Steadfast

Easiest way to tell them apart is the solebar is C section, rather than flush. The Procors are all inner wagons. Wagon number 2 in this picture. Jo

Thanks for posting these photos Matthew, you've done a great job on those. For anyone interested in these VTG blue wagons, give me a shout as I've done a pack to repaint up to 6 wagons. It's not yet online as it started as a commission. Everything is included except the red and white warnings on the hopper doors as this section is easily masked. I also realised I haven't posted on this thread, so here's a link to the previous post on the other HYA thread. Again, give me a shout if you're interested. £15 for 5 wagons worth, including renumbering patches for both sides. Jo

Yes. Now owned by LSL and being cosmetically restored for them at Toton. Jo

Another one today. Down Main at Stockley Bridge Jn. Jo

Spot on, thank you Simon. I'm sure we're a way off me driving under it yet but good to know how it works when the time comes. Jo

A couple of questions regarding the overlay ETCS. 1) does the train still show in the signal berths (is that the right name?) of the traditional signalling systems, so would show on TVSC's screens, Opentraintimes.com etc? 2) what does the driver see? Are the colour light signals still lit, but just ignored, or are the signals black? Presumably the AWS and TPWS don't trip as they're inactive with the train switched to another system. Thanks in advance for any answers, it's interesting to see how it will come into being with the two systems side by side. Jo

Consortium or a persuasive group to make an offer he can't refuse? I'd love a rake in N. And then there's the Procors that run mixed in with them and all... Jo

For clarity - is everyone talking about the same lights? The centre light is a marker light. Clearly this protrudes too, and should be a simple fix, or perhaps even just the part pushed in too far from behind. The black BMAC clusters feature the markers and head lights. They are chunkier in real life than the old spec BMACs (such as 59s, 60, as built 66s etc) and look about right I'd say. Jo

Much more nicely put than my earlier drivel! Exactly the point, there were some very strong Ferrari years in the Merc era, but ultimately falling short. Jo

During previous domination eras, even though come season end it was yet another championship for team X,Y or Z, the season to get there usually had a few different winners, unlike this year where Red Bull came oh so close to a clean sweep. It'll be interesting to see if they evolve to retain the dominance next year on two fronts, firstly the after effects of the penalty for breaching last years cost cap (I think we can all guess how much effect it had...) and secondly to if the other teams can catch them up. Jo

As he retained the lead after Leclerc's challenge in the first corner or two, I thought to myself game over. Wasn't long until I fell asleep in front of the telly... Jo

Now, we normally complain that the lights on our models are too bright, but the LED lights on the replacement clusters are properly bright! Jo

040 could be a decent base model for future runs (sorry to wishlist!). DB stickered, and one of, if not the first, to gain the replacement LED light units. Would open the door for plenty of other DB stickered locos as Bespoke locos too. Something to watch on the stickered locos is they don't all have the front logo on the yellow panel. Jo

A brilliant announcement. The bespoke numbering idea is excellent, I'll have to go through the notebook for notable ones I've driven. Here's 66083 today still in full EWS colours, transferring a hefty rake of Falcon from the Down to the Up yard at Westbury. Jo

I assuming we're talking about a separate incident, the metal fatigue cracks in the yaw damper mounts at a guess Jo

I don't disagree in rhe slightest, but that's a new cab at minimum on the HST Jo

Much as I hate IETs, it was a bit more than a new skirt on the HST! It never ran again. Link from Flickr. The HSTs have done us proud, and for me what is a crying shame is that the IET is not a patch on what went before. As a passenger, yes everyone moans about the seats, but the ride is atrocious, they're worse than Voyagers along the sea wall, the catering has been dumbed down, the interior ambience is non existent and the saloon lighting is so bright it's ridiculous. It's interesting hearing complaints from the drivers too when I've been upbthe front on them. General consensus, they have some good features, but lots of problems. Whilst it's not the fault of the IET themselves, but relevant to the discussion they are becoming more and more overcrowded too as the DfT led removal of HSTs before replacement stock is available sees them redeployed on the Cardiff - Penzance corridor. This means as you bang across pointwork at 125 mph you're probably being thrown into another standing passenger, rather than watching your drink sway violently while seated. It comes to something when the most comfortable trains in the area are 30 year old 158s! Jo

I'd go 2 part epoxy. With tube, you're potentially increasing your surface area, as the glue will secure both the inside and outside of the brass, whereas a solid rod would only have glue on the outside faces. Also epoxy isn't brittle like superglue so less likely to snap. A slight recess in the surface or a lip / peg on the surface the brass is being mounted to will help secure it too Jo

Leaving a waterslide in a bowl of water won't make it release any quicker. Once the paper is saturated, you're not gaining anything, other than potentially losing the decal as it floats off into the water if its a quick release. Tiny decals I often just put a blob of water on the cutting mat with a brush and soak the decal in it there. Always take the backing paper to the model and slide them off - picking the decal up on a brush or tweezers risks it wrapping round and being ruined. I like @Gareth Collier's suggestion, will have to give that a go. Jo

Nice one Al, that's come together nicely. Glad to have been able to help. Jo

Nice, the RMCs look great when grubby and covered in graffiti Jo

If you're a member, read the first page of this thread. http://wnxxforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=37383 Tony Miles, a respected industry journalist, gives some background to the "why not more Hitachi" question. They've priced themselves out of the market, and have proven difficult for industry to work with. Almost like they don't want any more orders. Jo

Excellent work Matthew, you've got a great result there! Jo

Interesting. I guess it's like anything, published once then repeated all over! Jo

The 159s have the 400 bhp Cummins NTA855-R3 as do 158863-872. Backed up by @Cruachanwho replied as i was typing I'm not sure if the 158s converted to 159/1s retained the 350 bhp or got upgraded to 400 bhp lumps. Wikipedia suggests they kept the 350s, but well, it's Wikipedia so pinch of salt and all that. Scottish 158s were apparently built with first class. 159s have a 4 step brake handle, the 158s have 3 step brakes. Jo