Keith J

Thanks Kubes, that does make sense as it did seem to be a rather expensive upgrade just to be able to switch the lights on and off.

Hi all, I've noticed that the forthcoming 7mm Autocoach is available with either a lightbar and DCC ready or a lightbar and DCC fitted. I assume that the DCC fitted version is just to allow the lights to be switched on and off (on a DCC layout of course) as I can't think of anything else it could be used for. Does anyone know if this correct? Thanks.

Slightly off topic but the Lion Inn is indeed a great pub. It's also a favourite hangout for a fantastic rock band called Mostly Autumn so much so that the cover picture on one of their early albums is taken inside the Lion Inn. The album also contains a track called Blakey Ridge which was inspired by the area. Could be good to have this playing in the background whilst working on the layout!

HaHa. Nice one!

Are they the Didcot power station cooling towers that were demolished yesterday morning in the background? If so that view will look somewhat different now.

Yes, adding the extra floor and ceiling insulation is definitely the right way to go. I too am looking forward to watching the progress. Having built one of these cabins I'm really keen to see it used to house a model railway.

Hi Ade, If I'm not mistaken your cabin looks like it is made by Dunster House. That being the case don't under estimate how long it will take to put up and paint/stain, I know as I built one last year - not as a home for a model railway I hasten to add. You should be able to get the main structure up in a weekend but there are quite a few bits of trim / detailing parts to add afterwards which will all need treating, this and then fitting them seemed to take forever. Also if you have gone for the optional insulation that adds extra time to fit. That being said they are an excellent, well designed product and once assembled are very solid. It will make an excellent workshop for a model railway and I'm sure you will be very pleased with your choice. Keith.

Exactly, how can one possibly live without toy trains.

Indeed and one of them is advertising free delivery on all Bachmann and Farish pre orders!

On the subject of O Gauge Hattons have sold out of a couple of variants of the Dapol 121 Bubble Car on pre orders alone so if you wait for a review in the modelling press you could well have left it too late.

Surely this is just Hatton’s doing the right thing for their customers. If Bachmann are not going to supply them then they can’t fulfil any pre orders so makes sense to cancel these so everyone knows where they stand. It doesn’t affect any existing Bachmann stuff they have in stock so no reason not to purchase that if it’s what you want.

OK, thanks. Just in time for Christmas if they are on time. Need to write to Santa.

Is there any news on when this is likely to be released as I can't find anything on the Bachmann website? Thanks.

I wouldn't necessarily go by that as their website still say the new Dapol 08 will be available 2nd Quarter 2019 which we are now past. It seems they are not always on top of updating their website. That's not a criticism by the way, just an observation.

I've visited the Orwell Model Railways side of the shop a few times recently. The shop is well stocked and prices are competitive. It's also a haven for all those modelling supplies such as paint, scenic materials, building materials such as plastic sheets, strips, etc.

I use the brass CMX one which is pretty effective - although much more expensive that the Gaugemaster offering. Again it doesn't resemble anything running in the UK and it's HO rather than OO but as it only comes out occasionally it doesn't matter to me.

Wasn't it Heljan? Hornby produced 47 718 in the later One Anglia livery but I don't remember them ever producing 47 714 in Anglia Turquoise, could be wrong though. They did produce quite a few Class 86's in Anglia Turquoise, I think I have them all.

I notice they have the Class 47/7 47714 in Anglia livery - Limited Edition of 512 for Eastern UK Bachmann retailers. Does this suggest that it is unsold items from another retailer as Hattons are based in the north west rather than the east?

Going back to the subject of Maplins, has anyone been in any of the stores recently and if so do they have much stock left? I need to go to Lakeside at Thurrock tomorrow and I believe there is a Maplins store there so thought I might pop in and see if there are any bargins to be had.

Ah, Aventra's! Should have fully read the dft article!

Also they mention London to Ipswich in 60 minutes. The 17:00 out of Liverpool Street is already timetabled to reach Ipswich in 60 minutes but often doesn't quite achieve it due to congestion on the line. I don't see how a new franchise and new trains will make a difference to that. Also, does anyone know what the new trains are likely to be? I'm assuming an EMU of some sort.

Thanks for the info, that at least explains why I've never been able to find a photograph of the two together.

Snap! Another great combination. Does anyone know if these two met in real life? Obviously the Pullman wouldn't have been in this livery if they had! And before anyone mentions it, yes I know the catenary is overscale but the pictures don't do it justice and it looks ok when viewed from normal distance - well to me at least.

Or you could always use your certificate number, with leading zeroes to make it up to 4 digits if it's below 1000.

I know many on here won’t agree with me but personally I’d rather see specially commissioned Hornby MK3 repaints than no coaches at all. Also, if Rapido were to produce the correct prototype MK3’s, they would of course be highly detailed and probably be produced in limited numbers just to go with the power cars. I therefore think they would be prohibitively expensive for me, and many others I suspect, to buy a decent length rake along with the power cars.