59004 ( was Shedcombe....)

Cheers Ben.

Mike, I've ordered 55992 & 55993 in RM with RT and now also 55994 in EP with Rainbow Railways. Checking the preproduction sample against the prototype 55994 at the Railcar.co.uk website reveals a rather different shade of front windows mask. Grey versus black. 55994 @ railcar.co.uk Will this be corrected on the production batch? Regards, Michel

Cheers for that. For the Baldwin, I intend to honour 9" curves. For the Coferna/Roco 0-6-0, I'd like to get my curves as tight as reliably possible. For couplings, I might design something 3D printed myself, with a clickable bar that can swivel between 2 fixed heads that themselves click in to the NEM pockets of the wagons. I don't like the Peco coupling offering and the Greenwich coupling I'm not sure about either. Want as close coupled stock as possible. I will only run fixed rakes. Remote uncoupling by between loco and train will be by a (by me) altered version of the N gauge SD-Modell coupling.

All, As my fictitious Welsh 009 layout "Llongwaith" will feature the Bachmann Baldwin (on heritage/preserved/tourist passenger trains) and the EuroNG Coferna kit on Roco 0-6-0 chassis (as double headers on long loaded freight trains, and single on long empty freight trains, or on the occasional passenger train as substitute traction), I'd also like to know what the minimum radius for either two types of loco's/chassis. ----------------- The track is quite likely to be flat only, maybe a slight gradient. Some track sections (both scenic and FY) will be dedicated freight only and some (FY) will be dedicated Passenger only. Passenger stock will Peco GVT 4-wheel, maximum load 5. Freight stock will be Peco 4-wheel, maximum load not determined yet, probable be 10 to 15 empty, with one loco and 10 to 15 loaded, with double headers. Timber/Lumber (Peco Bolster wagons) going one way loaded, empty return. Slate (Bachmann Slate wagons) going the other way loaded, empty return. General purpose freight (Peco 2 axle wagons) going both ways, 5 to 7 wagons, single loco. Layout size is 6' x 3' on 2 boards. Regards, Michel

This was my Class 66622. A 66610 renumbered using Precision Labels transfers (single numbers without carrying film). Dingler Gauge 1 (10 mm) functional screwlinks. Weathered for me by Kelvin Barnes. An 00 and N example of a 66 in front of it. Needed the cash for other models and was just lingering around, so sold it about 2-3 years ago. A pity though. Regards, Michel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID8MSuehjkk Magnificent, in all aspects (modelling/modification, weathering and sound). Regards, Michel

Thank so much Paul. Much appreciated. I'm looking into making them proper nice models, rolling freely, taking curves and points, unpowered without a motor present, but with all bells and wisthles in/on them. Complete as the Kato Portam/Centram, and more even, just no motor in them. Regards, Michel

How do the body section connect and how wel do the move to take curves, without being on the 03 chassis? Thing is, I want to use them with interior and passengers, interior lighting, head and tail lights, destination blinds lighting, indicator lights and brake lights. Plus lengthened to 5 and possibly even 7 segments. Detail pictures of inside and outside are welcome, both of the standard model and of the 03 chassis. Regards, Michel

Thanks Paul. Hmmm, a bit of a bummer. Means I need to find alternative bogies. Maybe the ones of the 03 chassis can be obtained as spares. Or ones of similar size and axle spacing. Regards, Michel

Hi Paul, I would like to know how freely they run as supplied, without motorised chassis in them. I have a completely different propulsion idea in mind. Video welcome by all means. Regards, Michel

Hi Paul, As I have a sneaky idea in mind with these Hiroshima Picolla models by Tomytec, can you please tell me how well and freely they run by themselves, thus as supplied without the 03 motorised chassis conversion? Regards, Michel

Thank Ben/Mike and all at Rapido, to take on board all raised points, with an intention to sort them all (as much as possible). I should be able to release funds early 2016 for a 9-car and an 11-car, but fear, a 3rd unit will not be possible, unfortunately. Is there really no way to order/buy any set at a later point in time? What is the story with the orders from outside Europe? Is the ordering deadline, that will be set sometime in the coming months, for Europa and for the orders through Rapido? Regards, Michel

Mike/Ben, Having finally seen some high resolution quality pictures of the first Pendolino coach samples. What I see, I do like A LOT. Very well done to all involved. However, there's one detail stick out as a sour thumb. I wonder if the side windows are as intended, or will be amended, as there's a hugh prism effect. Pictures can be found here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/105484-news-summary-from-warley-2015/?p=2110426 Regards, Michel

Great to read you had a good time and show Ian. Will also test the Dapol Mk3's with 2 short knuckle couplers, just for my own confirmation. Regards, Michel

Looking very nice Jesse. For colour light signals, also check Absolute Aspects. Superb signals, at a steep price though ..... Regards, Michel

Thanks Ian. I will experiment with the knuckles, short Rapido's, Tomix and Micro-Trains. Regards, Michel

Ian, I have 2 packs of Tomix Scharfenberg to fit Rapido style boxes. Will als get the version with close coupling mechanism. And some Dapol stuff. How do the Micro-Trains couplers fit in the options? Just received a Dapol XC Mk3 coach. Am surprised. Comes with a small bag containing 10 etched metal brake discs plus 2 short and 2 long fixed knuckle couplers. Gives me a chance to experiment with them. Regards, Michel

Thanks so much Ian. It's not that I can get any UK stuff around the corner, hence my questions. Maybe better invest in some different couplings of differing types and manufaturers and expriment. What couplings would you advice to have an experimental go with? Regards, Michel

Thanks Ian. The gap is still more as I prefer. Have you ever tried them with 2 shorts? Regards, Michel

OK thanks.

Have you got any side on shots of that set? Michel

Hi Ian, Thanks for your swift response. I will order some Tomix 0336 and take it from there. The Micro-Trains 1015 I will keep in mind, in case it turns out for 0336's being too long between coach end and bogie. Any advice on doing a similar intermediate close coupling job on the Dapol HST? I have 300mm ~ 12" as minumium radius and (as I can not get away with a FY behind the layout, designed at the front under the scenic section,) gradients of max. 2.4%. Regards, Michel

Hi Ian, What a great inspirational layout Babury is. IMHO one of the best N gauge modern scene layouts out there. A great act to follow, but it will be an overal standard to aim for. I'm currently planning Rummidge Park Hill, a fictitious current-ish WCML through station positioned in a cutting, with terminating bays and some stabling tracks. It's a (small-ish) station of a university city, with a connecting high frequency tram shuttle service from the station (and city centre) to the university, plus a visible small tram depot. Passenger stock will be Virgin Pendolino's, the Pretendolino, Arriva XC Voyagers and HST's, London Midland 153+170, 321's and 350's. Freight will be a big as possible variety, at (near as possible) prototypical lengths. The scenic section will be about 5.3 meter long and the layout overal 6.6 meter. I've managed to score a first (brand new) Farish XC Voyager. Now looking in to short couplers for the whole set and to allow running in multiple. You've used Tomix 0336 for the ends and Micro Trains 1015 at the intermediate connections. Do you think Tomix 0336 could be adapted for the intermediate connections as well? Regards, Michel Lelystad, Netherlands

This is how £420 spent can look, or £620 if they can make sounds too. I like it a lot, so have ordered 2, to be able to replicate this, albeit with NSE branding and of course a renumbering. Regards, Michel

Thanks a lot. OK, that makes 205024 a renumbering candidate. I would prefer to find out more units, preferably earlier as 1999 as well. Regards, Michel