Legend

ahh cheers Phil you are exactly right . Didn’t realise the wand was supposed to have a handle . Looks ok as is, but checking the other ones you are correct . Not an issue .

Received my first class 2bs tonight , following on from the second class ones last week . They are all superb looking coaches . Very happy . Howevet,, at the bottom of the box of the BFK as well as the usual accessories was this . There is nothing obvious missing from the coach . It’s a bit big for an air reservoir . It was at the bottom of the box not in the plastic casing , so I don’t think it’s fallen off the coach . Any idea?

Yeah I got excited too ………but it was playtrains !

A bit concerned as he had medical issues , before disappearing . He has taken his channel off air a few times , so hopefully if all ok , he will be back

Awe no . I knew he had cancer but hoped for the best . Very sad . I think the Hairy Bikers did bring something original to the screen with down to earth cooking we could all relate to . He will be much missed , but of course thoughts with those that were closest to him

I would have said that was unnecessary duplication until I received the 2bs . Absolutely agree . A 2d to this standard and not Bachmann prices would be superb . This elevates coaching stock to a new level . Mind you think of what they could do with Staniers or Gresley stock !

Just received , right on time per DPD /Accurascale notification, absolutely stunning . Going to have a loft day tomorrow !

Very nice indeed . I saw them on the stand on Friday but then had to check what I’d actually ordered . Fortunately it’s number 113 in a more restrained green livery ! Checked it again on Saturday . Looks superb . Any idea when these might be delivered ?

Interesting thought . It could be that actually you need more liveries the less sales there are to maximise the potential of the tooling, hence more liveries in N which must have smaller sales than OO. Never thought of it that way . My thinking was the more popular the loco and more units sold then the more liveries would be available . I know the Crimson and Cream 320 was slower to sell , but I think it was only marketed by AMRSS , so maybe that was the reason .

It will be even more impressive when Queen St is added . That’s a lot of floor area for Perth , possibly most of one hall . To be honest while it was visually impressive , in terms of movements it was lacking . I know they had issues on Friday, not sure if it ever got fully resolved . Certainly there seemed to be traffic looping round , but the distance is so great that there were long periods of inactivity . While I could understand this on DC , I would have thought DCC could have had more trains running , with a decent signal spacing . I did see some movement in the yard , but it was sparse. I got the feeling they couldn’t have too many trains running at one time . The max I saw was two . If they can simulate trains arriving at Queen St , station pilot moves , and locos released going back to Eastfield then it truly will be a visual feast but I think there really needs to be more action for Perth . While O is clearly the differentiator for this layout , I did think to myself how impressive this would have been in OO , with Queen St added . Unlike O I think all the stock required has been available at some stage in OO , while with O there was a noticeable lack of DMUs . I did see a 101 , but I think that was the only one . Eastfield did have lots of dmus with the trains to Stirling, Edinburgh via Falkirk Grahamston and Cumbernauld all dmu operated . There were usually a good few of them stabled on shed .

Some TT pics from Model Rail Scotland

They announced it just ahead of Model Rail Scotland . There was a poster about it on their stand but order book not yet open . I was hoping for a Crimson Cream 320 but apparently the n one , available I think through AMRSS took a bit longer to sell than the others . So if you want a crimson cream one better let them know

From Model rail Scotland . I’m not an expert on the class but to me look pretty good . The green with full yellow ends may be a possibility , as it’s a variant I don’t have . Sorry for the reflection of my stripey jumper , but I was just passing so didn’t take a lot of time on pics

Some pics from Model Rail Scotland . Not sure what the difference is with the two red stripe one . They had the same manufacturers ref but I noted they actually were two different class 31s 31149 and 31180 I think

Good figures Arran ? Looked very busy on Friday , less busy Sunday . It was very good exhibition though - I did all three days . Interesting on how the demographic changes . Friday , is men of a certain age , Saturday , younger enthusiasts and Sunday families .

I think there’s a degree of confusion here . Some people are writing about the old R408 turntable from Tri-ang Hornby days , while M.I.B I think is actually asking about the newer disc turntable introduced in 1977 . This was always code 100 but initially supplied with steel rails . At some point M.I.B believes it changed to Nickel Silver , and I’m sorry but I don’t know ! Also wish Pat Hammond would update the story from 1996 . Would be very interesting , the demise of Sanda Kan , manufacturing shortages, the need to find other suppliers , design clever etc etc .

yes that would have been good or a Caley Dunalastair or Cardean . But maybe after the Jones Goods appears . Think I’ve gone for HR green , but must check my order !

Nothing I’m aware of . Revolution announced 320/321 in OO just ahead of the show , as others have said Rapido have the Fireless loco and Accurascale announced maroon mk1 s . I think that’s it .

Some pics from Model Rail Scotland

Just been to Model Rail Scotland . Some great tenements in either low relief or full scale available from popupdesigns.co.uk . Seriously tempted except I need to figure out how to incorporate it into my layout . Some great laserprinted models there though including a Caley signal box that I might well, buy tomorrow . It’s not often you see Glasgow tenements though and these certainly looked the part .

To be honest I’ve forgotten what I’ve ordered . Looking forward to it arriving though . I think I did a miixture of 2bs and 2cs based on my review of them at Model Rail Scotland 2023 . I know the 2bs were Hattons ( because at that stage sold out at Accurascale) and Accurascale have taken the allocation . Just looking forward to them

From Model Rail Scotland . The HST looks and sounds superb . Also Duchess and Staniers . I believe the HST is in the country am]nc imminent

I’m thoroughly enjoying it . I can’t see any sign of decline in model railways . Yes Fridays were full of men of certain ages,but then we are retired and can go on a weekday . But went Saturday and it’s full of families and younger guys , so I think predictions of the death of the hobby are wide of the mark . Today I had a new appreciation for Almond Bridge , ok I’ve seen it a few times before , but they succeeded in keeping something on the move most of the time and some really good stock . Reevy Road also superb with lots of trains passing . Class 56s (assuming these were the new Cavalex ones ) 20, 25,31,37,40,47,55 , 56 and HSTs , really non stop action . Well done guys . Prompted me to make another visit tomorrow ….. why not it’s only once a year ! Really enthused by Model Rail Scotland . Well done again AMRSS

yes toilets were well hidden except by the massive sign above , but then not everyone looks up . What you can do is go outside the hall and sit down and take refreshment , as long as you are stamped you can get back in again just back from second day, nice talking to Phil on the BRM stand . The show is growing on me , may even go back for a third helping . Now I’m retired I’ll just shove Sunday activities into Monday .

Inspired I think . These liveries certainly creating talking points and goodwill to GB Railfreight