MarshLane

Oh dear........

Wellyboots, Thanks for taking the time with the detailed overview. Am I correct in thinking therefore that EPB, BEP and CEP units wouldn’t have been seen on the South Western that far south (if at all?) Interesting - were the 4REPs replaced by other vehicles in the train then (ie 3x4TC) or was it downgraded from 12 to 8-car formation when the 73s came into use? Do you recall if they were double-headed/double-propelling, or ‘top and tail’ formation? I’ll do some research on when the 4REPs went as the double 73s could provide some formation variety. Oh I’d forgotten about MoD traffic. I’ll have to try and see if some friends have any WTTs from that period and identify the Speedlink traffic flows. I am guessing Willesden and Severn Tunnel Junction or Bescot were probably the main ones.

Afternoon all, I am testing the water with this topic in some ways. I am considering putting together a Southern Region-based layout - somewhat of a fictional location but based between Basingstoke and Eastleigh somewhere. The idea being its 1980s period, with main line traffic, and a non-electrified double-track branch that follows a Weymouth style operation, in that a 4TC is detached from a London-Southampton working, and a 33 (or maybe the occasional 73) attaches for the onward working down the branch, and the same on the return. The London end of the layout would then be a four track scenario through the countryside. The aim being to run decent length trains in prototypical formations. Now, the problem I have is my Southern knowledge is fairly minimal, and while I have done a trawl of the various books I have got and through Flickr, I am after some help to identify possible Southern operations. In OO for example, there are (or have been) Parcels MLVs, 2EPBs, 2HAP, 4BEP, 4CEP, 4VEP and 4TC models produced, but were these generally limited to certain runs or the South East region/South Western region? Ie which would have worked through the area in question? I think it might be possible to recreate a 4REP as well - but which was the closest unit in terms of body shell? Were 'Thumpers' also used in the area on non-electrified lines? Can anyone identify how parcels traffic operated? My period would be 1985-1987 - just late enough to get NSE livery on the odd unit, but early enough to keep loco-hauled passenger services. There would have been cross-country and local services as well. Freight wise, intermodal from Southampton heading north, I think the Yeoman 59s would have put in an appearance, hopefully with the big O&K hoppers that have recently been produced, oils to Fawley, civil engineers workings. Any pointers on where to look, answers to any of the questions or general info on workings for the area would be welcomed. The project, may not reach fruition, I am just looking at options for variety in operating etc.., so anything is welcome. Rich

Bodgit, doing what bodgit does best! Nice to see you smiling, happy and walking about without pain Andy! Layout is coming on well, and the running looks smooth and reasonably fault free - aren't we coming up to time for a wipe it clean and start again???? 😂 Rich

Very true. The fish mongers in Scunthorpe (not sure if it was one or several) used to have a wagon shunted into the old loading dock at the Doncaster end of the station (behind what is now the 'see it from space' footbridge, and that has been covered with tarmac for parking) after which they could come and collect their goods. The 0-8-0T yard pilots used to shunt it over, although I am not sure if that arrived from Grimsby, Hull or further afield.

Ben, Just to confirm a few comments on the real railway from earlier - nice work on the layout so far btw! Yes, TfW have confirmed they still plan to be introduced asap. 175s are going - first one is due to be withdrawn later this month. I gather the new two-train service on the Borderlands line will be a 150 diagram and a 197 diagram. Paul - spot on. The LNwR sets, VivaRail did the maintenance on them. All others (incl. 484s on IoW) are not directly affected by the VivaRail news (ie they won't stop running like LNwR). Spares is an interesting question, although I gather a lot of the various items, especially around Diesel engines were off the shelf, so the same parts (or suitable similar ones) should be available, but thats only my understanding, and I may be wrong. Good luck with the layout, I'm following along in the background... Rich

When you showed me that the other night Tony, I hadn't realised that Laurie was modelling 15-inch gauge! You've done as wonderful job at painting the ModelU figure as you have at making the tender. Superb! Rich

Spoken to Digitrains this morning, who confirm that its something of a weird problem they haven't come across before! Decoder is going to them in the next few days for testing and see what happens. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments. Rich

Interesting problem, two of my three shunters have been out on a friends layout, which is DC powered, and they ran fine at slow speed and medium speed. Interesting that they are stopping on plain track - I presume none of your other locos have any issues with the layout? Do you happen to know any local friends with DC or a non-Lenz DCC system that you could try them on just to rule out any power supply issues on the layout? Rich

Hi Ray, Although I can follow your logic there, I dont think that is the issue. If the loco has been run (for example) Monday afternoon, then come to it Tuesday afternoon and it works fine (and thats with all power to the layout switched off overnight so 12+ hours). But if you didn't run it Tuesday and ran it Wednesday, the problem occurs. So while I thought about the decoder being 'warmed up' there's no supporting evidence of that. But thanks for the idea, I have sent an email to @pauliebanger to see if Paul has any ideas as well. Hi Phil, Yes its positioned in the middle of the Class 31, there is space above and below it - plus heat could escape through the roof fans and side vents on the loco. But the same thing applies here, it would be stone cold after 12+ hours with no power. But within 24 hours (roughly) of being used previously it works fine, more than that (ie 48 hours) the problem occurs, so I dont think its heat related. Although again, thanks for the idea, and useful to know about the audio being turned down when they get hot! Rich

I know Goole can be a bit rough in places .. but armour plating is taking it a bit far isn't it?? :P Fantastic shot as ever - well found Rob.

I have known some odd things be left in the back of hire vans ...but never a pair of legs! Lovely layout and detailing work though. Rich

Evening all, I am very baffled with this one, so if anyone can help shed light it would be appreciated. Several months ago I fitted a Zimo MX696KS (Paul Chetter Sound Project) to a mates Heljan O Gauge Class 31. All worked fine, sounds great. Dispatched off to him (he lives on the sound coast, I am up 'norf). A few weeks ago, without doing any changes to the CV values at anytime, the decoder started acting up. If it is started up each day, it starts as it should and then runs normally. However, if a period of 36-48 hours elapses between the sound being switched on, pressing the 'Sound On' function key on his NCC ProCab does absolutely nothing. No audio can be heard. Movement and lights are fine and work as normal, and the loco can be run and controlled silently. If the 'sound on' is left on .. then a period of time later (anywhere between 15-25 minutes) it just randomly kicks into life. Shut it down, start it up again, works fine. Body off, check for loose wires, all is fine and connected. Reset the decoder, all appears fine, but the problem is still there. There is a Zimo stay-alive fitted to it, which seems to be working ok, as if the loco is lifted off the track the audio continues for a few moments as it should. Like I say, start it the next day (with power to the layout having been switched off overnight) its fine, but if there is a gap of at least a day in the loco being used, it does nothing. There doesn't seem to be any logic to the delay, the shortest experienced is about 15 minutes .. the longest delay before the sound starts has been about 48 minutes. It does not make any difference if anything else is running on the layout or not either. Does anyone have any ideas? I can understand a short (few seconds) random delay between pressing the button and starting to simulate a cold start but half-an-hour isn't right! It also didn't do this for the first few months after being fitted. The chap that owns it is not confident at changing CV values at all (I do it for him!) so I know nothing has been changed, even so a reset hasn't sorted it. Very bewildering! I am open to any thoughts/ideas.... Rich

And no bubble cars either apparently!!! 🤣

Happy New Year Dave, Here’s to much modelling time and good health to all in 2023. Rich

I have friends like you Simon - their visits the lineside almost always co-incide with something interesting coming past ... mine never do! Just goes to show the superb level of achievement you've got with Dallam. It looks realistic and lovely from any angle you take! Nice to see a shot of a mail train leaving the RMT too - I dont think your down at Dallam very often when that runs 🤣 Happy New Year to you (and everyone else reading this!) Rich

Nice to see the pictorial updates again Roge, lovely layout. May I suggest it may be worth a note on your first post on this thread to advise people to move to Page 6 onwards for pictures and updates following the rmWeb crash? Might help anyone in the future that comes across the thread? Rich

Superb as ever. The new ‘90s’ look the business .. wish I’d been there morning could have coped 90004! What do you think to the new BacFar 90s Simon? Merry Christmas Rich

Great to see you back Andy, you've been missed. Also nice to see you moving about a bit easier and smiling :) always good! The trains are added extra, but nice to see a video appearing. Hope you and Dee and the extended family have a great Christmas. Much catch up soon! Merry Christmas mate Rich

Not Model Railway related, but I offer a word of caution to people using UPS as a courier, although I acknowledge this could happen with any courier. I recently placed an order with Western Digital for a HDD on a Black Friday deal. Sales side was swift, dispatched from Den Haag the following day. Arrived in the UK that evening, delivered to me the following morning. Great ... well actually no. I ordered a computer hard drive, and received Cat Food! Some head scratching went on, until I looked once more at the box. Western Digital had sent it very securely in one of these cardboard boxes that fold together and are then hot glue stuck (the kind that you need a chainsaw to open!). Then some b******d had opened the box, removed (or should that be stolen?) the Hard Drive and replaced it with Catfood, then resealed the box with clear parcel tape, in a professional way. I also concluded it had to have happened in the UK as the cat food box was all UK writing with English addresses, nothing Dutch in anyway. I reported it immediately to Western Digital, who were appalling and its has taken 27 days to get a refund or replacement, as they were "waiting for UPS to investigate". I have now finally got a full refund. However, they confirmed to me yesterday that after 26 days they have still NOT had a response from UPS, which given the value of the items they must ship and the quantities is an appalling way to treat clients. I also reported the matter to UPS, thinking if parcels are being interfered with they would want to know, so rang the main UK number in London. UPS: "so your saying the contents of the parcel have been stolen?" Me: "Well I am not accusing anyone but the box has definitely been opened and resealed, and the contents do not match what should have been there." UPS: "Ah! No problem mate, log it as a claim and we'll reimburse it, thanks for calling." Which makes me think it could be more widespread that I would have imagined! Two final comments. Firstly, Western Digital did not perhaps do themselves any favours here, as the box has 'WD' logos on it, as does the label, which also states 'Box Contents: 18TB Computer Hard Drive, USB" - clearly showing what's inside, although that may be due to customs requirements of course. In the event of a damaged or previously opened item arriving.... Secondly, like I say a parcel can be stolen, tampered with or whatever, with any courier - but my friendly Royal Mail postman (who I recounted the above story to) then said, when you get a box from any one Royal Mail, UPS, DPD anyone. Always look at the box first if they are asking you to sign or want to take a photograph. In the former case, if it looks like it may have been opened or damaged, do not sign for it either refuse to, or sign 'damaged'. If they want to take a picture, then tell them to wait, and hold or position the box so that the damage or prior opening can clearly be seen in the picture. His reasoning was that doing either of those, gives you more options to claim in the event of a problem. Hope the above may be of use to somebody. I do have the occasional model railway item shipped from the US using UPS and I shall now always ensure the insurance is added! Rich

All the control equipment on KGV bridge at Althorpe was stripped out in the early 1980s, so its permanently locked in the down position now. However, the sliding bridge for the railway over the Keadby & Stainforth Canal at Keadby Canal Junction is still very much operational, and March to October is responsible for no end of delays as the locking pins do not always drop back to place in 'warmer weather' after its been open for the canal traffic. Been sat at Crowle a number of times due to that problem!

If you could get some of the older pics and the track plan uploaded it would be beneficial for all I think. Its a lovely layout you've created and deserves to be shared. Crys of 'more...more!' from the back! Rich

Just a quick update, by way of thanks to everyone who contributed. A quirk of fate meant that there was not time to place the order with C&L when I thought it had been, and having read a printed copy of this thread, we looked at some 3mm trackwork images and having priced it up, including membership of the 3mm Society, it will not work out too much different price wise. As John ( @hayfield ) commented, the Code 60 bullhead rail is vastly cheaper through the Society, and with having five hidden sidings to lay I think it will actually end up working out more cost-effective. Thanks to everyone for their input. Rich

Peter, As all the graphics have gone from the pre-February 2022 pages after rmWeb's server melt down (🙄) do you have a track plan for Llanbourne you can repost? Rich

Thanks for mentioning that, I had totally missed that this was still an 0-4-0 and not the later 2-4-0! Almost ordered .. I'll wait until the later version arrives, which I am sure it will.