philiprporter

Thats fantastic Ben thanks so much - and that site you recommend is wonderful and a great help. Would I be correct in thinking that for a given operator, you could mix flats within a train formation? That seems to be the case in some photos I have seen, but I may be wrong? I've ordered PFAs from Revolution - I'm guessing now that I ordered the wrong ones for present day operations and that I should have ordered KFAs judging by what I can see from the Martyn Read site? Cheers, Phil.

I hope this is the right place to post this as its not 100% Dapol related, but I am very confused by the various types of freightliner flats that exist in n-gauge and want to buy some Dapol wagons subject to answers to my question! Dapol make or have made Megafret and Spine wagons, while Farish have 'Intermodal wagons' and Revolution are about to produce PFA/KFA flats. I would like to try and track down the Dapol Megafrets and Spine wagons (particularly the latter) on the secondhand market, but before I do this, would all these different types of freightliner wagon be seen in the same train formation? Is the 'Intermodal' wagon by Farish the same as a 'Megafret' by Dapol for example? Would a Dapol 'Spine Wagon' run with a 'Megafret' and/or a PFA/KFA and/or a 'Spine Wagon'? I'm utterly confused!! Thanks in anticipation of anyone who has knowledge of this before I start parting with cash for Dapol flats! (I have plenty of the Farish 'Intermodal Wagons' and have KFAs on order from Revolution). Best wishes, Phil.

Looking very impressive Jeremy!!

That is fabulous Jeremy!! I suspect many of us (myself included) would like to ask your friend to do some work like this for our own layouts! Your layout is brilliant and is going to be even more brilliant when finished and that sign will be the cherry on the icing on the cake I expect!

Bought 2 x 3 packs of these Polybulk hoppers today at an amazing price and they are amazing models especially considering they are n-gauge - the detail is incredible! A question though - I have no idea whether my rail blue locos should be pulling these or not? They are listed as Era 7/8 on the Bachmann website, but that covers quite a long time period! If anyone has any info I would be grateful - also did these hoppers operate in trains of only the same hoppers, or can I mix them with other freight rolling stock? Thanks for any information anyone can provide! Best wishes, Phil.

It was thanks to Dapol that I got into n-gauge modelling when they started giving Farish a run for their money, but if that pre-production shot really is how this is going to look when it reaches the shops then that has to be one of the most glaring overall 'shape' issues in recent times. N-gauge is forgiving to some extent given the fact that most if the images we see are significantly magnified, but I can't see this one 'getting away with it' on that basis. As one of the many who pointed our various issues to Dapol (and had them acknowledged) this is really frustrating and as a die-hard modeller of the northern scene I was itching to get my hands on a few of these - but not on the basis of the sample photo here. Of more concern however is that fact that if this doesn't sell on the basis of these avoidable errors, we then risk that being interpreted by Dapol as low demand for n-gauge - and how many more projects will then be listed as in abeyance? A bit gutted really Crowd funding beckons perhaps? Get this right and I can imagine these selling well?

Yes the tumblehome seems incorrect throughout - very sad to see this especially given that I had also contacted Dapol directly to point out the various issues

I am in awe of your airbrushing skills Jeremy! Lovely work indeed. A while back you showed two Virgin class 87s that you were going to respray-I also bought a couple to paint BR blue but have never used an airbrush as you know, so can I ask how you remove all the glazing and small detail and how you strip the Virgin livery? Your work has really inspired me to 'have a go'! Really enjoying this thread-keep up the great work! Cheers, Phil

Does seem odd as that's not exactly a crazy tight radius. One additional issue I had is that my track wasn't laid completely 100% flat where the curve started and there was no transition curve, but only Farish class 47s had an issue for some reason. I agree that it does sound odd because you say your track is flat and even Farish 1-co-co-1's traverse 9 inch set track curves without any problems. Superelevation may help? My curves are superelevated but it was the transition from superelevated to flat track that caused a lack of flatness I think and for some reason that and the tight radius upset the 47s so probably best to make sure there is a real gentle transition from flat to super elevated.

Same issue for me (Farish class 47) and same solution - re-lay the curve with a gentler radius.

Looks great Jeremy and thanks for the advice on the airbrush Can I ask how you managed to mask the blue sides up to roof level to avoid any seepage of the light grey in the pantograph well down onto the blue sides? I had always assumed I would need to paint the well by hand because if the difficult of masking? The 86 is looking great by the way!! Cheers, Phil.

Thanks so much Dave - I'm really inspired by Jeremy's work and am keen to do just that Yep, like you my track looks decidedly dodgy compared to Jeremy's! Look forward to seeing your pics - can you direct me to the thread where you will post them?

Thanks so much for the advice and very kind words Jeremy - this thread is hugely inspirational and its great that you are flying the flag for n-gauge AC electrics! Can I ask - the Voilamart airbrush - do you use a compressor with it or one of the cans of aerosol propellant? I have an old Badger airbrush but am appalled to say I have never used it, aside from one attempt that ended up in an almighty mess - but you have encouraged me to have a another go so thanks very much for that!! I'm wondering whether to try with an aerosol propellant can again, or if that is a false economy given the mess I made last time? If a compressor isn't too pricey I may go for that - would be be interested to know what model you bought? ​All the best and keep up the great work!! Cheers, Phil.

That's superb Jeremy - I have two class 87 body shells that I would like to spray in rail blue, but I have never used an airbrush before and you have inspired me to have a go! Can I ask what equipment you use, how you removed the glazing etc and how you mask to spray the pantograph well? If I can get mine looking half as good as yours I will be happy!!! Cheers, Phil.

Absolutely superb!

Thats a great shot Alan!! Many thanks indeed! Makes me realise that I may need to add some more vegetation. I have a similar shot taken at about the same time from a carriage door window when I was 10 years old - but it was taken on a tiny cartridge film camera and you can just make out the overflow from the motion blur if you squint and use your imagination!!!

Lovely model - very impressed with both the appearance and running qualities. Yes shame about the yellow over blue issue, but like others, I hadn't noticed it until it was pointed out! Won't be noticeable after light weathering I suspect. Looking forward to the 33/1 now

Looking very nice indeed!!!

Wow!! Awesome stuff!

No, but the tunnel area will be sealed off to prevent light getting into it from where my camera is in the shot above - I've tried several ways to stop light filtering through without complete success, so now its going to be properly blacked out.

Thought I had better take this shot because it won't be possible in a few weeks time!

This is looking really superb!!

That'll do!

Thanks very much indeed-yes if you could mention it at the weekend that would be much appreciated. Best wishes, Phil