magic_monkey09

indeed the 158 would be popular as would the Hornby 153 in local lines. thanks, the snow is made by Woodland scenics and just sprinkled over the layout to give a wintery scene.

thanks glad you like the layout. Yes the HST is a full 2+8 set, i have one weathered and another pristine both full length. The FGW local lines 150 is a professional respray from Olivia's trains and not vinyl overlays like most others in this livery. Plenty more pics to come soon

Thank you guys for your kind words. Haven't done any work on it tonight just had a running session instead

greetings fellow rmweb users, I've finally gotten round to creating a layout thread after all these years. You may have noticed my layout from pictures in the gallery which I've used previously but never had a proper progress thread for you all to read. So now I've got my modelling mojo back I'll start by telling you a little about the layout itself which is situated in the attic. It consists of a continuous loop but with only one side scenic and the curves and fiddle yard bare track only. It's been a work in progress for many years and I'm constantly changing things and trying out new set ups. it is a fictional layout based loosely around the Cheltenham and Gloucester surrounding areas. This allows me to run Services operated by First Great Western, Arriva Trains Wales and Cross Country as well as the odd freight train here and there. My choice of controller for ages was the Hornby select of which I've had two but recently I've upgraded to the NCE powercab. All of the track is Hornby and the scenics by various companies. I do not have a station as I feel all layouts have stations so I thought I'd model the in between stretches of mainline not often modelled. this also allows me to create an open feel to the layout with minimal buildings that appear on other layouts. So here's a few of my latest pictures I've taken on my phone so you get the idea where I'm going with this :

glad to see her still in TCT blue, although I prefered the window frames black and the DB nose sticker looks odd on such a light colour.

A pic now up on Flickr of 054 in DB livery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37260/6264181607/in/photostream/ The logo looks smaller than 011's though. 074 is in pieces in the yard: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37260/6264181747/in/photostream/

some interesting pics Nick, thanks for sharing, looks like they've got a few spares lying around toton then

that EWS cooler group mesh looks like fresh paint rather than one off another 60, wonder if they had these spare pre-painted, would seem odd if they painted one knowing that the loco was destined for the paint booth anyway

How thorough actually are these overhauls? are they F exams? after seeing 007 and 054 on test runs its looks as if only the engine, cooler group and wheelsets have had major work done, the fuel tank is stll plastered in rail grime, as is the majority of the underframe equipment too my understanding a few class 60 failures have been down to TPWS and electrical faults, have the electrics been touched?

I wonder if 074 will also lose its celeb paint job when overhauled , be a shame really seeing as it sponsors a charity

Does she sound any healthier now or clag less than the other 60's?

071 ribblehead viaduct worked the murco's through Newport tonight

Ive heard about 90's and 66's moving to Poland but not 60's, I would've thought 66's would be preffered out there due to their reliability and nowadays being a recognised locomotive across Europe. The 'super 60' scheme is probably to cover for some exported 66's and for use on heavy oil and Agregate workings. I can't see DB Schenker wanting to send 60's abroad given their unreliable reputation and need for regular 'check ups' at Toton, even with a recent overhaul!!

Even the latest celebrity 60011 was fire damged at some point during its EWS career resulting in it being half re-painted with FGW blue.

Barry- I just sprinkled it on as it won't be a permanent feature of the layout, although it does look very 'festive'

I suspect they went for this particular one first because of its very much out-dated patch-work livery and recent service history being considerably better than alot of the fleet at Toton. Also you could argue that blue loco's are usually associated with DRS.

A couple of Snowy scenes from me

I like the Idea of the snow Barry, Ive seen alot of continental layouts at shows that feature snow and they look superb!! However, i have yet to see a British snow covered layout. Ive had a go at sprinkling my own layout with a bit of modelling snow and I think it looks Ok so far and fits in nicely this time of year shame i didn't think of the idea over the festive period keep up the good work mate. MM09

wow the DB livery suits the 60 and 67 the best IMHO, is 60011 working off Margam on the Murco's by any chance? was hoping to see it down Newport or maybe Cardiff. I caught a glimpse of 66152 crawling through cardiff today in torrential rain hauling steel coils, looking VERY grubby! Almost RHTT grubby.

I noticed this aswell, Hopefully its just WNXX "thinking out loud", afterall DBS have 60007 due for a "pioneer overhaul" and if all goes well others could be worked on, no doubt it will set DBS back a bit but not as much as buying new loco's or re-enginging would.

60071 ribblehead viaduct worked through cardiff central last night at around half past 7 heading Newport way with loaded steel coils

"These are the lights inside Toton" "Very similar to those inside Immingham" most interesting your progress is making me want to detail the inside of Immingham shed now Mr Grimely! havn't done any work on it in ages!! lighting would look lovely inside any depot providing its orange sunset lighting and not flourescent blue!!

not added to this topic before but here goes modelled on a random section of the GW mainline somewhere between paddington and Cardiff This scene shows 'First' engineers inspecting a section of track, usually a Network Rail job but with the current state of the infrustructure company TOC'S may become responsible for maintaining their own routes in the future