How about a Dictator Loco Class?

Haha! I do the exact same thing too! It looks too interesting to cover. Are you the actual grimytimes company? Rob

That is the best thing that has been said on this so far. It's balanced. If there are UK police helicopter pilots who have been caught perving with the helicopter's video cameras then I'd say there will even be some drone pilots with licenses who are irresponsible. And there will be many responsible pilots with no licence.I'm not interested alcohol but I'd imagine there are more than just two people in the universe who manage to drink without being drunkards, wife beaters, alcoholics and drink drivers. I bet there might just be a motorist out there somewhere on earth who doesn't daily scream at 80mph past playing kids in a housing estate while using a mobile phone. Is it possible to use a breadknife without killing somebody? But it's probably correct to assume that it can only ever be dangerous to video a train. After all the only way you could video the Flying Scotsman would be by a series of high speed very low level diving passes, while the train is pulling up to the bustling platforms inside York station. Sorry for being ott. The place where I was thinking of videoing a steam train is in a national park far from buildings, people and civilisation. And from a distance of between an eighth to a quarter or a mile away from 100 feet up. Then follow alongside from two fields away for 1 minute. That's many many times farther away than regulations limit. And yet a 4K camera with good zoom will catch spectacular footage of the full train, smoke and landscape. I really dislike the few that go and irritate people with their drones and use them illegally. Giving a bad reputation. (So I'd video Just a bit along from here from this distance at the closest;)

To my knowledge that's correct. I have a tiny cheap drone with a microphone and all you can hear is an angry wasp and nothing else. Not pleasant. Usually they have audio done from a ground source and then add it after. With the drone a little bit up and away they are much quieter then so won't affect the audio really.

That's funny! As long as you don't have to go against that crazy Russian drone on YouTube that's basically a deadly hi tech flying machine gun.

Yes definitely! The best drones know when they are in areas not permitted and can't fly in those areas. Also they have hight and distance limits that won't allow them to fly a meter too far. This technology should be pushed more or become a requirement to try keep more idiots at bay.

Just seen this via an rmweb page.

That just the kind of thing I was meaning. Thank you! I wonder what the current laws are on flying drones near railways? Does anyone know? The times I've had a fly of dones I keep 50m away from people or property and 150m away in built up and urban areas.

Where I work we have a few times seen drones used by enthusiasts to get footage and great pictures of the North Yorkshire Moors railway. Many drones now have 4K (or even higher) HD stabilised cameras so the quality looks very impressive. There are some real idiots out there who give drone enthusiasts a bad name. But using drones to watch trains seems to be getting popular, so I was wondering if any of you have any good videos and pictures to post? Please share them if you do. Either here or via links. Thank you. TMC do sell premium drones sometimes and I recall one of us once followed a steam engine along our private fields. It was up near the drifting smoke which made a great effect, but not actually over the train or too close (as that isn't advisable or probably legal) But the footage is probably long lost now. Rob

When I try resize designs that are a little large or simply just complex, sketchup often dies. I've tried on some big RAM, powerful, fast, range topping Mac PC's too and the same thing happens. So I'm thinking it's sketchup's fault. Maybe it's a bit too basic. Shapeways resizes projects effortlessly in comparison. Does anyone know why sketchup goes wrong please and if it can be remedied? And also do meshlab and or blender resize more reliably? I hope somebody knows. Thank you! Rob

Sorry for my ignorance but is there a section where we can post our latest projects so others can see? As in not just weathering but any interesting projects we're on with? Thank you. Rob https://www.shapeways.com/shops/bobsbitsandbobs

Sorry for my 'misleading' topic. I've re worded it. Hopefully other areas than the UK will benefit from better pricing soon.

Well UPS is the only carrier mentioned on their site and throughout that link. Except USPS?

Good news, shapeways postage price in the UK has been lowered at long, long last. A step in the right direction. It had been about £8 for standard postage, which is steep if you were buying something very small and cheap. Now it's under £5. Check this link for exact details including faster postage. https://www.shapeways.com/support/shipping?etId=168782681&utm_source=sw-email-2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20171109-uk-shipping-update My shapeways customers only buy in their masses when there are postage offers. So this is good news for shops, shoppers and designers. https://www.shapeways.com/shops/bobsbitsandbobs

Pictures showing the optional parts pack fitted and a TMC weathered version. It can actually get very dirty I've found in some pictures. I had thought light to medium only but I was surprised to see a filthy picture of 66 136.

Thank you all so much! Very helpful information. Rob

I've heard that sadly Railmatch are no longer producing airbrush cleaner aerosol cans. I'm always happy to learn from others. So please may I ask what airbrush cleaners would you recommend? And especially if you know of similar aresol versions. Thank you! Rob

This is just a link to most of the TMC editions in general. https://www.themodelcentre.com/limited-editions-OO/?sort=alphaasc

Pre production test versions. With 1st version of chimney and decals. Last picture is of actual production batch with improved decals and about to receive improved version of the chimney. (As of first weeks of November hopefully half of the 50 will be ready to ship. That's the goal)

Found these interesting pictures.

Wow that is very helpful. And interesting too. Thank you so much! Rob

Hello. Sorry I've only just noticed your question. Here are pictures of some early test batches. Medium rusty on one side and lighter on the other side. Two sizes of plate in each pack. Two longer and two shorter. Then light yellowish rust on the edges where the sheets are cut. https://www.themodelcentre.com/PWL1/ It should be possible to add chalked on destinations too. Or to custom make the plate finish to specific requirements. As regards pig iron loads, the ugly huge silver coloured pigs picture was just of a quick mess about when we first considered doing pig iron loads. The white CAD picture is a much more accurate picture of the small dog bone shaped, waisted pigs that are more prototypical. Arthur from rmweb has very kindly been giving me direction on these. We will try hard to get these in production and as near to Arthur's directions as possible.

I cant resist putting the micro direct drive system into my new hand car hehehe! To see little people working away at light speed should be a good laugh. They'll look like an extreme version of Kermit the frog. Actually That's a good idea. I'll look into designing a novelty high speed Kermit version too! (-: I'll put a video up when it's eventually ready. Making the little men's joints move will be a delicate operation. I won't give up until it's done though. https://www.shapeways.com/product/QUENK7RGZ/hand-car-pump-wagon-oo-gauge?optionId=63853898 I like these videos; My latest 3d print design;

As this topic was inspired by things like the Bluebird projects, Thrust 1, Thrust 2, Thrust SSC and Bloodhound SSC, I'm very interested in the recent fire up of Bloodhound and it's first tests on the 26th of this month. If anybody can help me I'd like to know, can the general public watch Bloodhounds Newquay test? As model railway enthusiasts seem to know almost every obscure thing of interest. Thank you! Oh idiot here has just found out by googling it 2 min later! Sorry. http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/newquay-2017