JackB95

It's typical isn't it! I guess this is where plain set-track comes trums with its more durable design. Flexitrack code 75 and posh curves is always a recipe for disaster. Certainly a learning curve though! And testing all stock in all directions before ballasting is critical. Many thanks for your kind words Ben! You'll have to find a reason to come to York at some point

Ahh okay! My layout has some superelevated curves, so the lack of flange shows up. Should be a simple case of putting in Bachmann wheelsets and Bob's your uncle.

The Postie has delivered goods this morning... The box for the models screams quality. Always a good start! I ordered two of the Cargowaggon twin packs, and an unbranded pack so that all the wagons out-of-the-box have different running numbers. Using the ESU loco cradle (very good quality for servicing stock if you're after one!), all the wagons received Hunt Elite ultra-close couplings, back to backs checked, and bogie screws loosened to allow for my super-elevated track through Conwy arch. It's obvious from the word go that these are supreme models. They felt solid, yet hold a wealth of detail as per the real thing. I've so far tested them going round the inside circuit anti-clockwise. My only concern is the flanges on the wheels - they seem a bit too shallow for my liking. Shallow enough to throw the odd wheelset off over some of my dodgy trackwork. Nothing unusual given it's my first attempt at a decently-sized layout with super-elevation, but I have a feeling a set of new wheels with deeper flanges would fix the problem. But hey, here's to more testing of which I shall do prior to attending employment in a bit. Cheers!

Hello... Seconding previous comments, the packaging is absolutely beautiful. Quality feel from the word go. Credit to whoever designed that! As per with all my stock, I've used my DCC Concepts back to back to make sure wheelsets are all fine. I have also loosened bogie screws by one full turn to allow for them to go round my super-elevated track (it's not perfect, but it's alright!). Hunt Elite ultra-close couplings were also fitted, and make such a difference. A great all-round wagon that's dying for some grime to recreate the real thing that found itself going to Holyhead. My only criticism, and this is enhanced due to my super-elevation, is that I find the flanges are a bit too shallow for reliable running. The curves have proven interesting for a number of my stock, including the older Bachmann 66, but I think I'll be swapping on the wheelsets on these IWAs for some with deeper flanges (and no Hornby, I'm not talking about your pizza cutting wheels) to improve the running. But let it be known, if that's the only work I need to do to get them to work on my layout, then I'll call that a success. These wagons will be off to Andy 'The Weatherman' at some point soon to recreate the filth that these wagons found themselves running in. My big thanks to all the team involved in these wagons. The wait has been worth it, and they're pride of the fleet for sure. Let's finish with a video of 37425 working 6F18 Holyhead RTZ - Warrington Arpley, seen here passing through the walls of Conwy...

Chorrr they look fantastic! How are you finding the IWAs? Do they derail at all? The flanges are a bit too shallow for my layout's trackwork so will need to come up with a plan b. A beautiful model nevertheless.

Royal Mail has provided the email I've been waiting for Roll on tomorrow! Exciting times lay ahead...

Thanks matey! Today was a day of finding track defects too. Quite a few things had issues, mostly where I've witnessed issues before, but I'm feeling a bit more determined to iron them out. And yet again, the double slip by the fiddle yard is causing me annoyance. I think it might be time to redesign that area...

Had a couple of mates over today for a decent 6-hour layout running session. A f-tonne of models were brought over, so I'll stop typing and let the photos do the talking. This could be a long one (oo err)... 43185, a respray bought online, leads a fully blue FGW HST into Conwy Network Rail 97304 and 303 get ready to leave the depot Resident Freightliner 70006 sits alongside guest Colas 70805 with a rake of brand new Revolution Trains IWA timber carriers. Still waiting for my Cargowaggon ones! 43017 passes 43002, in an unlikely scene to be found in North Wales... Colas 70805 passes through Llandudno Junction platform 4 with empty log carriers Recreating the WB64 farewell railtour that ran several years ago, DRS 37610 and 37405 (in place of 682 and 419) leads the Virgin Pretendolino, plus bonus DRS mk2 brake van, through the walls of Conwy An Arriva Trains Wales 158, a respray by the talented @CazRail, stops at Conwy to pick up passengers. The unit will be staying with me for a bit, so expect more pictures! Bit of a HST fest then started to occur at Llandudno Junction... Lots more videos and pictures taken, so will upload them another time. Big thanks to Eamonn and Geraint for an excellent day. Not had that much variety of stock run on the layout before! Most enjoyable. Now means I've got very dirty track again Enjoy!

Oh ye gods, that 222 is simply beautiful. And yes, I said that, about a Meridian. I doff my hat to you Jack. That 37 is superb too!

That's spot on mate! Absolutely love the interior!

Smart yet very effective! Lovely stuff!

Last week I finally got round to sorting out the remaining fake ballast loads for the IOA/MJA wagons. Thankfully, after a while stuck in the postal system, they arrived and look smashing. The MJA twins have 5g weights mounted above the bogies in the wagon itself to help with running. As a result, the loads need a little adjustment (polystyrene with ballast top layer) but that'll be a quick job maybe this afternoon or whatever. I've managed to finally get the IOAs run fine without any derailment at a normal speed. One particular wagon kept giving me issues despite it being identical to the others, so must be some minor measurement or something somewhere. The MJAs ran without an issue after their modifications, so will be sent around the layout later after the ballast load mods. An order for more Hunt Couplings has been put in this lunchtime too. The rakes will all have their original Hunt couplings at the ends replaced for the Elite bipolar magnets to allow for a more flexible operation. Gives me more spares should any mid-rake couplings get damaged for whatever reason. Revolution's IWA wagons will, once they arrive, get Elite ultra-close couplings fitted throughout, and eventually be sent off for weathering (something I've never actually had commissioned before). Given the Holyhead RTZ wagons were always 50 shades of brown, it would look wrong to run them sparky clean.

Thanks for those measurements. 7mm ultra-close Hunt couplings should in theory work given they have kinematics.

Finally! Intermediate coaches for the Hitachi 80X packs allowing people to make 9-car rakes! Thank youuuuu Hornby.

Whilst the forums go into meltdown over who's making themselves look like a tit(field), I thought I'd make a small post about what the new Hornby 2022 announcements may see light of day in North Wales... The retooled HST is a welcome announcement, more so the liveries that are being produced. I've already got an EMT HST, albeit with two TS vehicles subbing in for the rare TF model. However, thanks to the new EMT toolings announced, I'm hoping cheaper TF models will come available allowing me to complete my rake. Given the nature of my Accurascale TPE Mk5A order, and already delivered 68019, it'd be rude not to welcome the Hornby TPE 802. After all, it's always nice to have a model of a train I've worked. A big surprise in the announcements is the Stadler Class 755 'Flirt' which I managed to sample in real life only a month or two ago. Superb looking things, with a cracking 'European' design and something I said to myself that I'd love a model of. Well I guess my opportunity has arisen. I mean, TfW have similar things on order, so that counts right? Which one I go for is another question. Ideally I'd like to go for the 4-car version, and it should fit in the bay platform I have. A 350 fits, and they're essentially the same length even allowing for the 755's power pack. When Cavalex announced their 91 and Mk4 models, I was overjoyed and told myself to sort out a full rake. However, Hornby did what Hornby does best and announced their own model of it. As a result, Cavalex pulled their 00 gauge model. Wet fart I say! I've however since pre-ordered a full TfW Mk4 rake, and now have no need for Mk4s. But a 91, with sound? I'd love it. 91110 would be my choice... Light engine moves down the NWCoast are okay I'm sure. So there we have it. Not much, and some 'maybe, maybe not' models for me. I'm pleased Hornby are finally producing liveries of older models that the hobby has been crying out for, and even going for new models all together. But I do genuinely feel sorry for Rapido and Studio Canal. I'll grab some popcorn...

This scenery is just fantastic! Really inspiring stuff mate. Lots of green makes for a pleasing set of photos!

On the subject of measurements, is someone able to provide the distance between the front of the NEM socket and end of the buffers please? Want to work out which couplings to order. Not a fan of NEM pockets at all. Cheers in advance!

I'm not going to try and convince you, but it'd be rude not to help relieve the pressure off the shelves in the shops

Fantastic Caz! Already looking the part!

Finally pulled a finger out recently, and after clearing a big layer of dust, I've managed to put something like this together Steve Bell's excellent transfers were made up just before Christmas and have been put on this week. The pictures above show the models with their transfers and orange stripe vinyls on, prior to final varnishing. The positioning of the logos a bit higher than the real thing, and as a result, doesn't quite work with the orange stripes as the text is below the bottom of the orange. The vinyls are pre-cut to just go straight on the models, but didn't have the new logos' width in mind so a bit of cutting down was required. My biggest priority was making sure the orange stripes are level across the whole fleet! They look alright, but we'll see what happens when they're all put back together. Three of the mk3s have had one side's worth of large windows fitted using Shawplan's laserglaze. Unfortunately, I need more, and he's not replying to my emails. The ongoing saga of getting in touch with Brian unfortunately! I'll reassemble the coaches over the weekend and get the set running around my layout, albeit with most of the glazing still missing. Be good to see! And for those who aren't fully caught up with this thread, it's not my model so shan't be staying for long. I have other things that need spraying, mainly lasercut wood!

Yup, I've gotta get mine to look like this! Posties over here have been rather understaffed unfortunately, so I'm hoping they arrive before the weekend! Itching to get them up and running.

Smashing video Jonathan! Thanks for showing off my fine commission. Gets the viewers drooling

Sure does doesn't it?! You'll have to find an excuse to leave your wife at the outlet and come see me.

Within two weeks of my mate's 20132 arriving on long-term loan, Rails of Sheffield throw an advent sale which included the all-new tooling 20227 in Rf red stripe for £130. I couldn't say no could I? It'd be rude... So as a part-Chrimbo present from some of my family, and after a bit of tinkering this evening with Steve Bell's excellent transfers and some other bits and bobs, I now present Delicious. As they'll operate in pairs like my DRS examples, 20118 (the older model) will have its insides removed to allow the two to work perfectly in a pair.

Haven't a clue haha! Many thanks Nick. Thanks for your kind words! Don't worry, there'll be plenty of updates over the next 12 months!