South Central

That's gonna look the business, Pete! An ingenious solution to adding height without obstruction. For your hoarding, any idea what it might have been destined to be? A new bank or some 'yuppie' flats would be very late eighties East London. You can just picture the lovely old brick corner pub or working mans' club that was bulldozed to make way for it...

Hi there and welcome to RMweb! A lot of love for this layout already, especially the number 12 bus which still runs past my lane to this day (although nowadays in a slightly more garish shade of green!) One thing that springs to mind is another layout which has appeared in the Mags in years previous - Rowlands Castle - based on the real-life Hampshire village during WW2, so lots of war time paraphernalia as per your layout. Have a google for it as I think you'd find it really inspirational Have you thought about some dummy third rail? That really would be a Brighton/Eastbourne area scene setter, and your 2BIL would appreciate it I'm sure Following with interest, thanks for sharing! Phil

I thought i'd seen that wagon somewhere...skip to 1:05 ish (or don't, and enjoy some Newhaven of old!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex0ByIwVt8Q&t=1m6s Any old Oxford diecast cars lurking in your spares box? Some twisted wire "chain" to hold it down and you've got a nice little item there!

Donkey jackets with those orange vinyl shoulder panels and bobble hats spring to mind (apart from a smartly dressed architect perhaps!). Your diorama could be a nice throw-back to the days of common sense - no hi-vis vests, PPE, multicoloured HSE signage on every wall, hazards everywhere...ahhh

Smart work that man! The spear fencing fits the bill, and some weathering would really 'bed it in'. A rusty, peeling paint finish would certainly make it more grimy East London and less Kensington/Chelsea terrace! Topped off with one or two bent/missing uprights, or even the 'classic' two uprights prised apart by 'yoofs' as a sneaky shortcut down to the trackside - something you can still spot in modern lineside fencing. Springtime in Small Heath by Geoff Dowling, on Flickr All inspirational stuff Pete, keep it up! Phil

Evenin' Darren, Some serious rolling stock envy going on here, a collection to be proud of! I'll be sure to try and see it all in the flesh sometime this year. Keep up the good work chap! Phil

Superb! I'll have a go at fixing that in place one night next week. Hmm...printed out on some glossy photographic paper should give a reasonable representation of shiny formica I should think?

Mornin' all With the 'Jaffa CIG' (for want of a better name for it!) ending up as an unpowered dummy, I haven't talked much about motorising these units yet. Nothing new here though, i'll be robbing a Hornby '73' of its motor and bogies and affixing the motor bogie mount onto a Replica chassis, concealed within the guard's van/luggage cage. One thing of note however is i've decided to make use of the mk. 6 motor bogie sideframes from Hornby's 4VEP, as a 'cop out' from hacking the Hornby '73' bogies into a better representation of an EMU version. The replacement parts are easily interchangeable and clip in perfectly, and the bronze pick-up strips also swap over a treat too. Here's a comparison of the two 'dummy' power bogies, the Hornby part on the left being X6308, and the equivalent part for the drive bogie being X6307. When I finally get around to motorising a 'phase 1' CIG, it'll probably be a case of sawing the sideframes off the class 73 bogie and affixing a cosmetic mk. 4 sideframe in its place - i've got a couple of MJT cast ones in the spares box which will do here. As an aside, the recent reviews of the Dapol '73' in the mags got me thinking whether in time when they come down in price (wishful thinking?!), they will become the new 'go-to' power source for BR(S) mk. 1 EMUs - Dapol's representation of a mk 6 power bogie looks very fine with plenty of detail. What the running qualities and motor bogie mount arrangement are I do not know, as these would be important factors too.

Hi Colin, good to hear from you. It's been said before and it's bound to be tempting fate but the second CIG is tantalisingly close to completion! With the seating now in place (with the position of the declassified compartment(s) being the key point here) and the motor bogies selected (mk 6 for this unit), i'm now committed to a 'phase 2' post-facelift example, therefore a 18XX series number. The last coat of rail blue goes on tonight... Afternoon Andy, not me! To paraphrase Ken Bruce, my 1987 fleet is 'one year out' for the similar 4TEP sadly, although i've got a refurb'ed CEP or two pencilled in for the very distant future, for Newhaven boat trains. I did however stumble across this layout on Twitter of all places - the chap in question has made a great looking refurb'ed BEP out of what looks like a Bachmann CEP and MJT CEP sides, with I believe a cut-and-shut for the trailer buffet. And very nice it looks too in NSE stripes, as indeed does the rest of his vast collection of South Western Division units and stock - bravo! Edit - original link didn't work. Here's the twitter page, have a scroll through the 'media' and you'll find pictures/videos of the BEP in question... https://twitter.com/NSE_Latchmere/

Hi Colin, Might we ask of any layout news, re. a successor to Newhaven Harbour? I'm sure i'm not alone in looking forward to seeing your handiwork back on the rails. All the best for your studies!

Hello all, After a few weeks' break from the '63 stock builds to knock up one of Lewes' footbridges (microstrip latticework, arghhhhh!), a few updates: I managed to get Jaffa Cake CIG 1702 structurally complete inside and out, including those fiddly headrests on the seating. One of my main gripes with the method i've used to build these units has been the cantrail strip area. I've been mounting the MJT brass sides underneath and up tight to the moulded cantrail strip on the Replica Mk 1 donor coach. It became apparent during painting that this leaves too large a gap between the windows and the roof, highlighted by some noticeably over-thick first class yellow stripes. Equally at the bottom of the brass side, this leaves too great and overhang on the solebar, so much so that it sits atop the running boards. To address this, i've returned to the first unit I built at the start of this thread (which has ever since been gathering dust in half-complete NSE livery), as a 'guinea pig' to see what can be done. In short, the brass sides were removed, the moulded cantrail strip sheared off, the brass sides re-attached further up in its place and a new, thinner cantrail strip affixed atop the brass side. I'm working on the unit's fourth and final coach this afternoon so I should have some photo's later to explain the work a bit better . I will have a similar go at rejigging my 4BIG at some point too, although this will be a bit more challenging as the unit is fully painted. Since an RMwebber had expressed an interest in the Jaffa Cake CIG late last year, I offered the unit up with the cantrail-related bother taken into account, and duly the unit is now in new hands as an unmotorised dummy. I understand her new life entails being push-pulled by a similarly livered/'refurbed' Bachmann CEP, so hopefully some pictures of this consist will appear in due course?! ;) I grabbed a couple of pictures a few days before boxing up, those purple seats took a serious amount of dulling down! I fancied a go at adding some of the moquette stripes, so started with the orange. However, after refitting the coach bodies for a looksee it became apparent how little could be seen, so the various light and dark blue stripes never followed...lesson learned! Anyway, like any good not-for-profit railway (Network Rail take note!) the income has been re-invested in a new set of MJT/Replica parts and another CIG is underway. So fourth time lucky (!), I *think* i've at last got a definitive way of building a Replica/MJT 4CIG - i'm taking pictures as I go with a view to compiling a step-by-step guide for anyone interested in having a go, and i'll probably post it in a week or two.

Very impressive stuff Pete! This is definitely a thread i'll be coming back to again and again for inspiration with track laying, ballasting, etc. Thanks for sharing

That would be brilliant, thanks! How easy a job will it be, out of interest? You could get quite a catalog together - the murals in the Wessex Electrics (when they truly were 'Wessex') spring to mind for starters. Any others?

Well that's interesting to learn, we shall have a mural then! The challenge now though in the absence of a square-on image is to mock up a near replica which I think is achievable with Publisher and Paint. It would certainly add some more charm to a coach I've always hoped would be particularly rewarding to gaze through the windows into I've got an Executive Mk2 RMB(T) to do for my Newhaven-Manchester rake and I'm hoping for similar interior charm

These are incredibly useful - thanks! Now with an idea of what went where on the shelves, I might make up a 2-d image in 'paint' of these shelves square on using stock images of drinks cans/snacks/etc in the style of James Makin's petrol station on Loftus Road. That buffet mural would be very snazzy, but judging by the colour scheme it's probably an NSE addition? Too late for my blue and grey BIG. The pictures I have show a slightly more drab abstract design which again is ready to print out on photographic paper to give it a prototypical glossy laminate shine

Just wanted to chip in, I've been badgering Charlie for a couple of DEMU kits and although no luck with them being in stock I've had replies within the half hour - can't ask for more than that I didn't know about the fire until reading this so that all makes sense. Sorry to hear about this, hope the build work is progressing well and I look forward to some kits coming out of storage when the time comes.

There was one "regular" CEP, 1602 rings a bell, that did get Connex colours after repairs. I think she disgraced herself derailing at London Bridge in 1999. Unlike "standard" Connex livery there was no black on the upper cab front, so the grime had nowhere to hide! Edit: ignore that! I see it mentioned above already...oops!

The most decrepit rolling stock I ever travelled in was a Connex 508 on the Medway Valley line. Missing seat cushions galore, and those that were still intact left a lot to be desired in terms of cleanliness! No worries about the CEP red herring, bringing things back to the Central division Lovers Walk appeared to have an allocation of various CEPs throughout their lives. I think they kept the prototype 4 4CEPs and 2 4BEPs (distinguishable with their roof conduit) amongst other CEPs. Then there were the four 4TEPs - refurbished 4BEP with an unrefurbished buffet car - to cover during the 4BIG refurbishment programme. Alas these were disbanded in 1986 and reformed as CEPs for the Hastings line, so sadly a year too soon for my layout. And I think even Connex South Central had three CEPs early on, and they kitted them out with Mk 6 motor bogies for Brighton - London Bridge peak fasts. All that aside, I still intend to build one or two one day for Lewes. Tim Wood's "Southern Electric Driver" notes that up until the mid-Eighties the night down and morning up Newhaven boat trains were formed of 8CEP with an MLV (I think a lot of mail for France went across on the overnight ferry to Dieppe), running to/from the Eastern platforms at Victoria (to use BR International's facilities) and stabling at Newhaven Marine overnight. Someone I asked suggested this might have gone over to CIGs from 1986 when the Hastings line electrification required more CEP availability, but I might just err on the side of wishful thinking and hope they clung on until '87 at least. And while I'm in full "research findings" mode, diverted Hastings line CEPs of course ran via Eastbourne-Plumpton-Gatwick. So one in Jaffa and one in B/G would suit me just fine a little way off yet!!

It's all the more odd given that the Eastern section stuck with it on their CEPs and a few MLVs until 1990 at least, with NSE 'flashes' on the cab fronts and branding on one coach each side, then that black lining top and bottom of the orange stripe...glad I didn't have to add that to the CIG! I think some AC emus on the Fenchurch St lines got Jaffa colours too ('Essex Express' branding too IIRC?) but I don't know how long they survived into NSE days before repainting. Anyway, a livery much missed all round!

1702 looking (and smelling) like she's just rolled out of the paint shop: Once again paints are mostly Phoenix Precision. As liveries go, this has to be one of the most pleasant to paint and mask up - primer on first, then Executive grey (er, beige, BR?!), then mask up for the brown and finally the orange stripe. The fiddly bit was picking out the sliding ventilators in Humbrol metallic aluminium, but I like the subtle result and the metallic shine seems to have survived the matt varnishing which is a plus. Still some weathering to do on the roofs, inner ends and cab fronts but pictures seem to show the Jaffa CIGs were kept pretty clean on the sides at least...preferential treatment?! Transfers, from Fox, were a relative joy after white-lining that B/G BIG, the only thing of note being the double arrows which are in fact of a 2mm scale sheet. Thanks eastwestdivide for those numbers! When a package from Southern Pride arrives, I can get the Replica underframes and trailer bogies suitably embellished (still appealing for any help for underframe equipment positions on these 'Phase 1' units) and get an interior knocked up. As mentioned earlier I fully intent to add those 'Phase 1' winged headrests which I and I dare say many others miss greatly, and of course painted in that purple moquette that number6 so fondly remembers! Cheers!

Couple of quick requests for info from the southern electric scholars of RMweb if you don't mind? Firstly some numbers, if someone could confirm the individual coach numbers making up CIG 1702 and BIG 2202 in 1987 that would put my mind at rest! I understand there was occasional remarshalling during the refurbishment programme so a definitive answer from someone with the appropriate literature would be great. Second of all, 1702 is of course a 'phase 1' or 'Brighton' unit, so any info on detail differences from the 'phase 2'/'Pompey' units I've built already would be good to know. I've got the Mk 4 motor bogies sorted from the 4CEP, and I'll probably have a go at adding those 'wings' to the Southern Pride seats. But it's underframe gear positions I'm unsure of - I notice the air tanks under the DTCL's are in a different place for starters. Was also wondering if there was any extra kit underneath for the electric parking brake unique to the 'phase 1' batch. Over to you folks, any info appreciated. In return, since 1702 is now fully 'jaffa'd, varnished and partly transferred-up, there should be some photos by the weekend

Sorry to disappoint! I might take the round file to it later and see what I can sculpt And crikey, what a character (s)he sounds!

Something resembling a 4BIG trailer buffet coming together: I took a raincheck on the snazzy curved shelf opposite the galley kitchen, my craft-knife control wasn't up to it. A kitchen interior was tempting, but rather futile as it would be invisible. I will add a bit more to the counter though, namely a smartly-dressed attendant and some well-stocked shelving behind him. The wafting bacon smell is proving a bit harder to replicate... Elsewhere 2202 has gained its first door handles, and 1702 is ready for priming, save some last few door hinges Cheers for now!

In a way, Warrior Square lends itself to a model with tunnel mouth scenic breaks at each end. Albeit not exactly riveting to operate. Perhaps if Bopeep tunnel were shortened (maybe to disguise a corner) and Bopeep junction (plus signal box and substation) and a short length of sharply curving platform at West St Leonards were included, something more interesting could be replicated? Certainly for any avid building scratchbuilders in our midst! All this said, the BIG/CIGs coming together here would be perfect for such a layout set in 1986 at the start of Hastings line electrics...just need some glossy Jaffa CEPs, dilapidated Hastings DEMUs (DC kits?), the odd Marshlink 3H/3D running ECS to West Marina depot, and some very new looking conductor rail. Anyone inspired?

We day trip up to Tunbridge Wells sometimes, and it always frustrates me, coming from the Eastbourne direction as we do, how the footbridge takes you out onto the station forecourt instead of straight onto the up platform - particularly nerve-wracking when the Charing X train is already in the platform! East Coastway to Hastings line connections are so tight here and never held, quote a contrast to Lewes and the London/Seaford connections which *usually* run like clockwork (they certainly will when I model them )