CazRail

Unit wise, next on my 'Wanted' list is a class 158 in North Western Trains dark blue with gold stars. The Bachmann model released 20+ years ago is the only option off the shelf, but is of course of the old tooling, and I would prefer one of the new tooling for my fleet. So, I see myself with two options: Wait potentially forever for Bachmann to produce one or for the likes of Rainbow Railways to release a re-sprayed version, or: Buy myself a donor and re-spray one myself. I've almost decided that I'll go down the route of my own re-paint, and I've already began to explore how I would achieve the golden stars. I'm currently thinking gold on first, mask off the general area of the gold bits with Tamiya tape, then cut the mask using a sharp blade. I'm thinking I'd get the star shape consistent by creating a template in either card or plastic sheet. Another dilemma will be which branding do I go for? North Western Trains or First North Western? At present, I'm thinking different on both sides, but I will see. FNW would match it in with the fleet I have better. Also, my current 158 needs a re-number and re-branding to make it more relevant to my region. As it's 158849 in Regional Railways livery, I have a couple of options. Both would make it a Wales & Borders unit, with either Wales & Borders branding or Alphaline. I'll need to do more research into this one, but it's undoubtedly a quicker project and will probably be complete before I begin the NWT 158. So there's my current thoughts on where I go next, hopefully I'll have something to show you soon.

Further more on the class 156 project... To sum this model up, here's a list of work that's been completed on this model: - remove headlight lenses. - paint edges around headlights and headlight lenses black to improve overall look. - replace the Lima 3-pole motor components with Strathpeffer Junction CD motor kit. - replace non-powered bogies with Hornby class 156 bogies, with improved performance and added pickups. - fit head and tail lights using a kit from eBay, seller 'Stickswipe'. - cut out all the boxy underfloor detailing and replace with 3D printed alternative bought from eBay. - complete re-wire, including connection to dummy car. - re-spray the lower rail grey colour with Railmatch Rail Grey. - re-brand from Regional Railways to First North Western, and add post-1998 OHLE warning signs. Something I'd like to do in future is to completely replace the motor bogie with a Hornby class 153 one, which will hopefully improve running and reduce the Lima gear noise. But for now, it's another DMU in my fleet, and to be fair, stands up pretty well to the 150s, 153s and 158s it'll run alongside. All the very best Caz

The lighting kit came from a seller called 'stickswipe' on ebay, makes various lighting kits. He doesn't seem to have any 156 ones on there at the moment though.

Really interesting stuff, @Mr_Tilt. I live about half a mile from the bridge, and have also worked on it, so I always wonder how it used to be and about the time of the fire. Locally, we can't imagine how life would be if the fire hadn't happened, as it now holds two of the three ways to get on and off the island, so possibly a miracle dressed up as a disaster.

Ah forgot about the FNW names! I remember 'Coronation Street Rovers Return' and 'Mum'. ATW also names 175003 'Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru'.

Finally got round to doing more on my Lima class 156. First job was to de-band and re-paint the rail grey. Then it was on to the underframes, with the boxy detailing cut out and replaced with 3D printed alternative. Once all back together, I added First North Western branding and post 1998 overheads warning stickers. On the to-do list now is new pick-ups, re-wire, new decoder and install a lightning kit.

Yes, there's photos of FNW 175s in BNS.

Very excited for this! Definitely a 175 or two for me, maybe a cheeky 180 too!

After receiving the superb Revolution Trains IWA wagons nearly 2 weeks ago, I've now plucked up the courage to have a bash at weathering them. Done two so far... After an initial layer of Railmatch Sleeper Grime I used a cotton bud wetted with IPA to clean the data panels, then weathering powders of different colours were used to build up the dirt. This was all sealed in with Matt varnish. As can be seen in the photo, the two so far done have been weathered slightly different, as I want to avoid a uniform weathering for the whole rake.

From the illustrations in the catalogue, looks like they'll be the new tooling.

There didn't seem to be much Aluminium traffic out of there between the end of Speedlink and 2005. There were one or two one-offs, but other than that nothing much. The petroleum coke ran from 1971 until 2001 using the unique PAB hoppers, then was a 4 year gap of nothing until the Alu started in 2005.

Yes, this flow ran between 2005 and 2009 when the plant ceased smelting operations.

Just a little photo to show the layout is still here, ableit with next to no progress...

Had some spare time tonight so managed to fit a van with a DCC Concepts flashing tail lamp... A fairly straightforward project, hardest part for me being the soldering!

Mine arrived today whilst I was at work, so came home to them waiting for me. Like what everyone else has said, they are superb. Going to attempt to fit a flashing tail lamp tonight...

If Revolution was to produce a 175 in 'N', I'd be hoping for a 'OO' version to follow it!

Can anyone comment on how easy the vans are to dismantle to add a flashing tail lamp? Got a set of DCC Concepts ones ready to fit one to an IWA.

Using different/new stock will always find defects as the way they ride the rail is different according to size and weight. But, every fault eradicated makes the trackwork better!

The photo with 66711 coming through the arch bang road looks superb!

This is why I'm glad I opted for the vans, I won't need to worry about the load, it's left to the imagination! I have had to re-lay some sidings to get all 8 of mine to fit when they arrive mind. Hopefully not much longer to wait now.

Cheers matey. LEDs next...

Another successful evening on the signal box. Operating cabin windows now completed all the way around, just needs the door to be put on. Interior of the operating cabin has also been done. The levers are set as if the box it switched out, to represent it's last few years of operation. I also cut out all the windows on the inset part of the interlocking room, and glaze and assemble one side. Tomorrow I will continue to assemble the down side wall.

Following a delivery of some styrene today, Ive begun the process of installing the windows. Very fiddly job, requiring a steady handle and gentle touch. Managed to do half of the box(low mileage end and down side), will do more tomorrow. Overall though, I'm very happy with this.

For me this year, the FGW HST gets my order. Not my area/region, but definitely in my era. The only other thing was the Sentinel shunt in MSC colours, as kindof goes with my Octel rake. Of course a lot of other 'nice to have's'. Overall I think a decent range.

Added some more tonight, as I figured I could install the glazing sheets and the upper part of the cabin... As mentioned before, the actual glazing is structurally integral, as it basically holds the roof up. The window frames wont hold any weight although I hope they'll be a snug fit. Up side elevation: Down side elevation: Low-mileage end elevation: High-mileage end elevation: Sneaky peak inside the cabin, the lever frame will go on the down side of the box. Decided I'm going to use LEDs to light it up, and a couple of exterior lights around the steps. Still much to do.