Vin

I was thinking the signal box would make a nice real ale bar!!!

It might be a political thing as the 'EU' was the bit you could read because of the logo colour? Regards Vin

Thanks for the info. Regards Vin

It's a bit odd that they removed the numbers on the loco? Having said that 50031 also ran on the network without running numbers either. Great photos Jim. That must have been a long day? Regards Vin

Hi all, It will make DCC sound chips interesting? As it will need the electric start up file, a diesel start up file, an electric running file, a diesel running file and then the shutdown files for both. Regards Vin

Hi all, 50031 does look good in Intercity livery. It is the mainline version as carried by parcels locos before the adoption of the parcels red/ grey livery. https://flic.kr/p/FjPp5M Regards Vin

Hi all, Last night I was talking a crew whom were de vinyling the Northern stock and they said, it took longer than 8 hours to do 4 coaches because the original vinyl was cheap and they had been baked onto the bodyside by the sun! Regards Vin

Hi Brian, You might as well fit them, as they are white and are quite a visible feature. Plus now you've started you might as well keep going! The whole set is looking great. Regards Vin

Hi, I think that second photo is or 18845 which was an OM allocated coach which was then transfered north in 1988. It didn't survive into 1989 so must have been in a bad condition. Regards Vin

Hi, The TSOT's during the peak of West of Endland usage and in NSE are as follows; 6500 6501 6502 6503 6513 6517 6521 6522 6527 All of these were in the NWXX pool at the time and had the full NSE livery. There were variations with the shade of blue and positioning of the numbers/ logos. I hope this helps. Regards Vin

Hi all, Another photo once it had been taken to Crewe. https://flic.kr/p/eFnQd1 Regards Vin

Hi, You should be pleased with what you have done. It looks great. The problem with painting is that it can look easy to do but I've been painting locos for over 20 years so have picked up loads of tricks. I've also switched from enamel 10 years ago to acrylics because of the lead in enamels. The switch means drying times are different from one to another but the basics are the same. I have noticed that pigments in enamel blues do seem to have a short shelf life compared to the acrylic ones, I think particles dry within the paint mix and this effects the finish. I really do like painting and weathering modern stock in O gauge as it has a presence the smaller scales doesn't seem to have. The only problem is when there is a fault it is almost going to be twice as glaring. I must get back to completing 37423 & the stack of new nameplates as well. Regards Vin

I think you might have a problem disguising the carrier film even with weathering as it has a hard square edge. You could try microsol which is solvent based and basically melts the transfer to the bodyside. I have no idea where all the blue class 33's are. Out of over a dozen I've had since introduction I've only had one blue one, the rest being green. Regards Vin

Hi Terry, Whilst you had the silver paint out for the window surrounds you should have done all the door handles and buffer shanks. I've also noticed you can still the carrier film on the numbers as it is on a matt base. I also varnish the loco body with matt varnish after applying the decals as it stops them falling off. Looking good and will be even better when running. Regards Vin

Hi Terry, A coat of gloss varnish is needed for the transfers to sit on as a matt finish can effect the clear carrier film and so can be seen. I use these drivers, http://www.peterclarkkits.com/lineside-accessories.html. or some from Tower models. Regards Vin