RandyWales

Hi all I started this topic when Darstaed anounced the range, and quite some time has since passed.... the range are no longer 'on the horizon'. To prevent new readers being confused when they see the topic, I have changed the header to simply read....Darstaed Mk1 coaches for 7mm. regards Randall

Totally agree Stephen....I saw BBS yesterday and was blown away seeing it in the flesh, although expectations were obviosly high after following the build on here. BCNPete and myself have posted photographs in the Cheltenham exhibition advertising thread. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/132280-cheltenham-model-railway-exhibition-7-8-april-2018/&do=findComment&comment=3120404 Despite illness (not contagious) I was determined to get to the exhibition to see the layout on it's debut, but it's big-time payback today. Randall

Echoing BCNPete's sentiments..... I am so pleased to have seen BBS in the flesh on it's exhibition debut. I loved every aspect of this top class model, especially as it is set in my favourite BR Corporate Blue era. This layout is set to be a huge draw at the premier exhibitions in the future. I was very impressed with Andy's simple and unobtrusive method of close coupling the stock, and it was a pleasure to chat on several modelling topics during my many visits to the layout. I'll try and post a few videos of BBS when I get the chance. The exhibition itself is small and homely, never overcrowded, even for a Saturday, and has some very interesting layouts on show. A bonus for me was the 10% discount voucher for Cheltenham Model Centre that came with the programme. Even though the discount doesn't officially start until w/c Monday 9th, CMC kindly applied the discount to my purchases - A blue Farish Class 47, a blue Dapol Class 33 and a couple of Dapol HST first class coaches in blue/grey. On the way home I called in to the Blaenavon Railway for my maiden ride on the railway, and also picked up Dapol's Western Invader in blue at a discounted price at their shop in the town. A very enjoyable day indeed. Randall

Hi all... BR Intercity 125 Blue/Grey HST 4-car bookset now available from Dapol, Hattons and no doubt many others. Randall

Hi Marc.... Myself and others can't argue with your comments about the actual costs of development, assembly etc. However, from the viewpoint of the potential customer, there is another factor I would apply....that of value for money. As an example, on another forum, I asked for help locating someone who could provide a set of gates - those ubiquitous station barrier scissor gates (for 7mm scale). I received a reply from a chap who works with Pete Waterman on Leamington Spa. He told me they have bespoke-built scissor gates in the station on Leamington - printed on a 3D SLA printer. He obtained permission to supply from Pete and I was quoted £40 for a single set of gates (I need a pair). There was no way in the world I was going to pay that much (VFM), so I set about providing my own. I downloaded Fusion 360 (the latest version of AutoCad) for free and set about creating my own 3D drawings. I probably have an advantage insomuch I have recently retired after a 45 year career in IT so I have been this situation many times before. After a couple of nights struggling with the concepts I finally got my head around it and came up with a drawing I am happy with (part of which is displayed below). I then had to decide how to produce them. I considered buying my own SLA printer with a view to selling them to interested parties (after testing the water for demand of course). I discounted buying a cheaper standard 3D printer as the finish quality wasn't up to scratch. I also PM'ed Stephen Leathers from LLC as he has a new Injection Moulding capability and he provided me with what I thought was a very interesting quote. However, I soon realised the difficulties you described in your post, insomuch from my own point of view, I concluded the £40 is cheap if you want something. However, I am still not buying the Leamington gates, as I now have an insight into the actual cost on this item from the point of view of design which is constantly highlighted as the most costly part of the production cycle. I will probably end up sending them to Shapeways, although everything is currently off the table due to illness. On the issue of your points regarding R-T-R over kit/handbuilt I am satisfied with the standard of most (not all) of my not-so-cheap off the shelf models. What I do object to though, is the attitude of some more affluent modellers out there. I am (or soon to be, was) a member of the Gauge 0 Guild, and there was recently a very rigourously contested thread regarding the cost of high end ready to run (handbuilt) models. We are talking £thousands. However, the thread went on to cover all aspects of ready to run, where people chipped in about a lot of the very same issues you have highlighted in your post. Some of the 'debate' got very heated and I took offence to one post by an obviously wealthy member who said: —————————————— Expensive RTR (and as an aside - brexit) - seems to me to be just 'sour grapes' - a very British malaise. As Michael Cain said when he drove a Rolls in America he was applauded, whereas here in the 'wonderfull UK' some wanted to kick his head in. Most people in this country attain their money through their own graft. If you do not like it then keep your opinions to your self. —————————————— He was obviously implying that anyone who is not wealthy is jealous. In my naive ignorance (having for 45 years complied with strict email and Social Media protocols regarding the causing of offence to others), I called him out and was promptly flamed by several other members. The vitriol that is flying around in the UNMODERATED Gauge 0 Guild forum is obscene. Sorry for this rant to conclude my post....blame the medication. Randall

Hi John.... I think a new scheme involving very high end kits is extremely unlikely if you read the detail. PW states that the plan is to provide the best models for discerning modellers and collectors. I know most of us collect kits with the intention of building them (eventually), but I would be amazed if there were people out there who actually 'collect kits' with no intention of building them. Randall

Hi Phill.... I've thought about Kettering, but it was a very l-o-n-g day last year and I've been ill since I retired in October, and I'm still very much under the weather, so it's unlikely. Also, I haven't got any plans to buy anything 7mm for now as I've more or less got all the stuff I need. My N gauge collection has started to grow though, and I've got a simple double track mainline (raised trackbeds of course) under construction. Randall

Hi Phill... I saw your query about DCC chips for 2mm locos a few weeks ago and got to wondering what you were up to :-) I've found your thread now and will follow with interest. Are you intending to use off-loco sound as Chris M has done on Little Aller Junction? Funnily enough, I have also started to collect some N gauge stuff to build a 'watching the trains go by' layout. If I can offer an off-the-wall suggestion... Take a look at my thread from the old RMweb: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/59643-watching-the-model-trains-go-by-with-bincoculars/ You can focus right down to eighteen inches with them and my 2mm stuff looks like 7mm looking through the binos....ha ha ha! I know that some modellers bought these after seeing my thread and have used them at exhibitions with good reactions. Gordon Gravett liked them too, although he did look at me a bit oddly at first :-) Randall

Hi Steve... I saw CBG at Yate today and I was really impressed with the quality of the modelling and the operation. I abolutely love the lasercut Parcels warehouse, as one of my favourite elements on a model railway are buildings that dominate the scene and dwarf the rolling stock. Randall

Exclusive image of the new model on LLC Facebook page for Group members :-) Scale7 wheels OFF-THE-SHELF if you want!!!!

Hi Greg... I was able to make use of a space of 48 x 16 inches to accomodate a single point / three siding Inglenook microlayout in 0 gauge called Maenol Mine which gave me enormous scope for detailing and was very interesting to operate. I documented it's construction here back in 2012. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/14287-maenol-mine-an-update/page-1?hl=maenol Randall

Hi all... Following recent discussions on the Guild forum, a member has kindly committed to undertaking a survey to try to ascertain the extent of the problem of split gears on Heljan 0 gauge locomotives, with a view to the Guild bringing the result to the attention of Heljan as a collective submission. All are welcome to contribute to the survey whether a member of the Gauge 0 Guild or not. If you have experienced the 'split gears' problem, there is a submission point with full description of the requirements on the Guild website's Home Page under the Guild News banner. Please read the requirements carefully as this survey is about ALL locomotive types, not just concentrating on those models that have had the specific problem. This is in order to assess the extent (or not) of the problem across the range. http://www.gauge0guild.com/# Randall

Hi all... Following recent discussions on the Guild forum, a member has kindly committed to undertaking a survey to try to ascertain the extent of the problem of split gears on Heljan 0 gauge locomotives, with a view to the Guild bringing the result to the attention of Heljan as a collective submission. All are welcome to contribute to the survey whether a member of the Gauge 0 Guild or not. If you have experienced the 'split gears' problem, there is a submission point with full description of the requirements on the Guild website's Home Page under the Guild News banner. Please read the requirements carefully as this survey is about ALL locomotive types, not just concentrating on those models that have had the specific problem. This is in order to assess the extent (or not) of the problem across the range. As an aside, could I also draw attention to the fact that there is now a dedicated forum topic heading for Diesel and Electric Traction. This may be of interest to those who are considering joining the Guild (or those who have been members in the past). http://www.gauge0guild.com/# Regards Randall

PM sent

Don't be so downhearted....maybe a rapid injection of steam through your clack valve will resolve your ablution problem...but not while the train is standing in the station. :-)