locoholic

Lovely model. Am I alone in wondering why five prototypes were made when they usually ran in pairs?

Excellent model - very pleased indeed that I ordered it.

 

Right model delivered, right address, wrong name - just the word Crack... and the name Brian in the reference section - very odd.

 

To me this delivery shambles sums up the 21st Century: much time, effort and ingenuity spent creating a wonderful model, which is then sent semi-randomly due to an error in migrating or interrogating a database.

 

I would definitely buy some carriages for it to pull, so I hope they are made in due course.

 

And some people still seem to think nationalisation is the answer!

 

* https://www.londonreconnections.com/2018/a-good-spark-is-getting-hard-to-find-swr-and-the-december-timetable/

The problem is (1) incompetence and (2) the fragmented structure of the UK rail system.

 

1 is a function of human nature, and is independent of public or private ownership.

 

2 is a direct result of the way the railways were privatised, which in turn was a result of the fact that an unsubsidised railway network is impossible. However, "some people still seem to think" that privatisation magically turns incompetent people into competent people, despite three decades of evidence to the contrary in the UK.

 

Why would there suddenly be so many fewer passengers - contrary to what has happened elsewhere? Or are they just not paying for their tickets?

Perhaps the decline in passenger numbers is due to how unpleasant travelling by train often is these days? Delays, overcrowding, uncomfortable seats, expensive tickets, no catering, broken air-conditioning and toilets...

I wonder how much of the work carried out to build the French network of LGVs and the TGVs that run on them went to non-French companies. They were operating under exactly the same rules and EEC/EU treaty obligations as our governments but somehow seem less bound by them.

 

The catch with the TGVs seems to be that they became what SNCF's management thought they were for. Running the world's fastest trains was far more exciting than developing traffic on boring old cross-country lines or making a success of wagonload freight instead of sending customers away if they couldn't generate a hundred wagons a week (or whatever the figure was) The "classic" network, or a great deal of it, wasn't invested in and in many places has deteriorated to the point of having to be closed and "temporarily" replaced by buses.

 

I don't think that will ever be a problem with HS2 as Britain is far more dependent on its entire rail network which in general is groaning from undercapacity rather than deteriorating from lack of use.

I wonder if the situation in France is due to the overwhelming dominance of Paris over the provincial cities? The way England is going, London is achieving the same dominance - and HS2 will reinforce that situation.

Service suspended again for a while today - signalling failure at Ledbury.

Is there a league table of train cancellations?

 

On my local route, from Hereford to Worcester, buses seem to replace trains at least once every couple of weeks. I suspect this is due to the ancient semaphore signalling still used, as well as the vulnerability of the single line sections.

 

Are there routes less reliable elsewhere in the UK?

 

PS. The Hereford Times website covered the story thus:

 

 

Not the usual kind of train to be seen on the line these days!

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/rail-news/swrs-future-could-be-in-doubt-as-negotiations-are-tabled

 

Possible explanation at https://www.londonreconnections.com/2018/a-good-spark-is-getting-hard-to-find-swr-and-the-december-timetable/

Time to scrap the franchise model, because the overseer, the Dept for Transport, is not competent to oversee it. Also time for Chris Grayling to resign, as the tsunami of cock-ups that he has presided over grows ever higher.

https://www.ft.com/content/a32dda78-8c01-11e8-bf9e-8771d5404543

 

It really is time HS2 was cancelled.

Here we go again. Loads of reasons why it can't be done, when if it had been north of the border it would have been re-opened years ago. Something ain't right.

It's not easy being a troll. Hiding under a woodland bridge up the mountain, building computers all day, waiting for a Princess to pass by and kiss such an ogre to turn me into a competent railway modeler. In desperation started a Dimension3D 6-wheeler. Steep learning curve. Fun, though. Carriage side photo attached, teaked. Just thought I'd push the point that you can do more than you think and constructive criticism is welcome. Non-constructive criticism will be like water off a troll's back. We're thick in mind and skin you know. Who said there's nothing to haul behind a Stirling Single?

It takes more than a couple of sides a coach to make. Good luck with the chassis. And the paint and lining.

 

You're still a long way off having anything for even Smokey Joe to pull. Maybe your peerless sarcasm and smugness will speed your progress?

It's very simple. Just put 25KV OHL on the steep sections (uphill only on double track).

Just to show that not all users of level crossings are stupid:

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mWwTtYick0o&feature=share

 

I wonder how long they waited.

 

Apologies if it's been on here before.

 

PS: What a fabulous location!

I'd bet if not actually zero, then a number very close to zero, of extra sales would be made if there was appropriate rtr stock.

This is a "collectible", a "one-off" etc etc. I've brought one; so have many others. We don't "need" one- we've brought it because its a gorgeous model.

The coaches would be gorgeous too.

 

You think all those German modellers with their lovely Epoch 1 models of Bavarian State Railways are just a fluke of some bizarre foreign behaviour?

 

Us Brits would never indulge in such shocking practices as modelling whole trains of old-fashioned stock. The very thought...

But there IS stock to haul behind your Stirling Single.

 

You just have to get off your arse and build it. 

 

Mike Trice has produced wonderful threads on the matter.

 

I can only assume all the bleaters who post here are Model Railway Collectors, not Railway Modellers.

 

Look what collectors and investors did 40 years ago to the classic car market - pushed the enthusiasts out.

 

I haven't built models for 50 years but I'm tackling a 6-wheeler, with frequent references to Mr Trice. It won't be to his standard but if it's to an acceptable standard (in my view) to lug along my still to be built basic track. Then, seeing as it would be silly to have just one 6-wheeler in tow I'll likely build another, hopefully to a better standard, then another. Might even tackle the unrealised Stirling 4-4-0. Then I'll need even more stock.

 

I've always wanted a Stirling Single and would have had to modify a Kitmaster had this beauty not come along. And I might still do that. 

 

No wonder model shops have all but gone, everyone wants instant gratification. Enjoy the journey I say

Oh, not another one.

 

I assume you built your own computer so you could reply to my comment?

 

Anyone who says "You're not a modeller if you don't build your own _____" is basically a troll on this forum.

Entirely different market.

 

BR Blue and later sells vastly more than any pre grouping locomotives or rolling stock I'm afraid.

 

How many limited edition Class 37s and 47s have Bachmann done recently? Dozens of them at 500 minimum each. Then add in the regular models and the other manufacturers. That's tens of thousands of model diesels a year. The market is there. If it wasn't then there wouldn't be endless new "modern" models appearing.

 

 

How many Stirling Singles do you think they will sell? Not many seeing as they cancelled one of the models due to a lack of interest.

 

 

 

Jason

Bit of a Catch 22 situation, though. How many more Stirling Singles would they have sold if there had been some appropriate stock to put behind it?

 

German HO scale manufacturers have made sure that when they make an Epoch 1 loco, there is matching stock, so it is possible.

I've found another picture...

 

 

Much as I admire Kernow's decision, the PRA must be the ugliest wagon that ever ran on rails!

 

Interesting that they think they can turn a profit on such an obscure wagon.

If Kernow reckon they can make money on a RTR model of an obscure wagon , the PRA, of which only 14 were made (& which closely resemble an industrial waste skip, let's face it), surely it must be possible to make a profit on a couple of six-wheel coaches to run behind the Stirling Single?

Actually impacted by this today whilst going up to visit my Mum. 9:40 Euston to Piccadilly was allowed to pass slowly on the far right track as you leave Stockport. The gentleman is I suspect in his 50's was lying on the parapet with a few belonging and a large bottle of coke.  I did take a photo which I sort of feel guilty about so won't post and have to admit it was a shock to see the person in such a risky position. 

 

Returned tonight on 19:15 to Euston, but this via Stoke trains was diverted via Style to Wilmslow, Crewe and then over Stoke. Although born and brought up in Manchester I had never perviously travelled on the Style line nor between Crewe and Stoke.  Lost 30 mins to Stoke and only clawed back a few minutes more sadly. 

 

All very strange I have to say and I will be checking the more local media tomorrow to hopefully see a good outcome for all.

 

Still ongoing, apparently. Unbelievable.

I was going to get one of these, but Hornby's cock-up has saved me £135.

 

I can't believe that the model doesn't match the illustration on the box - does no-one at Hornby have the job of checking this kind of thing?

Every generation likes to think they're better than the young. Youngsters get the blame but they also have the satisfaction of being young and not old farts. As an old fart myself now I seem to sound more and more like my old and sadly departed dad despite laughing at his attitudes when I was a youth. I always think one of the issues in society is a lack of respect for young people and children.

As the parent of two teenagers I totally disagree - the young always think all older people are idiots, and consequently have no respect for their elders, including any authority figure who tells them that trespassing on the railway is dangerous and illegal. This has been exacerbated by the rise of children's rights - being banned from the Playstation is now enough to trigger a call to Childline, and teachers have only the mildest kinds of discipline to administer. But trying to get a child to recognise their responsibilities is another matter entirely.

From one who survived 'bunking' railway property many years ago; we all knew it was trespassing but if you wanted names and numbers, it was a necessary challenge.  One big difference then is that we had respect for authority whether it was the shed foreman or the local policeman, we reluctantly 'cleared off' without resorting to swearing or other insulting behavior.  Also, in spite of our youth, we respected where we were and aware of our surroundings. 

Todays culture(?) on the whole is less respectful to society and in many cases has unfortunate results.

 

Brian.

Was it respect for authority, or fear?!

 

I'm a big fan of fear - not enough of the right kind of it these days, IMHO.

Yes, reading it, it's pretty clear that the journo wasn't really sure whether it is a sheep or a goat, which is probably a clue that a lot of non-enthusiast visitors who see it will go away happily believing they've seen a steam loco.

I can't believe anyone could stand next to a Class 08, hear it chugging away and think it was a steam engine. I guess the whistle might confuse them, though.

Erm, since when has ATO meant the driver does not require traditional route knowledge?

 

While obviously under ATO mode the finer points like braking points, signal locations, etc don't matter - what happens when ATO goes wrong?

 

The Thameslink core retains lineside signals and manual driving is still permitted - (however under this mode of operation the maximum TPH  falls significantly) so drivers still need traditional route knowledge. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if the occasional trip is still driven this way (just as with service alterations to maintain diversionary route knowledge)

1. I wasn't being serious (but now I think about it, maybe I was right...)

 

2. Worrying about when things go wrong is no longer part of the remit for the national rail network. Instead, all you need is the phone number for a bus operator.

Probably the one bit that's possible since it's ATO. Just getting on/off the core that's the trouble...

Of course!! Suddenly the cause of this chaos is clear! It was done deliberately, to justify the extension of ATO over the rest of the network. After that, no need to bother with driver's route knowledge and all that nonsense.