rob D2

I think it looks well used- those panels were quite distinctive when they were in primer only which seemed to happen a lot

I model DE, but I've got to say this product will reignite my enthusiasm to build new layouts. I got the RM online and they look really nice, the unifrog will suit me, as will the DCC friendly nature of the hard wired turnouts

Yeah problem is you can write to Bachmann until you are blue in the face, but unless another 3000 people want a Malcolm one, it won't get made !

Some great stuff there, Really like the 31s - first time I've seen a headcode one, in Dutch. I'm amazed Hornby hasn't released that as it was such a common and well travelled livery

That's really nice. I like the look of the headcode panel - a lot of them looked like that

Yep, I agree. The 31 is the biggest pain, with those badly fitted cab units. I hate taking them apart. I think I'll stick with just my 2 60s everything else from red box has fallen apart in some way .

I remember this layout, was it really that long ago ! Great images

Hmm , I've often thought about a similar theme do will be watching with interest

Yeah, spot on. If I was retired and had all the time int he world I'd make more stuff. I'm not, so to get any modelling done I have to be highly selective with what I spend time on. Making more parkside clams, makes no sense, when Hornby make one that's good enough and well painted for instance. And like you say it's an oxymoron at the end of it , to say , " it's a broad church "

Got some details started on the fuel point ...

Nice stuff ! I'd deffo agree the original grey western colours were some of the classiest of the privatisation era

Yes , I wouldn't call a power unit swap that simple and certainly will cost in labour . I'm worried they'll have excess locos and just won't bother

Well I did a little modelling today. I'm slowly improving my diesels as I go, to try and get them closer to the real thing. Mainline 37274 has had a bit of attention. Fuel tanks weathered via the wipe off style, pick ups painted black ( a major bugbear of mine as my shed chair has broken and is now stuck in full ' down ' I'm sitting at bogie height !) I also thought I'd try and paint the white wheel slip markings on as these are very obvious in the videos I've seen of the 90s. I tried masking it, but TBH, with my smallest humbrol brush it came out ok freehand. I always try and work from a photo Finally, I'm also trying to cover up the Tcut residue that got in the grilles, acyrilic doesn't seem to do it.learnt a lesson there, protect your grills !

I love Canada street, that's up there at the pinnacle of DE for me. Another good copy in general. I took slight umbrage with the oft recycled " comment " section running over the well trodden tracks of " be a modeller and make it, don't expect it RTR " . I'm not going there with that debate here but it's getting a tad old.

Right, I've come to the conclusion it's falling into the category " too much trouble " to be honest ! Thanks for the responses, it's insteresting to learn the differences anyway .

Good stuff !

Yes , it's called the inter web ... I'd check both trackshack and details for bargain locos first

Let's hope they don't decide to bin it. In spite of it's worthy tribute, such a small time scale wouldn't make a very marketable model I'd think .

Love the underground bit. I can almost taste the rush of fetid air out the tunnel as the train approaches !

This will be a lot of fun ! Ive never got further than 2 parkside wagon kits In O, but maybe in the future....

He's left mate, see the last page... I'd suggest a google search to see if the layout is elsewhere if you want

I love 31117, those WR skinheads were great. If you need any further inspiration have a look at railpixtc.co.uk, it's Tony callaghans picture sight and has some great BR blue images from early 80s mainly on WR and SR.

Yes that would be good. Plenty of shunting potential there......I've started a few diesel depots but never finished as the operational lack of potential put me off. Maybe if I had room for OOC or toton ...!

I have a 10 ' plank , There's plenty of options. I'd go for a small res depotwith half length shed, hiding some engineers sidings for the Dutch stuff....