RichardActon

Sounds like a good idea actually they do sit close. I’ll give that a try when I get in from work

Well, because I am quite new I’ve only got the basic Bachmann ez controller for now, I am about to order a Z21 though. So because of the noise I took it off straight away happened on both locos. It does sound and feel like it’s the wrong way round. Do you know which side is pin one on the Bachmann next 18 decoders? 36-567

I have just purchased 2 Dapol 33s on preorder. Arrived yesterday, overall very pleased with the two models. I’ve tried to fit my Bachmann (Zimo) next 18 chips to the locos and they just make a buzzing sound as if it’s shorting out almost - as if it’s the wrong way round! I’ve attached a photo - there is only one way it seems to fit the chip... so they both work perfectly on my farish locos... is this a design so that I have to purchase Dapols chips or is there a way around this? im fairly new to this dcc world so I apologise in advance if this is a silly question! thanks Richard

I appreciate these seem to be like gold dust these days. But if anyone has one or knows of one for sale I’m very interested. N gauge Farish class 411 4 cep in Blue/Grey livery. Needs to be in great condition mechanically. Not too worried about it being boxed. thanks Richard

I See. Thats good to know. A lot of the ceps online seem to have head codes of Victoria services that passed north kent so quite possibly for engineering works. But I do remember seeing them and travelling on them along that route, this was just after epb were replaced by networkers. I am limited to what models are available in n scale. So it will be an unrefurbished unit as that is what I have got, it’s a lot of work to make it into a refurbished unit and I don’t want to ruin the look and detail. I know it won’t be historically accurate to the letter but in my branch line that no longer exists it’s very much a ‘what if’ really. I still haven’t decided fully if I will go for all over blue or Jaffa cake. Again it would need to be unrefurbished and they didn’t exist! I’ve attached a photo of an n gauge 4 cep I sold on a while back (big regrets!) you’ll notice it is again unrefurbished and not historically accurate. But it looks bloody good and is a great representation!

Seems like you have some extensive knowledge on the subject! So the era I’m looking at is 80s very very early 90s (I know there were no Br Blue ceps left in that livery by then). For example did all the Charing Cross to Dover workings follow the Dartford Gravesend Route? Or would they have gone a different way?

I agree that haps and epbs more commonly ran the Gravesend/Strood route. After the Epbs networkers dominated. But I really don’t think CEPs were all that uncommon along those lines. Certainly not from my memory of growing up there and a quick internet search. Unfortunately my models I made many years ago of Haps and epbs don’t quite cut it now so I’m Kind of limited to the Farish 4cep! That’s a cracking photo. Thank you for that! Certainly looks different to usual blue/grey. Richard

They seem fairly elusive in terms of photographs, maybe for the reason the vast majority went from green to blue grey I suppose. I was looking on blood and custard a few days ago. It appears that a lot of the units actually had the commonwealth wheel sets. But I have found one this evening, 7149 - all blue with full yellow ends, this one didn’t have commonwealth, the correct cab and head codes as to the farish model. Only thing is I don’t know if it kept the silver window surrounds - I may have to just assume that it did! I'm sure I have ‘slam doors on the southern’ somewhere but aren’t the photographs in black and white? Richard

If you could let me know if you find anything that would greatly appreciated, and if they are any good and I’ll look to get one myself. I am still trawling through my books on the Hundred of Hoo branchline where my station is modelled - with a twist as though the line survived and was electrified - 80s and very early 90s era. Hence why I’m after a unit that would have most likely ran these routes from Charing Cross to strood Chatham and Dover. i didn’t know that, I’ll have to look into that maybe an earlier unit would be easier to replicate! Sorry when I say south coast I mean kent coast or more accurately probably ‘Kent Link’ In the Nse sun sections. Thanks Richard

Hi Gerry, I have the ‘Southern Electric Multiple Units’ book, that picture was actually what sparked my interest in the all blue. It’s the colour photos I am after really as reference, they seem to be gold like dust! But that is very interesting about 7106 at Whitstable, I may well have to buy those other two books in due course. I do think the full yellow ends do look marginally better than the small panel versions..

Thank you for the replies, most insightful! I’ve attached the only photo I’ve found of 7211. Unfortunately it’s shortly after it’s been painted in blue grey, so not all blue. I did see the headcode size and I think that can be changed on the model- so didn’t worry me. But I didn’t notice the angled cab windscreen. The only reason I chose 7211 was that I know that unit ran along the south coast to Dover - via Chatham. The others I don’t know. So if there is evidence that another one ran this way then that would definitely be considered! I did read most ended up on other routes. I thought with the cep they only gained the commonwealth bogies after the refurb? I may be wrong!

That is actually a great help, it’s interesting the blue coach ends as opposed to black on all other liveries. Wonder if that was across all blue ceps. Looking at that I think it looks quite nice in all blue.

Hi I am looking to have an all blue 411 4 cep as part of my fleet, I am struggling to find any decent colour reference photos. I was wondering if anyone can help point me in the right direction? Ideally with the full yellow ends and unit number 7211. I know it’s not the prettiest livery but I like to be different! thanks Richard