EMA747

I am trying my first model kit which is the Dundas kit DM48 of FR No7 brake van. I was wondering if anyone could advise on what paints to use to get the best colour match? I have tried Vallejo model colour # 70.970 but it's not blue enough in my opinion. Anything better, preferably in acrylic and easily obtainable would be ideal.

I used these 3v leds which have a little battery that clips in the back. https://www.layouts4u.net/leds-nano-smds-fibre-optics/3-volt-and-12-volt-leds/magnetically-operated-3v-bright-white-led They turn on and off with a little magnetic wand that they should have on their site. I picked a couple up at Warley to give them a try. They are a bit bright but for the price work really well and are so easy to install. I just bluetacked it to the roof at this stage! I will probably add a strip of card or something along the roof to stop light leak but I'm really pleased with them as a simple solution.

Looking really good with the colourful interior. Are we allowed to post links to shops? If so I have used some cheap but decent led lights in one of my L&B coaches that might be worth a try?

Thanks for the info. I might ask Santa for a couple if they do materialise before Christmas. 😁

I saw them and they look really nice. Did anyone get an update on release date? I didn't manage to have a chat with the Peco guys as I was running late for my train home!

I've just stumbled across this interesting thread. It's all very subjective of course but as someone returning to the hobby after a long break between my late teens and now getting back in to it in my early 40s I will add my 2p worth. When I was young I don't remember being obsessed with detail. As an adult it is more of a concern. I guess some of that comes down to what you can afford. I do find myself drawn to the Japanese N gauge manufacturers (not got any yet) because of their pricing and to me acceptable level of detail. If I had children I would definitely be looking at Japanese N gauge as a good affordable route in to the hobby. For me a big issue is reliability and running quality. I have a number of Bachmann OO9 models which are absolutely stunning but very expensive. I consider myself very lucky to be able to afford them and love the models. However I have had to return for repair 2 and about to return a 3rd for running problems. The rest run well but I do need to keep the track and wheels clean. I have looked at N gauge for my second smaller layout and have read many things on here and elsewhere about running quality and manufacturing issues with UK N gauge. I find that this is a major negative which is only heightened when the price is factored in as well. As JJB1970 says above a complete Kato set can be had for a considerably lesser sum than a UK manufacture loco. Kato by all accounts have amazing running quality and reliability too. To me it seems that with a UK N gauge loco the positives are the detail but the negatives are much more expensive and probably not as good running. Of course it's all down to the individual priorities for everyone and we are lucky to have such a big choice these days that there is something for everyone.

One of my bug boxes does that. I think it must be to do with the pointed ends of the axels because I removed the wheels and the plastic point looked like it had been bent a bit. It was a lot better once I had carefully straightened it out as much as I could. Would be good to get some all metal axel wheels to solve this problem.

I get what you are saying but the tighter curves are for non-scenic parts of the layout. More to the point the info from Bachmann states that it will run on these 1st radius curves.

Just received my modern version Blanche and it's a lovely model indeed. However I really noticed the issue you described. I have the collectors club blue Linda with the pony truck and neither that or the modern Blanche will pull just 3 bug boxes and 2 L%B coaches round my test track which uses peco setrack no 1 radius curves. All my other OO9 locos without pony trucks will pull that lot of coaches around it just fine. I have to say I am quite disappointed with this as they are really nice models and being newer than the original releases I would have thought that they have refined the design and thought about the pony truck. I may contact Bachmann about this. I am fortunate in that I can afford the prices of these models and am happy with my purchases but if they don't work as intended then they are not satisfactory.

Oh dear I might have to spend money I don't really have! I got the blue limited edition Linda as a 40th birthday present and already have the previous green Linda so can't justify the new one I don't think. A green Blanche with cab is looking like an imminent purchase though. On a side note - I have a spare never opened sound fitted Blanche that I would be willing to sell at a good price to fund the above if anyone is interested? pm me for details but genuine reason for sale.

Thanks for the replies. Good idea, I might give that a go when I've got my baseboards constructed this coming week.

Looks really nice, I'm glad you are pleased with it. I'm very lucky, my wife saw me looking at the article in the magazine and said that she would get me one for my 40th birthday present! On order just have to wait to get my hands on in in September.

I am wondering if anyone knows what the max gradient would be for Bachmann oo9 locos? I am looking at having a helix in my layout design to give some height differences and the calculations seem to come out with a gradient of a shade over 4% (1:25). I'm not sure if this is too steep or not. I wouldn't be looking to run really long trains, maybe 3 bug boxes and a 2-3 longer coaches. Thanks for any help. Andy

That's good to know. How is the running and the model in general if you don't mind me asking?

I really fancy getting one of these. Slightly nervous as both my existing mainline Huslets have had to go back for tinkering due to bad running. Anyone know if they are actually ready to ship if I ordered one? Sounds like it as they are stated as "in stock"

I've been reading this thread with interest because I have Charles and Linda and neither are very smooth runners. It's not a big jerky motion like in Paul's videos but more of a micro stutter at slow speeds. It's almost like jerking a bit as the motor goes round. I've got some videos but it's hard to see it clearly. Also I think the stutter is effecting the chuffing sounds as they are not smooth sounds but exhibit the same stutter in playback as the motor does. I don't know what is classed as acceptable poor running or if I should be sending them both back as I'm a bit concerned it's the start of a major issue. I have removed the guard plate over the wheels and bent the pickups out slightly which helped but the issue is still there. Cleaned track and wheel thoroughly too. It's been run in for an hour each way on two occasions. I've even lubricated the recommended parts. It sounds like a few of these Hunslets have similar issues.

The idea was to have something to start with that I could get on with building but would be part of a bigger plan. I am renting the house for the foreseeable future but I want something that is in sections so it can be moved if necessary. The big idea was a TMD and wagon works down one side and then at the bottom of the picture (where I have written "through lines") there would be a scene break and the next section would be a country branch line leading to the TMD that I could practice some real detail modelling on the scenery.There would then be a duck under or lift out section to join back to the far end of the TMD section. Below is a rough idea of what I mean. Without realising it I have got in my mind something very similar to Colwich Junction.

I had some time off work today so I got out some cardboard and did a mock up in OO of what would be the TMD side of my layout (as per the plans posted earlier). This section is 295cm/9 foot 8 long by but I can't work out if it looks too cramped or not. With the locos it looks fine I think but if there are pulling anything, even a very short wagon train it might not look so good? I'm still very much on the fence on OO or N gauge. I went to the Warley show last weekend and got some inspiration but I still can't decide. There were some amazing looking N layouts but I don't know if my modelling skills are up to the standards required to make it look good enough that I won't be disappointed with my efforts.

Are you saying that running trains in N gauge is quite troublesome? I have seen a few videos that make N gauge looks like it struggles over points much more than I would like. I have a busy life so it's not going to be something that I am running every day so if it's going to need a lot of attention just to get it running it's maybe not the right choice for me?

So I had a bit of a play on anyrail to see what a small TMD and wagon works would look like in OO on a roughyl 295x65mm board allowing for future expansions. I don't know if it would be too cramped as the 3D view on Anyrail doesn't show the sheds etc. I know some of the track is a bit wonky but it's just a quick plan.

Dave I see what you mean but again I'm not sure if size or detail are the way to go. I suppose if I really think about it some form of interest while running trains is important so a simple one track depot might not be the best. I go past Derby RCT most days and I find that really interesting with it's mix of DRS stock and others. I mentioned earlier that I think Eden Road layout looks amazing so something like that would be good but I seem to remember reading that that layout is a bit longer than my space. A TMD on an L shape would work but not sure if that's too common a layout.

I keep looking at my OO and N models sitting in my room and feeling N gauge just kind of fits the room size better. But I don't think I'd know until I get started.

I like that idea Paul. Could be a good mix of locos and wagons without having to have really long trains. I'm not sure how I would fit a TMD and wagons works in my space though. Can anyone help with a rough trackplan for a modern TMD layout in a space roughly 2.5x0.6-0.7m? With the possibility to extend beyond that eventually with a through line would be ideal.

Paul - I think I am torn between a more detailed OO scene and I do like trains running through the countryside which can look more impressive with the speed in my opinion. One major factor that puts me off running more expansive layout is that I don't really have the cash to be buying loads of rolling stock to make up realistically long rakes. I could manage a couple of 10-12 wagon rakes but that's probably going to be £300-500 per rake!!! In OO I there is no way I'd be able to run anything more than about 6-7 waggons without it looking a bit silly though. If I was to go for a TMD layout I could concentrate on a collection of locos with minimal waggons which might be a more "interesting" use of budget? I definitely like the suggestion on the pervious page for making a layout that could be built up bit by bit. I want something I can get started on and be able to run some trains but doing a whole room roundy might take me so long that it could get frustrating/disheartening.

I've definitely found that to be the case Kris. It looks like there are a lot of nice things coming up for modern era stock but it all seems to be on pre order with little info on release dates.