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My last selection, until my next holiday in Spain, as you all must be getting bored by now! As mentioned my apartment had a great view and it was like having a train set in the background all day long. The level crossing meant all trains announced their presence with a horn blast which on a still night sounded pretty loud. A great selection of trains through out the day and although the lighting and focus may be off in a few pictures, most of the time there was a glass of wine in my other hand. Just to give an idea of how close we were. The last one is a shot of (I think) the last operating 592 3/5 from the balcony. This shows the bridge and trackside that the previous pictures were taken. Over all a fantastic holiday.

It does seem to be a problem and what surprises me is the cost. 'Decorating' one of those TRAXX can't be cheap and there is a decent amount of effort and time put into it along with a relative amount of skill as opposed to the scribbles on the front of Logitren 335 which show no amount of ability. That said, there are reports of prosecutions and the RENFE passenger trains seem to be better than in the past but trains aside it is all over the place and a very sad aspect of a lovely country.

Imon have produced a number of items including the C57 Pacific in 12mm 1/87 known locally as either HOj or HO1067. They are very expensive and made of brass but look fantastic. https://www.imon.co.jp/ Yoshihiro Imon's explanation of Japanese model scales/gauges makes fascinating reading - with google translate. https://www.imon.co.jp/pages/180ho

Marklin/Trix have done a few special locos over the last few years for a number of railway companies such as the Czech class 498 and French EST type 13 and the Scotsman is sold out for direct sale from either Marklin or Trix whereas a number of other specials are still available. I could see something else British appearing in the near future. I would guess on a US tour version of the Scotsman or an A4, probably Mallard though I wouldn't like to wait until 2038 for its anniversary. Only Marklin will know the demand for the model and how quickly this was met. If it sold out rapidly, I hope the chance their luck with a coach set! I await my Trix version and an expensive Christmas!

Definitely would like a rerun of the 311. Looking at what Hornby are doing with OO models, there should be no excuse for non functioning lower lights this time. I have again gone for the brass gears I used last time for the TRD. I didn't think they were much louder that previous but as mentioned I've still no layout so mine don't get run that much. That might change when I get some track down! The shop I was in had some s/h including the Taxi 252 for I think €90 boxed and looking fairly immaculate. I have one of the Mehano ones in ARCO blue and white. Are you aware of the issue with the length of the Lima/Electrotren 252? On to 2024 and if they did the 446/7 to the Hobby standard of the recent 596/S-114 I would be quite happy. But then I have tried to avoid electric trains, apart from a 470 Smurf and the 252 mentioned, but still, most modellers ignore the overhead like they avoid signals! I am still hoping for a 310 and if they do the TMD pair in Taxi then all my wishes will have come true...............fingers crossed.

Just back from Spain and some 'old' new stock has fallen into my possession! The last model show I was at in the UK I did actually buy a couple of points so layout construction is slightly closer!!! The TRD is a lovely model but as we both know, it needs some work. I have ordered replacement gears before it's have even had a chance to split. The G1700 is a little out of area for me but you can never have enough industrial locos! This had turned out to be an expensive year - I'm almost hoping there is nothing of interest to me in January.

The guys on Forotrenes pointed me to this one - https://www.forotrenes.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=91076&p=815734#p815734 - but I never got it to work and from their descriptions it wasn't reliable or what I was after. At least in Spain it is easy to stand in the sun and await a surprise. Here are a pair on a steel train heading into Valencia. Vicky got this shot on her phone as we crossed the footbridge close to Alfafar Station. Another spot I could have spent a few hours.

Your right, most of the freight was by the newer operators and I think 333.321 at Alfafar was on lease earlier this year to Continental Rail. I don't know if they still have it. It has the unbranded leasing livery. I have been trying to get my pictures sorted and have a few of RENFE 253s. Most of my shots were from the terrace roof and they are yet to come but are from further away. This lot are lineside a couple of hundred meters from the bridge used previously. Its great having no fences and if you spot the cat, it wasn't bothered by the Civia blasting past! The Logitren 335/4000 was out most days but then they are based in Valencia.

Just north of Alfafar-Benetusser station is a road bridge over the line. This was actually much closer to my apartment so an afternoon trip was in order. I had enquired on Forotrenes if there was a Spanish equivalent of our train tracking websites but no luck so had to make do with what came along. Fortunately plenty of action including freight.

Just back from Spain and my first trip in six years. By chance the apartment my wife rented in Sedavi, just south of Valencia, had a cracking view of the mainline to Xativa and onwards to Alicante, Madrid and the rest of the South! These are from Alfafar-Benetusser station, the first out of Valencia on Cercanias lines C1 and 2.

Just back from Valencia and plenty of Medway - and other action. By chance my wife rented an apartment with a cracking view of the Valencia - Xativa - Alicante/Madrid mainline. 250 odd trains a day. I need to sort out the pictures but here a a couple of Medway offerings. Three different trains but I don't know how many different locomotives. These were taken from my terrace with an average zoom. I also saw a Medway 4000 in black with a steel train but didn't have the camera to hand.

A1A might not be dead and buried. Over 1300 GE ES44C4 locos were built between 2009-15 mostly for BNSF. There are also some SD70 rebuilds running as B1-1B locos.

Very interesting article, thanks for posting. So all axles powered unlike the Indonesian versions.

To add to the above. I've just read through the links provided by @Moxy above and the second traces the GEs to a 1950 order of six units 600-605 and a follow on order, 606-611 in 1956. The first link has pictures of 611 in use in 1970. A bit more digging and they are classed under the GE Shovelnose series. 120 ton, off centre cab C-2-C. https://www.thedieselshop.us/GE_Shovelnose.HTML This link shows the two batches as having been built in 1956, but I suspect the 1950 of the link above more likely. An interesting diversion.

I've had a look around the web - much like you guys - and the closest I found was an Indonesian ALCo GE Class UM106T powered by a 12-244 and classed as a C2C. Apart from the centre truck it looks like a WP&Y ALco-GE shovenose CoCo. These IRCA locos look like a hood unit version of that type potentially putting them around 1953-55. The centre truck would be unpowered if similar to the UM106T type.

Chances of a RTR set in HO scale has just gone from zero to really slim! But a step on the right direction.

Loco looks lovely, but a little early for my (yet to be started) layout. I chunk of Electrotren must have arrived recently. My Tramesa container flats are being posted out. Happy days!

Just a bit of fun but here is a picture of my Airfix/Bachmann Jupiter bought in Salisbury for £5.99 in the early 80s - I think. It also became the first model I ever attempted to improve by giving it a much more workmanlike overall black paint and replacing the molded logs with chopped matchsticks and bunker extensions. I lost interest in the engine after that. I think it still runs with a push but today was its first time out the box for a couple of decades. Please be gentle, I was around 15 at the time and I promise my more recent efforts have been much better. It did help me understand that OO was just wrong and started me on my journey into HO which remains my scale of choice with a collection now of predominantly Spanish models with a secondary interest in Montana Rail Link and British HO.

My wife overheard the Noch haunted house above.....................and immediately gave permission to buy one! How do I get out of this???? Its horrible!

They advertised my Christmas present two years ago. Lets hope its under the tree this year......

Clearly the two of you haven't heard that OO Scale just isn't quite right..............🙄

These were announced a few months ago and its great to see a couple of UK liveries in the ESU range. Hopefully this will continue. ESU previously released 66001 in DB Schenker red - probably because of the German connection and 66243 in ECR livery and the ESU model has been sold by REE in a number of ECR numbers. The Mehano model has been sold by Lemke in ECR livery I think. I don't know how many of the locos operated in the UK in ECR branding. The price is misleading as you cannot compare like for like. The RRP is pretty steep but Modelbahn Lippe at €373 or £321 this morning is pretty good against the AS model at £260. The ESU model has a diecast body, smoke generator and brake sparking so a higher speck all round. ESU have used the shorter horn housing on their 66 models where appropriate so the part is available. It is removable - I discovered this when I put my ESU 66 into paint stripper in anticipation of repainting it into the Biffa livery and dissolved the horn housing and headlight at one end. Do'h. I made some replacements out of plastic card but that was a hard lesson! If ESU have the horn housing wrong, that is a very disappointing and they have no excuse. I can't judge the typeface as I'm not that familiar with the real thing. The model is a fantastic runner and I'm sure these will be great. The guys at Accurascale seem to be on the ball and no doubt take note of any potential competition. The ESU model is fundamentally more accurate than the AS/Hattons/Bachmann and Hornby models will every be. I am not suggesting that in any way this will drive UK OO modellers to HO scale but it is out there and won't go away. A year ago no one really gave much of thought to TT120.............. My only frustration is I have a Mehano 5dr and a jar of ONE pink.......66587 was going to be my next repaint! I am temped to just buy ESU model, but I do like the Climate Hero loco and the horn housings can be removed and modified.

Hi Bill, I would suggest asking the question on Forotrenes.com. Someone may be able to point you in the right direction. Another option would be to contact one of the museums in the area. Their shops might have a copy. Best of luck.

Sorry to hear that the 438 went MIA. I'm sure the 269 will cheer you up when it arrives. I've finished clearing my attic space and hopefully by the end of the year should have transferred all my models from my mum's garage to here. Then I can start construction. I really should start thinking of a track plan! In the meantime, I have blown a chunk of the budget on one of the Al-Andalus sets. I know they are of questionable accuracy but do look lovely.

These locos - 75 in all - primarily operated in the north of Spain, including Pajeras ramp. Spain has one of the most mountainous networks in Europe so plenty of sand required. Lucky there is plenty available.