mdvle

Broadway Limited, first third of the video covers their N scale Pennsy P70 passenger cars (rest of video is HO).

Broadway Limited, after the initial N scale item they talk about their Baldwin "Sharknose" and NYC Niagara releases

Video from the factory, at 9:40 point there is a short segment showing the bus being made. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNtbIRvKmG8

It can also depend on how much time one has for the layout. If you have a life with a lot of competing things for time a simple layout that suits only have say 10 minutes at a time to operate may be more appropriate. And while it may not happen on the real railway, there is not reason you couldn't add a bit of interest with DMUs by saying having a storage siding for a Class 153 and periodically add / remove it from a 2 car DMU train.

Original post states OO, and mentions the daughter has been collecting stuff for a couple of years so I would guess change at this point would be a problem. I wonder if maybe a confusion of terms, maybe just meant a yard?

Stagecoach lost the SWT franchise not because they put in a realistic bid, but because First decided winning the bid was more important than putting in a realistic bid / didn't do their homework properly. If a franchise bidder is stupid enough to put in a bid that could end up losing money, at the end of the day said franchise bidder has to take the blame as well. That is a fundamental part of any franchise bidding process - the bidder needs to do their own research and number crunching to decide what a realistic bid is. If they fail to do that, then they have to shoulder some of the blame. Until the day comes when either nobody bids, or the bids are all realistic, there is no pressure for the DfT to change anything. On the other hand, if the builder who accepted the work was aware that the homeowner had a history of injuries and thus periods of no income, then said builder should have included that risk in their bid to do the work. Enough franchises have failed or run into financial problems at this point, combined with the known issues of the franchise process, that anyone bidding for a franchise should be taking those into account when deciding what sort of bid to to submit. If they don't, then again they need to shoulder part of the blame.

I somewhat disagree. Yes, DfT clearly has issues with the ability to properly run the franchise process and the system will remain a mess until that gets sorted out. But as the saying goes, it takes 2 to tango. The bidders should know that the DfT conditions are on the (very/extremely) optimistic side and factor that into their bid. If they don't, then they must also share the blame when things go wrong.

I'm sensing a pattern to many franchises...

A walking trip through the tunnel from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsdqOB-AXd4

Rapido have posted a picture from the factory of them almost completed https://twitter.com/RapidoTrains/status/1173982562106167298

Perhaps then the first step is to decide how much height your modelling desk requires, and thus whether it will fit underneath the layout in a convenient way? Once you have decided that, then you know how much space can be dedicated to the layout. Also perhaps decide, if you need a dedicated space, which side of the door you want the desk - if you will always have the door closed then it may not matter, but if you want the ability to leave the door open so that you can also keep an eye on things in the rest of the house then flipping the desk and printer/storage/layout might be a better option (assuming the desk fits on the left side given we don't know where the door is on that wall).

Having to "dump" excess inventory / shops still having inventory can mean 1 of 2 things: the model was a failure, and lost money for the company making it the model was a success - it at least covered it's costs and maybe even made a profit - but the company simply produced too many models (this is a bigger issue now with more stuff coming out each year than 20 years ago). Only Bachmann knows which of the 2 scenarios is correct. If we base a model's success on whether it had to be discounted or not then most of the stuff done under the previous Hornby management was a disaster given how much discounting they had to do each year. It will also be true that whether a model can be successful or not will depend on who makes the model, and how much overhead they have to cover. Hornby and Bachmann have very different cost structures than the smaller companies or hobby shops doing direct with China stuff.

Not against a modelling station on wheels, but I personally would make sure that it doesn't require setup/putting away of materials in order to use it / put it away again on the basis that too much hassle to use could end up discouraging use. Walking into room, pulling out modelling station and in 10 seconds getting to work on a project will be productive particularly if you only have 10 minutes spare time, but if you need to spend that 10 minutes getting everything back onto the top of the station you are less likely to use it.

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Rapido have now made the book that was included with their Tempo Train model available as a separate item: Tempo - In Tune with the Times $29.95 https://www.rapidotrains.com/products/accessories/tempo-tune-times-kevin-j-holland

More news linked below, but first of 5 trains expected for testing on the line next summer and a new passing loop to be installed to allow 30 minute service. Also mentioned is work by Network Rail on the pier but can't find anything about that. https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/17903643.new-fleet-trains-isle-wight----still-distinctive-underground-style/ Announcement may have been forced on the government given this news from last week that the line is down to one train providing hourly service: https://www.islandecho.co.uk/end-of-the-line-amended-timetable-as-island-line-down-to-just-1-train/

That can depend on what height you expect the layout to be (thus whether you wish to operate the layout sitting down or standing up). If the layout it high enough then the modelling area could easily fit underneath, but if you want the layout lower then the first thing you need to decide is how much space you need for your work area and subtract that from the available space.

How comfortable are you building benchwork - do you think you can build a reliable lift out / hinged section to allow access to the centre of the layout, or are you looking at ducking under the track? (reason, if you are comfortable building some sort of movable benchwork, can the layout then extend the full length of the space?) You mention continuous running, is this a primary aim of your desired layout or can it be a end to end layout with a capability of a single track to enable continuous running?

I used the contact form on the Peco website last night to query, and this morning had a reply back from Peco stating the turnouts are expected in November.

Believe it has been discussed occasionally on though Class 800 thread, so might be better searching or asking there. https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/94506-class-800-updates/

Definately improved, at least from a resale perspective, I think. I understand for the desire for no windows to interfere with TV, but my thought (again for resale reasons) would be to put a window in and simply use light blocking curtains. Also would be tempted to use the entire upper level for 2 bedrooms, and now that the ground floor isn't constrained by being the only place for bedrooms convert the front of the house to a single master bedroom.

Athearn - preorders due September 27, eta August 2020 50' PS 5277 Box Car - CSX, Escanaba and Lake Superior, ICG (CN), WC, St. Lawrence Railroad http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/083019/08_N_50ft_PS_5277_Box_083019.pdf

Athearn - preorders due September 27th, eta August 2020 Genesis - SD70M - NS Flare Grey Ghost, NS, SP, UP, CSX, Progress Rail http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/083019/01_GEN_SD70M_083019.pdf Genesis - GP7U - Santa Fe, Bangor & Aroostook, Morristown & Erie, RJ Corman, Savage, Integrated Grain & Milling, Cargill http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/083019/02_GEN_GP7U_083019.pdf RTR - 50' PS 5277 Box Car - Railbox, CSX, St. Lawrence Railroad, Escananba And Lake Superior, ICG (CN), WC, Green Bay & Western http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/083019/03_RTR_50ft_PS_5277_Box_083019.pdf RTR - 200-Ton Crane - CN, CP, UP, Conrail, Ontario Northland, Arizona & California, NS, RJ Corman, MoW http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/083019/04_RTR_200-Ton_Crane_083019.pdf RTR - Ford F-850 Box Truck - Ford Motor Company, C.M. Tanner Grocery, C&O, Builders Emporium, Peterson Tool, CP, SP, REA, Bekins http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/083019/05_RTR_Ford_850_Box_Van_083019.pdf Roundhouse - 34' 2-Bay Composite Hopper - Illinois Terminal, Reading, UP, Pennsy, Southern, LV http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/083019/06_RND_34ft_2-Bay_Comp_Hopper_083019.pdf Roundhouse - 40' Gondola - NS, Alaska, Rio Grande, Monon, Maine Central, GN, PC, Chicago & Eastern Illinois http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/083019/07_RND_40ft_Gondola_083019.pdf

The flip side, unless you really want O scale, is that if you could dedicate that same 24' to OO you could have much more realistic length trains.