Derails Models

These are the ones that were previosuly homed at the DFR. Mike Little's GWR Autocoach is lovley - I had the pleasure of working on it once when it was down here As promised (not sure if it was here or somewhere else), here are some pictures of the Crimson & Cream Version just arrived today! The Maroon ones were the most popular, having already sold out! Sorry they're a little fuzzy, this is with a full spec camera too! 36-575 Full by Derails Models, on Flickr Despite the look of it, the coupling isn't deformed in this shot - I think its my dodgy tracklaying, the coach is fine! 36-575 End Detail by Derails Models, on Flickr And don't ask where the track pin came from in this one: 36-575 Door Detail by Derails Models, on Flickr If you want any more pictures don't hesitate to ask, I also have the Crimson one here too. A video of one in use is planned for upload on Saturday!

I'm guessing you mean the model? If so, depending on the timing of them arriving (they've been sent today apparently) we may be doing just that. I'll post a link if it gets done If you mean the real thing, I could have done until recently when the DFR auto trailers + 14xx moved to the Severn Valley :-/ oh well, they may be back

So annoyed I missed this, unfortunately I had work :-/ I saw some really go pictures though

We've been told they'll arrive tomorrow into the Hornby warehouse - hopefully they'll be with most of us retailers within a week. This means I have lots of work to do! Better get started... 8)

This is the first P2 I've seen weathered, and I think that's about right...don't think I'd like it quite so much any heavier but that is pretty nice :-)

They don't half look nice :-) hoping ours will be through tomorrow!

Hi there! Some of you may know me, some not - as you can see I'm Little Dan and I run Derails Models model railway shop. Despite this, I do still like to model now and then (although sometimes after a hard day its the last thing I want to do!). This blog is the show my...attempts? Exploits? Whatever you want to call it, its going to be here. This post is an introduction of sorts - I'm writing it in the shop during my quiet moment see - just to show you what to expect..so without further ado, here's what I currently have: Layout No.1 - Winterdan Devised in 2008/9 when I was 9/10, the layout is an exhibition layout of a mainline station complete with shunting yard. The layout is set in the winter (although my surname is Winter too so it does confuse people...) and is basically two ovals and the aformentioned yard. It becomes an instant hit with the kids at pretty much every exhibition it goes too, despite trying to wire the layout on the morning of the exhibition being harder than trying to figure out how the universe is held together and actually transporting it anywhere is harder than moving a white elephant. I suppose it is white so there is something in common there... The layout has been to about 10 exhibitions I think, and is book so far for one more. This is all to do with the kids thing - kids layouts are getting harder to come by and for dragging the kids into the hobby, its what we need. Layout No.2 - Crooked Lane MPD This one is a more recent exihibition layout, one planned as I grew out of the roundy roundy type layouts and wanted a 'boring' (according to my Dad, Big Dan) shunting layout. Built over the course of two years or so, it appeared in unfinished states for ages before going to last years Thornbury MRC show (the small one in November) in a state which I could call 'finished', but are they ever? Its a diesel depot + single platform terminus station, based in the North West with a large station nearby, albeit not modelled, which means a large variety of traction appears. The years represented by the layout are 1978 - 1983ish. But as always some unprototypical things do happen, such has air braked stock running with vac braked stock - my response to a comment like this at an exhibiton was the train was running unfitted - and Scottish 26's 'holidaying' in England - shoot me someone! The layout has been to about five exhibitions and is booked at one more. Being an easier layout to handle sometimes we offer a small trade stand along with it, and don't claim expenses. This always goes down well. Layout (if you can call it that) No. 3 - Garden Railway When I first joined the model railway club I am now a member and supply to, I got friendly with a chap who ran 16mm SM32 live steam in his garden. I would attend steam ups and drive locos, knowing one day I would take the plunge. In 2013 I finally did just that - when Derails became Roundhouse Engineering dealers I ordered on of their basic loco's, a Bertie, and ran it on boards in the garden up and down five metres of track. Since then, the railway has grown to 20 yards long with run-round loops on either end, and the fleet has grown to include a high powered battery electric and a Roundhouse Stanley steam tram. The garden railway takes quite a bit of my time now - the loco's, being real working steam engines, require maintenance, as does the infastructre, which you can understand as it is left to the elements for most of the time. Another extension is on the cards, by the way. So there we are. A roundup of whats going on modelling wise at the moment - all this whilst running a business and also volunteering at the local Dean Forest Railway. Watch this space for updates (and hopefully pictures if my damn camera will work)! Many thanks, Little Dan

It's alright, I didn't take offence! I was just explaining the DFR position on hi vis :-) your points are very valid

As someone who enjoys railway photgraphy myself, I have to agree that hi-vis jackets don't half ruin a lot of my pictures. However putting my railway hat on, hi-vis' are mandotary for all trackside roles on the DFR - crossing keeping being one of those jobs - and not wearing a hi-vis in these roles can lead to disciplinary action. We're working with big moving machines and usually a road too, so it is good to be as visible as possible. It is also DFR policy not to wear high vis jackets on the platform (you'll note the guard taking the token has his in his hand - he will shortly go trackside and operate the ground frame), because it is not classed as railway uniform, it is classed as 'health & saftey clothing'. I speak for pretty much all of the DFR staff when I say we try and get out of the way as and where we can when operating the railway but unfortunately sometimes it is unavoidable - however more often than not its in the best photography places...! You've just got look around and think 'Can I move out of shot?'. If the answer is no then if I can I usually apologise to the photog in question (you didn't get me in any of your shots so I'm good!).

Awww can't see me...never mind ;-) were these take on the first trip?

Yes, I was surprised too when I arrived at Lydney town this morning, although that is why I said don't hold me to it! I turned up off duty and ended up giving people a travelling history tour whilst they rode in the 1948 Hawksworth saloon...A good day all in all :-) look forward to your pictures

Tim, I don't want to plug on the open forum so I have private messaged you. Thanks.

BR Late and SR Versions should now be hitting the shelves...I know the BR Late has been featured here before so here's the SR version: R3327 by Derails Models, on Flickr Apologies for the picture quality, taken on a cameraphone due to the shop camera's unavailability...

You missed Neil Parkhouse signing them at the DFR yesterday!

Hope you feel better soon! At the moment its 3806 'Wilbert' down for Wednesday's running I'm afraid (however this can change though so don't hold me to it). Otherwise 5541 might be back out on the Santa specials!

Ours are also finally being released now! the SR version appears to be about 20 days early too, the date I was told last week by the office was 20th November(ish).

Nice pictures of the Lydney show, we thoroughly enjoyed it! Abergavenny Brecon Road won best layout in show in the end (know as the silver chair - we actually do have one on a plinth and its damn heavy!) which was well deserved in my book. Thomas isn't at the DFR yet, it was the low loader that took visiting Class 14 'Eric' back to the East Lancashire Railway - it also turned Mk1 RMB 1803 whilst it was here as it was difficult to operate and service the generator the way round it was. :-) I agree the photographic oppurtunities have now increased with the engine that way round, you also get more steam as its facing uphill!

Hi Ian, can you PM me your email address and I'll get back to you via email? Don't want to take this thread off topic see! Thanks. Also Luke, liking the photo's, especially the grey scale one :-)

Fair enough it looks very nice :-) however for those of you who have one on order with anyone that isn't Janes, don't panic Hornby have said they will be despatched by the end of the month!

Yes, this is most unsual, given Hornby's insitance that they haven't sent any L/C versions out. But if they have them they have them, not that it is an issue, as long as we get ours at the end of the month thats all that matters.....

Thats another thing confusing us here! If this is true that some are in the country it is the first time they have not updated their own website to say so first - although as they charge RRP this never affects us.

We enquired at Hornby this morning as to where our L/C and SR allocation was and we've been told they haven't even arrived yet - only the E/C version, which we're currently waiting for a second delivery of. Hornby usually mention if one batch has been in, even if you didn't get any in that batch, so thats odd. And yes whether you get any in the first batch is a complete random selection by the computer, however there was some mention of the new computer system allocating them first come first served, still not sure how true this is though. But as they say a picture is a thousand words so if anyone has one?