Alycidon

Thanks very much for the quick reply, I'll give them a go.

Sorry if I've missed this, I do follow the thread as best I can, but were the non-sound decoders that were being done (to the same specs as the sound (minus sound of course)) released? Happy to wait if not, just don't want to miss them. Thanks in advance for any replies

In fairness to York it was actually Doncaster Works that painted the frames back into blue just prior to the Railex Weekend (17/18 June 1978) when she was touched up as a static exhibit. There's a lovely shot of her there on the Napier Chronicles website. It took her nearly another 18 months from then to escape the Works and very nearly didn't make it. The post announcing this variation references 4 Deltics to have had this treatment, 55006 I know was one, I'm 99% sure 55002 was the third, but not sure of the 4th. The silver frames definitely add something though, here's No 6 at Kings Cross in 1978.

I'll echo this sentiment to add a little more 'noise'. I model the Eastern Region BR Blue 1975 - 1982ish. I have 7 Deltic's with 3 more on order, I have 9 Class 31's on order (a few duplicates for renumbering in there) but by comparison, of the 2 batches of 37's released/announced, only 2 have been in my timeframe. Would love to see more.

Especially with stay alive fitted as standard

They're exclusive to Locomotion Models, this link should take you there Not sure how you post a link in here, but if you google Locomotion Models and go to the exclusives page, that'd where they are

This is great news! I've been waiting for a blue 31/0 for what feels like a lifetime! I spent a lot of time when I was growing up on Stratford station during the 70's watching these trundle through.

Mine didn't, I ordered a speaker a couple of months ago, in readiness for the sound decoders, expecting to see the brackets included, but was advised a bit of blacktack will hold it in place.

This is excellent news, Just pre-ordered the 3 blue ones. I remember both 4 and 6 being distinctive with the unpainted window surrounds, number 2 I think as well (though could be wrong, it was a long time ago) but which was the 4th? I'm curious.

That was exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much

Would anyone know where I might find a list of the 31's fitted with trip cock equipment? The original post mentions there were 61 of them. Thanks in advance.

I model the ECML during the late 70's/early 80's so have a licence to run these on test trains following refurbishment at Doncaster Works, but when I saw it was 50006 Neptune being modelled in blue it sealed it for me. I will be able to re-create this scene at York on 17th October 1981. The Deltic on the left is 55021 and is about come off the train, a special called The Minsterman, with 50006 replacing her to go onwards. On the right is 55013 which took us home on the 18.14 to Kings Cross a little later.

Thank you! Worked an absolute treat! Funnily enough this is the method I use for Bachmann loco's and I tentatively tried it on the Deltic but was so worried about scratching the paintwork off, as happened with a Heljan 27, that I abandoned it after only a couple of very light passes with a cocktail stick in favour of the IPA method. I now have No 9 in mid 70's condition which is how I first saw her (to complete them all) aptly enough 46 years ago today at the head of what I think was the 23.00 paper train to Leeds/Bradford at Kings Cross. We'd popped into Kings Cross to see what was there after coming back from a trip to Tinsley to see the first of the Class 56's. Happy days.

Hiya, Yes the lighting functions on the non-sound decoder work as per the sound decoder and headcode, tail and cab lights work directionally as expected. I had a little trial of the F8 brake but it made no discernible difference from what I could see so I think that's a sound function only. The stay alive feature works straight out of the box as well which I think wasn't the case with the original sound decoders though still need to test the one I have. I'm also after a little bit of help again too, I've made a not particularly great attempt at removing the number of a blue one, I followed the instructions of IPA with 6% water dilution as shown on the video - though my 6% was rule of thumb than exact (not sure how to get that exactly right?) and whilst the number came off, the blue has been noticeably lightened. The video shows the paintwork unaltered from what I could see. I've stopped at one side as I don't want to risk ruining the loco completely..... Again any tips as to what I might try would be greatly appreciated.

I assumed that was for the sound decoder I'll give it a try tomorrow and see if I get anywhere Thank you very much for the reply, it's much appreciated.