ellocoloco

I've ordered a few things from eBay.es with no issues. Some of these have come from model shops selling via eBay. I have also had three deliveries from Basar Valira, probably around ten years ago and there was no method on their website for paying with a UK card. I called them and explained they problem - the girl spoke English - and I just emailed my credit card details. Not these wisest move, but I did want the ALCo on my avatar......I had no problems. I got a 333.3 from Rocafort in Barcelona, but had to get my wife to call and give card details over the phone...... Postage can be steep. I paid €30 postage on the orders from Rocafort and Basar Valira, but more recently it has been cheaper from eBay and I even had a 333.3 free postage! I have also had Renfe models from Germany and Slovenia via eBay and old Electrotren catalogues from Italy. All the items I have bought have been tracked deliveries, arrived in good condition and matched the description of what I wanted.

Very nice, and I look forward to a video of how the 'twin' smoke unit performs.....? More importantly, its great to see a major manufacturer launching a high end 'niche' model in these uncertain times, though I realise it was probably in the pipeline before The Rona ruined all our parties....!

Hi, I am currently repainting an old Triang/Hornby Type 37 - probably R751 - and need to fill in the front number plate as the later locomotives didn't carry route numbers. Can any of you please help with; A: What is the correct name for the part I am looking for? B: Who I might try to get the part from (if its available)? Thank you.

I doubt there is anything wrong with the coupling mechanism on the Class 60, but if you have a locomotive with a close coupling mechanism and don't use close couplers such as Hornby's Roco clones or even the magnetic types listed above, you are not taking advantage of one of the best features of the model. I am guessing the Cavalex wagons also have close coupling mechanisms...people seem to sing their praises..and decent close couplers would make all the difference.

Miss read you above. 319.251 and 319.257 have the flat sides. 319. 228, 319.251, 319.309 and 319.402 have white numbers. I don't know if any Retales have white numbers.

I've never found out what 319s had the white numbers and why or when the change to display the full number rather than just the sub-series number took place. https://www.listadotren.es/ has been my main source of information over the years as well as picking up copies of Maquetren or TrenMania when in Spain. My most valuable resource is a copy of TrenMania Special #2, Parque Motor Renfe. I think its from 2003 and I reckon if its in there, its suitable for my era! All three of my 333s were mail order from Spain. One new from Rocafort and two from eBay.es. I never got round to getting the Roco 333. Never liked the look of it. Next will be the new 596 DMU. It'll be interesting to see what the working couplings are like and how a 'hobby' model is but I recently got the Hornby NHS 66 and I'm well impressed with its operation!

Its a shame you got rid of the 319s. They really are exceptional models and along with the Electrotren 269 they really brought Spanish railway modelling out of the stone age. I really do love the Taxi livery - reminds me of Large Logo BR Blue - and can't get enough of it......must build a layout soon!

I have seen Francisco's video regarding the 319.3s and was curious about the coaches. Next time I'm over in Spain and try and pick some up. I think I still have plenty of time before I'll have a chance to actually lay permanent track so I've plenty of time to collect more stock.....

Are your GL Danone coaches from the first release - 64530/1/2/3/5/6 or the later ones 64594/5/6/7? I am interested if you have coaches from each batch if they are the same colours. (I have seven coaches also, all from the first release with two of 64531 and had considered adding to them with the newer versions.) I have read reports on Forotrenes that 319.319.0 has a different shade of blue to the earlier releases of 319.306.7 & 319.316.6 and was looking for confirmation if this was true for the coaches. I would like some more, but would like them to match my existing rake. Your right about the prototypical short trains - and sometimes only one coach is needed! I intend to get a Talgo set at some point, but so far I haven't found a GL set when I've had the funds......so something else has been acquired! I would expect Hornby to release one again over the next few years as the last Danone GL release was around 15 years ago......

I'm looking forward to following your progress.......my HO Renfe is still a few years away - once my son leaves home....in the meantime I have a growing collection of Era Vc stock much like yourself. I met my Valencian wife in 1999 and first visited Spain in 2000 so that's my chosen period. There's lots of Danone and Taxi's in my collection. I have one of the 470 EMUs and agree its a lovely model. I actually had to get the AC version and convert it. I did a short write up on the Hornby forum which might be of interest. https://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/forum/Hornby-intl-ac-to-dc-conversion/?p=1 Given the lack of availability of Electrotren models I would certainly consider buying AC again and converting if the wheel sets were available. I will say that the 470 is a lot easier to couple than either my 592s or 594 sets. I'm looking forward to the 596 type being released later this year and plan on a couple of them. In the meantime, I have built a station based on Sagunto and plan on a few more buildings in the future so when I get to track laying the scenery is ready!

Hi John, I'm not an expert in the class 66 and I would have hoped that a more knowledgeable member would have helped you sooner but I have a few ideas that might point you in the right direction! Both 66733 and 66751 appear to have carried the same basic livery as 66731 before the NHS/Capt. Tom repainting. These have been released as models by Hornby and others so a quick google search should confirm this. (I don't know how many doors these locos have if that's important to you?) You will get new numbers from Fox or Railtec but I don't know if they will have nameplates - these might be available as spares from Hornby. Check this first as it may determine which one will be easier. With regards to removing the old numbers, I would suggest spending some time looking through the weathering/painting/transfers section on here and I'm sure you'll quickly find someone has done similar and will be able to advise on removing the old numbers without needing to do a full repaint! Hopefully........... I have recently stripped a 66 to repaint as GBRf 66789 and I'm sure the decals will stick to the ribbed sides without issues.....it will be my first repaint! Have fun!

Got mine yesterday. No issues and running great. TTS and name plates in place and going much better under DCC than with my Duette! Its number 0027 - and over 3000 had been announced by the time I decided to try and order one! I wonder if there's ever a correlation between order being placed and Ltd Ed number? And does anyone care? Very happy and great going from Hornby, GBRf and of course Capt. Tom.

Hi, I am going to repaint a Type 66 into GBRf 66789 and I reckon you guys on this part of the forum would be the best bet for the correct shades of blue, yellow and grey? I have tried a few searches here and not seen anything definite, but looking at the Fox Transfers guide on their website, it should be Railmatch 202 post 84 yellow, 206 grey for the roof and 207 blue for the rest. This is based on GBRf using the correct colours in their reproduction of that livery. Can anyone please confirm that the GBRf livery is a good match for BR LL blue and that the paints above would be the best choice? Thanks in advance.

Hi Chris, As suggested above have a look at what is available from Mabar and Electrotren and marked as Era IV as a starting point. Ibertren hasn't produced anything new for nearly 10 years and I'm surprised the website is still up. You can also try http://ktrain.es/ for a selection of wagons and Roco. Bear in mind that a large number of wagons available for the Spanish market, particularly from Roco and earlier Lima models are what Spanish modellers call 'Renfritos' - they look like a Spanish model but aren't. These are usually repaints of German models in Spanish colours. For years this is what the Spanish market had to live with but things have got better more recently. Electrotren is also guilty of this often through the use of fictional liveries to produce something 'in the spirit of' the Renfe! In terms of prototype information, I would suggest you spend some time with google translate (if needed) on http://www.forotrenes.com/foro/ and https://www.listadotren.es/ I have a large collection of Renfe models, Era Vc in HO and one day hope to build a layout! Most of my models have been bought in Spain or from Ebay but Geoff at http://www.contikits.com/index.html has a selection of Spanish models available. Electrotren and Roco new release can be sourced though their UK distributors. Happy modelling!

Just got a set of HO decals from Railtec for GBRf BR Large Logo blue 66789. They look great and I'll soon be starting on my Mehano 66 repaint. Just need some more wagons as my two Roco Habfis just won't be enough!!!!

The Piko 040 is what Spanish modellers call a Renfrito - it looks the part but is not based on a Spanish locomotive. There is a fascinating thread on Forotrenes converting it to a Sharp Stewart locomotive. P6 of the thread also has a link to a downloadable .pdf of a book by what appears to be one of the 'greats' of Spanish steam modelling showing his (Ithink) mostly scratchbuilt locos. 'Almost all the Renfe in miniature' by Antoni Auge. http://www.forotrenes.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13993&hilit=piko+040

Absolutely agree and I'm in the same category. As soon as son leaves home and mortgage is paid then its train time! I am sitting on around 50 decent boxed locos + the assortment of Hornby/Lima/Mainline from my youth. They all get a run every three or four months - laminate flooring is great for a temp track - and I deal with any issues that come up at the time. Reckon I've only got another ten years of planning and collecting then I'll have to start building! One thing I do that will horrify some - as soon as I put on all the detail parts, I take a knife to the box and modify the packaging so as to reduce the risk of damaging the loco or wagon when taking it from and returning it to the box. It amazes - and pleases me, how many pre-owned locos I have that the previous owner hasn't even looked at the contents of the accessory bag.

Looks a good start and I look forward to following your progress. Loving 'El toro Osbourne'

Hi Peter I think Ks also did a Renfe 4-8-4 Confederation?? And DJH Model Loco have done a Mikado 141F, the Mataro and possibly something else.....! Mabar have offered a RTR 0-6-0, and Electrotren the 141F. There are older steamers from Ibertren. Have a rake around Forotrenes.com with google translate - if needed- and you'll find brass mallets, kitson meyers and all sorts.....some kits, inc ATF mentioned above but they appear to be produced to order. Last was a 141T which I think only 20 were produced.

There is an long thread on Forotrenes regarding this line - http://www.forotrenes.com/foro/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7963&hilit=denia&start=1540 which may be interest. Theres also some great pictures mid way down P77.

Thanks guys, I'll have fun searching around the two above sites.

Hi, Is anyone able to point me towards a German - or other continental supplier - who offers a wide selection of decals? I am looking for a European version of Railtec or Fox if you like, who can supply mail order to the UK. Thanks in advance

The concept of removable 'air dams' is fairly standard.............I would expect the units to come with all hoses and scale couplings on Hattons new 66. Attaching them with screws is a nice idea. Others I have seen are clip fits which can weaken over time. LHS Hornby ALCo DL500S HE3109 Extra buffers attached RHS Roco EMD J16CW/AC R43833

Hi Ruud, Have a look on www.forotrenes.com and you will get better idea of whats going on in Barcelona in terms of exhibitions/meetings/modellers etc, or ask at one of the shops......... Most of the shops will have German models and maybe magazines, but why not model Spanish Railways?

Maybe.............I have an Electrotren ALCo from 2008 with an 8pin socket and Loksound. This model was updated in 2015 to include 21pin socket. I would have thought the OO range would be internally similar until Hornby abandoned ESU for British outline and went the TTS route.