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“The Accurakhazi”. Has a certain ring to it!

I've used Fox Transfers IC lining on every executive liveried electric I have including all my Heljan 86s as the lower edge of the grey band seemed a little too high on them. https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/transfers/intercity-executive-mainline-ex-works-loco-coach-lining

Congratulations are in order, but I never realised you made overalls as well as models! I’ll get my coat!

One of the strangest yellows I’ve matched was the one Heljan use on the 33. It looks absolutely fine to these eyes but I just couldn’t match Railmatch pre/post 84 yellow to it. I ended up getting perfect match from Phoenix Precision Post 85 Warning Panel Yellow with a little white added. I was only patch painting around where I’d removed the headlight.

I must admit to having gone for a couple of blue/grey ones from Hampshire Models. For the eventual layout extension and of course diorama duties.

Another vote for the pre 84 lemony shade of yellow being correct on he Bachmann model. Ambient lighting and other factors will play their part in photographs. I used pre 84 yellow on my last detailing projects (classes 40 and 81) and it does appear pale compared to the later shade but it is technically correct.

My theory is to ideally strip the body first after removing the roof detail and glazing. Then spray the yellow end first, then the orange, the light grey next and then the dark grey. Doing in in this order means that it is fairly easy to use differing widths of masking tape and follow the lines of the cab front/cantrail. That’s how to do it in my mind’s eye anyway!

One of the advantages of modelling Banger Blue livery is that it’s quite a simple one so good to practise airbrushing techniques on. It’s also a good livery to work out how to mask properly before moving on to more complex liveries. Respraying is one of my favourite parts of the hobby. It’s great (and a relief) peeling off the masking tape and there’s a nice sharp and straight join, but any errors can still be fixed if need be.

I’ve just gotta do one after looking at that! I may just get a second DB style one if I can sell a kidney or other body part and do it. That looks smashing!

Superficially it looks like the corner windscreen pillars need to be black as opposed to yellow, though I’ll scrutinise more photos when I get around to doing it. The Hornby model looks a bit off in comparison to the Bachmann one, though I do have a PH designs kit somewhere if I every fancy upgrading one.

Quite possibly, though I’ll be up for respraying one myself if need be.

Just need the Sybic one now. I think I’ll also renumber and tweak the livery on my RFD one (to 90022 I think) and get it the plates to make the set of 4 to fit in with the end of my modelling period.

Good call. Similarly, the mid spec 37012 with DCC sound is going for a tad over £103 off RRP https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/77763/35-301YSF-Bachmann-Class-37-0-Diesel-Loco-37-012-Loch-Rannoch

I remember the ones with 2 front windows at Piccadilly when me Mam used to take me shopping in Manchester in the 70s. I also remember being fascinated by the AEI crossarm pantographs and the noise the locos made, not to mention the really loud ones with 3 windscreens which I eventually identified as the 81s to 85s. I also remember getting electric shocks of Mum off the 25kV whilst standing on the platform waiting for the train, presumably through electromagnetic induction from the OHL! Happy days!

Rightly or wrongly, in Manc, we always treated them the same due to the similarities in the design between the 2 classes, number of windscreens and headcode boxes notwithstanding! A bit like classes 81-85 being 'Roarers'.

I found a workaround for that particular class and have 9 of them done with one more on the ‘to do’ list. Of course if Cavalex were to do one………😀 There’s 190 left to model after all!

It's the getting yourself out of a difficult patch that makes for half the fun!

Yes, my methods account for my own sausage fingers and general clumsiness! 😀 I'm also well versed on rectifying general cock-ups and small scale disasters!

The problem I find with superglue is that you don't get a second chance and I'll spot and fail to not notice any imperfections

Yes, I use varnish, but acrylic as opposed to enamel. I've had success using the same thinned gloss acrylic that I use to stick Laserglaze in place - this also has a tiny spot of washing up liquid added to the mix to help it flow. It gets applied to the very edge of the plate with a small pointy brush. Remove excess with the dry brush as per the above or a small amount of acrylic thinners if I apply too much and it oozes too far away from the plate. I've been experimenting with Glue and Glaze for the bufferbeam pipework on my recent Class 20 purchases and it looks to be a good solution that would also work for plates etc.

It’s the 50344 like the one on here https://modelmarket.co.uk/collections/dcc-speakers The only thing I haven’t got is the clips but I’m quite happy to use black tack. ETA The plug’s larger than the socket but I got away with filing it down til it fitted so didn’t need to solder the wires in place.

Shurely shome mishtake. I’m sure you meant to say the 60th. would make for an interesting model for sure.

When I got my first DCC ready 56, I installed a boggo LaisDCC decoder as a temporary measure to get it running. I then waited for my second loco to arrive with sound to decide on whether to install and configure the Lokpilot decoder, wait for a configured decoder from Cavalex, or go for a sound upgrade. The fact that half the functions didn’t work with the LaisDCC was not an issue. No doubt I could have tweaked its configuration if need be, but the intention was always to get one designed for the purpose after buying recent locos from Bachmann and Accuascale. Unless you’re really into DCC programming (and it’s something I’d like to do when time allows), I’m happy to get the proper one from the manufacturer or a third party supplier. I don’t see a problem here.

This sounds great. Perhaps a return to grass roots in a way, but with the added advantage of having years experience of having run the glitzy NEC show. Statfold Barn’s a great venue too. Can’t wait!

Could be worse. The appointment could be with someone actually called Victor Meldrew. There must be a few out there!