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159220

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Everything posted by 159220

  1. I have looked through the comments on 'The Facebook', I do not have an account - yet you can publicly review: But,
  2. Great to see a wagon with such innovative features of DCC door control operation being developed, yet has anyone got a confirmation from KR Models as to the exact type. I am hesitant to email from reading pages on here, as I cannot tolerate snappy/abrasive communication. The MOD/NDA KUA 95770/771 are what I seek, they would go perfectly with my Model Rail Magazine Escort Coach pack (anyone remember those?): Link Flickr - graeme8665 Though these have been stored since 2016 and replaced since 2018 with two highly modified MK2E BSOs 9506 and 9508. Link Flickr - Ray Forster
  3. The original VO from 801s to 800s was somewhere between £300,000 and £3,000,000 - I am not saying where, but it is significantly cheaper than full electrification in the hundreds of millions. Not that I am defending the decision! My opinion is we should be electrifying 200 track miles a year through a rolling, efficient, programme.
  4. The CS livery pallet is patented to the Scottish Government, seems Hornby have not got a licence.
  5. The prototype is 23.21m thus *IF* Bachmann have gone to correct scale, it *should* measure 30.46cm - or am I going mad with maths?
  6. The IEP/Agility West class 800s are currently undergoing software modifications which up-rates the engine drive system performance to that of the Eversholt class 802s - inc. 0.82m/s acceleration. This allows the IEP part of the fleet for GWR to deliver the December 2019 timetable. The class 800s won't (yet) be receiving larger dynamic braking resistance performance/radiator grills as per the class 802, so braking shall continue to be disc - thus (for now) the class 802 is more suited to West of England (extended diesel mode) operations.
  7. Aye, FGW livery first appeared in early October 2007 (I cannot remember the unit number) and can still be found today on 158763 (all be it, in one shocking level of tatter) - that gives the livery 11 years, 10 months and counting (train vinyl is made for 7 years). Not as long as SWT livery, but fairly close! The 159/9s were first re-formed at FGW in early (March - 158951) 2008, with 158960 lasting until last month - 11 years, 3 months. Only thing, I know its utter fantasy to wish that we would ever see this livery on a model. Seeing as Bachmann claim they cannot produce FGW or Wessex on the 150/2 with their fancy ink jet printer (as per 66 specials). I suspect the FGW shall never appear. Which is a shame. But, like with anything - money talks. So as with a Wessex 150/2. I would be willing to pay a handsome premium to have a FGW 158/9 or two. Say £100-200 ontop of the base model? Who else would?
  8. The 158/9s should have been disbanded by now, yet this has been delayed until the December 2019 timetable change. This shall see 2x158/9s remain, which along with 158798/150001/002, shall work the Barnstaple's. The rest of the 158/9 fleet shall be re-formed back into their original 2-car formations to cover for Cornwall half-hourly services along with the HST GTi's. What I would utterly utterly love is for the FGW 'dynamic lines' 158/9s! These ran from early 2008-today.
  9. The majority of the Agility Trains East fleet (operated by OLR/LNER) have provision for wheelchair uses in both Standard and 1st class: 800/1 13 units with Standard and 1st wheelchair spaces 800/2 10 units with 1st wheelchair space 801/1 12 units with 1st wheelchair space 801/2 30 units with Standard and 1st wheelchair spaces Thus, 64% of LNER Azuma trains have wheelchair spaces in both classes. For the 36% of trains, passengers who require a wheelchair space are upgraded (with companion) too 1st. These 5-car units, shall mainly split en-route and serve destination such as Sunderland, Bradford, Harrogate, Hull and Lincoln (occasionally Inverness/Stirling). The Agility Trains West fleet (operated by First/GWR) are more mixed: 800/0 36 units with 1st wheelchair space 800/3 21 units with Standard and 1st wheelchair spaces Plus, the Eversholt fleet (operated by First/GWR) are also more mixed: 802/0 22 units with 1st wheelchair spaces 802/1 14 units with Standard and 1st wheelchair spaces Sadly, 38% of GWR IET trains have wheelchair spaces in both classes. The majority of the fleet (62%) are 5-cars where passengers who require a wheelchair space are upgraded (with companion) too 1st. WHY this arrangement? As someone who is disabled myself, I get rather annoyed by this conservative/old fashioned view point around inequality. I travel 1st class on long distance trains, as not only can I afford to, but I much prefer the professional environment where I can work as I travel! If I was a wheelchair user, I would EXPECT (as my fundamental human right) to be able to travel in 1st class if I wanted to (it should be a human right to dine on the GWR Pullman, everyone needs that heaven in their life!). Thus, on 5-car units the original TTS document, mandated the wheelchair space area would be provided in 1st in the name of equality for all. Here here! You shall see the same set up with other similar new units - straight to my mind is the class 397. It is the right thing to do on 'Intercity' units. (Why so many 5-cars on Agility Trains West (800s) and Eversholts (802s)? Simply because the former were ordered based on the timetable modelled for the IEP and the latter to allow half-hourly Cornwall services. Remember, the Eversholt 802 order included option for many more vehicles and yes, it is more than possible over time the 22 x 802/0s shall be lengthened - BUT we need to see how the December 2019 timetable works out first!!).
  10. For those who follow the real railway, reported elsewhere that 92006 shall be released from Wabtec Loughborough (Brush Traction) tomorrow. 13 years out of service! Additionally, DB Cargo UK are close to releasing 92029 from Crewe electric (rumoured to have its yellow EWS placed by a DB logo). This one, only 4 years out of service and shall be limited to HS1/Channel Tunnel.
  11. The 801/1s (5-car) "should' see entry into service next month, with four units on KingsX-Leeds contained services. This releases two 800/1s for York and Edinburgh services from "1st August". The 800/2s "should" (subject to approvals) be in service from September (inc. Lincoln extensions from Newark), releasing further 800/1s for the NE and Scotland.
  12. Usually I enjoy reading the countless pages of words on DJM. But you'll forgive me, I am over it - I think everyone is clear now Dave Jones paid himself a salary out of DJM (and thus crowdfunded money). So I have to ask, in these 12 pages has anyone pointed something so blindingly obvious? "Does the lack of money in the DJM accounts, highlight one simple thing? Apart from a couple dozen (if that) RMWeb loyalists who parted with their cash, that is it. No one else, outside of the DJM thread ever game him a penny?" Seems rather plausible to me! I read this at lunch today, several million lost over similar behaviour to DJM: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jun/26/how-gavin-woodhouse-raised-millions-for-a-string-of-stalled-projects
  13. Please no! I certainly do not want a railroad one. You’ll be a fool if you cater to a falsehood cheap end of the market! I want an electrostar which captures the prototype truthfully, with intrinsic detail of both the underframe modules and the subtle details which separate a model from an item which has statement appeal. There is a pitfall/range of details between the subclasses which would likely make tooling a rather expensive investment, only rewarded in sales if top notch! Hornby could do a cracking Electrostar, I just don’t think other than 5 RMWebbers anyone else would want one though... Please can we stop racing down to the railroad cheap end of the market.
  14. 159220

    Missed the boat

    Why is it strange? Models are produced in batches - whether Dapol, Hornby or Joe Blogs. Liveries shall be divided in terms of minimum order size for a livery and overall batch size. The TPE, being a new livery has proven popular and out sold the DRS liveries - which have been released in several different numbers (in batches which have previously sold out). Its a pretty standard release program across the hobby. Not strange at all. No doubt in the future there shall be further TPE examples, and until the MK5A coaches are out next year...little point in the TPE?
  15. Use Dapol's spares supplier - DCC Supplies. £2.68 later, you'll have ten of the things: https://www.dccsupplies.com/item-p-114244/Dapol-connecting-bars-for-megafret-spine-wagons-10-units-oospare1.htm
  16. Try Rainbow Railways, they have the correct paints for the Mk3s and HSTs. I suspect if you ask nicely, they shall have the decals too as they do commissions/have done a Scotrail HST for Model Rail Scotland so they shall likely have some to print off! Of course, as the “railroad” Mk3s shall be the shorter length, it doesn’t really matter that the doors are totally wrong! But then, what’s £380 really? The model railway hobby is a relatively cheap one! If you started saving £2 today every day until delivery in November... You’d be sorted! It’s costing my family £12 a day to keep the boat in the marina. Hobbies are all relative! By time you have bought an old Lima HST, decals, paint etc then factored in the time it shall take to paint them. I bet it costs more! Yet depends how much you think your time is worth. When I was younger, I used to buy the models I wanted through some trading.... Buying some coaches or locomotives “cheaply” - painting them up and selling them on eBay at a profit. Profits which directly funded my hobby. Of course, one day I calculated my time vs profit to realise though I could buy a fancy new train for myself, I was earning no where near minimum wage! Yet it kept me busy during the term breaks and least I didn’t complain about price and just got on with buying the models I wanted... Also remember, Hornby sets a 10% discount off RRP for 6 weeks after delivery. After which, you’ll find many retailers online going down! With patience if I buy a HST GTI it shall cost me around £301 as what is another 6 weeks? And if it sells out in that time, so what. I’ll spend the £301 on a weekend away sailing... You might be the richest or poorest person alive. But you’ll end up dead. So you might as well enjoy it whilst you can!
  17. Hmm, noticed this on the Kernow Newsletter - relevant here, to show, other manufacturers can get their livery samples right - Hatton's Dave! And at £699 i'd hope so! It's all about using the right yellow panel spec! I am starting to convince myself, though @Hattons Dave specified Pantone, the factory has either used a close matching RAL or just matched to the printed artwork. Resulting in a gold too dark and a yellow warning panel too light.
  18. I've had the pleasure/honour of being onboard a 755/4 both at Innotrans, Berlin, Bussnang (well actually a 745/0), Switzerland and Great Yarmouth, UK (the latter all too briefly as I saw someone I know and had a quick chat between 37s). I can confirm that these units are utter light years ahead in terms of both passenger environment/comfort and technology/build quality from the Bombardier 170s and Metro-Cammell 156s they are replacing. The FISA LEAP seat is a well shaped, meeting all of the latest regulations (UK Gov. set!!!!!) and is nothing like the Compin-Fainsa Sophia on other new stock. It is a huge improvement over the awkward and clunky Chapman SC3.X seat in the 170s or the total opposite structure on the SC1.X in the 156s. The Stadler FLIRT UK is a high quality product and shall revolutionise rail travel for many across East Anglia. Stadler are recognised across the railway industry as being the best, the company's philosophy is a can do rather than "what's the bombardier bottomline". They are proud of their products, and rightly so. Best bit, god they sound good!!! East Anglia ain't getting quiet anytime soon! One thing which shall be noticeable to the passenger, is the impressive acceleration (and eventual speeding of timetable). I recommend comment is saved until you have enjoyed a journey as a paying passenger, otherwise you look a little silly passing judgement on nout.
  19. Yes, it was covered in the Hornby 800 thread. There are three key differences: the brake radiators on the roof, DPTF kitchen only takes two windows (you'll note the Hornby motor hides behind the current three window arrangement) and (not mentioned last August) there shall be three 'scrubbers' fitted to the three MeS coaches at the opposite end to the CET tanks. Surely a possible thing for Hornby to address? If you take the model apart, you'll see the roof is a changeable slide and the current brake radiators on the roof are clipped into holes which can easily be moved on a different slide. Hopefully whilst Hornby are at it, they pop a servo into the DTP- coaches and tool a decent pantograph! Certainly is a catching livery, shame the the design team used 2016 fashion pallet... Only photo I could find quickly of the roof (GWR 802 but the same): Scrubber seen on 800201 (802/2s do not yet have them fitted and thus diesel mode only north of York):
  20. Thanks @Mike Harvey for your information. I'll get myself some X-Types and Range Rover Evoques, plus I would imagine for the Garston run...Transit vans? As for the BMW Mini, I did not realised that was what was inside those wagons. Ive seen them causing chaos down in Ocean Village as they just went at a snails pace into the docks by the old Cunard hotel. These must be the wagons in question when Hans-Georg stated the 'new mini' shall not fit in the wagon. I see why now, they seem rather restrictive! Garston is just a dock rather than any assembly plant? Seems odd why cars arrive at Dagenham docks and then are trained over to Garston dock. Anyway, I don't model the WCML so I won't worry!
  21. 159220

    DJM, the end.

    T&C shall be all important and archive.org is your friend. I have collected some examples which might help those making claims to their bank, CCC or insurer. Sept 2014 they were simply: Around the launch of the 92, a archive says: Seems to suggest that the deposit is a binding transaction without any T&C on the website at this point. Importantly, stated here on the 28th September 2016 the deposit is announced as £30 without any T&C here: https://web.archive.org/web/20161016112236/http://djmodels.co.uk/ Interestingly, on announcing the King in N on 7th April 2017, it is stated clearly that the deposit is non-refundable: Today they are (which have changed a lot): I could go on, but I suggest those who know when they ordered use https://web.archive.org/web/20170615000000*/http://djmodels.co.uk find the relevant T&C to giving their deposit and use this to consult with your bank or consider small claims. Good luck!
  22. 159220

    DJM, the end.

    Sorry to hear crowdfunders might have lost money, I do just want to flag up the lesser known consumer armour tool of 'chargeback' which covers all debit cards and payments through 3rd parties (PayPal) for any amount. One of the central claims of the scheme, jointly agreed by AMEX, Mastercard and Visa, is to recover your money if a company does into administration. I have used this against a shop which went into administration before it could deliver and my card provided settled my loss as a gesture to my continued custom with them. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/visa-mastercard-chargeback/ I do wonder, as DJM changed their T&Cs the other year how this effects different crowdfunders, one could imagine a possible joint small claims court pursuit after Dave Jones to recover funds, especially if he publicly/privately assured a customer that they could be refunded. I believe this has been a grey area with DJM for sometime, whether your money was returnable or not. A central reason to why I never supported, as I was just not clear with the T&Cs. Also, in experiences of dealing with PayPal over irregularities, I have found the personal touch of a courteous phone conversation with them usually results in an automatic/online/robot decision being overturned and them doing a 'one off' gesture to satisfy your 'custom'. So considering calling them, rather than email or doing via their online disputes.
  23. Most awesome of an announcement. I have come late to the realisation that these operate regularly around the Southampton/Eastleigh area (I've only ever had an eye for intermodal and the CruiseSaver Express!). There was an excellent guide and history given for the N gauge one, found here: http://www.revolutiontrains.com/what-car-carrier/ Only thing is, I know utterly noting about cars! I don't own one, nor do I know many people with one. I have briefly considered buying an electric BMW i3 until I remembered I much prefer the GWR Pullman to/from the Westcountry (notwithstanding the i3 does not have the range to get me there)! From the guide, I understand that the Southampton-Garston (Ford) and Southampton-Halewood (Jaguar Land Rover) are the two regular flows. With someone over in the N gauge thread mentioning Peugeot? So, what sort of Oxford Diecast cars should I order? A Transit or Focus or Range Rover. I'll be modelling Southampton area 2006-present. Perhaps easier to say a batch of cars from 2008 and 2018 as I know they change style far more often than a locomotive! Plus, I do not understand the 2017 6X77 Southampton-Garston with a class 92. That class is not authorised on the 3rd rail down to Southampton, certainly I have never seen a class 92 there. Does DB hire in GBRf traction, or does GBRf run a specific service for STVA? And forgive me for one more question, I thought DB ran a BMW Mini service from Oxfordshire to somewhere (I am assuming Southampton)? I remember Hans-Georg clearly telling me this, but as it was not intermodal. I did not save it to my memory.
  24. Though a re-release of the container terminal crane in Freightliner green would be awesome, how about a Liebherr RMC found in Manchester, Birmingham and Southampton?
  25. I was happy to read in Rail Express Modeller that this has been noted. It would be grown up and respected of Hatton's (Dave) to confirm the FEA-F shall be correct for a future batch. Very odd that Hattons have not acknowledged they got this wrong. Makes me worry for the class 66.
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