Goodnight Sweetheart

On 01/05/2024 at 11:36, Matt37268 said:

But 6023 never worked anything on the mainline after its restoration so how can you count that as being part of a your ‘slow retreat’ comment? 
We may as well start counting the absence of the likes of 4930, 5000, 6000 and 75069 as part of the ‘slow retreat’ from the mainline. 

It was towed in light steam into Paddington, and OOC.

Will the 31 have the same fully detailed alternative buffer area option like the 66? That was a fantastic feature saved a whole load of hassle.

I fitted the full deflector plate to one end of my 66001, took about two minutes easy and a very easy thing done by a genius! Fantastic feature, I was really dreading trying to fit the air pipes and shackle.

43 minutes ago, br2975 said:

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Extended blockades are the sensible option - but sadly, there are many out there who can't or won't see it that way - usually fuelled by Wales Online..

That rag isn’t worth the bandwidth it takes up. 

They’re taking extended blocks to blitz the job which is a good concept in my view, just like Queen Street saves messing ari7nd with tiny blocks each night. The 20 slack is very long standing for sighting in a foot crossing.

13 minutes ago, br2975 said:

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Any particular routes in those early hours ?

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I know any number of photographers who'd like to capture them for posterity, regardless of the time of day.

Either off Canton via 2324 Sig or 7318 Sig up Treforest to Radyr then the TAM branch’s.

21 hours ago, br2975 said:

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Have they ?

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The 'Railways in South Wales' FB Group has been very quiet on that subject then, despite having more than 4k members reporting their sightings and info.

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Those members have reported on the Barry - Canton ECS movements of the 756s, and the mileage accumulation runs along the SWML, but they all appear to have missed the 756s "routinely in the valleys" you speak of.

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The attached was circulated by TfW on 23rd. January this year, and in connection, driver training commenced last Tuesday, 2nd. April with four return trips between Canton and Pontypridd each day  (weekday ?), initially for eight days..

 

In short, yes I’ve signalled them not many spotters out at 0100-0400 in the morning. I, just saying what I’ve seen I don’t need you to believe me.

On 03/04/2024 at 07:55, br2975 said:

History in the making ?

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This morning (Tuesday, 3rd. April, 2024) saw the first Cl.756 driver training special along The City Line.

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Sadly, in terrible weather conditions and only captured on my phone, we have 3Z00 07:19 Canton - Pontypridd passing Waungron Park at about 07:22.

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The Cl.756 units are intended initially for the Rhymney Valley services.

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Waungron Park and the City Line will see the Cl.398 'tram trains'

The 756 units have been up and down the City and other valley lines routinely for months now. 

Railfreight open day at Aberthaw station..

The new toy arrived yesterday, very very impressed indeed ! It’ll be used as a light loco driver training diagram so I can fit the detail at both ends.

Haulage trials didn’t quite work out the way i planned ! I wonder if I sprinkle water on it it’ll grow? 😂😂

Some proper pictures of 001 on the layout, blown away by how good the model. Fingers crossed for some more plain Jane EWS examples to build up small delivery run rake.

2 hours ago, NBL said:

It's a trap point incident, not a major event for god sake

I can assure you, it’s a major event when you the SPAD alarm goes off with a train moving forward without authority towards a running line !

For those interested a very nice model of the year 2024!

Happy snaps…very very impressed indeed. 

Nice touch…I’m not into certificates but I like the number 375 sits nicely with my OCD. 

Bridge side plates glued into position, waiting for them to dry then I’ll secure a deck in place.

live also added some colour to the rather bright stark ballast.

What seems like an age ive reassembled the boards in the garage this time as the Mrs issued a eviction order on them being stored in the kitchen lol 

A few little issues have been identified after storage and the rest of the household using the boards as a storage area, but at least now I can keep them up and start work on them again. 
 

Little question for you all, do Dapol factory fitted sound 68s have stay alives as standard? 
 

Two happy snaps.

FNA wagons stabled in the run round loop.

DRS 68 sits in the compound.

16 hours ago, Ravel said:

Looks great!

 

a couple of questions if I may, are these the “400mm wide” Grainge and Hodder boards?

 

Also, are the platforms a custom build or a kit?

Yes the boards are the 400mm ones from Grainage & Hodder very light and strong really pleased with them definitely my go to firm now for boards.

The platforms are from West Hill Wagon Works range, a standard and an extension kit. 

A few little bits ongoing pushing the layout along, no big bang stuff just little side jobs.

6 minutes ago, scots region said:

Ah yes, what this hobby, that just lost a major retailer and its most important trade show, needs is three models of the same prototype by three manufacturers at completely different price points. 
 

Just for added absurdity the oldest tooling will most likely more expensive than the youngest.

It does show Bachmann and their parent don’t subscribe to all this doom and gloom rubbish though which is very positive step.

4 minutes ago, AY Mod said:

 

You're overthinking it; it's just about personal standards.

Probably, but I’m sure you’ll agree the industry insiders you’ve built a relationship with who trust you to keep mum about future projects will look very dimly on you if you slip snippets out, as I’m sure your employer would do if they lose avenues of promotion and revenue.

Anyway, on topic….will the Bachman 31 have a posh box like the other one, and the lifetime guarantee?

15 minutes ago, BachelorBoy said:

 

Aren't journalists supposed to share such "scoops" with the public?

 

Not when they want to keep “in” with the industry, and more importantly keep the employers adverting revenue thus Job secure!

There’s a fine balance between allowing free speech, negative reaction or criticism on here and keeping the industry happy ie adverting revenue, insight and access incoming. I’d be very upset if I was a model commissioner if my firm was getting very negative comment on a forum hosted by a magazine I paid significant sums of money to for advertising, and allowed access to my firm’s development programs, lent models to for review and supported at trade events etc.

I’m NOT saying model commissioners do this here, I’m just saying it’s a fine line between allowing open reaction / comment and censer to protect the hand that feeds you ultimately.

A positive, for me is this new coupling feature it’s a bit clunky at the moment but it’s a huge step forward in the right direction. It is however a shame it’s only available on the high spec / expensive option model. Maybe we should see adverts like cars with a fantastic looking vehicle shown then * saying model shown is several thousand pounds more expensive than the base which is the headline price in the advert.