Coryton

Ah. Thanks. I'm not sure how often I do let my uncouplers touch the track, but I don't supposed I'd have noticed if I had. I've learned something today. So I'd get away with it if I used a plastic coated paper clip then. (Might be a bit too thick though).

I've never used DCC, but I know some things seem to be more of an issue than with analogue (like polarity switching for points). However...if I moved to DCC would I really need special devices for hand uncoupling? (As opposed to part of a paper clip shoved in the centre tube from an old biro...) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OO-Insulated-Tension-Lock-uncoupling-Wand-for-DCC-/281699805351?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item41969de8a7

If you divide that by the number of hours it must have taken to do such a good job, I don't think it would come to much of an hourly rate. Plenty of time for it to go up further though. Personally, I don't know why anybody would want this, but it takes all sorts...

To show that - being hand-made - each one has a unique character?

The pillar boxes look a bit better (if a bit out of focus)...but why make them when something looking a lot better is available for less money? Hand-made isn't always a good thing!

Now this is something special: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A-Police-Box-OO-Gauge-Scenery-Layout-/171780345079?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27fee80cf7 I think I might have guessed they are hand-made even if they hadn't said. Sadly, the listing has ended now.

Special white conducting paint on the wheels. maybe? I like the HO/OO bit though. (Edited because I can't spell)

I think that's a fair point, and I'd agree that the description here is rather over the top. Though I'm sure they're right that it is "Very rare to find one in such good condition and livery." I think without fear of hyperbole you could call it unique. Perhaps I've been guilty of misinterpreting the targets of ridicule here.

I was only referring to the fictitious elements of the model. I didn't intend to discuss the quality of the work. And here's why: In this thread I see a lot of criticism of the quality of kit-building and alterations to models. I think this is fair enough when people are weathering or modifying models specifically for sale, and doing a bad job of it. But this looks as if it was a genuine attempt to produce something different done for someone's own benefit, which is now being sold on. On this board I see a lot of criticism of the fact that these days most people buy ready-to-run models and run them out of the box, rather than doing "proper modelling", and there are plenty of posters encouraging people to have a go themselves. Then I come here and see posters making fun of something made by someone who has tried to do just that. There are some extremely skilled modellers on this board. Some of us will never be able to do work to their quality. And even these people had to start somewhere. When I think of having a go at repainting or improving rolling stock (as opposed to just working on the layout itself), I then imagine what I've done being sold on ebay at some point in the future and people using it as an object of ridicule because my modelling skills are so far from perfect. I realise that it is not necessarily the same people making both sets of comments, but it is rather off-putting. There. I've got that off my chest. Postscript: This may horrify some people here, but looking at the pictures again, if I'd attempted a repaint into a fairly complex livery like that and managed it that well, I'd be fairly pleased with myself (apart from the paint bleed on the new yellow end). (Minor edit to make text clearer)

Hmmm. Certainly is a rare livery for a 1st generation DMU... But since they've also made a "double ended" 110 this was presumably intended as a "might have been", and I don't see anything wrong with that.

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone who has followed this thread for a while. Perhaps the surprise is that it's only just over the new price, not twice as much. I wonder if Hattons are still attempting to sell "pre-owned" models for more than *they* are selling the same thing new? That one is a bit more surprising.

And, I believe, in the air if you're following a feature such as (to stay vaguely on-topic) a railway line, to ensure you don't end up colliding with someone doing the same thing in the opposite direction.

Or - as we found out too late - an electrician who lives in the next county where the green bins are for general rubbish, not garden waste...

I've got it...they photographed them upside down!

Staying off topic, in academia they've thought of this: http://www.lockss.org/ (Lots of Copies Keeps Stuff Safe).

Are you sure? Before the 'split', Valley Lines was a separate franchise to Wales and West (though both were owned by Prism/National Express). I'm pretty sure the red and green (inside and out) was just Valley Lines. After the franchise re-arrangement I don't think there was separate branding for the former Valley Lines services.

Some Arriva pacers still have red and green seats (the old Valley Lines colours). I don't think any have all red or all green - it's a mix. Most have greyish seats now. For some reason the ones with grey seats usually seem to have red and green tip-up seats at the ends, and vice versa. I have no idea why but I'm sure there's a reason.

Not ebay, but... http://www.ehattons.com/90898/Scratchbuilt_KB064_SAS_Ian_Kirk_kit_LNER_Gresley_buffet_car_Pre_owned_sold_as_seen/StockDetail.aspx Can someone explain how an unbuilt kit can count as scratchbuilt? At least they're not trying to sell this for more than they want for a new one...

Fair do's, they were shown as sold out on the Invicta web site a few weeks ago...

Without the Arriva re-branding?

So far as I know there is just the one (tediously long) automated announcement on Arriva's pacers, which is played at apparently random intervals. I've never heard any others, and I travel on them most days. And I'm not even sure the 143's have them - it might just be the 142s, which are a lot more common, at least on the line I use.

I don't think any automated announcements on Arriva Trains Wales Pacers do mention the company name. I think they have been there since the Wales and Borders days if not before. For true realism, it needs to repeat: "Welcome aboard. Please familiarise yourself with the safety information mounted between the saloon windows*. Emergency door opening instructions are located close to the doors. Please ensure all luggage on overhead racks is safely stowed, and when you leave the train, please mind the gap between the train and the platform, and take care as you alight. Thank you." at aggravatingly frequent, but apparently random, intervals. * It's not between the saloon windows. But that's where the announcement says it is. Though now I think about it, it may be only the 142's that have these announcements.

Not ebay, but... You can buy this fine example of a Thompson brake, in the little known BR blue variant of LNER Teak, "pre-owned" for £18 From Hattons. http://www.ehattons.com/81218/Bachmann_Branchline_34_652_LN_01_Thompson_BG_Full_Brake_in_LNER_teak_Pre_owned_Like_new/StockDetail.aspx Or new for £17. Well, they do say £17 is a bargain price. Presumably the warped corridor connections on the second hand one are worth the extra £1, as it saves you the time of doing it yourself....? They seem to be using the term "like new" in a particularly special way. I can understand someone else selling second hand items for more than Hattons are charging for a new one. But I don't see the motivation for Hattons doing it themselves. (Edited to add URL)

I agree completely - but it could have been an out-of-focus silhouette....

And it was actually in focus, which is more than some people manage.