Ken.W

13 hours ago, Phil Parker said:

There's even a rant article by Christian Wolmar in the Spectator saying the same, but again glossing over (IMHO) the difficult bits, and assuming that everyone would behave.

Oh dear, just why, oh why, do the media have to always insist on wheeling out that idiot as though he's some sort of rail expert?

I must admit I was disappointed to see the Royal Train being ommitted from the plans, and the negativity towards it even on here.

However

After seeing the news from Paddington today, what a good thing it wasn't being used, what an International humiliation that would have been.

Although had it been, we may now have been enjoying the spectical of the heads of the DaFT and NR being erm, " escorted" to The Tower

9 hours ago, ovbulleid said:

What that doesn’t factor in is the fact that the royal 67’s (and any steam engines brought in for the day) wouldn’t require OHLE anyway so would be unaffected…

So, just where do you think the OLE goes when it comes down?

Have a think about what's below them

And even if the OLE's not down on all lines, how do the 67s or steam locos get around all the stranded electrics?

A typical electrical section can be 10 miles or more. If the damage straddles two sections, and the Neutral Sections isolating them from each are particular weak spots, you double the distance that's dead.

Then, to get service running again the wires need to be got back up, which means, staff having to work....

on the lines

On the ECML electrification, although the contact wire's still copper, l believe the catenary wire's aluminium

8 hours ago, Chris M said:

I think we could make good use of these forms at exhibitions. Maybe take a pad round and issue them as required to the layout operators.

I reckon the most common reason for a form 1 at an exhibition would be to explain why nothing has moved for the last 5 minutes.

Interesting idea, almost tempted to give it a try (lol)

Nah, most common would definitely be; 

"Form One Notice of Disiplinary Action

Please explain why your train, xxxx, was observed passing xxxxx displaying TAIL LIGHTS between vehicles"

It would usually involve the loco tail lights being on while hauling a train!!

On 27/07/2022 at 21:37, philg said:

Has anyone figured out how to get a 2 tone horn sound on ONE function key? I like the flexibility of having the two individual tones, but sometimes it’d be nice to have two tones on the same button……

On 28/07/2022 at 08:35, Wolf27 said:

If I understand you correctly, operating both high and low tone horns isnt possible on the real thing so I’m not sure why you would do this with the model?

Well, technically it was possible for both to be sounded together.

But yes, agree it would be better to have a two tone on a single key, as you switched from one straight to the other on a single lever, so using separate keys gives an unrealistic gap

On 23/07/2022 at 17:15, russ p said:

Probably the best livery since privatisation,  no stupid curves or swirls and hopefully no consultant got paid to design it. I wonder if they will paint those Hitachi things the same colours in the future 

No chance, doing anything with the Azumas is up to switching

They still haven't been able to agree to put extra luggage racks in, in place of those end sear with no window 🙄

5 hours ago, Trog said:

That suggests that if you had a fully fitted train as described hauled by an 08 you do not have to have a brake van. Presumably a humane driver keeping the speed down to a level that the guard can successfully run behind the train.

That's just the instructions regarding marshaling of freight trains, the Pink Pages referenced are instructions for conveying dangerous goods, certain classes of which required a brake van at the rear. The proviso "or for other reasons" covers the separate instruction regarding single cab locos.

I recall travelling o  z Deltic hauled KX - Ncle, would have been late '77.

A Mk2 air-con set, but with the first coach a non-a/c Mk2 strengthener 

On 05/07/2022 at 09:47, 101 said:

 

The worst levers are the straight ones - as they don't self return -   especially as some staff had/have the habit of not returning them after pulling them - possibly purposely 🤬 - so the next person along would nearly put their back out pulling a lever with no resistance 

The straight levers were the most common in the NE area.

We quickly learned it was important to make sure the lever was always returned to its normal position.

As Mike pointed out, when pulling the point you'd be facing a movement approaching in the facing direction.

In the trailing direction however, it was, until recently, normal practice to just  run through, the point springing over as you did so - If the lever hadnt been returned though it would also spring across very sharply, rather hazardous for anyone near it.

Far worse were the unsprung weighted levers that you though over one way or other to change the point, those things always flew over when run through

3 hours ago, thetrains said:

 Not sure how to read amps on my multimeter.

Voltmeter connect in parallel

Ammeter connect in series

On current consumption, initially tried running my No8 in (DCC Sound) on DC as usually recommended. 

The basic engine sound still operates on DC, and found it took a high controller setting to move and max speed was rather slow.

Found it was taking the full 0.3A output of my controller (GM Series E).

Changing to DCC running was fine, but don't have an AC ammeter so can't tell what it was taking.

4 hours ago, boxbrownie said:

I was in a 40 from Peterborough to Stratford with a load of empty frieghtliners and the racket from behind was almost, almost drowned out by the racket coming from that wobbly front axle🤫 

 

😁

A 40 on a load of freightliners??? !! 

Ah yes, empties, that explains it 😉

1 hour ago, Torbay Express said:

Don't you mean Illustrious and Glorious workhorses.....

 

40's were more powerful and useful as push about snowploughs.

No, it was the 40s that l meant, the post l was replying to saying they'd fit in with the 'AS theme' of ECML Racehourses....they'd be the carthorses to go with them

Took 40s all their time to pull themselves never mind a train!

6 hours ago, SHMD said:

 

On the real Loco, the chains connect the Handbrake (in the Cab) to the Handbrake mechanism on the bogies.

 

On the Model, the chains are there to incentivise modellers to actually locate where they last left their tweezers and Magnifying glasses.

 

 

Kev.

 

The chain actually is the Handbrake mechanism

As shown in Graham 108's close up photo (p244) it's attached to the brake lever of the middle wheel's cylinder, and when pulled tight by the crank holds that wheels brake applied.

Took about 5 minutes to wind it on, going onto Gateshead depot we'd start on the K.E.Bridge

On 08/07/2022 at 10:22, Phil Bullock said:

Have had the body off to change headcodes and fit crew.

 

As D9010 will be working Nagexes to Cheltenham a 1Zxx headcode was needed… made up from the supplied sticky codes dissected and stuck on to sellotape before fitting.

 

My Accurascale crew arrived unmolested in Jiffy bag so also installed along with a Bachmann pilot man …. No doubt a Saltley Seagull but had to be modified to become Shorty Smith rather than the Lofty Long supplied by Bachmann …. His head infringed cab roof clearance as supplied. Pilot man required as York crew only sign route as far as Brum…

 

Like how you get the effect of the prototypical separate headcode blinds that way.

Nice touch too adding the conductor driver for it being 'off route'

(A pilotman's the chap that controls Single Line Working 😉)

On 05/07/2022 at 15:14, Accurascale Fran said:

Hi everyone,

 

We're getting inundated with questions asking if we are going to do another Deltic run. 

 

The answer is yes, yes we are. Of course we are! 

 

So, rest easy and look out for news very soon.

 

Cheers!

 

Fran 

Just managed to catch my bank card trying to run for cover 

Could do with a Green SYP unnamed to replace my sole remaining Bachmann please

On 03/07/2022 at 13:22, SHMD said:

 

I don't think the 50s fit in well with the AS theme of East Coast "race horses" - the 40s do.

 

Yes, they'd be the "cart horses"

Received my three Deltics last week.

Firstly No8 arrived from Rails by RM on Tuesday, luckily between my weekend away and the railtout on Weds.

Then the email Pinza was back in stock, and one immediately ordered

Nimbus arrived from AS Thurs, dispatch delayed as requested to miss my trips away, great service.

Closely followed by Pinza on Friday.

Rails one arrived in a box just large enough for the AS box wrapped in heavy duty bubble wrap, the AS pair each had a box large enough for all three but were in the bottom either just paper on top.

All three though have the usual minor issues, one or two chains detached at one end, couple of nose end steps off, and the odd tiny bits that l cant tell what they are.

Also, not a single speaker bracket screw between them.

Am waiting for crews to arrive before sorting them so only need take bodys off once.

Have only tested / run In No8 so far, and just on straight test track / rollers. Min radius l intend using is 30 inch though.

Really excellent models, by far the best rtr models I've seen.

I'd already sold off three of my Bachmann ones, the one remaining being retained;

1 to have a laugh at comparing it to the AS

2 as a transition period modeller, its the one main variant seemingly not covered so far, green syp but still unnamed, apart from the FP ones most spent quite some time after yellow panels came in before naming, by which time much ECML steam was gone.

Hoping for a replacement for this one in the next AS batch, preferably a GD one.

11 hours ago, G-BOAF said:

 

I think the box you are refering to is the ETH controls.

See here 55008 cab as recently restored at Barrow Hill

https://www.thedps.co.uk/blog/page/6

 

yes in modern times the cab radio has been mounted close by (unless this is also present on the AS cab moulding

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rikdom/2893278354

 

9 hours ago, Flying Pig said:

 

Thanks to those who replied.  The moulding isn't identical to that photo but clearly something similar and possibly the closest that could be got without using separate parts.  As long as I'm not seeing anachronistic details (which would be wholly out of keeping with the effort that has gone into making these models correct) I'm okay and will stop bleating.

 

Sadly range isn't going to be an issue as this one will mostly be stuffed and mounted.

Yes, in the first photo linked by G-BOAF, on the windscreen ledge the central box is the eth controls. The two cylindrical items either side are the windscreen wiper motors. That's all that was up there in BR days, and following eth fitting.

In the second linked photo the smaller black item added to the left of the eth box is a NRN cab radio headset, and would have been added post service.

Unfortunately l don't know what's on the AS cab, as don't have mine yet. (Earlier post re having to request delayed dispatch as am away this weekend)

13 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

Talking of accounts, the phone version website doesn't give an option for account access, I know they are by necessity stripped down, but is that normal or just my crappy WooWooHee phone?

 

Mike.

Hi Mike

Don't know if the same thing happens on phones, but on my note-pad I've found l have to turn it on side (landscape view) in order to see the menu bar that includes the log-in betton

2 hours ago, Ian Hargrave said:

Now what exactly do I do this coming weekend when I’m away until early next week and am expecting another Deltic ? Maybe ask my neighbour….but there’s no hope is there if DHL’s advertised systems simply do not work. 

Hi Ian

Had a similar problem myself, mine not yet dispatched so not coming tomorrow, then I'm away from Friday for the weekend while they expect to complete dispatch.

As others had posted, l just emailed Accurascale Support requesting it be held back till mid next week.

Received a nice reply this had been done within 10 minutes!!

Amazing customer service

53 minutes ago, aureol40012 said:

What better way to celebrate the arrival of our Deltics than the return of one of the real ones!  A real case of a “chuck out” of a loco on test today, which luckily I was able to get to with 40 mins notice as I live near the line.

 

55009 arrives at Quorn on the 12.50 ex Loughborough today. Posting this from onboard the train!

20 hours ago, G-BOAF said:

 

But even the preserved locos still have the pipes presumably for cosmetic value, (unless they have through steam piping for heritage line use...?)

Apparently not, that one has the eth dummy socket where the steam heat pipe was

4 minutes ago, G-BOAF said:

It does. Assuming the instructions make clear that the steam hose should still be fitted

 

 

Yes they do, though l believe from some earlier posts on here that some have had the steam heating removed post preservation so are actually "ETH" (and Version 4?)

One minor point while talking of buffer beam detail - and l only mention this as an easy user fix for those who wish to - on Vacuum only locos the Main Reservior Pipe cocks and coupling heads were white, they're only yellow with Air Brakes.

On 16/06/2022 at 21:07, AndrewB7585 said:

He also said they should stop announcing new models until they’ve actually delivered a few of them “to increase buyers confidence in them”.

Hmm, l wonder where those boxes with 30 24t hoppers and 4 cemflos in them came from then?

Just standard rail blue as far as l know

And from my experience of their BR green models, l wouldn't pay much attention to what shade of blue Hornby think it is!