LU_fan

Honestly, I didn't mention 044 as I had kind of forgotten about that. While it could be argued they might have received the InterCity look while still in regular service, I do find the LoadHaul a bit unlikely. Although, then again, 049/149 did receive Railfreight Distribution livery, and other 50's had pulled freight before, so maybe it's not such a stretch after all.

While it's one thing wanting to give a heritage line its own identity and its own look, that doesn't really cover the locos in question. 50031 is still in a BR livery, albeit one it never wore in their service, and 50135 wore the colours of another operating company. Although I guess they do fall under the "what might have been" category. And it's true what E3109 says: it's up to the owner what liveries their locomotives wear. I'm just curious about the thought process behind some of the decisions.

First of all, I admit that I like both of the locomotives in question, as well as the liveries they wear/wore. However, at the same time, I also think locomotives and rolling stock should be preserved in liveries they actually wore. 50031 is currently wearing the InterCity swallow livery. This is something which I kinda wish had happened back when they still pulled InterCity trains in regular service. 50035 did for a time wear the LoadHaul livery and the fictional number 50135. Up until recently I thought that was a PR stunt as I haven't seen a single picture of it actually hauling any freight. But at least now I understand why that is, seeong as it was repainted 13 years after LoadHaul disappeared. So... Why are/were they repainted like this in, not just one, but two cases of 1:1 scale prototype freelancing? I'm hoping someone can give me at least a little insight into how those decisions were taken.

@IWCR: I actually had the Island Line in mind, but if the IoWSR us operating, I might stop by. Make a friend of mine a bit jealous. @stewartingram: Yeah, I saw a picture on Facebook of a green Routemaster in public service a few days ago. Would be fun to catch one that isn't on the heritage routes. While I'm not a huge fan of buses, I do like vintage ones.

Apart from a day trip to the IoW, via Portsmouth, I'm not really heading to the coast. But if I have time, I might make the detour. Thanks for the tip.

@ColinK: Ok, so Travelcard instead of Oyster. I'll have to take a closer look at that, but thanks for the tip. @Zomboid: Thanks for the heads-up. Didn't know Southern served Portsmouth from London.

Thank you all very much for your help! @34theletterbetweenB&D: 1. Probably should have mentioned that I don't yet have a contactless debit card, nor am I particularly interested in getting one. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer using cards with a chip AND punching in my pin code. 2. Good to know. 3. Kings Cross, really? Cool! Booked a hotel not far from there, so that's getting a visit. And thanks for the link. @stewartingram: I'll be there for 8 days, total, and was actually thinking of getting a 7 day pass and maybe a 24h ticket or something like that. Seems like the simplest thing to do. But thanks for the tip! I'll make sure to contact a member of staff if I have any doubts. @jonhall: 1. Thanks for the map, I'll make sure to keep it bookmarked. 2. No flashes, obviously, but thanks for the tip, and also for the guidelines. A printed copy doesn't sound like a bad idea, actually. 3. Thank you very much, sounds like some pretty good spots! 4. Alright. Well, had GX still had the 442's there would have been no doubt, despite the price, but now... We'll see. 5. I'll try to keep the strike days in mind. I don't yet have a specific day planned for that trip. Also, thanks for the tip. Photos on the boat aren't a top priority, but then again, I don't know what the view is like. Might end up taking some pics anyway. Choice of seat would be nice though. 6. Thank you! @EddieB: I know, according to TfL the best option for visitors is pay-as-you-go, but as most of what I'll be doing is traveling it seems easier to just get a 7 day pass. But I've never actually thought about it, are there any time limits for that? As for the diesels, thank you very much for your suggestions. Depending on their departure time, it would be nice to catch a sleeper train. Again, thank you all very much for your help and your suggestions. Truly appreciated.

Later this month I'll be in London for a few days, and I'm going to try to visit the Isle of Wight as well. But as it's been a few years since I last visited London, I've got a few questions. Now bear with me, because I know some of them might seem stupid to someone who lives there, but I do not. 1. According to the TfL website, it's possible to use your Oyster card for "most National Rail services" in London. What limits are there? 2. As I assume the quote above means I can access the station platforms in and around the capital, what should I keep in mind if, or rather when, I decide to go trainspotting? Wouldn't want to get in trouble. 3. Speaking of trainspotting, are there any locations that you'd recommend visiting? While I don't mind electric trains, I am a big fan of diesels. 4. My flight back to Stockholm leaves from Gatwick, and I've been informed that I can travel there using my Oyster card. Is that on the Gatwick Express, or some other services? The next two are more specific, concerning SWR: 5. Going to the Isle of Wight means taking the train from Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour station, correct? How frequent are those services? 6. Tickets. Can I buy them in advance, and where do I buy them? I'm sorry if I've given someone a headache with these questions. I just want to be sure I've got all the information I need.

I was already considering them, but after reading your review, I'm even more interested. But are they available without interior lighting? Haven't really checked. I didn't have any issues programming my 4-TC. Just put it on the track and did what I normally do when I program my locomotives.

Placed an order with them last week, which arrived today: the new Hornby 50033 'Glorious.' Very helpful staff, good price, and fast shipping. The papers included claim that there's cab lighting installed, but I can't find it. Doesn't bother me though as I never use it anyway. However, all the other functions listed work, so it's all good.

Nevermind this post, I got both cab interiors out.

I ordered four pairs of these, for the Mk2:s, and while I've so far only tested two of them, I am pleased with the results. I still can't really couple the cars together on a straight, I have to do it at like a crossover or a switch, but when they are coupled, it looks great. The gangways do touch, but they can still navigate curves, so yeah. Thanks for the suggestion!

@melmerby: The couplings supplied with the coaches are stepped. I have looked at the Hornby couplers, but I'm unsure if they will work, seeing as the normal Profi couplers got stuck despite their "swan neck." But... @34theletterbetweenB&D: if what you say is correct, that they work on the Mk1's, it might be worth a try. As to the height, I'm not sure if it's correct, but as long as I can couple them to my Class 50 I'm happy. I have looked at the pipe link, and it does give a pretty good impression. However I'm not a fan of rigid couplers and only use them as a last resort, preferring being able to uncouple my train whenever and wherever the need might arise without having to tip it over. But if nothing else works... Keen Products? I'll check them out. Thanks for the tip. Edit: Just checked out Keen Systems, and they do actually have replacements for Mk2A, B, and C models. That might just have fixed my problem. Tried to cut-and-past in the past. Some of them have worked, others haven't. Tried one solution on these, and that fell into the latter category. Though that might have been because I didn't compensate for the "step" in the original tension locks.

Yesterday I picked up my three blue-gray NSE Mk2:s, the Kernow exclusive ones. I was very pleased when I was told that they had NEM-pockets, but somewhat disappointed when I discovered that they were set so far in. They're also quite a bit higher than the ones on my Class 50. That results in the Profi couplers I normally use don't work. Both the standard Fleischmann 6515 and the adjustable ones are too short to reach each other, and they both seem to get stuck on what I assume is the coaches solebar. As I want my coaches to roll in tight formations, with the smallest possible gap between them, does anyone know of any other close couplers that might work? I know that there were rigid couplers included, but I always prefer being able to uncouple the train without having to flip it upside down. The only time I want to use rigid couplers is when there's no other option, like if the train keeps splitting. Haven't tried running these yet, so I don't know if they do.

Oh, so they weren't even used in InterCity services at the end? I'm trying to decide what part of the NSE history I want to collect.