stewartingram

I haven't tried this or even looked at one, but been wondering myself? I wondered if a black beetle or similar, with the wheels removed from 1 axle? Use a tractor kit from the Airfix Stirling (Fordson?) to surround the motor, add dummy non-driven wheels at the front end....I wonder? Even better if an n-gauge version could be sourced. Stewart

Beat me to it! The railbuses were withdrawn from service & stored at Cambridge well before the "blue" period (c1964 I think?), I remember them being there as I lived in Cambridge. At the time, there was an operating requirement for signalmen - there were hardly any regional power boxes at the time remember - to visibly check the rear of every train, day & night, for the physical presence of a tail light (oil lamp). If it was missing it was assumed the train had split so "line blocked" was put into operation. Of course this also means there must only be 1 tail lamp anywhere on the train too. So no lights on intermediate vehicles, and only 1 on the rear. To re-iterate, at this time dmu's NEVER used a marker light with a red indication, nor did diesel locos, though the latter were fitted with them from new. Any chance observations other to this were an infringement to rules. Some dmus were supplied with a red lens to place in front of the marker light, but with odd (experimental?) applications did not see general use. Later on, rules were changed, I assume with the closer of local boxes, abolition of brake vans on goods trains, and introduction of high intensity headlights all occurring around the same sort of time? So later on dmus had electric redd lights in modified former front marker lights; with preservation of the railbuses, this practice seemed to be adopted by the new owners. As far as the front lights were concerned, they were positioned the same as the headlamp brackets on a normal loco, and codes applied the same. Typically the railbus would work a stopping passenger, so the top one only would be used, not all 4. (And once again, very dim....., as were the destination blinds too). Stewart Edit - something is telling me the red lens idea, and proper red lights, were a proposal objected to by the unions at the time, in defence of the "physical presence/split train" scenario?

Just to add to my earlier posts, and to clarify the running & QC issues, I'd like to comment on my experience. I received the model in person from T4u, when I got home I unpacked it. There was no damage whatsoever, as is usual in my experience with Heljan. I think their packaging is the best one of the big 4 personally. I am aware of the complexity - and fragile nature of the detail fitted - of modern RTR and really despise having to strip them down for any reason. My other thread concerning the toy-like led lighting was posted as a result of this. I placed the railbus on a section of my layout track, one of the few sections on it where I can test for any distance at the moment. I should add that the track is handbuilt copperclad code 75, with 3 points in its length, which at present are non-switchable. The controller is a handbuilt PWM type from many years ago, which gives excellent low speed running, but with a slight drop in max speed which is normally of no consequence, especially with much older models. However, there is an issue at the moment (which I am living with until I get the layout operational) in that top speed is much reduced, I think this is a power supply issue but obviously I am aware of it. The railbus was very quiet, most noise came from the wheels clicking & thumping across joints in the track (which is laid directly to the boad, and ballasted with granite which makes it quite noisy). Performance was slightly better in one direction than the other though, but speeds were low. I suspected this was the gearing and initial stiffness before running in. Anyway, I stripped it down to remove the lights, what a job! Should have read the instructions first. I've lost both handrails from the doors, and 3/4 minor details came off in my hands, my fault. Refitted all those apart from the handrails on re-assembly though. Whilst stripped down I gave the mechanism a light oiling then put it on the rolling road fro a few minutes. WOW what a difference, note the rolling road does not suffer from low max speed like the layout. Upon transferring it to the layout, I felt that top speed was increased, with little difference in either direction now. And it was even quieter. Conclusions? Excellent packaging, nothing amiss on arrival Delicate to get into like most today, any damage was caused by me Good runner straight from the box, but close examination of the mechanism showed dry gears & bearings. Lubrication definately was needed, as always sparingly & with care. Stewart

Actually, the number is barely readable - looking at it since I do not think it is a DB prefix at all. You have a PM Stewart

Had mine to bits tonight. I only glanced quickly at the instruction sheet before "filing" it - so missed the screws under the air horns for quite a while! Body splits at the waistline, & there is a heavy weight, full length above the windowline, under the roof. Plenty of tiny screws to undo if you strip it right down. The wiring is concentrated arond the centre of the vehicle, near the doors. All mine was ripped out, along with the toy-like headlights (led). In fact I decided to remove all the lighting in the end. A copperclad sleeper, gapped in the centre, was stuck to the floor in the middle and the pickup wires & motor wires simply soldered to it. Pickups are brass (?) wires looped over the top of the tread, they were quite dirty on mine so were cleaned up before re-assembly. A spot of oil was put onto bearings and gears. Some of the grey paint flaked off the interior cab partition & will have to be touched up when I detail the interior (seats, crew/passengers etc). Re-assembly was a tad tricky but providing you are methodical, should not be a problem. I did manage to dislodge the odd underframe component, but they all went back ok except for the sandpipes - I'll add those in wire later. On the track, an impressive model, very quiet, and complete with the ungainly waddle the prototype has over crossings etc. The heavy mechanism certainly helps with pickup, it didn't falter anywhere. Still has that WOW factor for me! Stewart

Success! I've just found the article, Trains Illustrated July 1961, concerning the Marylebone Exhibition in May 1961. There is a discussion on what was on show, with a header photo showing 4 wagons in experimental liveries, including what seems to be DB80826 ? or similar, in DARK GREEN livery. For copyright reasons I can't put the pic on here though. Stewart

Picked mine up from T4U this morning. Only had a quick glance over it yet with a Mkl eyeball, not even placed it on the track. Wow! It has that something, to me at least, that the NRM Deltic gave out when I first saw that. Crisp mouldings, superb finish - and the weight!. I already have a Silver Fox one that I built, and was very pleased with that a few years back, but this Heljan one gives a good impression of the real thing. I haven't measured it up though, or even compared it with a photo, so its all subjective. One glaring omission to me though, is the lack of curtains and driver/passengers inside, at least I'll have something to do to it! Stewart

Talking of LU emergency vehicles, try these for size Stewart

Sandy is ECML - and the Bletchley to Cambridge line crossed here....and at least once (possibly twice) a Western (D1008 I think) reached Cambridge that way in the 60's.... Stewart

OK my tuppence worth? Been driving since 1967, 1st car was an Austin A30 which I drove for about 12 yrs. NEVER once had wheelspin or a trace of skid in it, and I did 250k miles! Changed to a Marina then Ital; basically same car but bigger. I swear by (not at) rear wheel drive in snow, if one wheel does lose traction, apply handbrake gently to lock it then you have a solid rear axle. And if it slides to one side a bit, you can dig the rear wheel against the kerb to get traction against it. For about 20 years now I've gone completely against my soul in choosing a car - a small selection of Rover 827's followed by Rover 75. Rover 827 Sterling - about as complicated as you can get with all the toys, I do my own maintenance so it was the opposite of what I dreamed of! Front wheel drive, automatic, and with a Japanese Honda engine too. Even rebuilt the mk1 (D plate) with everything from from a written off later version (G plate). About all that was original was 1 door, bodyshell, and 2 rear suspension arms! No problem in the snow though. Rover 75 V6 2.5 auto Conn SE is the current model. Drove it in snow last year (though more cold than snow round here) but yesterday was the 1st real snow for many years. We woke up today to 4-6". Yesterday I went to Doncaster by train; the return journey was delayed by a weather related speed restriction on the ECML - of 100mph! Left Donny with a thin blanket of snow, still snowing upon arrival at Peterborough though very fine and settling. Missed the connection so a 20 min wait before the journey to March, arriving about 1hr late. Then the fun began. About 2" of snow, still fine stuff coming down and a 5 mile journey took about 45 mins. The car handled magnificently, away from other traffic I did 30mph safely on the 'A' road with no trace of slip. But everyone else couldn't cope; wheelspin, sliding, all the usual idiots on the road with no idea how to drive, with snow all over car/windows/lights etc,esp those in 4wd vehicles. We did 15mph max with someone else in front if we were lucky. Oh and I did get stuck briefly as I turned into the drive too, as the rear wheels mounted the dropped kerb entrance, the front wheels spun, so a quick reverse, and I drove in with momentum to clear that np. Stewart Wonder what the 15 miles to Huntingdon at 0545 tomorrow will bring along with the icebox 321 from Huntingdon to KGX with FCC.....

Can't remember, though I'll have a look next time I'm down there. Stewart

Sorry completely forgot it! Try this:

Huntingdon station, in the footpath outside the main entrance 30/7/2011, but still there today! Stewart

Not going to do it in LMS red like that preserved 8F are we....? Stewart

I'm sure I posted this before, but can't find it in the thread? Modern Railways, c1961/62, carried a short article, I believe with pictures, concerning the brightening up of the image of goods trains. Reference was made to 16t minerals experimentally painted - GREEN ! I'll have to have a look in the loft at my old mags. Stewart edit to correct spelling mistake

As if by magic - the Blue Pullman poster from Euston Edit - still appears to be a problem uploading pics, I'll add it when the problem is sorted. I also have some 1920-30's posters I discovered recently! Stewart

When the 25kV was extended south to a temporary loco-change point at Bletchley in 1965(?), prior to the full opening to Euston, I made a number of trainspotting trips over their via the Cambridge-Bletchley line. Lots of lovely 81-86 cops to be had! Then along came British Rail and corporate Rail Blue livery. Rest assured, it was a different shade of blue, and I'm not just talking different finish/no varnish/whatever! The 2 liveries seen side by side were different. Stewart

A 6" steel rule works just as well - don't need a butter knife. Stewart

As there are already Railway Signs for the different regions etc, how about an equivalent for buses? In the popular post-war steam/diesel transition period for modelling, the Tilling and BTC bus groups covered most of the country, also with Corporation buses in many towns. What I'm thinking of are regional packs; my interest of East Anglia for instance could cover the likes of Eastern Counties, Eastern National, United Counties, & Corporations such as Ipswich, Gt.Yarmouth, Colchester etc. Give us a few timetable boards, bus stop signs, bus shelters, signs for bus stations such as route markings, waiting rooms etc, I feel it would be a very useful (& easy) scene-setter for railway modellers as well as bus modellers. Stewart

Slightly OT but can anyone help please? I was sure that it was in this thread, but I can't now find it....Someone mentioned contacting Hornby/Margate, and being referred to a (local?) dealer in their spare parts. Not the usual 2 though (ie East Kent Models or Abigails). Basically, I have modded the bogie mount on my Stanier 2-6-4T and broke some plastic parts in the valve gear, neither of the 2 regular suppliers can apparently help, so I'm trying elsewhere if I can. Stewart

Interesting development here chaps! You may recall that on the old RMWeb site I carried out a rebuild of my crumbling chassis, with photographs. More an exercise in seeing what could be done on my part I guess, and I have to say I was happy with the result. With the comments from all the other posters I took another look at it last week. There was evidence of "crumbledust" around, so the longterm future does look bleak for the chassis, though I have to say it is still at the moment in more or less the same rebuilt condition. But I decided to politely contact the Hornby Customer Services via their website . They actually called the contact a "complaint" which I suppose technically it was, but in my eyes was more of a query. Anyway, late last Friday evening I filled in the complaint form. On Monday afternoon I got an email asking for the model number, which I replied to. Then on Tuesday morning, I received another email, saying they would send me out a replacement chassis (! made me wonder what was coming), allow 7-10 days. TODAY! mid afternoon Wednesday, I received a replacement chassis block (ie just the casting as suggested by me) for me to rebuild into the loco. No charge even for postage. I have to put it in capitals, sorry, WELL DONE Hornby, MANY THANKS for the service. I have to add that I was (hopefully) polite; cross-referred with a link to my descriptive posting on RMWeb as proof; and asked if replacement chassis CASTINGS (not complete running chassis) were available for purchase. I also pointed out that as a former Hornby service engineer for a couple of shops, I was competent to rebuild it. With all the "Down" postings for Hornby recently, this has certainly recast my thoughts for the company. Off to rebuilt D5508 (aka D5512 in Hornby terms) in a little while..... Stewart

OOh thats close to me, I can remember RAF Witchford but not operational - my home was originally next door at Mepal, home of Stirlings. Just another 4 miles away now at Chatteris. Stewart

Interesting concept, I'd like to have a play next time I get a job out at Heathrow. Can anyone use it, like the Heathrow Express link between terminals, or do you have to pay? Stewart

This is the coach version of the LC (ECOC class type), this is a preserved Lincs Roadcar coach:

Thats not a coach that is a bus body! Like it though, better in ECOC red. Stewart