Robert Shrives

A good Royalist deal... I guess we now need royal stock to match. Mind you too many years ago I did allocate one to a Ballast from Crewe- only donkey left to haul but driver did question the allocation it was pointed out it was working near Chatsworth... Will look to order later as I have etches for farish coaches - might end up on Dapol ones Robert

The little people will not like the loss of phone reception now. A good effort I had wondered in N about using a metalcote varnish for same thing but roundtuit box was empty! However have to see when next rerun of N Dapol 221 lands. robert

221143 now at CZ for exam and staff training going well so hopefully 180s which have become a bit of a "laughing stock" will soon be razor blades having had from outset reliability problems, must have been a discounted lease for them to have stayed on so long. TfW work on 175 seems to have centered on engine bay issues but the cleaning out of debris was part of a scheduled exam due to engine design making an on top of engine oil leak trap. "skuttlebutt" has it that with CAF taking over Chester depot major exam - and hence engine block cleaning were reduced in frequency as sets about to be replaced by 197 units or if kept to frequency then some work put on concessions to a later date, but reality took over and back peddling required.. 197s are rubbish and TfW have done the reputation of Welsh internal and international rail travel no good with removing 175s to quickly and shortforimg/ cancelling services, but then it is not in Cardiff! Hopefully I will have retired by time 197 trash takes over Cambrian. What is sad is that 175 and 180 have some of the best 3rd gen sprinter interiors and knock the 22x fleet into a hat yet mechanically seem a total lottery. Being small fleets as TPE has shown introducing new or "new to you" fleets into service is still a bigger lottery and I cannot see a UK TOC taking the operational risk of bring 175/180s into service given how TOCs face DfT inference in industrial relations at this time. Robert

The light blue livery a good one to model, I was going to use British Steel blue I have in stock. Robert

I recall reference to a BRB board memo to Regional management "requesting" an upping of the game as works were overwhelmed with locos ex depot accidents with 10% of main line fleet stopped waiting repairs. Thus more than likely most preserved locos have crash repairs. From one of the dmu restoration repair gangs was note to a BR standard that said up to 1Kg was the maximium amount of filler to be used at any one location on a vehicle during minor repairs - I guess fear that if it came loose and fell much more, at speed would really hurt! - one showed a chair leg/ broom handle inserted in vehicle to make the rounded edge, mother of invention and all that. Stories of depots "refreshing" yellow ends at weekends being keen does perhaps it was a bit of a cover up for a dink on depot being truly covered up! Robert

That does look good, I wonder who will fit a micro motor to the tug! Nothing like a challenge. A T gauge drive motor would make a "traction motor" sized unit.. I really hope the "Fran" sized driver shown comes with it. ( Other IRM scanned crew might be available!) Looking forward to zapping the ICR round the layout as I expect many are. Robert

or an 01 shunter for folk modelling Holyhead breakwater.

Has to be said I was pleased to see HST on display layout but wat intrigued was despite several staff by end of Sat most of HST was sat in siding and a PC and two coaches stationary on layout by station. The class 50 was only hauling 3 coaches on the inner oval, hopefully not a measure of perf. MGRs did look very good at £25 a good price. What was very pleasing was while wandering past trade stands were public asking after TT:120 and seeing boxes of coaches and boxes of track being sold was impressive, even if as noted locos missing. What was better and very mature was The TT operarators on Stedman Hill engaging with a big crowd explaining equally handed the differences and between the TT options and had simple visual aids of Britannias , track samples and best a series of BR Std brakevan bodies showing relationship of H0, OO, TT and N plus a TT3 FBV and a printed card version in TT120. The view being all things TT are good and each to their own regardless of scales used , it being a hobby and a good one at that. Many went away better informed and several youngsters trying to get "dad" to change. Robert

A great day out, seemless bus transfer - some beans in the bus so pass on thanks to driver - pure classic thrash! I did wonder to a friend as we arrived into the carpark if were in the only British owned builder vehicle in sight. Welcoming staff and stewards which was good and money taken promptly. Needless to say Phil Parker at first access point complete with biscuits, good cheer and selection of work, very impressive. Plenty of traders, bargains and folk selling all the bits required for modelling. Layouts showed great range and given the multiroom nature of the venue lots of fun exploring - the You are here posters very useful! Biased but have to say a 3mm TT featuring emus was always going to win and better in the flesh, Stedman Hill. Nine Mills as it names suggests a great view of N at its best and with Meacham, Sandy bay and Stamford East flying the flag well. Chippenham - a former home town also a good bit of personal history so gets a vote as well. Great O and 00 layouts of all sizes Tetbury as a GWR BLT made large was a joy to watch. Exeter St George seemed to have more working class 50s than BR ever managed all weathered and looking the part - the spare stock table was like OOC on a strike day! Journey back on last bus and bus still had the beans and another quick changeover back to Moor st ended a great day - just watching and enjoying a show with any show duties was a pleasure. Thanks to all involved and looking at footfall a good day for the bean counters. Robert

adam, XC with bullet holes I guess - fairly easy to achieve with a 0.5mm drill Robert

A good selection and of course the staycation express is there as I have 5 trailers on my to spray green pile! Love a Mexican power car pair- just for fun and completeness. And of course I have just done a colas pair. Robert

NJ, Thanks for that ! 42 years in the transport industry and still going, I have worked for Ffestiniog Railway, BRB, EWS, VT with 20 years with last operator and while sat still have seen my "owner" change several times in a downward flat spin. It is bit like being a dog chained in the yard, kicked and fed scraps watching the kennel rot away!! However it has been the close support of co workers - controllers, train crew and all who make up the railway family that have made it all hang together- not quite sure how.. Back on topic Rerouting and reopening railways could be a success if costs were not beyond belief but recent HS2 debacle does not help the cause. But I think most have been a great success for all users however end of line reached for a few years while nation recovers from recent issues and the reported and investigated shambles that has ensued. - I think a few public executions would help national morale at this time!! In answer to Rodent 279- a lot of talks and faffing about at XC we now have drivers on same standards but train mangers and conductors under RMT are still on widely differing standards. IIRC GWR has dual standards for drivers and Conductors left over from Thames trains and Wales/ west re combinations into GWR. I recall when GWT became GWR and the enthusiasm in the Duty station manager at Plymouth saying "GWR" in conversations. Pride still exists despite management! But the wavering and Dft faffing over TOCs has really made it all harder but getting 27 TOCs as was down to 2x has to help in the long run and with effective re-nationlisation of IC tocs with all being on DFT management contracts is a possible step forward, what is lacking is a creditable policy and inspirational leadership as we had under likes of the Parker/ Reid eras. ( rose tinted alert!!) Robert

Hi, Nice idea the pay system and working practices for drivers would make your hair stand on end one TOC the drivers conditions runs to 147 pages and at each twist gets more complex. Understandably ASLEF support drivers to keep them safe, out of legal courts, well paid and doing the absolute minimum for a days pay - a driver being fully paid and doing nothing in a mess room can do little wrong, even some drivers aspire to this model!! As each TOC was created and it veered away from the BRB model of one rate of pay then getting it back will be a battle royal, if the ongoing ones were not enough. It will take courage and legal backing to bring drivers back in to line ( not heal!) and a bucket of cash to bring drivers up to a modal state. If GBR was to happen correctly then drivers would be employed nationally and on standard conditions but of course freight companies continue in the planned model as a private operation, instantly adding complexity and mud to the plans. We have in addition failed as an industry to control the build of trains - not just couplings but cab controls, amazingly the HST fleet of 198 PCs were modified by the two leasing companies in cohort with the TOCs thus a driver was not able to swap powercars as while basic controls the same - power and brake all the ancillary stuff could be positioned differently or be just plain different. Thus the ability to swap PCs say at LA, NL or EC for XC and the other IC fleets became impossible- the holy grail of passenger first by being profitable splatted on the windscreen! trains were cancelled for want of a PC or set of stock due to lack of leadership... as a controller watching the system disintegrate has been very painful being powerless - in several ways ! It is all school boy error stuff and was quite predictable and outcome proved, a once national resource has decayed to a fair weather minor provider of transport opportunities, ripe for closure despite the green wash available... Robert

Unlikely in its present format. Removal of route knowledge means drivers only work regular work routes and can do more frequently so less required. From the operator`s bean counters this is a win - win as most diversions are a result of NR issues- direct failings or been the fall guy for external issues- bridge bash by HGV driver , suicidal person and trespass as most common problems. So trains stop and await timetabled route, operator wins delay minute revenue and can off cost bus cover if trains terminate short. Operator saves on non remunerative driver pay as well. The only person who suffers at the time is the passenger or freight customers and they suffer again as the compo comes from our tax pot - either directly or due to loss of resources another vital service is compromised. As an operator it is very frustrating to see trains standing with fully available diversionary routes for on the day incidents and worse for planned engineering works seeing the profit grab by road operators, when a viable route is available but crews no longer sign. The rail driver is in a win as well - stood spare and not driving means can do no wrong, bar put on weight perhaps, while road driver moves passengers in a more stressful environment. Also his pay clock clicks on while standing waiting NR to restore route. The old adage a moving train is a happy train and an empty station is a happy station is still true today. Robert

Looking good and drawings helpful I am sure. Mine not got much further forward. Robert

Lovely work on the AB stock. Got a 31/4 to start on now, hopefully primer tomorrow - just cleaned body with CIF cleaner have to take some phots.

Hi If the Brit passes then the 9F will - basic same cylinder arrangements. The minitrix 9F might be more "fun." GWR locos took advantage of large loading gauge so worth checking with a Castle or Hall. Robert

Good to know all progresses well. Track testing - well a bogie diesel for basic running, a short wheelbase shunter for pickup issues and short dead rails in points, much more fun than dragging a multimeter around a layout. Yes a test with a long wheelbase tender loco which has front bogie or pony truck will show up many faults, also try tender first. Clearances with a long coach is a good idea - buy a second hand Mk3 coach if its not your era to give max idea on over hang and sweep of the body inside while on a curve. A zillion years ago I helped a good friend with a massive HD layout - seen on TV as well and after filming we played and to prove it we had a 18 coaches being propelled at high speeds around the track without derailment - track was a large dumbell circuit on 4 6 foot long boards, so plenty of route "miles" to be going at and some complex pointwork. Getting operational success is at the base of a good model railway, otherwise you will build a pretty but frustrating diorama. After 55 years in the hobby I know the lesson well!! Happy modelling - it is a hobby after all. Robert

Hi Having got out a brit I can offer the following the drive shaft is identical each end so can be fitted regardless of orientation. My model is 2s-017-002 which is an early one and not from latest batch as a little caveat. If you remove tender body it will give more access. Next is optional but might save a naughty word - disconnect the loco - tender wires from one end so they can free float - use a pair of tweezers to hold cable end and remove the tiny screw -this avoids stressing the very small soldered joint- early loco it was a diddy washer as the contact but later ones are a proper tag with some cable support. you can now tilt back tender on its drawbar and look in to the can space and you should see the end of the drive cup the shaft locates into with a good light check it is ok and has no debris in it. Hopefully no need to remove loco body. Fit the drive shaft into the tender cup- it fits with a slight click and be a positive hold. You can now use the tender as a handle to align and point the loco end of the drive shaft into the receiving cup in the cab area. This will also have a positive click fit when loco and tender are in line and same level. click tender body top back on - front end first. When handling loco I gently grip cabsides with front end of thumb and index finger and let the back of the front of the thumb up to the first finger join hold the tender side. This keeps the loco and tender together and this keeps drive shaft in place and supports the little connector cables. If additional help required in getting loco on track and no rerailer available - This is a good thing to have as it keeps loco safe from odd angles of approach to the track. Then thumb and index finger of other hand to girp loco front end at base of smoke deflectors/ footplate valance will support front end. I guess if weathered then using latex dust free gloves or very fine cotton gloves essential for handling locos would be seen as best practice. hope that helps Robert

Just a thought would crossover 10 require a lock on the passenger road to prove if a passenger train was to start from the buffer end. Agree that a trap would be required off the loop to protect traffic to/from passenger line. Was about to add about advance starter / section signal but beaten too it. Great project and happy modelling Robert

Hi The Water tank looks very good - The roll down shutter instead of door is a reaction to its location, but it has a wooden door behind, hopefully an option for a more genteel location model. Style of batten and board inspired by FR old co TYB and Penrhyn buildings. so you get a useful basis for a general provisions shed. I will not count the battens on the tank surround having fitted twice in real world over the years. While a water tank and formerly having an oil tank capacity as well it houses some S&T relay cabinets in a secure location. It was styled around a signal box with it`s slate roof and general proportions it has LNWR feel about it! It even was named "Blaenau Ffestiniog joint lines box No1" for a spring morning back in the day. Also should add the Peco buildings are very good and I am sure the fire buckets and red wooden bracket will be available as the finishing touch on the TYB old station building. All brilliant models of the world famous Ffestiniog Railway, more at www.festrail.co.uk Robert

This is all good stuff but for the N gauge modellers it is just a bit more of a challenge as we need to create a BSO. BSK and a bit of cutting required. give me time and I will join in! Robert

So sad to read, like Charlie I had a great chat with Ray as he held court from his wheelchair by the stand. RIP. Best wishes to all the family and friends, a loss to the modelling community. Robert

Update, While better runners I have the FW 4 pack and a Dapol 73 under a resin 73/9 It would pull two easily enough but third it struggled and 4th almost stopped it on a 11" rad curve. So not where I wanted. Perhaps not for the faint hearted but the bogies that evidenced slight drag I popped out wheel sets and pulled wheel and stub axle off the muff and extracted the bush, two had some black grease - I guess electrical conducting but the pin head smear was more a small blob and this had squeezed around muff so perhaps not helping. I used a small reamer to clean hole a few thou and rebuilt wheel set. Much freer running and with pick up strip removed as good as a pinpoint bogie. Correctly seated pickup strip and very good rolling so one bogie on each coach with no pick up saw loco happy on 3, ran out of time but It looks like the 73 will romp away with 4 now. Well spent an hour on the 4 vehicles and a couple of hours test running on my lockdown scottish roundy to get to this stage. To my tiny mind intriguing and entertaining but can see for Revolution trains less entertaining but certainly can be overcome at home easily enough. But also fully understand reluctance of others in this level of "messing about" with expensive models. Still happy modelling Robert

David, Indeed, there is an aspect of the "kings new clothes" with expectations, specifications and delivery of perfection. Function over form unless building shelf display items of museum standards also The joys of real world lightweight bogies and inside bearings - give grief in the real world as well. Trying to miniaturise will always give some issues as stuff does not scale down. The best internal solution was on the Dapol Western with chassis able to have good axleboxes in the inner frame, Farish locos have had same on steam locos as well. But these have the frames to suit these coaches and on many modern units do not have space to hide big chunks of metal, the Mk2 design here is a good version with the rolling bush on the stub axle and I have two coaches on my Fort William set that were very free running from the get go. The other two not so freewheeling in comparison but not that bad. As has been suggested resetting wheels has helped but removing wheels showed a lug on the pick up strip not in its home slot, possibly displacing the bush. Removing the bogie and fitting wheels with out pick up strip made for a very free wheeling bogie. So bending lug back so it fitted in slot helped a lot but I noticed a trace of a etching cusp on pick up strip this I gently filed off with a rat tailed file and wheels as good as the others. From my simple experiments this should help in free running. Joys of mass build as noted in release there must be a selection of the strips that want just a tad of attention. Maybe slightly miss etched, maybe slightly miss bent when faced with such variation risk who would be a model manufacturer ! Mind you I would not know where to start to make a Mk5 from scratch let alone get the finish these models and all manufacturers create these days so glad to be helped along the way and to do a little bit more to detail or fix a little wayard issue is for me part of the hobby fun. Hobby being an important word ! happy modelling Robert