Mallard60022

Having read the rest of this, it's absolutely chronic for you all. What's your thoughts on LNER being with the OOLR and the seemingly better all round service...and by this I mean state of vehicles and appropriate numbers of seats etc.? I don't know if the Contract is different to the awful one you are describing. Does anyone know who's responsible for what with LNER? Not sure where Hull Trains Units go for service either? Is it somewhere in the North East? Thanks. Phil

Those emergency Oars so beautifully retracted, are a good idea for when it is Torpedoed. D.A S. Boot.

That description of yours is exactly what we expected on the ECML b4 they arrived. I used the first service to and from Retford to Leeds. I used 2nd going..seats like rock and rock and roll over the Bogies on the Donny Wakefield sections. Ist back to Donny only and discovered the hardly any window seats! Slightly more comfy seats. However not a rotten experience and met a lot of impressed people and some lovely Staff as it was day 1. It was some time before I actually found out that the Bi Mode function was not really a feature when these Units failed on the ECML or the wires were down etc. Then in early 2022 I met the Hitachi big wig on Retford Station, who was going to that London to meet that DFT to explain the Bogies issue (cracking). Lovely bloke (sort of typical Northern Yorkshire bloke). I fear it was him that gave me a dose of Covid! Anyway, the pre service hype didn't quite match up to the actual things delivered as far as I can see. However, as you say, yes the all Electrics are fast, clean, almost always stuffed except in mid daytime services and the Hull Trains Units are my favourite method of doing the London Shuttle. My York journeys have sometime been 225s; soooooo much more comfortable and the refurbished Sets are Class. My observations of the 'ordinary passenger' is that they want frequent, on time, smart, clean and hassle free travel. Not fussed about windows and as I rarely use 1st Class I don't see annoyance about there being little in the way of refreshments...but yes, almost every ECML service has a Buffet and or a Trolly. I am sorry to hear about all your woes. It must be bad for anyone using Trains every day. I am obviously lucky as is my Wife, who travels to Croydon from here every few months, as almost all journeys have been totally stress free. A couple have been strange due to various issues but the alternatives have been quickly and professionally provided with no Bustitutions for me thank God, but herself has had to endure one of those from Grantham I think it was due to Wires down north of there. Phil

Blimey that sounds awful. I also hadn't twigged that the thread had morphed into a discussion about crap operations, service and performance. I thought that started very recently after a long break; 13.48 yesterday in fact? Thus I'm not going to mention the superiority of operations of what was various Franchises and now OOLR and the excellence of Hull Trains (using 802 Units I think it is with better seating and excellent Staff?) on the ECML south of Edinburgh at least and from Hull of course. The Staff along my section of the ECML, have remained the same for Years and Train Staff from what I can see. They have adapted well, despite 'The Management'. Sounds like GWR are poor as a TOC? I know from contacts, still living where I was born and grew up, that their attitude was that they couldn't give a toss about west of the Tamar during various 'incidents and events'. However I had no idea things were so gross over the other areas as you describe. Is it just this Stock or does the other stuff they operate bring a better attitude and service? All sounds very sad and how the mighty GWR has fallen into ruin? can't even escape using SWT either from what I read elsewhere. Edit; having reread the last few posts, I see that GWR were 'shafted' by the DFT and the associated Ministers. It seems like they are trying to perform but the equipment isn't up to it on the WOE Routes; sad state of affairs but no surprise sadly. A. Janner.

Yup, but I still will say wasn't the main ' Grounded' issue initially to do with Bogie Fractures, not performance which, of course, may well have been and now appears to be causing unavailability due to Engines being knackered. Phil

They are obviously disgusted by the HUGE lamp. Oh ye, nearly here I hear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Es8YJJZ6Q Ignore any Advert. Gethin Ripe

Ignore any Adverts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5Es8YJJZ6Q Philth

Ah I see. Yes of course, they run on Electric all the way, except off the ECML for a couple of Workings. However I thought the main faults were with the Bogies Cracking? I think there is also a real good servicing regime at the Main Depots (especially Donny). Thanks. Phil

ECML availability seems to be OK, or am I missing something? P

Ummmmm! Phil

I'd forgotten those. Are they 'led' by 'Tutors'? Phil Atkinson's Courses were brilliant. I can't believe they were almost 15+ years ago now. I wonder if someone like the organisers of Warley could try something like this? It means their organisation skills are available BUT not with the huge effort required for the exhibition. Before long, the current persons that have both building and leading skills, will be 'no more'. Actually I've never seen a Course with Coach Building as a main lead even when Phil was doing his. Loco's (Tony Wright's excellent and amusing sessions) and Painting/Weathering yes. I was fortunate to have the late Geoff Brewin teach me to part build Coaches. I miss his damn fine skills and company. Perhaps anyone reading this that considers Coach Building as important, could maybe do some asking around. Anyone with Warley contacts? All the best. Phil

I used to part build Comet Coaches to a soldered finish standard, often with Hinges (extra cost) and some details, but not with Water Pipes or glazing and interiors and rarely painted, unless it was plain Maroon (extra charge). It was for people that could then paint or afford to get them painted. I sometimes fitted sprung Buffers if the Client requested that as an extra. Typically, something like a Gresley CK would then cost about £200 without the extras. The prices varied according to a list and related to complexity. This was over 10 years ago! Prices have increased. At that time a fully finished Coach from a recommended builder, in all its glory and RTR was around £600 and often more. It's not an inexpensive job getting a Coach built I'm sorry to say. Kits are still only about £50 I think? It would be almost less expensive to ask someone to show you how to solder them up at some workshop sessions! I no longer build KIts for anyone. Sorry. Phil

Great to see the Hawksworth County at last. I'm having at least two. P

I iz not an hengineer, but in a Lathe wot I uzed in skool, the job turned and the cutter or whatever Tool was fixed/adjusts as required. With Steves method, the job Turned and the Tool was adjusted! Unless you are after fractions of mmls accuracy then I can't see the worth of faffing with a Lathe. It is my conclusion that the wheels on a Hornybee or Bakky Engine, unless sprung, can be fettled with a suitable File and or abrasive Paper. Also the job can be reversed. I respect any Engineer for their skills, however this job was/is actually a Toy and not a hand built scale model and worked satisfactorily. K.I.S.S. Steve matey. A. Bodgedit.

That's exactly it and thanks. I was reading it as Easy Life. That's a company that sells cheap Chinese stuff from on line or phone! I changed my Auction bid style last year and hadn't really twigged. I checked the payments this morning, (only 8!) and just before coming to delete this post I realised who it was. Thank you again. I am now sitting myself in the try harder corner. Phil

Ah, those Crystal ba££$ eh? Ummmmm. Nice choice. Soof Sayer (No relation to Leo).

Has there been any chat on here about a Company called Easy Live taking small and regular amounts of money from a Bank Account.? I've read it somewhere! I have bought stuff from them in the past. On checking my Bank Account to day I find regular £3 amounts going out...but last November it was 3 x£3 on the same day! I'm on it after phoning the Bank and will be calling them tomorrow. I'm just sure I've read about this somewhere, thus asking here. I had a similar problem years ago when I 'accidentally' joined Amazon Prime (and it was by mistake) when I ordered something! Thanks Phil

Upgraded range of LMS/BRMR Coaches in OO. Hawksworth County (just in case anyone's forgotten from many many pages ago). Phil

I used Mains Copper wiring for my Power BUS 24 x 10 roundy roundy with some 4 track parts and a set of 7 storage sidings. One NCE supply with no booster and it can handle two running Loco's and a few others sat in various places. I use a DC BUS for my Point Motor Power but they are all linked to the Track as are Two 6 inlet Frog Juicers. No issues with power drop. Phil

Thank you so much. Do pop a piece of wire across the Tender Buffers so you can stick something behind it R. hang on to it for whatever time. I'm not in need just yet matey. Looks damn beasty to me; show it off to anyone that needs a fright. Stealth Engine, runs silent run deep etc. so no wonder 31806's Bogie Wheels fell off and that geezer dropped his Shovel! All the best, Philth.

Do you think you may have over-reamed out the Bogie Axle Holes and the Bogies have too much play? Old Airfix and particularly the dirt cheap Dapol MR Coaches suffer from this in a horrible way as in the latter, the Bogies really are horrible and plastic wheels...yuch. Phil

Ouch. Can't suggest any way to challenge I'm afraid. Still worth contacting them though? Phil

Nice one Richard. Phil

Grief, this is getting far too serious. I know I can ignore it, but... I'd rather have a chat about wobbly wheels and bits falling off Rapido 15XXs than being reminded how fookin bad things are across the Globe. F. Rossi.