resluke

Thank you both very much @Rivercider and @‘CHARD, this has been a huge help!

Hi all, Does anyone have any suggestions for locations to research (or photos of) parcels depots / TMDs that serviced parcels stock circa 1988-1996. I’m interested in a location that serviced the parcels rolling stock, rather than just locos. I’m assuming as they mainly worked out of the mainline stations for routes, but would have had a designated location for rakes to be formed? Thanks all, Luke

Hi all, Can anyone shed some light on colour differences between Lima GNER MK3 rolling stock? I have two FO coaches that are significantly different in colour (see attached). Grateful for any advice on what I need to look for when buying stock to build a Lima GNER HST rake (when not buying in person). Thanks Luke

Hi all, I’d like to flush glaze my Lima MK3s but unfortunately the cost is prohibitive. Has anyone got any experience / advice / photos on improving the visual appearance of the Lima windows? Someone had mentioned painting the window recess in the body a slightly darker shade, which I can do with the blue/grey MK3s I have, but I’m wondering about the IC Exec/Swallow coaches that are already the dark grey around the windows. Any advice appreciated! Thanks, Luke

Hi all, I thought I’d share an update on some detailing work I am doing. I currently don’t have space for the layout I want to build (or time for a shelf layout and we have twins on the way!), so instead I am focussing on detailing and weathering the stock I have. I have also dabbled in some weathering, which I enjoy a lot, but only lightly as IMHO a lot of what I have seen is too heavy (and the MK3 stock was kept pretty clean at body level). I’ll post more on that in due course. These photos show a set ‘in progress’ and two completed sets, one with the standard Lima interior (which I’ll retain for FO) and one with a corrected, 3D printed, TSO layout. Green is to represent the Merlin Great Western interior (have no photos to go off though!), orange for IC Blue/Grey era first, blue is a TGS interior but seats will be painted turquoise to match IC Blue/Grey standard interior. Figures to add in due course, plus interior lighting via DCC Concepts spring pickups.

Thanks! That’s great to know and may negate my need for one. I did think they were only for ‘remote’ control of the loco. I had thought it was odd that most of the PCVs I’d seen were immediately after a loco (with the control end facing the loco), but this makes a lot more sense if they topped and tailed a rake.

Hi all, This is a long shot I think, but I’m looking for a motorised chassis made by Replica Railways to fit their PCV kit. Thanks Luke

Hi all, Does anyone know of a 3D print file, or reseller, of a 76 seat interior for sectorisation era std Lima Mk3 coaches? I’ve seen some old threads, one has exactly what I need, but I haven’t had any luck getting a response from poster (perhaps they’re no longer using the forum?)

@njee20 @25kV just to be clear... My first post was specifically about measurements - good advice was given for when purchasing in person or at shows, however, when buying online this is difficult in practice to utilise - hence the follow-up question. This has led to responses I have found very helpful.

Hi @fiftyfour fiftyfour - appreciate this is an old post and you'd mentioned you've since moved. Have you (or perhaps, would you) be producing any more of these Mk3 interiors? I'd be keen on upgrading my Lima Mk3 stock. Thanks! Luke

Does anyone have any spare Lima oo gauge Mk3 coach bogies they’d sell me? I need 6 in total. Don’t necessarily need the wheels if it helps. I’m also looking for Lima Mk3 coach ends. In reality, a scrap/damaged Lima Mk3 that I could cannibalise would also be fine.

Hi all, As I try to build my HST rakes, please could anyone advise what the easiest way of identifying scale length Hornby Mk3 coaches - ideally from photos so I could do with online listings. Currently my understanding is: - Lima Mk3’s are scale length - Joeuf Mk3’s are scale length but roofs are styled for loco hauled - Hornby Mk3’s with H+four digit codes on boxes are generally scale length - Older Hornby Mk3’s are shorties, same with those in sets - Scale length coaches are approx 1ft due to the Mk3’s being 76ft ish in real life I’d read somewhere that code R439-0020 stamped on the bottom of the coach indicates scale length for Hornby? Is this correct? I understand looking out for the overhang after the bogie, but this is hard to be definite in online images. I’m only interested in IC grey/blue and IC black/grey livery coaches. Any tips for visual identification or any photo examples would be appreciated.

Hi all, Does anyone have any information and images of the rolling stock used by Railtrack? There is a lot of information on Network Rail stock, but the era I am modelling is around the establishment and early years of Railtrack. I’m happy to take a bit of creative licence with the stock, and am also prepared to manually adapt coaches to suit, but can find little to base this on. Thanks, Luke

Hi all, I do not yet have a layout and won’t for some time due to family commitments and space. I am however keen to get cracking with retrofitting dcc to my Lima locos and fitting coach lighting. From a standing start, with a small amount of peco track, what is the cheapest way get set up for DCC so I could test when each item is complete? I’ve searched on here and watched a lot of YouTube videos. I think I need some even more simple advice, specifically about what power supply I’d need to the track. From what I have read I’d like to avoid the Hornby select as I may use LaisDCC chips to start with as a cheaper solution (or may get a small number of ESU chips). I don’t have sufficient budget to go down an NCE Power Cab route, and for my needs at this time it is overkill. I will invest in a DCC control system in years to come when I can build a full layout - I’m very much looking for an interim, very budget, solution. Thanks all, in advance, for your thoughts.

Update, the wheels have now arrived and they (code 80066) fit perfectly. The photos show one bogie, one wheel west is the Lima pizza cutter (silver) one is the new wheels from Ali express. Link below. https://a.aliexpress.com/_mr3KKQU