Goodnight Sweetheart

Second instalment of the baseboard construction, straight and curve boards.

In an effort get my son interested in model railways we’ve decided to go for broke and build an exhibition layout ready for the Cardiff Model Railway show in October 2024. So, here it is well the start of it anyway modular baseboards with a eye on a potential extension later on, turntable storage area to allow freight trains to be turned without lengthy point work or hand of god interventions. Really pleased with how the boards went together, glued and pinned to ensure they stand up to the movement and rough and tumble of potential show transit. They’ll need to sprayed painted prior to track laying though to ensure they keep any moisture out of them. The plan is there’ll be no back scene board so it can be viewed from both sides if desired, although the scenic will be built up to provide a nice transition. Here are the boards under construction:

Im sure I read on social media (a Heljan post) there was going to be a new model announcement at Warley, have I misremembered ? Maybe @61661 could put me right, if your permitted of course ? Cheers !

Classic case of “i know the timetable” and a bit of “there’s no trains until xxxxx” the call the signaller isn’t optional it’s compulsory, access can and has been withdrawn after persistent misuse.

Shes paid for !

Class 57, 59, 67, 68, 70 piggy in the middle is my favourite for a bet.

Might be yes, only issue is I’ve no idea how do that…

Factory sound, both.

My first 37s arrived yesterday, and I’m exceptionally pleased with them, however one shots off like a rocket when I open the controller (gaugemaster prodigy) on speed step one! I assume it’s a CV issue, but I’ve no idea how to change them. Has anyone else had this issue, and does anyone have any idea how to fix it ? The other loco is perfect in all regards. Cheers

How about some plain Jane locos ? Standard EWS, Freightliner, GB etc not another half dozen celebrities ? They’re much easier to renumber as well. Nothing worse than a layout full of celebrity locos! I would buy into the charity locos though, I managed to pick up the prostate cancer loco.

Using Heljan pricing as a guide will only put people off AS products, we all know there is significant margin going on how much retailers slash prices after a few months ! A Manor, or diesel in the Bo-Bo (Class 67) size range to the standard of the OO models I’d be looking to pay circa £400 DCC Ready with sound and capacitor fitted circa £500 with that being THE price, no retailer discounts as per normal AS policy.

Im not in the habit of searching back throw peoples post to check their credibility or otherwise.

Again, I knew not that he/she/they were employed or a contractor for Dapol. I was referring to speaking to actual Dapol people at the stands at shows. His/her/their location is Peterborough, Dapol being based in Chirk again doesn’t lend itself to a connection unless you’re in the know - im not.

I didn’t know he/she/they worked for Dapol so as far as I was aware the post was opinion, as opposed to an official statement. when you ask officially anything about the 66 the reaction is one of earth swallow me up.

The joys of working for GBRF Jim…..you thought Colas were poor. Frying pan and fire spring to mind.

Again nothing heard or seen regards the 66 on the weekend, we’re at three years already since the announcement….

Total withdraw wow ! I assume DRS and the MK5 rosco will still want the contractual lease payments until the end of the lease. They could of been a very nice product if they’d not been totally mismanaged from day one.

That TPE are withdrawing the sets from eastern services to Scarborough? or is there a even more money wasting excising like total withdrawal?

Thiz was the point I was badly trying to make, regards social media and the lack of income for some.

I agree, there is a feeling of buy it upon release or you’ll have to wait years to get a second batch if ever, Personally after seeing huge price falls on models after the initial excitement I wait now, if I miss out so be it.

Your opinion, which your entitled to.

The pressure comes from seeing others layouts, their trains etc. SOME people will feel a need to keep up its human nature.

I certainly don’t recommend using a credit card to buy toys, or to use it as your money, but I have a British Airways American Express credit card. I use it for all my monthly outgoings then pay off in full every month, that’s the keep every penny then you don’t pay a penny interest. The interest rate is something like 39% ! but it means nothing as it’s cleared as I say each month, the bonus is I get BA points which I can then convert to tickers, this card also offers a 2 4 1 voucher once you spend £10,000 each year. It’s amazing / scary you pick how quick you earn your voucher, we’re off to Seattle next April business class for £240 for two tickets using the voucher and points earned through normal spending.

No, I agree…however, is there a pressure to have the latest model, or the whole caley sleeper rake for example? New release threads are littered with posts like “ordered” etc, then when they arrive there’s the flow of “mines arrived” etc Just because we’re gone adults doesn’t mean there isn’t a pressure felt to fit in, or keep up.

Is there any progress on this project ? Maybe some samples at Stafford in Sept potentially?