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

Thanks, edited to clarify oo gauge

Hi all, I am still new to this and haven’t bought any coaches for my early 90s style layout (or layout to be!). Could anyone tell me the length in cm of the scale length oo gauge Mk3 and/or Mk4 coaches? So many are sold unboxed and I’m struggling to identify if they are when not up against a loco for comparison. Are there any other hallmarks beyond the product code (I’ve read on other posts about 5 digit Hornby codes). Did other manufacturers make scale coaches? Final question, were there Mk3 Great Western Merlin Livery coaches produced? (Stretching my time period but it’s a livery I really like and is vivid in my memory!).

Yes, the #80066, which despite being third on that image was (a) as the option. Should be here in a fortnight so I’ll have a look at how they are and report back.

Hi Ian, this is what I resorted to doing in the end, I’ve ordered these (link below) - I’ll test them and report back, but from the measurements I’d be unsurprised to find they’re the same product as is manufactured for Peter’s spares. https://a.aliexpress.com/_mr3KKQU

Hi all Could anyone give me some suggestions on changing older Lima wheels so they run well on Code 75. I’ve seen Peter’s Spares do a set coded PS34 - but at £3 per bogie it could get expensive quickly. Are there any suppliers that sell them in bigger quantities at a lower cost per wheel? I’ve seen on other threads that the wheels can be ground with a dremel, but I’d have no idea where to start with this nor could I find any ‘how - to’ YouTube videos. Any suggestions or advice appreciated.

To be honest I’d take either, I’d prefer the latter but as has none right now the circular buffers would do a job for a while 👍🏻

Hi all, I’m looking for 2 Lima Mk1 bogies for a full brake coach, and 4 buffers. I wondered if any might have any from a donor coach or one kicking around that isn’t in good condition that I could use. Thanks Luke

Hi all, First post, having read, searched and researched for some time. I’ll also start off by saying I’m brand new to this, I’ve decided to begin modelling now as I’m on chemo and am struggling with other hobbies and fatigue, so thought this would give me a good and manageable focus. We don’t currently have room for a full layout, so to get me started I am going to build a collection of early Rail Express Systems vans and locos and spend some time weathering them (lightly); testing them; and, if I can get to grips with soldering, making them dcc ready. This is something I think I can manage around fatigue and nausea. I’ve read a lot on here about eBay, the pitfalls and prices etc. Do you have any advice for where to look out for RES/Royal Mail GUVs and coaches? I’ve trawled the net and every time I think I’ve found one at a good price (either a link or one with an ‘in stock’ marker in the search engine) I click through to the model shop and it says out of stock. Realistically I can’t afford to spend £30-40 per item (several on eBay are £60+ for guvs/tpos!), so any advice with regards to where to look for second hand stock would be greatly appreciated. In an ideal world I’d stick to unique running numbers but I am open to renumbering. In case in helps I’m in North Yorkshire, but travel to Merseyside, Leicestershire and Devon&Cornwall pretty regularly for treatment. Nice to meet you all and thanks in advance for any advice. Many thanks, Luke