the next step from there. Thanks again you help is much appreciated! Bob C

Hi there adb, thanks for replying` so promptly. Unfortunately the lamp iron has broken off flush with the front of the grill, so cleanly in fact, its difficult to see where the end of the lamp iron actually is. I suspect the solution to this issue is similar to the method of fitting the lamp irons that came with the Heljan Westerns, where you would have to heat up the lamp iron and work it into the small opening, allowing the heat to melt the surrounding plastic. Not something for the faint hearted! Bob C

I ve just unpacked my Hornby 08 shunter from its long term storage. Upon placing the the model on the track l noticed that the front lamp iron that sits half way up the front grill, was looking a bit crooked. I gently touched the lamp iron to see if it was loose, and surprise surprise the lamp iron fell off. Seems its suffered fatigue from being put in and taken out of its packing repeatedly. Strange how such a small thing is so noticeable when missing! The reason l ve mentioned this is that l am now hopefully seeking someone who could possibly fit a new lamp iron for me. Unfortunately whilst l can see its missing, l don't think l could trust myself to attempt to replace it without making the situation worse. Does anyone know of someone or could recommend someone to undertake this task please? fingers crossed Bob C

Hi Brian Thanks for letting me know, judging from above, l don't think l ll be the only one adding to the next "Wish list poll" ! Cheers Bob C