GEOEng03

They do look rather tasty. I see the old slam door carriages are appearing, with most >£40 on eBay. Be interesting to see if a) there value drops upon release, b) if more appear and c) if the colours between batches are anything like each other. More have appeared, including the GWR ones, although only one in stock, the rest are sold out for GWR... Cheers

Some of the XC coaches are showing as being in stock on the Hornby website... Can't be long now! Cheers

Have used them a couple of years back for a model kit. Was no issues when I did and they were quick and efficient at getting the item to me. They seem to offer a eclectic mix of items occasionally. Cheers

Hi, is this shown on the website or from a conversation you've had. Cheers

Excellent service and Comms and prompt delivery for something that has become harder to find after recent release, even in these trying times, which is very much appreciated. Will use again.

Have wanted to spread my recent purchases a bit and have tried two new shops, from Bure Valley I have been mightily impressed, I ordered a train pack last Thursday - late PM. Order arrived efficiently by Saturday morning mail. Well packed and as you'd expect. Especially in the current climate. I will be going back and using them in the future.

Thanks again. The map on the home page shows a Popeyes. On the hitlist of American fast food to try...

Sorry, haven't been active for a while, but appreciate this. The wife has planned a visit prior to going to or after Busch Gardens. Small victories hey... Cheers

Ok, that's is very useful to hear. Thanks. They had appeared on the searches. And they could be tied in when heading to Busch Gardens on one day. As with the smaller UK shops, the websites aren't that good with some of these shops. But as expected, the people of RMWeb are a goldmine for finding information out Bryn

Thanks Mike. Will see if I can persuade the wife to forsake a day at the Theme parks. Bryn

Thanks Richard. That one did not show on the search. See they have a refurb shop as well. Will see if we can do Daytona Beach as well. Bryn

I just wanted to get some advice from those who may have had the opportunity to visit shops within Florida. We are there in April and I wondered what peoples view are regarding shops in the Central Florida (east to west) area. Have done Colonial Models on a number of occasions and have seen that there are a few out on the west coast such as Gulf Coast Models. There are a few others that show up including HR Trains and Toys, TRF Trains and MnT Hobbies. I note that there is what seems a good one in Miami *(Ready to Roll is meant to be a good one from what I have seen) as well. We are there for two weeks, usual trip to do the theme parks and will be heading out to the west coast on a couple/few occasions. Have a hire car for the duration as well, but need to try and be clever with visits around the area - which is why Miami is possibly off the radar - but it is possible in a day (regular trips from Devon to Yorkshire have hardened what I view as acceptable in a day... Be good to get some feedback if possible Cheers

Great progress and a fabulous 10minute read. A couple of Q's if you don't mind What is length/width of the layout Do you have any more details on the entrance area you have built and how you achieved this and finally, where did you get the signal gantry from? Is this a kit. Will continue to follow your work to date, given we are modelling similar periods, although mine being somewhat smaller in size. Cheers

Has anyone gone for the YouChoos version of the sound file. I have listened to the example on their website and must say, isn't how I hear them from the regular travelling I do on them - by this I mean the engine runs sound from stationary to speed for both electric and diesel. Might be good to hear from another source, or indeed from someone's model. I've a matched pair from Biff in one set and was thinking of just a single one for my second unit. Cheers

Thanks all.

I am currently looking at whether a Class 150 and Class 156 have the same engine types. This link (https://mancunian1001.wordpress.com/2013/08/09/know-your-sprinters-the-class-150-series-of-dmus/) would suggest they are exactly the same, but I'm aware that there may be differences, including exhaust etc... Asking, because I have a number of 156 sound chips if these could be used for 150 engines - the 153's seem similar as well. Cheers.

Be good to see your layouts. Can't see if you've a thread or not. Cheers

Hi Charlie, Have recently acquired a couple of other 156's and it definitely was the Bogie like you have said. The two I have, have no flex like the other did. It didn't look right at all and looking at these two, you can see that massively now as well. Excellent model and will be adding a third in EMT livery in due course. I have to say, best model I have owned. There are suggestions that Bachmann are doing similar with the 158... Time will tell

Expressway Models at Buckfastleigh have 40% off Scenecraft products and 20% off some Dapol and Bachmann products

Thanks Charlie, Item has been returned. I wouldn't have said that they were very loose, but they moved back and forth (on each of the four bogies), more so than any other loco I have owned, but had no reference for checking TBH. I will have a think about whether I can fit another livery into the current plans, but see you have the Barbie ones still in stock. Cheers

Hi Charlie. My version seems to have power and not move. There seems to be an issue with the driveshaft slipping out of the motor/bogie constantly. Like the shaft isn't long enough. There is quite a bit of 360 movement for the bogie which seems to mean said shaft comes out easily. Both cars in set are suffering. Is there a known fix for this. Or indeed a longer shaft?? Cheers

Hi Charlie, The kind wife surprised me with a Scotrail 156 (not form you, but missed the boat). is the option to have both cars fitted with sound chips, literally to order a pair of two chips like the HST or IET (bit confusing when I look at those you have in stock still). Or is it one sound chip and a suitable decoder. P.S. Love it that much, I am going to have to buy either the EMT or First version. Rule 1 and all... Cheers

HI Rich, Sorry for the delay in replying - thanks for the comprehensive response as well. I do like the robust look of your solution... and you have shown me how to make the 9mm ply not as flexi. With regards to the copper clad sleepers. I am struggling to find where these come from. Not that proficient at Google apparently - could you help with your source perhaps? That is what has probably stopped me from going any further TBH. Did some signal installation at the weekend, not sure I like the fidelity of the wires that come with these things... OOI, what is the span between the two boards for your bridge? Not sure I could adopt the same pin solution you have (well as conductors), but the whole stereo plugs seem a good idea for me to connect broken wires. Cheers

It has been quite a while since I last updated on this. After some decisions looming about future/career etc…, we are staying put for a while in Devon and I have bagged one of the slightly larger bedrooms to get going again. After a lull period of not knowing what to do or how to proceed and getting on the US wagon for a short while, I am now after visiting recent exhibitions, enthused and progressing again. The layout occupies an area of some 2.4m(w) by 3.6m(l), being around 1m off the ground and made of 9mm ply, each section around 1.2m length, and bolted together. The intention, as with Willow Creek, is to have a loop, to allow locos to stretch there legs and will largely be based in the SW of England, using the stock I have kept hold off, mostly HST’s, but a few 800’s as well. At the moment the plan is to have two main tracks that will loop the layout, which expand to 4 tracks in the platform area shown below, joining at curved points at each end, with a further spur off to enable access to what will be a modern stabling shed, that I will scratch build. The back end of the layout (away from the door) will have a covered section for a built area and elevated station access, to allow hiding of longer trains. I can hide a 2+7 just in this area, but will be 2+4 and 5car IET’s with other ones as well. Layout is to be DCC and will use NCE Powercab. All points are being made to be controlled remotely and my soldering skills are being put to the test. I have acquired over the past 12months, a large amount of point motors, signals and other electrics and scenery items to allow the layout to grow and I intend on using and trying for the first time block and timed signals – which I will update as I try and possibly fail. The wide has said that I have more functional stuff than just trains this time so, I really must give a go. The station end is mostly in and droppers installed, so the plan is to wire up and test, while I decide what will go on the left or window side of the layout, as a run off the main two lines. Wife wants grass and cows, I want minerals and industrial… Anyway, some update pictures to date. Portrait view of station area and how it will run for 4 platforms. IMG_20191031_083254478 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr Close up of points in area to station IMG_20191031_083301124 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr Close up of what will become the joint to allow bridged access into the room. This is a big new aspect for me and I am sure that it will work well, just need to figure this aspect out. IMG_20191031_083313375 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr Side view from same area. IMG_20191031_083306802 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr Looking 180 opposite direction across the station towards the room entrance. IMG_20191031_083337915 by Bryn Jones, on Flickr It has taken me a couple of weekends to get to the stage, but I have been careful and tried to be as neat as possible on the straights and curves. I know that the sleepers spacings are not the best, but given this is my first real attempt, I was happy to allow this. The clearance to platforms seems ok, could be better, but the confines of the space I have make it hard to take much more room. Operationally, the 2 additional positions at the station, give me storage room while running trains around. Track is Peco Code 75 and I am using ElectroFrog point work. Majority is concrete, aside from the curved points and some connecting trackwork. Cheers

Hi, Does anyone have any experience of tactile paving sheets from scalescenes. Looking at these or perhaps sandpaper and LX213 Platform coping. Would be good to see it on a layout if poss and Google is not being too forthcoming... cheers https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk/tx202-oo-slabbed-modern-platform-texture-sheets-buff-pack-of-5-oo4mm176-1733-p.asp