Geep7

Apologies Mike, I thought this might be the case, just wanted to check. Really appreciate all the hard work you guys are doing.

Just wanting to double-check, has anyone else had a Royal Mail tracking email this morning? I've just thought it could also be a Hornby pre-order, but it's coming from the wrong part of the country for it to be from them. I'm only asking, as my order status on the Revolution website is still as processing, and not received any other emails to say it's been dispatched.

Just discovered I have a spare Gaugemaster OMNI decoder. Whilst it most likely won't (that's almost a definite) give me full lighting control, at least I can use it to allow me to run Caroline on DCC without damaging it.

Just looking at Digitrains website.... Would the 54621 LOKPILOT FX V4 21 PIN be OK to put in Caroline? It says it has 6 function outputs and can select between an amplified or a logic level for AUX3 and AUX4? I was hoping to just be able to run it on my DCC layout without the chip, whilst I sourced one, but it looks like B&G is on it's way (i've received a Royal Mail tracking email this morning, so I assume this is Caroline on it's way, as I haven't ordered anything else), and after the warnings above, i'd best get a chip if I want to run it on my layout.

Ah, maybe it's supposed to be a K1 then.....

That's probably why they've done it this way round. I don't think the TSO bodyshell actually needs any mods, just a different set of window inserts, and a different interior. Would be the same with the TRB, I think. Easier to gauge the market with the newly tooled bodyshells, and if successful, then commit to doing the 4-car unit. With regards to the RRP, what we don't know is how big a run there is of each. It's probably likely that these are a rather low run item, considering Rails have already posted on FB saying they are selling fast on pre-order (although I do know this can be a marketing thing...)

I think most of these are made up using stock images and then copied and pasted in Photoshop (or Illustrator) to produce a "pleasing" image. To be honest, the one featuring the D&RGW K27 on the viaduct wouldn't look so bad without the rather obvious Uk based B1? and train.... plus the AHB level crossing, or the obviously South African or Indian outline coaches, and what's happened to that hopper behind the K27? And isn't that a rather modern European style high-speed line looking tunnel in the background? The more you look, the worse it gets.... I wonder if we could have a bingo-style quiz on these? 😁

I think one of my biggest tweaks to reality, and it's not just for an exhibition layout, is the fitting of Kadee's to all of my stock. Ever since doing American HO, i've been sold by the hands off operating, kadees give. Yes, I could use S&W or similar, but I find adding Kadee's rather simple, especially when building my own wagons.

I'd definitely be in the market for a Class 119, 120 or 123.... actually, that should say and, not or. So that's 2 of us at least.

Me too, probably will announce it, just as I finish painting my DC-Kits version. Would love an all blue 117 as well. I could respray a Green version without corridor connections, as a few received blue whilst in that condition, but, to get the corridor version (which i'd rather have), currently you'd need to use the Blue & Grey version, but that has the post refurb bodyside grills on the DMBS (and DMS?) and blanked off headcode panel, so would need a bit of hacking about.

I think I should clarify, for anyone else who may stumble on this thread, as @Darius43 suggested, the Wills Kits SS53 brick arched bridge, is a single track bridge. How do I know?

Also, just to double-check. We'll be safe putting it on DCC without a chip in it?

We Built This City - Starship

Investigating further, this site has plenty of info. and photos of the 3-Cep (3-Cig) units: https://stevestrainpics.weebly.com/the-brockenhurst-lymington-line.html Confirmation on one of the pictures of 1199, is that is went to Wimbledon for tire turning, and turned up at Waterloo, rostered on a Waterloo to Poole service.

Looking at the photos online, and 1198 (not sure about 1199) was allocated to Fratton, so it would have to return there for Maintenance, so almost certainly via the Fareham line.

I do wonder if this is a "test the water" release to see how high a price the market will pay, before releasing a 4-Cep. I'm of the same camp as you, and don't usually comment on prices, but I reluctantly have to agree. I'm still waiting on a BR Blue Class 117 and 2-Hap. I wonder if these may appear at some point as EFE Rail models instead?

One of the features of the Stoney Lane Depot layout that the OP mentions, is that the low-level depot at the front, is physically linked to the upper level, with a junction at the high level on the front of the layout. So it's not beyond the realms of possibility that you could link the low-level terminus if you wanted to.

It'll be sad seeing that footbridge going. I doubt the replacement will look at least half as good as the current one.

One excellent modelled example of a station with carriage sidings that springs to mind is Ronsthorpe, in 'N' gauge. If you have Railway Modeller subscription you should be able to go to the digital archive and see the article in the April 1992 issue. Obviously it shows that you need to have plenty of room for any carriage sidings, as I think most carriage sidings were beyond the station, rather than being alongside, although there are examples with them alongside, places like Addiscombe and Seaford (although they were sidings for MU stock, rather than coaching stock).

Letter From America - The Proclaimers

Agreed. Reading is my nearest "big" station, and i've spent many day's there (on the country end of the old Platform 5) or travelling through it to spend a day at Didcot. The current station, whilst definitely being more efficient for the railway and traveller, now feels a more sterile place, and certainly not so photography friendly.

I did a trip back from London to Reading last Friday, probably for the first time since the line was electrified all the way to Reading, and I was shocked by how much has changed. I obviously knew OOC had gone, but I was still surprised by how different it looked. I didn't even recognise Southall as we went flying through, it's changed so much. Such is progress I guess.

I think with 3ft length, you'll struggle to get a run-round loop in without doing the "bitsa" half-run round loop style layout. I struggled, and I had 4 & 1/2 feet to play with. Might I suggest looking at something like Shell Island by Neil Rushby. There is a thread on here, but unfortunately has lost the photos, but a quick Google search will give you the track plan. It's fairly simple, just 2 points, arranged like a crossover, so you just get 2 sidings, one as a kickback. Here's the link to the thread on here:

The Chain - Fleetwood Mac *what the F1 theme music should still be in my opinion.*

The Will's kit certainly makes into an almost SR type signal box. The Ratio ARP box is also close enough to the one at Gomshall and Shere on the SER Guildford to Redhill route, which i'm going to be using on my new SR layout. I should note this isn't finished yet, and needs some touching up of the paintwork. Whilst it's a lovely kit to put together, I would rather have had the windows moulded as separate items. I mean, would it have cost much more to have them etched?