turbos

I don't understand what re-organising a model railway display cabinet has to do with this thread? Back to the topic, full marks to Hornby for announcing the SRPS NB J36 'Maude' in late 70s - mid 80s preserved mainline livery. It worked a summer season on the West Highland Line in this livery and also the Lothians and Fife on railtours, along with being one of the jewels in the SRPS preserved steam locomotive collection. My only question is how can they do it TTS sound when it hasn't had a boiler certificate for a good few years, I'll still buy one though. Brian.

I'd agree that the DMBS(L) of either the 79xxx or the 51xxx type never got moved away from there home depots until withdrawal. The 79xxx DMBS(i) type certainly operated for a few years on the Ayrshire route, 79088 was allocated to Ayr for over 9 years until withdrawal in 1981.

Other than the 2 buffet cars and a few vehicles in 1959-60, the Ayrshire vehicles didn't ever work with E&G units. A few 79xxx vehicles did appear on the Ayrshire services prior to the introduction of the class 27 push-pulls on the E&G. DMBS(i) 79083 Allocations 03/09/56 New to Leith Central - on loan from WR. On listings as 64A (St Margarets). 4w/e 20/04/57 Ex-loan back to 82C (Swindon) 10/10/59 On loan to 67C (Ayr) 2w/e 23/09/61 On loan to 64H (Leith Central) 31/12/61 Transferred to 64H (Leith Central) - Previously on loan to ScR now permanently transferred Jan-62 Transferred to 67C (Ayr) 4w/e 31/01/70 Transferred to 64H (Leith Central) May-71 Transferred to 67C (Ayr) Oct-71 Transferred to 64H (Leith Central) Nov-71 Stored 19/10/72 Withdrawn from 64H (Leith Central) TF 79479 Allocations 30/10/56 New to Leith Central - on listings as 64A (St Margarets). 01/08/59 Depot code change 64H (Leith Central) 4w/e 03/08/68 Transferred to 67C (Ayr) May-73 Depot code change AY (Ayr) 27/09/78 Withdrawn These allocations are what officially happened but as we all well know what actually happened and when could be quite different. There is a photo of 79479 in Ayr station dated 26/02/77 in all over Blue. It was noted with DMBS(i) 79088 and DMS 51014 at Ayr in Aug 1970. 79088 wasn't officially allocated to Ayr until Nov 1971. Brian.

The E&G DMBS(i) could run in multiple at the drivers end, there is a picture of SC79088 coupled (probably to a SC5xxx vehicle) as such at Glasgow Central on the Railcar Associations website. It was only the driving end of the E&G 79xxx DMBS(L) that didn't have multiple working sockets. From what I gather the E&G units and the Ayrshire units weren't directly compatible, they had slightly different control systems, but could be converted as happened to some vehicles. They're sphere of operations rarely brought the E&G and Ayrshire units together so it was never an operational issue.

Your 126 is looking really good with the hand cut glazing. I was thinking of using SE Finecast Mainline SK glazing, the window sizes are almost identical to the Trix coaches. I'll be very interested in how you would do a Sc 79xxx E&G DMBS. iDMBS 79088 could be a good choice as it was one of the ones transferred to Ayr when the E&G went over to class 27 operation, it was still in green in 1970, there's a few pictures of it on the Railcar website. Brian.

Really enjoying your class 126 build, probably the right thing to do to splice up the side for the TC, it's giving me lots of pointers and ideas for a Swindon Edinburgh to Glasgow 79xxx set using the same approach. I had a check of what Trix coaches I have for the build, 2 BCK, 2 RMB, and 5 CK (sadly no Trans-Penine mega £££). Should be enough to build a 5 coach rake as they were formed into once the 27s took over the E&G, though I need to find some suitable chassis donors before I start. The RAILCAR.co.uk website is a great resource for drawings, formations and other info on these and all 1st gen DMUs. Living in West Lothian also gives me easier access to the beautifully restored class 126 at the SRPS for inspiration of the real thing.

Hello Martyn A brilliant idea to use the underscale Trix coaches to create these iconic Swindon DMUs, some nice cut and shut modelling. I recently inherited a rake of these coaches and had planned to try and sell them, plan now on hold. I guess the 79xxx Inter-City version would be just as doable. Cheers, Brian.

Good news for us Scottish 1980s modellers, looks like my wallets going to take a hammering with ScotRail Mk3s and DBSOs also on the horizon. I always thought the coal sector livery suited the 26 quite well, a bit late for my modelling era though. Now to decide which one(s!) to get.

Having built a fair amount of PD 00 kits (and still have a few awaiting building), I've become a bit of a fan and was a bit worried when I heard a few months ago about it being for sale for retirement. I'm glad it's ended up in the Peco range as the kits will be around for many years to come. The main negative is that there was a lot more to PD than the kits, the individual sprue service, coupling mounts, different types of wheels, etc. All delivered with excellent customer service. Also they were willing to sell complimentary products such as Modelmaster and LMS, so giving new startups and small specialists access into the crowded market that is model railways. I don't expect any new kits to be developed but that creates an opportunity for either a new entrant or bespoke 3D printing services as this becomes more affordable. Overall I feel the positives outway the negatives, and I hope all involved get the most out of the new directions they're now going. Anyway, having just finished building a 13 ton goods wagon, which shall I do next? Brian.

Fantastic effort, it's given me a lot of inspiration and direction as I have a box full of 'Whisky Blues' awaiting some chopping and detailing, I'm still getting the additional bits together before I make a start. I've already printed out your PDF and put it with them, I don't know how well it will work for the Hornby version but it's a good starting point. Was there any particular reason you chose a Bachmann version to detail?

I'm quite sure all of these announced models will be up to the standards we now expect from Bachmann when they eventually appear. I cannot get excited about things that might appear at some point in the distant future, 4-5 years is longer than the lifespan of many layouts. The VEA was originally announced so long ago that anyone really wanting one would've given up on Bachmann and gotten hold of the Parkside Dundas kit, built it, painted and detailed it and by this point in time had it running on their layout for many, many years. Even if you bought the kit today and took your time and had it finished by the end of month you'd have a completed VEA many years ahead of the arrival of the Bachmann VEA. I'm much more interested in what's recently or about to arrive from Bachmann.

Pastimes on Maryhill Rd near St Georges Cross Subway station is good for preowned. McLaren Models in Falkirk, specialises in USA,but has some UK as well. They also organise a monthly swapmeet. Scoonie Hobbies in Kirkcaldy, the front shop is mainly Radio Control, the rear is filled up to the ceiling with Model Railways. Wonderland Models in Edinburgh, a large model shop with a Hornby section.

I'm gonna need a few of these wee beasties for my 70s/80s Fife layout.

One less kit on my 'Things to do' list. It's nice when something you've consistently voted for on the wishlist poll gets announced for production. I haven't been the biggest fan of Hornby since I was a wee kid in the 70s, but it looks like my second blue/grey Mk1 rake will be red boxes as Hornby now have a good record of producing what they announce. The only worry is the price due to the collapsing junk £.