87023Velocity

Hi, Another to consider is A1 brass turned buffers A13, I have used them on 9 VEA's so far. Think they are available from MG Sharp models. Cheers Simon

I was going to try and resist temptation and hold off from buying one of these, however, don't think that will happen. A business trip into Liverpool I think is required, with a diversion via Smithdown Road. Failing that, I could always pick one up at the Wigan Exhibition in June! Cav, that 85 you have renumbered and weathered looks brilliant, I cannot wait to see it on Outon Road. Cheers Simon

Hi Boris, Your class 20 looks very good and certainly worth all the hard work! Will be good to see it painted. Cheers Simon

Hi Mick, You will need some brake force runners either end aswell as Desiros can only be hauled unbraked, there are no suitable translator vehicles if my memory is correct. Cheers Simon

Ok, maybe the structure is the same, after all they were going to use cars from 460's to increase the length of the 458's as you have stated above. I have not worked on a 460 so do not know the power distribution and geography of the train. Maybe a 460 could well be converted to work on 25Kv with the right amount of time and investment, but until that point it is a 3rd rail unit only just like a 450/444/458 etc and not a ready to go dual voltage unit (319/350 etc) or indeed ac unit. Given how it looks at the front it should stay on the southern! I suggest we bring back the 87's from abroad top and tailed with Mk1's and Mk2's in good old banger blue! Shame the 304 and 305's have all gone. Cheers Simon

If they have not designed the train to use 25Kv from the outset, I'd expect the underframe has not been designed to hang the weight of a transformer and associated equipment from it which would be required, if the space is available on the trailer cars that is. Cheers Simon Edit, just found this: http://www.porterbrook.co.uk/images/pic_library/pdf/Class%20460.pdf

My understanding with the 460's were that they are only 3rd rail, there is no pantograph well in the roof unless it has been covered over? I know the class 458's were built with the option of using 25Kv (as per majority of new build 3rd rail emus), and hence these do have a pantograph well in the roof. Cheers Simon

Hi OzzyO, Bombardier are currently evaluating the requirements for a additional vehicle with a pantograph and transformer which would be inserted into the current 220/221 fleet. In theory it should work as the traction propulsion system on the 220/221 is very similar to the class 390.A class 222 7 car set may actually require 2 additional vehicles due to the number of motored vehicles,a transformer on each new car drawing supply from one pantograph as per class 390 (The eleven car 390's have 3 transformers for example). Therefore it would be able to work from the OHLE as you suggest and on diesel were no wires are present. Cheers Simon

Hmmm, that Blue 85 is very nice, I think I will be having a few of those, the pantograph is very good, the model looks spot on. Just needs some fire damage on the bodysides! Cheers Simon

Hi Boris, Your MMP 08 looks like it is coming together well. I keep meaning to buy one myself as I have seen quite a few made up and they always look good. With regards keeping the brass clean whilst working, I made the same mistake with my 56 build. Is your 08 going to be in BR Blue? Cheers Simon

Hi Rob, I passed at 0945 and 60099 was certainly there then. When coming home this afternoon, there was an EWS 60 there but not sure of the number. Cheers Simon

The replacement may well be numbered as 70012. This loco will not have had all the VAB paperwork completed, so technically 70012 may not be on registered on the system yet. Also, 158861 IIRC had one vehicle written off after a collision with a run away class 47 (47343, it was the reason for 47300 being converted from 47468). The new class 158 vehicle which was built as a replacement took the old vehicles identity (52861???). Cheers Simon

There have been small fires in the air conditioning module on mk3's in the past, which is mounted in the underframe. The fire brigade were usually called out, although damage to the vehicle bodyside was limited to black smoke marks rather than severe heat damage i.e damaged flaking paint etc. Simon

We haven't planned a return to service date as yet, however the 2012 show would certainly set us a goal to aim for. I think you have given us something to think about.......... Hmmmm Simon

Well now that the Wigan exhibition is out of the way, the group is going to continue with the work on Millport Victoria. Over the coming year we will be working on a new fiddleyard board, continuing the work on the shed area and also replacing some tired buildings, which have seen better days and it would be easier to build a like for like replacement rather than trying to rescue them. The big news is the group has decided that as part of the re-wire, we are going to convert Millport to DCC operation. Millport was previously operated as per cab control DC method and we are hoping that DCC will allow the operating potential to be increased. We are also contemplating operating the points using Tortoise point motors, they were previously old H&M point motors. Obviously, we will also need to look at converting the locos to DCC. The majority of Normans Locos have not run for over 10 years, so as we service each loco, they will be hopefully converted to DCC. With regards the rolling stock for the layout, every item will be examined and checked. Things like back to backs on the wheelsets, missing buffers replaced, missing screw/3 link couplings replaced. As we start to work our way through the rolling stock, we will post some pictures of the rolling stock on here and detail what work is required and also maybe detail whose kit it is etc. As mentioned in previous postings, the work on Millport is limited to Tuesday evenings only, however the group may look at undertaking some weekend work to help speed things up. The rolling stock for example is not too bad, because the repair/service can be carried out at Members homes. Thanks for reading Simon (On behalf of the Millport Team)

I e-mailed Flangeway this week and the reply was that some would be available at the Wigan show over the 12/13th Dec. No details given on liveries or vehicle running numbers. Simon

Sorry Ian, I was getting mixed up with Seacows and Sealions, I have just re-read your OP (one and only is quite clear). I was thinking of the Seacows you were building on RMweb3. Simon