MikeB

I agree with Jeremy, with one caveat. If it is a series of identical street lights, for example, one resistor is OK. If colour light signals, the different colour LEDs have different properties and having individual resistors may help each colour to be of similar intensity. I'm sure somebody more knowledgeable can explain this in terms of the typical current /resistance of different colour LEDs.

There are also several photo books on the railways of Lowestoft - I assume you have these? I suppose a major change was the closure of the joint line to Yarmouth Southtown in 1970 (I was on the last train) and the various simplifications over the years, including the removal of the track on platform 1 and the lines to the docks.

There are some signal box diagrams from various times at https://www.flickr.com/photos/pwayowen/albums/72157627782450647/https://www.flickr.com/photos/pwayowen/albums/72157627782450647/

The official SEC parking is very expensive and there is often a jam when leaving. Other and better parking options are available (one is mentioned in this thread) and the train is convenient, even if only parking elsewhere and taking the train for the final part of the journey.

Are Microscale still in existence? Their last website update was three years ago, and I've read reports that e-mails to them receive no reply.

If you're OK with German, there is slightly more information on the German Wikipedia page https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eisenbahnsignale_in_der_Schweiz and a good guide at https://gleis3a.de/threads/signalsystemschweiz. The whole official set of rules is online, search for Schweizerische Fahrdienstvorschriften FDV (R 300.1–.15), but that's overkill. I looked at various brands of working signals for my HOm layout and decided on Mafen, who also do N signals. Unlike some other makes, Mafen signals are robust (apart from the fine wires) and do not have lots of unprototypical exposed wires, al least in 1:87. They are working signals and can be controlled using DCC, eg ECoS Signal Pilots or Switch Pilots. Although the costs mount up, using group signals can reduce the number needed.

I've found this account of a small branch line fascinating. Having acquired a few second-hand Bemo Om items I've been reluctant to build a layout because of the lack of a range of RTR trackwork. Searching through the internet I've found that the former FerroFlex track from Ferro-Suisse is now produced by a Swiss company, ABG-Technology. It’s not cheap (it’s Swiss and Om) but he ships worldwide with payment by bank transfer. www.schmalspur-treff.de/t1159f20374-Ferro-Suisse-Ferroflex-Geleise-von-ABG-Technology-uebernommen.html www.abg-technology.ch/das-ferroflex-system-gleis

Following from what Bernard said, search for "carnet" in the "Buying and Selling Models from Europe" in the German sub-forum. The main issue is having proof that you will re-import all you export. It is possible, as shown by the layouts from mainland Europe at the Warley show last year, but, like much else, a lot more paperwork is needed post-Brexit.

I've just seen the announcement by TfL that the Overground lines are to have individual names and map colours rather than the generic orange. While identifying individual routes seems a good idea, am I alone in thinking that the names are not very helpful and will not age well? https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/london-overground/overground-line-naming https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/feb/15/london-overground-new-names-and-colours-for-six-lines-revealed

I'd imagine that 22.2 mm gauge Om is sufficiently niche that Peco would want to prioritise their own ranges, where there have been supply shortages. Does Peco even have the capacity to make track for other companies? Bemo must have a problem as lack of basic pointwork must be harming their sales of items in their Om range.

I agree with what you say. Lippe still use DPD in the EU but changed to Fedex for UK and Switzerland, so presumably they also identifed that they needed to provide a better service to non-EEA customers. I don't see why in the T&C's a company could not ask for consent to forward an e-mail address to assist shipping, but perhaps DHL just don't do that.

Sadly, in my view, the trend is for online journey planers, such as those offerred by SBB or DB. All traditional Swiss timetables are still available in pdf format at https://www.xn--v-info-vxa.ch/de and then going to the second tab Fahrplan akteull, selecting the first option Fahrplanfelder abfragen and then entering a station name, checking you are on 2024 for current timetables, and this gives links to all the timetables for that location. The site also operates in French (https://www.tp-info.ch/fr) and Italian or you can use English if your web browser provides translation. It's also possible to select buses, trains only. RhB timetables are 910, 915, 920, 930, 940, 941, 950, 960. NB the printed timetables are not kept up to date so do not show all service changes, such as the recently announced cuts in some services

International sales depend on the seller. I buy most of my new Swiss-outline items from Modellbahnshop Lippe, who deduct German VAT, have a standard €12.90 flat rate for shipping to the UK and use Fedex. Fedex submit an invoice for UK VAT and their charge to me by e-mail once they have the item in their system and by paying onine there is no delay due to customs clearance etc. Order to delivery in less than a week. Compare this to some other sellers who keep the German VAT on and use DeutschePost / DHL which becomes Parcelforce or Royal Mail in the UK. Then items can sit waiting customs clearance for a week or more and the charges letter takes another week to arrive by post.

I wonder if part of Hatton's demise was caused by all the IT investment? The product database, the marketplace, trunk, wishlist, proforma for purchasing second hand items, dealing with overseas sales and the complex website were all good for customers but must have been a heavy overhead to build and maintain. Was it too much without lots of sales from the two major UK outline suppliers?

There is now a clear gap in the market that somebody will fill. Some of the big players already do second hand (eg TMC and Rails), others don't (eg Kernow and Gaugemaster). The magazines contain ads from several smaller companies that want to buy stuff. Perhaps there will be some fragmentation as Hattons purchased everything from common OO UK items to rarer non-UK outline in various scales. For example, how many of the second hand dealers know what to offer for a N gauge Austrian electric loco based on original price and current demand? Would there be a derisory offer to a seller and a bargain for a buyer, or vice-versa? Sellers will choose depend on what prices shops will offer although selling to a dealer is more about convenience as putting individual items on eBay generally results in more work but more money.