cornish trains jez

1 hour ago, franciswilliamwebb said:

 

310 087 & 304 010 at Stafford on 30/05/78 (my photo)

What is the building in the background?

Hobbytrain have certainly announced some great items. Better get saving now!

1 hour ago, SBB1 said:

Hi all,

 

Apologies for the Friday afternoon moan! I recently picked up a couple of Hobbytrain's IC2020 coaches, including the cab car. I've seen a thread on here from a while back and another on a German-language forum talking about some issues, but I just wanted to see if my experience matches up completely with others. I've come across the following:

 

- Constant derailing on curves/track joints when leading (presumably it'll really hate gradient transitions as well)

- Lights theoretically DCC-controllable (?) but cab glued shut, preventing practical access

- All lights either constantly on or completely off in DCC operation, regardless of direction of travel

- General quality control issues (white paint splashed over silver details, red cab end unevenly painted, various little chips in plastic etc.)

 

I'd appreciate other members' thoughts. Have I been unlucky?  Is there something I'm missing re: DCC?

 

I should say that it's not all bad - some are the details are superb - but it feels like a potentially great model has been let down by poor execution. 

 

Andrew

 

Yep, sounds about right! I sent mine back for most of those reasons. Poor paint finish quality, cab looked like it had been badly glued together, had a lean on it which looked awful on straight sections.

My replacement that came was much better though. 

I'll be doing a video soon on these vehicles on my YouTube channel. I have other gripes with these too!

Best regards,

Jeremy

On 10/01/2023 at 08:12, Keith Addenbrooke said:

Thank you - good to hear track building and structures are making progress (your existing Post Office building is a fantastic example of an N-Scale scratchbuild).

 

I do wonder if you’ve got me mixed up with another Keith ( @Frutigen ) - I know I’m looking forward to more videos of his layout too, but my own plans had to be scrapped last year to accommodate changing family needs and I’m waiting to start over once a problem with a damp wall in the room I can now use has been addressed (after the worst of the winter).  Not to worry, Keith.

My apologies, I’m getting my Keith’s mixed up. I’ll look forward to hearing more on your plans and sorry to hear you have had some damp issues.
 

The structures are certainly starting to appear and one in particular, which I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned in my videos, will be one located at the front of the layout as the tracks swing back out to the outside of the board. I’ll add something on this one in my next video update.

Best regards,

Jeremy

On 08/01/2023 at 00:26, Keith Addenbrooke said:

Very enjoyable @cornish trains jez - really nice to see the focus on Swiss Railways for the anniversary year at the show.  Thanks for sharing your video - having seen it here I was actually able to watch it on the TV to see it on a 31” screen, which added to the experience.  Hope you’re getting some modelling done on your layout too, Keith.

Thanks Keith. The layouts were certainly rather good. 
I’m getting some modelling in now which is nice and part way through building the first of many hand built turnouts. I’ve also built another of the mock up buildings which is bringing a more clearer vision as to how things will ultimately look on the layout.

Hope all is well with you. Looking forward to seeing more videos of your layout!

Best regards,

Jeremy

On 07/01/2023 at 22:01, SBB1 said:

Enjoyed the video @cornish trains jez - great to see some Swiss action at Warley! I was going to make the trip but decided against because of the rail strikes. Worth it from a Swiss modeller's point-of-view?

 

Andrew

Oh certainly was! The Swiss layouts were really good and were certainly attracting the crowds. Hope there will be a good turnout again this year.

Best regards,

Jeremy

Hey everyone,

First of all, wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Below is a short video which I took at the Warley Model railway Exhibition at the NEC in November last year showing a selection of the Swiss layouts on offer.

Best regards,

Jeremy

Fabulous work David!

Best regards,

Jeremy

3 hours ago, SBB1 said:

Perhaps 'Dreamlist' would be more appropriate? In reality, there's little expectation that manufacturers will happen to produce x specific rolling stock that I like, especially in a smaller market like Swiss outline.

 

I saw a recent forum discussion/moan/rant where GB modellers were bemoaning the lack of an Electrostar in OO gauge - one of the most ubiquitous EMUs, in one of the most well-represented markets, in the most popular gauge, and it still hasn't been produced. So we have no chance! But it is fun to speculate, and I'm always interested to know what fellow modellers are hoping for.

I think Revolution Trains are going to produce an Electrostar in N. Not sure if they are doing a 00 gauge version though.

To add one more item to my wish list would be a BLS ABDe 4/8. I think this would make a great model.

Best regards,

Jeremy

10 hours ago, Gordonwis said:

Going back a bit further...

 

One of my late Uncle Jeremy's shots .

 

SNCF 141R with a local for Chambery. 1954

Fabulous photo Gordon! Thank you for sharing.

Best regards,

Jeremy

4 hours ago, SBB1 said:

Nothing leaps out for me in the Piko range. Maybe Arnold would have a crack at the Giruno, given they've blessed us with the RABe 503.

 

An updated Re 4/4 IV would be great! Not necessarily my favoured era, but I do have a soft spot for them. I saw one pop up on Catawiki not so long ago - obviously an old model now (can't remember who by?) but it still looked the part.

 

Andrew

Roco do an Re4/4 iv in N gauge. I have one in the all over grey livery which is part of a set with three coaches. I’m sure they did the other two liveries as well as I’ve seen them come up now and then on eBay.

Best regards,

Jeremy

Happy New Year!

Cool topic and be interested to see what everyone else has on their lists!

My top 3 N gauge would be:

1: SBB RABe 500

2: SBB RABe 501 Giruno - already available in H0 from Piko (I believe) so they could easily "shrink" it!

3: BLS RABe 528 MIKA

Best regards,

Jeremy

Hi Michael,

Just found another one in my archives. Again taken at Geneva in 2008.

Best regards,

Jeremy

Hi Keith,

Hope you had a good Christmas.

Nice set of photos and the catenary looks really good and completes the scene nicely. Looking forward to seeing more photos and videos of your fantastic layout.

Happy New Year!

Best regards,

Jeremy

Hi Michael,

Looks like a really interesting project and look forward to seeing it develop.

I was in Geneva in 2008 and took a few photos at the station, Here is one I took of the sidings.

And another with two Lyria TGV's awaiting their next turns of duty. I'll see if I can dig out some more.

Best regards,

Jeremy

Very nice Dave!!

7 hours ago, SBB1 said:

 

That Piko RABe 501 is stunningly beautiful. There's something about those units... possibly my favourite at the moment. Praying for one in N!

 

One high-speed train I do have on order is the Kato TGV Lyria Duplex, bought direct from Plaza Japan for about half of what it's retailing for over here. Shipping wasn't extortionate either. Perhaps worth checking out if that's your kind of thing.

 

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I’m certainly interested in the duplex TGV as I already have the single deck version in the Lyria livery.

i would be interested to know if there would be any import duty to pay on the one you ordered as the prices do look very competitive compared to the price here.

Best regards,

Jeremy

18 minutes ago, SBB1 said:

Thank you for your insight Keith.

 

Trains with be shorter than that on the first layout, but good to know those ball-park numbers for future reference.

 

This blog - albeit outdated - seems to confirm that most things get a run at some point, even if limited as you say: http://l.longi.li/blog/2016/10/18/sbb-trains-and-their-availability-in-n/

 

Hoping to see more EMUs out there on the market in the future - an RABe 501 and updated RDBe 560 would be fantastic!

 

Thank you for the tips Jeremy - I've already used Scograil for a bargain EW IV and have my eye on a couple of items from DM Toys. The bulk of my wagons so far have come from Hampshire Models - very reasonable prices as well!

 

I've also noticed this about buying from Switzerland in my brief experience. I found a wagon on a Swiss site that was sold out everywhere else afaik, but delivery would have been about a third of the total cost, so I didn't bother in the end. Maybe it's worth it for a big order, but not for a solitary wagon.

 

Perhaps I'll have to find a model shop or two in Switzerland that I can swing by on a visit at some point...

 

Andrew

With regards to units, Hobbytrain announced they are producing the Stadler KISS SBB RABe511 units and also the BLS MUTZ 515 units. Worth keeping a look out for them. I have one of each pre-ordered with Scograil. Having seen the EP samples on their Facebook page, we are in for a treat!

Piko have announced the RABe501 in H0...so who knows, they may shrink it to N gauge in the future. Would make a cracking model!

Best regards,

Jeremy

1 hour ago, SBB1 said:

Thank you for the detailed reply, really appreciate it!

 

You've confirmed some of the thoughts I've already had and also given me some new things to think about - I'm all for fine detail, but if newer Fleischmann pantographs are that delicate, then that definitely has to come under consideration. At least, if I do come by one I'll be extra careful when handling!

 

In general, how well is Swiss N supported? Has it become better/worse over the years? It seems like there are a fair number of products on the market, but once they are gone, they are truly gone and quite hard to come by. At least compared to, say, British or German outline.

 

Many thanks,

 

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I agree with Keith in that Swiss outline seems to be batch produced. I've been dealing with Scograil in Ipswich recently who have been really helpful in sourcing me the latest releases.

Other shops I've dealt with have been DM Toys in Germany and also La Vitrine Du N in Switzerland. The latter have a really good selection of second hand models and is run by a young couple who are also SBB train drivers IIRC. They also do some 3D printed bits too which are not available from the mainstream manufacturers. However the postage is eye waveringly expensive.

Best regards,

Jeremy

3 hours ago, SBB1 said:

Hi all,

 

My fledgling Swiss N gauge collection is starting to take shape, with a handful of wagons, coaches, and EMUs purchased. It's nearly time to take plunge and starting buying electric locos, and I was wondering if more experienced modellers than me could share their thoughts.

 

Fleischmann and Lemke (Hobbytrain/Kato) have both produced the more common locomotive types (Re 193, Re 420, Re 460 etc.) What are the pros/cons of each manufacturer? I've read multiple sources that say more recent Fleischmann models have had some reliability issues - is that fair?

 

Priorities for me are reliability and quality. I don't especially mind paying more for the better model.

 

Many thanks!

 

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I have re460/re465's from both Fleischmann and Kato and both are really good models. Both run really well and have good hauling power - i.e no problems push/pulling a long IC2000 rake of 8 to 10 coaches. The Fleischmann model is a bit quieter than the Kato model.

I do feel the Fleischmann model is slightly better detailed but this is more than likely down to it being a much newer tooling than the Kate model. One thing I do like about the Fleischmann model is the ability to remove the coupling and add a plastic insert to one end so that it doesn't leave an unsightly gap at the front. The minitrix Re460's have a massive gap at the front which looks awful.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Jeremy

On 07/11/2022 at 19:23, DavidMcKenzie said:

Another great video Jeremy 👍. I noticed a steuerwagon at 3:34 that I didn't think existed in n gauge. Is that a RTR model (PIKO maybe?) Or is that something you've made/modified yourself? I'd appreciate the number if it's RTR stock so that I can look out for it. 

 

All the best,

Dave

Cheers Dave. The model number is Piko 94160. As Gordon has already mentioned, it was an expensive model to buy at the time but I had to have one so paid the price. Definitely worth it though in my opinion. The level of detail is very good and runs beautifully out of the box with directional lighting.

Hope you and the family are keeping well.

Best regards,

Jeremy

On 06/11/2022 at 23:35, Nigel Emery said:

Looking good!
My H0 model of Erstfeld built for me by Pete Leyland. I’ve got a reasonably comprehensive set of photos etc so give me a shout if you ever need anything for yours. 
The layout it is intended for was pretty close to being finished in 2019 when the final bit, the catenary went spectacularly wrong. It’s stripped down now waiting for me to find someone who can teach me to the intricacies of Sommerfeldt catenary. My high covid risk means that’s still some way in the future!

Thats a fabulous model Nigel! I’ll PM you if I need any photos and thank you for offering!

Best regards,

Jeremy

3 hours ago, Frutigen said:

Another great video that shows off the trains and the buildings really well. There's something about those vans parked in front of the Coop that promises a great scene alongside the loco depot and the other buildings and sidings.

 

Great perspectives on the IC train cruising through and that Re420+pendel stole the show for me.

Thanks Keith. The scene is really starting to build up now. I’ve got a couple more mock ups to put together and then I can start working on the actual models. Trackwork coming along too so lots on the go.

The Re420 pendel is becoming a bit of a favourite!

Best regards,

Jeremy

Hi everyone,

Took this overall view of the layout the other day. The scenic section measures a scale 0.4 miles.

Best regards,

Jeremy