DRS Crewe On A Mission

Thank you posting this and for making me aware of the latest releases. However at £340 for a four car set I can't afford either of these sets at the moment. The 10% off would be good but that would still be around £306. Unless LTM offered 20% off which I don't think they do anyway, I don't think I will be buying either of them. The one set that I have now is enough for the moment unless either of these two sets decrease in price significantly when on offer, or if they prices are reduced at a later stage. Very nice models though

Some might not agree with me here but I would rather that Bachmann did a smaller announcement for 2018. They have so many new projects/tooling upgrades that are ongoing that it just doesn't seem logical to announce loads more models that we no doubt won't see within a couple of years. A smaller announcement in 2018 would allow Bachmann to have the opportunity in both time and factory space to produce those two 158s and three 90s that we have been waiting several years for now. Bachmann are also upgrading the tooling for MK2Fs, DBSOs and 20/3s just to name a few. The MK2Fs and DBSOs have been advertised for release next year which sounds brilliant but is it practical? Also why are Bachmann not working in time order with the new tooling that they have announced? Unless they plan on getting those two 158s, three 90s, all of those MK2Fs and DBSOs produced and with retailers before the end of 2018? This does seem rather ambitious though. Could all of this be done in roughly 18 months from now? As well as all of the other models that they have announced without tooling upgrades. Personally thinking about it I think that the 158 was a land grab as some others think too. Why announce them in 2012 if within five years they still haven't been produced and aren't with retailers. Surely if they were that important and high priority they would have been here by 2014 or 2015. Not sure if I agree with a land grab because in my opinion I think it's unfair to have customers waiting so long for two models. Especially when we have been given so little information about the 158s we just don't know what to expect. Personally I think Bachmann really do need to catch up for the remainder of this year and in 2018. Some of these long and ongoing projects need to be completed, at least for the models that have already been announced. Don't get me wrong Bachmann produce excellent models and most of the stock that I have is produced by Bachmann but these long waiting times for models and with several ongoing projects I personally think that something needs to give so that we can see these newly tooled models soon.

I wasn't aware that the Bachmann 158 was now announced five years ago. I only realised when I searched on some other threads on here a few days ago. Personally I think it's dissapointing that after five years the two 158s announced have still not arrived with retailers and therefore not with customers either. However Bachmann models are my favourite models to buy just because of the smooth running, attention to detail and supurb livery application. I am sure that once these models are released they will be fantastic. However I also completley agree with others who mention other liveries. Bachmann may have plans to produce further liveries after these two but it may be beneficial to produce more than two liveries in the first batch. I personally wouldn't acquire the Regional Railways or East Midlands Trains models just because I don't model the areas that the trains run in. If though two Northern liveried 158s were announced, one in Northern Rail purple and the new Northern Rail white livery then I would consider buying them. That said it depends on price. I am well aware that Bachmann have to increase their costs to cover labour, manufacturing, the fall in the pound etc but if these locos are going to cost around or over £250 for one two car unit I would most likely have to say no. This is a shame but as others have mentioned and I would be in the same position I wouldn't pay that amount of money for a loco/s if it wasn't going to be run on a regular basis. Personally I think Bachmann need to broaden their range in relation to the locos, liveries and running numbers that they produce. It's good to hear of tooling upgrades/modifictaions to produce 20/3s, 90s and 158s but the waiting time from announcing these locos to them arriving with retailers and customers is just far too long at the moment. As we know it's five years since the 158s were announced and I think three years since the 90s were announced. It's ok annoncing locos but it's very frustrating waiting years for them to arrive. I'm not sure what the reason is for this whether it's due to factory space or whatever but Bachmann do need to catch up. At this rate it could easily be 2020 before we see the newly tooled 20/3s. I am really looking forward to the 20/3s arriving and I can't wait to buy them but a potential four year waiting time which is what it could easily be at this moment in time is too long. It's a real shame that Bachmann announce such fantastic models but then we have to wait years for them to arrive. Throughout the wait their seems to be slow progress and lack of updates as to where the projects are at. If we were updated with the progress of the models it would be more encouraging especially if the waiting times were shorter. Personally five years worth of waiting for the 158s is really slow progress and it doesn't promote other projects in a good light either because we are all aware that it will have a knock on effect for other projects. A potential option to relieve the backlog of locos and projects that Bachmann currently have ongoing could be to do a smaller announcement in 2018. After all we have been bombarded with modern image locos in previous years now with lots of 37s, 47s, 66s and 70s been announced. It could be an idea to specifically announce a couple of models from each era in 2018 which would enable Bachmann to focus more on their ongoing projects, which would eventually relieve the backlog of models that we are currently waiting for.

Hi all, I wonder if anyone could help me please? I have bought six OO Gauge Class 68s. A few weeks ago I tried running two of them for the first time together as a pair. As the pair are going around the curves/bends the couplings are becoming unhooked which means that the locos are not attached. On most of the occasions when this happens one of the couplings comes off of the locos and falls onto the track which consequently derails one or both of the locos. I have tried running them coupled up at a slow speed but this still happens. I have tried not using the spring couplings and I have removed the coupling and pocket from one end of one loco and glued a new one on, not using the spring at all. This hasn't worked and the coupling has just fallen off. I have also tried using the bar couplings that come with pairs of wagons. This doesn't work though and isn't practical. Has anyone else bought more than one 68 and tried attaching two 68s together to run together? If so have the locos/couiplings stayed attached? Has anyone modified the couplings so that this doesn't happen? I would be very grateful for any help. Thank you very much in advance.

Thank you very much for the comment and the support. I really appreciate it. I have got some big plans for this layout. Really excited about what's to come...

Good luck Jim. Let us know how it goes. Couldn't agree more. Years ago I was a lot more into Freightliner and their locos. Sadly though because their fleet mainly consists of 66s and 70s I had already acquired a lot of them by around 2010. At that point I had bought the main 66s and 70s that were available so their was really nowhere else to go. I then started to become more and more aware of DRS and the huge variety of traction that they have/had. This has definitely kept me occupied. So many locos and liveries across several classes. Really enjoying building up the DRS fleet. They really are. I have to admit I do like the new liveries. The full DRS "swoosh" livery and Basic livery are both very nice. You are very lucky with such a variety. Near me in Yorkshire it's mainly Freightliner 66s and 70s with occasional DRS, GBRF, EWS/DB and Colas locos.

Can you all tell that I like DRS locos Yes the Megafrets do derail sometimes. It's quite disappointing because they are really good wagons. It does put me off running them sometimes too because sometimes I just can't be bothered re-railing the whole train and loco etc. Although sometimes they do run quite well. I can't quite work out what goes on. Thank you. I really appreciate it. A few things have changed from when the above photos were taken. These are all from last year. I have added some more sidings next to the yard, extended one siding in the depot and created a third line into the depot shed. This allows for a larger capacity of locos to be on the shed at once. I will show the changes as we go along. Thank you for all of the support. Haha Jim. In fairness I understand that it might be unbelievable from others point of view. Thank you for the support. I really appreciate it. A very good point about the edge. That does need a piece of board or something to stop the locos from falling onto the floor with it been so close to the edge. Did you manage to repair that 68? Thank you for the support. Glad that you like the layout. I like running all of the DRS locos. Probably the best decision I made was modelling Gresty Bridge depot rather than anywhere else. It fits in perfectly with the locos that I buy.

Good and I'm good too thanks. Track is a right mixed bag. Years ago when I had my first layout all of the track was Hornby but now I use Hornby, Bachmann and Peco track. All of the points are now Bachmann or Peco. Straight track is a mixture of Hornby and Bachmann. The curved track is mostly Hornby I think. The Megafrets are a bit hit and miss. Sometimes their will be no derailing and others their will. I think they derail if the loco/s have mucky wheels. I now try and run these with locos that have just had their wheels cleaned. I think the bad conductivity with the train wheels and track can cause jerking and jolting which derails them. I also play as safe as possible with the Megafrets by letting them run around the outer circuits of track where the yard is. This significantly lessens the amount of points that they go over and lessens derailing.

Hi Ben, Hope your ok? The first photo which was the test photo is the entrance to the depot area. This has changed slightly since this photo was taken. The small siding close to the camera with the buffer on is now a full siding which goes down the side of the depot building. This siding can now hold eight or nine locos as opposed to two. I will show the developments and changes as we go along.

Firstly my apologies for it taking nearly four weeks since starting this thread so put some photos on. I have just finished my second year of uni last week so I have been quite busy. Still better late than never. Now for a selection of photos. The first photo shows the entrance to the depot area. There is one point which is just out of view that leads into the depot. Off this point comes several more points which can be seen in the below photo. The tracks coming off lead to the sidings that go into the depot/shed and stabling sidings. The two sidings closest to the wall at the back are the longest and these are used for the locos that are just stabled because it's quite difficult to take them off and put them back on the track. The sidings closest in the photo are the lines where the locos are stabled awaiting exams or repairs or locos that have just arrived on the depot awaiting their next movement or maintenance. The second photo also shows the depot sidings. 47810, 47790, a UID DRS 57/3, a UID 37/6, Network Rail 97302 and 97304 sit stabled on Gresty Bridge awaiting their next movements. Of note at this point the NR 97s have been out of service for months due to a lack of work for them. Both are currently on hire to DRS following a loco shortage. Buffer to buffer... Network Rail 97302 and 97304 sit stabled buffer to buffer on Crewe Gresty Bridge. DRS Compass 47s 501 and 802 sit at Eastleigh Arlington Works. The pair were their for repairs and overhaul last year. Repaints were planned but these were cancelled due to the locos been required back in service and also due to a lack of funding. Both have since been reinstated and returned to traffic, although both are currently out of service at Crewe Gresty Bridge. This photo shows the other side of the layout which is opposite to the depot. This side of the layout is a yard where all of the wagons and some locos are stabled and shunted. The longest through lines at the back are used for the Dapol IOAs for the Crewe to Mountsorrel and return DRS operated trains and for the Daventry to Mossend and return Tesco liner. Another through line is also used for a rake of Dapol JNAs to stable. The shorter lines are all sidings. These are used for the nuclear flask wagons, coaches, Network Rail test coach and locos. This photo is taken from the entrance to the train room and shows the curved sections of the through lines in the yard. It also shows the end of the sidings. And finally to finish the first full photo post a picture of one of my favourite locos. DRS Compass 37605 stands on shed at Crewe Gresty Bridge. I hope you have all enjoyed the first full photo post. Thank you very much for waiting patiently and for all of the supportive comments and feedback. I really appreciate it. Any comments and questions please ask. Thank you very much for looking and reading.

So here is the first photo. I'm just uploading one at the moment so I can get the hang of it. All four DRS Revised 57/3s sit on Crewe Gresty Bridge awaiting their next movements.

Thank you very much for letting me know. I really appreciate it. I am considering buying the GBRF 92 model too. It does look really good hauling the ICAs. The ICAs can be bought too, so that's another train that could be modelled. Thank you very much for letting me know.

Thank you very much Jack for the information and the reply. I really appreciate it. Thinking about it I have some Rail Express magazines so I could have a look through some of those and make a note of any appropriate/relevant workings. I already have some IKA Megafrets so that's perfect. That's something less to buy. I may also buy some Dapol IDAs because DRS and EWS/DB traction could haul these wagons. The Bachmann IDA car transporter wagons look really good. I have seen these before but never had anything to run with them so I didn't buy any. Hopefully I could acquire some. Thank you very much for all of the help Jack. I really appreciate it. Thank you very much for letting me know Dave. I really appreciate it. Is this the magazine that you are talking about: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Modern-Locomotives-Illustrated-No-213-Class-92s-etc-5-inc-postage-UK-/322541774170?hash=item4b18fce55a:g:hlkAAOSwcgNZCIOH Thank you very much in advance.

Thank you very much for letting me know Dave. I really appreciate it. This would be brilliant. I would definitely be buying some of these to go with a 92. I will be messaging you before next Friday with my order for the 92s. I am currently still deciding. I'm currently working out what wagons and coaches I would need to buy to run with them. Thank you very much for letting me know. I really appreciate it. I know that some of the Tesco trains are currently worked by DRS 66s, 68s and 88s but like you say I was sure that EWS/DB worked them for some time. This is good because it means that I don't need to buy new intermodal wagons to create a prototypical train.

Thank you Mick. I didn't even think of searching the headcodes in Flickr. That's brilliant. Thank you very much.

I think the GBRF and EWS liveries look good too. I have also thought in the past that the DB Red didn't look quite right but it has grown on me recently especially seeing photos of 66s and 67s in DB Red. I particularly like the Caledonian Teal livery. I'm sure that either Hornby, Oxford or another manufacturer will announce the MK5s to run with these once they are delivered and enter service. This would make a nice lengthy train with a 92 at the helm and several coaches in tow.

Thank you very much for the reply and for letting me know. I really appreciate it. I already have some Dapol IKA wagons with some Tesco containers on the top. Do DB Schenker run them with the Tesco containers on? Acquiring some IPA and ICA wagons is also an option. I don't have any FEAs or KFAs at the moment so I can either pass my IKAs off as these as well to save buying more or invest in some. Thank you very much for letting me know. Do you know the headcodes and where the trains run too and from using the above wagons? Thank you very much in advance.

I'm in exactly the same position. I only noticed this thread around three weeks ago, so I have spoken to Dave and he answered a few questions and confirmed that the deadline for pre-ordering the crowdfunder models is the last day of June which is next Friday. I really don't want to miss out so I am currently working out which ones I can afford to buy. I'm particularly interested in DB Schenker 92016, GBRF 92032 and Caledonian 92033. Have you got a particular loco/s that you would like to buy?

​Hi all, Please could anyone tell me what trains the DB Schenker and GBRF Class 92s work? Also please can anyone tell me what wagons or coaches are on these trains? Thank you very much in advance.

Thank you very much for letting me know about this. I had forgotten about the top light on these locos and I didn't consider that the main body tooling would need upgrading to produce these locos. I can now clearly understand why Bachmann haven't modelled these locos as yet. I was thinking that it might have been because of the noses, but if the main body needs upgrading to incorporate the top lights I would imagine that this would be costly. For a small amount of locos I can now see why this clearly isn't a priority. Thank you very much for the information. I really appreciate it.

Thank you both. This is something to consider. I wasn't aware that JDM Models and Andi at Cairns Road Works were producing these. Thank you very much for letting me know. I really appreciate it.

So a revised list of the locos that could be produced. This is a sensible amount and these locos could be produced with two changes to the tooling to incorporate the flush and headcode noses. Batch One 37606 & 37607 in DRS Compass livery as a twin pack 37608 in original DRS livery 37609 in DRS Revised livery Batch Two 37608 & 37611 in Europhoenix livery as a twin pack 37607 & 37612 if and when they recieve their new livery as a twin pack Surely this has to be worth some consideration. *37423 has been removed because I have been informed that it would require an upgrade to the tooling to incorporate the ETH sockets. 37610 has been removed because I doubt it would sell a minimum of 504 models in BR Large Logo Blue livery. 37608 and 37611 in plain DRS blue with Europheonix logos have been removed because no doubt the majority of people would want 608 in original DRS blue or 608 in Europhoenix livery and 611 in Europhoenix livery. 37038, 059, 069 and 218 have been removed because I have been informed that the grilles are different to that that 609 has.

Thank you for letting me know. I wasn't aware of this. In that case 609 could be produced and if customers chose to they could ignore the differences if they wanted to and renumber it.

I agree that these 37s are quite niche but surely this is the point of Limited Editions. It brings the more unique and different locos to the market for the people that want them. I'm sure that the DRS liveries and other liveries would be very popular.

Or if you didn't want to model another loco, you don't have to renumber 609 at all. Personally though I would so that I could have 038, 059, 069 and 218. I'm not fussed about the minor differences. Apart from the noses and some of the 37s having horns on either side of the top light and some not I haven't noticed any other noticeable differences. Thank you for making me aware of that. 038, 059, 069 and 218 don't have to be produced if the tooling isn't the same on the 0s and 6s.