AY Mod

Just wait.

I must admit I let out a little "Ooh!" when I got to see the sample a couple of weeks ago; it's very fine indeed and, at last, a ferry van to modern standards. Very, very good indeed.

We recently had chance to look over the 3D print which was run as a testbed to check the wheel and motion clearances and undoubtedly this will be a very attractive model for many, irrespective of where they model. Ignore the cracks in the drivers!

There are many existing products in the cabinets at one time or another. Stick to the 90 please.

Please see

NEW CLASS 90 PAYS TRIBUTE TO SIR WILLIAM McALPINE The Bachmann Collectors Club and Locomotion Models have joined forces to release a striking new OO scale model of Class 90 Electric Locomotive No. 90028 ‘Sir William McAlpine’ in DB Cargo livery. The model was officially launched at Model Rail Scotland today (25th February 2022) and is available to purchase now, both at the event and online. In total 500 models have been produced; 200 will be released in SOUND FITTED format and these are available exclusively to members of the Bachmann Collectors Club, and 300 DCC READY are available exclusively from Locomotion Models. Both models are available to purchase now from the Bachmann Europe (A27) and Locomotion Models (A17) stands at Model Rail Scotland in Glasgow. The Bachmann Collectors Club version can also be ordered online, whilst the Locomotion Models version can be purchased via their website, the National Railway Museum in York, and Locomotion in Shildon. Fifty Class 90 locomotives were ordered by British Rail in 1986 to replace the ageing Class 85 fleet on West Coast Main Line duties. Construction of the 110mph rated locomotives was completed by British Rail Engineering Limited, Crewe, in 1990. They subsequently saw service with several operators and have carried numerous different liveries since Privatisation in 1994. DB Cargo named Class 90 locomotive No. 90028 ‘Sir William McAlpine’ on 11th January 2019 at the National Railway Museum in York. A special train conveying guests was hauled nonstop from Kings Cross by ‘Flying Scotsman’ and returned to London behind the newly named electric locomotive. Both locomotives posed for photographs outside the museum as a tribute to a remarkable man, Sir William McAlpine, who was a lifelong railway enthusiast and sadly passed away on 4th March 2018. Sir William had joined the family construction company straight from school, eventually becoming the Director responsible for its operations in Scotland. In 1961 he bought, for himself, the company’s last steam locomotive for £100 and built a railway for it to run on at his Buckinghamshire home. Then in 1973, he rescued ‘Flying Scotsman’ from the USA purchasing it from the receivers after a failed tour, retaining ownership until 1996. Sir William became involved in railway preservation and was the first Chairman of the Railway Heritage Trust. Following the death of his father in 2018, Sir Andrew McAlpine became the 7th Baronet McAlpine, of Knott Park, Surrey and he retains this title to this day. The Bachmann Branchline Class 90 was first released in 2019 and now appears in the muchrequested red livery of DB Cargo for the first time. Combining a highly accurate and detailed body shell with an authentic chassis and bogies – each featuring a wealth of separately fitted detail – the Branchline Class 90 captures the distinctive shape and character of the real locomotives to a tee. Add to this the multiple lighting functions and their realistic operations, such as the Day or Night mode for the directional lighting, and it’s easy to see why this model is the complete package. What’s more, when used on DCC the Pantograph, which itself is a fine reproduction featuring metal components, can be operated remotely via the built-in servo motor, meaning you can raise and lower this characteristic feature at any time, without having to intervene by hand. The SOUND FITTED model also offers authentic sound effects and is pre-configured for DCC operation of the motorised pantograph. The Locomotion Models DCC READY model is priced at £229.95, and the Bachmann Collectors Club SOUND FITTED version retails at £329.95. Richard Proudman, Rail Brand Manager for Bachmann Europe said “since the Bachmann Branchline Class 90 was first released in 2019, we have received many different requests from consumers who want to see the Class 90 released in their favourite livery, and DB Cargo has been high on the list for many people. I am therefore delighted that the Bachmann Collectors Club and Locomotion Models have partnered together to make this model happen, and there could be no better place than Model Rail Scotland for its grand unveiling. The National Railway Museum, which runs Locomotion Models, is immensely important when it comes to nurturing and inspiring new and existing railway modellers and so we are delighted that sales of this new model will help to support this cornerstone of rail heritage.” Dennis Lovett, Exclusive Models Marketing Manager of Locomotion Models said “I was fortunate to meet Sir William on several occasions and also attended one of his open days at his museum and railway in South Buckinghamshire. Sir William did much for both heritage railways and for the railway industry in general. I can think of a no more fitting tribute to him than by releasing this model in conjunction with the Bachmann Collectors Club”.

Not really, it's just their way of showing how good something is for its size by referencing something of known size. It's commonly used.

It's been covered many times before, please use the search facility.

I've been trying to replicate it at this end without success. If anyone affected can confirm the device, OS and browser they are using that may help see patterns.

Anyway, here you go - TMC will be happy to sort you out. https://www.themodelcentre.com/searchanise/result?q=Accurascale+31 Sorted.

I wouldn't say they shy away from anything, they choose to leave it to the modeller - better to knock out another livery/number than split existing sales.

As you said; tough. The rules, this year, will not be changed to accommodate your opinion.

I've had to pass up on opportunities offered before now if we haven't got resources available if we're busy or cannot justify the time involved against a benefit; you said there are commercial reasons and, yes, there are. I know just how much resource is involved and we happen to be busy with lots of stuff as I've already explained. We'll head off and choose to do different things for different reasons.

Some good, some not so.

Yes, I've got the 7-car set here on the desk.

I think that's a suitable point to lock this again pending the final report.

Even these won't get it up far enough or for long enough. There's been a lot of swearing at this end whilst photographing it for review with that, the couplings and internal lighting.

Revolution goes nuclear – again! Revolution Trains is following up its award-winning KUA four-bogie nuclear fuel carriers with another nuclear vehicle – the new-build FNA-D ‘standard’ flask carrier now in use across the network. These wagons were built by WH Davis from 2014 and have now fully displaced the older style wagons built in the 1970s. They are used to convey spent nuclear fuel in hardened flasks from power stations in England, Scotland and, until recently, Wales to Sellafield reprocessing plant in Cumbria. The wagons are operated by DRS and usually run singly, or in small numbers, with haulage by DRS class 66, 68 or 88 locomotives in pairs, either double-headed or top and tail, as insurance against failure. The Revolution Trains model will feature our usual high specification including highly detailed plastic moulded parts produced from original works drawings, kinematic couplers in NEM sockets and separately fitted detail parts in wire, plastic and photo-etched metal where appropriate. CAD work is complete and the models in both 00 and N are expected to go into tooling very shortly. “Having worked with DRS on the huge flasks used for submarine fuel, modelling their smaller brothers seemed an obvious step,” explains Revolution Trains’ Mike Hale. “While the fleet is not especially large – just over three dozen wagons – they are widely used and operate across the network.” “Although there are just 40 wagons in the fleet, because DRS usually runs these trains in rakes of fewer than five wagons and almost always with two locomotives, we think they are a great ‘train-set’ train and can be used by those with layouts large or small,” added Revolution Trains co-director Ben Ando. All the wagons have a green body and white flask cover, and Revolution will be offering several different numbers to enable modellers to assembly realistic rakes. CAD on the N gauge version is almost complete, with the 00 model following soon after. The order book is expected to open shortly with delivery anticipated for early 2023, although schedules are subject to change due to unforeseen Covid-related delays.

Coradias and Adelantes in N & 00 Revolution Trains is offering the Class 175 ‘Coradia’ and Class 180 ‘Adelante’ units in N gauge and 00 gauge as its next multiple unit models. The 100mph Class 175s were built by Alstom in Birmingham between 1999 and 2001 and initially entered service with First North Western. The fleet comprises 11 two-car sets and 16 three-car sets, and after spells with Wales and Borders and Arriva all are now in service with Transport for Wales, operating across Wales and into the Midlands and North West England. The faster 125mph Class 180 5-car trains are designed for higher speeds and while they share many family similarities with the Coradia units they feature very differently styled aerodynamic cab ends. They were constructed for First Great Western expresses from London to South Wales and the West Country, however they were not a success and were transferred to routes to Oxford and Birmingham. Subsequently they were transferred to Grand Central, to operate between London, Bradford and Sunderland and Hull Trains. Most recently East Midlands Railway has introduced them between London St Pancras, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield and Corby. The Revolution Trains model will feature our usual high specification including directional lighting, couplers that can transfer power and DCC control signals between cars, smooth coreless motor with pin-point axles and full interiors with saloon lighting as standard. “The Coradia and Adelante units are full of character, eye-catching and have been used widely in England and Wales,” says Revolution Trains’ Mike Hale. “We think they are exactly the kind of interesting, but niche, model that our customers will like.” “Both these trains are interesting in different ways,” adds Revolution’s Ben Ando. “The 175 has been a stalwart in the English West Midlands, North West or Wales since the late 1990s whereas the 180 – despite its inauspicious start – has proved to be a successful and stylish train in Grand Central’s unmistakeable black and orange colours – and has seen operation on three of our busiest lines.” Revolution has been working on the Class 175 and 180 for some time, with the assistance of Alstom, Grand Central and Transport for Wales. CAD work on the N gauge version is almost complete, and the design will be upscaled to 00 in due course. Liveries have not been finalised yet, as the order book has not opened, however they are likely to include for the Class 175 original First North Western, Arriva and Transport for Wales and for the Class 180 First Great Western, First Hull trains ‘dynamic lines’, Grand Central and East Midlands Railway. “For lots of people modelling the last twenty years these units are the ‘missing link,” explains Ben. “The 175 opens up the chance to model many very appealing locations in Wales and the Marches, while the Class 180 goes every well with either First HSTs for those modelling the Great Western mainline, or the latest LNER ‘Azumas’ on the East Coast. And the 180s create new scope for modelling the present day Midland mainline too.” The N gauge model is expected to precede the 00 version by a few months and the order book, with a low EarlyBird price, is expected to open up in the next few weeks.

MODEL RAIL SCOTLAND 2022 NORTHERN LIGHTS! INVERNESS CLASS 26s SET TO SHINE IN OO GAUGE *O gauge model shown above. HELJAN is introducing an all-new version of its popular OO gauge Class 26 to fill a significant gap in the fleet. In response to overwhelming public demand since the announcement of our new O gauge Class 26/1s with twin car-style headlights for working the Far North Lines, a new OO gauge model will also be released with twin car-style headlights, as fitted by Inverness depot for Far North Line operation in the early-1970s and retained until the mid-1980s. The new models are the first stage of a complete revamp of our OO gauge Class 26/1 which will also include mechanical, detail, DCC and electronics upgrades to meet the expectations of modellers in the 2020s. New features include separately switchable headlights, marker/tail lights, cab and engine room interior lights, a 21-pin DCC interface with easy access through a removable hatch in the roof, plug-and-play DCC sound capability and a wealth of new details to bring the model up to the latest standards. The Inverness locomotives will be joined in due course by a wide range of upgraded Class 26/1s covering the entire BR career of the hugely popular BRCW Type 2s from the late-1950s through to withdrawal in 1993. An upgraded Class 26/0 variant is also planned and will follow later. Details of the other new Class 26/1s will be confirmed later this year. The initial release will feature two models depicting locomotives in typical 1970s condition and a mid-1980s machine with Inverness depot ‘Highland Rail’ emblem. Both will also feature the early style circular radio pods fitted to Class 26s to improve communications when operating over the long and isolated Far North line routes from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, Wick and Thurso. #2625 BR Blue 26039 with twin headlights (full yellow ends) #2626 BR Blue 26032 with twin headlights (Highland Rail stag emblems) *O gauge model shown above. Contact your local HELJAN stockist to reserve your favourite versions now. As ever, all of these models will be produced in limited quantities and, based on the response to our O gauge Class 26 with twin headlights, demand is expected to be extremely strong for the OO models. Look out for more updates soon, including some exciting announcements on all-new products, new versions of existing products and reruns of popular models that are not currently available. *O gauge model shown above.

MODEL RAIL SCOTLAND 2022 HELJAN UNVEILS NORTH BRITISH PROTOTYPE 10800 FOR ‘OO’ To celebrate our return to the exhibition circuit at Model Rail Scotland in Glasgow this weekend we thought it was the perfect time to share our latest 'diesel dinosaur' project - North British diesel prototype 10800. Built in Glasgow by NBL in the early-1950s, 10800 was originally ordered by the LMS as part of its pioneering investigations into main line diesel traction. It was envisaged as the equivalent of 3MT tank locomotives for lighter passenger and freight work and fitted with an 827hp Paxman diesel engine. Eventually delivered to BR in 1952 it was tested on the London Midland, Southern and (briefly) Eastern Regions. After withdrawal by BR in 1959 it was sold to Brush and used as a testbed for new traction equipment before eventually being scrapped in 1976. Following in the footsteps of our previous OO gauge prototype diesels, such as Lion, Kestrel and DP2, 10800 will be produced in limited quantities across four versions depicting the NBL machine in post-1954 SR/LMR and final BR condition with later external modifications. A high-quality specification includes fine etched metal parts, working marker and cab lights, 21-pin DCC interface, DCC sound provision, sprung buffers and all-wheel drive/pick-up. Based on original NBL drawings and extensive research of this pioneering locomotive, CAD work is complete and tooling is now well underway. Four versions will be available on general release depicting 10800 in different stages of its life, priced at £234.95 each. #1080 BR Early Emblem Black/Silver 10800 (SR/LMR condition) #1081 BR Early Emblem Black 10800 (SR/LMR condition) WEATHERED #1082 BR Early Emblem Black/Silver 10800 (final BR condition) #1083 BR Late Crest Green 10800 Delivery of this exciting addition to our range is expected in 2023. Look out for more updates soon or come and see us at Model Rail Scotland Stand B35 at the SEC in Glasgow this weekend! Below: 10800 in mid-1950s condition with revised bonnet vents and original ladders Below: 10800 in final BR condition with modified No2 end vents and ladders Look out for more updates soon, including some exciting announcements on all-new products, new versions of existing products and reruns of popular models that are not currently available.

What happens elsewhere has no bearing on the rules stipulated for this private event. I fully support Rob's intention to make the event as safe as possible for all and the rules are not asking anything difficult, uncomfortable or untoward. 1. LFT packs are still available free of charge (just ordered another pack now) so make sure you have some in hand ahead of the event. If you don't get 'free' ones it's evident that some retailers such as Boots will be selling them so there's no reason to abandon that intent. 2. Covid passes - at least make sure you generate a pass (valid for 28 days) by 31st March or arrange for a printed version. 3. Masks - as long as everyone can comply with 1 and 2 then this can be left to personal choice. These are the conditions of entry to the event even if we are down to very low levels of incidence.

It hasn't stopped you making things up in the rest of your post though.

We don't want planes at the bottom of the garden; they smell!

It's to illustrate scale.