ruggedpeak

Handy hint - don't use felt tip to mark up your baseboard. Cause the colour gets soaked up into the PVA when you ballast - see the red tinge in the top half of the pic on the ballast.

It appears NR have a new rail grinding train. It is sitting in the sidings at the Romford track maintenance depot. What is amusing is the shape of it and the fact it sits so high on its bogies makes it look like a Brio Express Train! Update - one of these https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/innovative-new-grinding-trains-will-help-passenger-and-freight-trains-run-smoothly-and-safely-for-years-to-come/

Like this? Not my pic but from RMWeb gallery belonging Burkitt;

Not much has happened recently other than doing the ballasting and have also managed to acquire an Arriva Trains Wales 158 at a realistic price Even better 158's just fit into the the main platform so can be added to the roster.

I think this is a key to a number of issues in the hobby. Look at control, we've gone from 12v DC and one loco per line to DCC where individual lights and sounds can be controlled and locos can run anywhere. Look at locos, we've gone from pancake motors and 2 axles out of 6 driving to all axles driven via single efficient motors with flywheels and excellent slow speed control, and metal chassis for haulage performance. Look at detail on all locos and rolling stock from 20 years ago.... Now look at permanent way. The same sectional track comprising metal track on plastic HO scale sleepers held together by fishplates. Fragile, requires nailing or gluing to a dedicated baseboard, still suffers electrical issues, complex around points and crossings etc. There has been little innovation or development in model railway track in recent decades when every other aspect of modelling has been transformed. Track is falling behind and constraining the rest of the hobby. Recent developments (bullhead etc) provide greater modelling accuracy but do nothing for actual train operating performance, which is still largely dependent upon the competence of the modeller. My point - track is the weakest link in modelling, and in relation to Design Clever and the expansion of the trainset/Railroad sector (which would drive the more detailed sectors) is holding it back. It needs some serious innovation to help support the rest of the hobby. We need an evolution beyond Setrack and similar. I use Roco Geoline to allow long distance running as I only have a micro layout. It is robust, quick and easy to lay on the living room carpet and provides a reliable running track for all my locos, even on carpet. Sectional track requiring a baseboard and pinning down etc to get decent running is so 1970's - fine for modellers who want that, but I'd argue it's excluding many potential modellers. If we want to make model railways more relevant to a wider audience new ideas on track provide robust, functional and flexible systems are required. Back to the 800 - with a choice between detailed sectional track which requires a baseboard and some skill, or a robust next gen version of Geoline, models can be tailored to the sectors. Expensive highly detailed 800 models can be non-2nd radius curve compliant, railroad versions or other cheaper models can run on smaller, tighter layouts. The new Hornby Junior is the wrong answer to the question (but worthwhile in its own right). People need more useful, practical and relevant to their lifestyles PW options to run the main model range. That is IMHO how more people will get into the hobby.

Interesting thread. My tuppence: I have lots of Hornby 58's - the Heljan one was not good enough to justify replacing them but a new 58 to the latest standards in various liveries would be top of my list. It is the only existing model that has been done that I'd suggest might be viable. Not convinced 37's or 47's are unless specific and very accurate models of specific variants such as 37/9. Not for me, but in my view is there is probably [very] strong latent demand for 123s and 124's and similar. And DMU's are Realtrack's strength, and not really anyone else's. Smoke - a big no from me. Aside from not looking realistic (no clag being forced out at start up etc) the impact of pollution on health and lungs is rapidly becoming a major issue across many areas. Vaping is allegedly non-toxic despite the clear hazchem markings on the bottles - my bet is it is the next big health problem. Anything emitting particles/smoke in the home environment is likely to be frowned upon. This has nothing to do with modelling but wider societal trends, and model smoke may fall foul of this. Before anyone jumps on me, I'm not saying model smoke is good or bad, just it may be contrary to a significant trend around illness deaths from lung related issues, pollution and chemicals in the home. I also don't want whatever smell or residue that will result on my models, layout and furniture!

Wish I'd bought both ATW versions of the 143 - prices secondhand are silly Looks like further runs of Pacers may be viable? But I guess Realtrack won't want the risk of carrying stock, and we know how fickle demand for reruns can be.

Design Clever was a logical if not 100% successful attempt to improve Hornby's business. As with many changes it didn't go quite to plan, but that's life and business - you keep trying things and most will fail to some degree. I'm sure they learnt things from it, and as we've subsequently with epic detailed models like the Peckett, doing something in full detail really well seems to be a better business model. What Design Clever highlights, as do comments on here, is that hardly anyone has a real grasp of the model railway market, it's size, trends, niches etc. A zillion opinions but little hard data. The vertical integration of some retailers (e.g. Hattons who have their own model range) plus an influx of new manufacturers (either directly or providing contract manufacturing etc), rapidly growing niches (e.g. O and OO9) and a huge range of new models currently being released in core markets like OO, strongly suggests this is a growing and resilient market that people are willing to invest in. We've seen new businesses supplying ancillary parts for models, driven to significant degree by DCC (itself driving spend) thrive and expand. Reports of railway modelling's demise are greatly exaggerated. What no one seems to properly understand is the segmentation in the market between super-detail and 'railroad' train set. Notice how none of the commissioned models are railroad style? I live in small town with no model club or shop. A commercial model railway show was held here recently for the first time. There are plenty of clubs and shows in the wider area so there is no shortage of local activity. Attendance was double what was predicted. I don't know any other modellers in the town but perhaps it is full of them! Reinforces the view that there is unexplored potential out there. Hornby's previous management screwed up because they simplistically applied consumer marketing and business techniques to a specialist market. Design Clever was one such wheeze. These techniques can be applied successfully, but only when you fully understand your customers and the market. Arguably railway modelling needs some in depth research and study, but that costs money. Many industries do collectively fund research as it can grow the entire market, and I think this is where everyone needs to think about whether this might be beneficial as modelling competes with other hobbies.

I note that this month's (April) Hornby mag the editorial specifically mentions that this issue has some D&E layouts to avoid an overemphasis on steam. One of the layouts is 'Whiteacres' - the first time I saw it at a show they must have been having a few issues as nothing ran for a good 5 minutes, but I was stood at the front right where the small TMD is. The entire time a very loud DCC sound 66 was sat there idling which was really, really annoying! Otherwise a brilliant and inspirational layout. But it demonstrated how Sound can be annoying if not managed as carefully as scenery, running and all the other components of putting on a good show.

Eh? I can't exactly compare it with another Class 66 in large logo livery, now can I? How exactly do you propose to compare the new livery with previous iterations of the large logo if not by comparing it to other locos? The 37's and 47's had a pretty similar and for the most part consistent livery, as did 56's. 20's are a funny shape, and as was pointed out 50's had a version that is closer to the 66. But presumably they aren't allowed to be mentioned either?

I agree it is more akin to the livery on class 50's but that was arguably slightly different to the way the large logo was applied to other classes (37, 47, 56 etc). I think it's great that GBRf have done this, however. Hopefully they will do some more - Railfreight sector livery, InterCity swallow etc!

I thought the same but then realised that they've done it wrong. The large logo liveries had the BR logo and TOPS number much further apart and nearer the cabs. Even though the grilles are in the way the BR logo should be further to the right next to the grilles, and the numbers further to the left. And the yellow on the cabs extends too far back due to the design of the 66 (one door is yellow, the other blue) so all in all it doesn't quite work. Not my image.... https://farm8.static.flickr.com/7057/26666499300_252de992f3_b.jpg

Seriously, if we're doing the "its only a model" gag then lets have models doing it That's more like it. And now back to the trains, D&E trains in fact....

My micro layout (see below) is designed to be a self contained plank but with the addition of a fiddle yards would IMHO work well with full length trains, where only the leading 2 vehicles would be visible on the platform until the train departed. On its own it's a DMU terminus plank with a few light loco moves etc, but could become a through layout with full length trains that pass through, the entire consist not being fully visible.

The junction station being Witham. There is plenty of opportunity for contemporary modelling. I bought this month's RM as it had a piece on modelling Marks Tey, further up the GE. A mainline with a branch facing away from London and sand terminal. Plus Denley Moor layout. I"l buy any model mags with decent D&E content. I read all the articles as there's always something to learn but impulse purchases are driven by there being several D&E articles. RM appear good at putting D&E on the cover, but I haven't counted to see if they do it more frequently than other mags. As for layouts, Ipswich if condensed has great opportunities for operations, plus a tunnel/scenic break at one end. On a busy day you have 90/DVT services, container trains, 153's and positioning moves by the Freightliner locos from the depot behind station - 66's and 70's moving on and off the mainline, can be half a dozen on the go at once. All are available in RTR. Add in other moves such Mk3's from Norwich to Ilford for tyre turning, or en route for refurbishment, plus DRS activity by 37's etc linked to Norwich.

Forgot I had some close ups of a bell on 59201, which looks the same.

Indeed. Still have posters and leaflets etc. Happy days

Thanks Andy. I have a few Heljan models but this is the first to be a problem. Looks like a controller upgrade is due

Nothing appears untoward upon visual inspection. It runs OK with a Hornby train set controller. However it is drawing 0.26 amps at half speed, where my other diesels draw in the range 0.12-0.17A. At 0.26 amps it is reaching the limit of the Gaugemaster which has a 0.3A limit, so is tripping it out. Has anyone else measured the current on there's? The draw way seems way too high but it runs smoothly and quietly. The issue is similar to the Dapol 121 I bought earlier in the year........

Just had my Railfreight 26 arrive intact, put on the track to run in and after less than a minute it stopped and now won't run as it is tripping out my Gaugemaster controller. Anyone else had this? Will take the body off later to see if anything is adrift.

If like me you don't have space for a full roundy roundy layout but do like to sometimes see trains going round and round, and like to run them in, I have found cheap Roco Geoline track on Ebay to form a large oval on the lounge carpet. I bought an initial oval and then some straights to enlarge it. It works really well and is normal HO track on a plastic base - it uses normal joiners but the base makes them easy to use so no bent joiners etc. This isn't a new concept but it cheap and works. Currently an oval can be had on Ebay for £18 plus extra straights for £14, giving a large oval - it is split from trainsets as far as I can tell but has been great to run in new locos and help fix running faults on others. Simply unclips and the track gets slid under the TV stand. A lot cheaper than a rolling road. And SWMBO liked seeing my passengered and fully lit 143 going around in the dark! There are various brands of track with bases, but the Roco stuff can be bought quite cheaply at present and could be a good solution. I have no connection with any vendors, just like to be able to run trains a decent distance.

Just found this layout - fantastic!

Like this - or does it take 24 hours to propagate? Thanks.

What setting/preferences to change please? Have account, no email yet

Just wanted to say I have my Locomotion 66 and it is a lovely model as others have said. Gloss finish looks amazing, Printing is excellent. Busy being run in around the lounge carpet on my Roco Geoline! Very smooth and quiet, better than my other 66's. Very pleased. Well done Locomotion