gridwatcher

In doing research into military loads and the various companies that do 1/76th 3D prints of the variety of British Army 70-90s vehicles it would seem that the light armour Striker/Scorpion/Stormer etc etc is just that, 'light' Most around 10 tons all up fighting weight, so 2  or 3 on a Warflat would seem eminently doable? The biggest issue is gauge clearance. The older Fox armoured cars and Saracen and Saladin etc might creep out of gauge and need to travel on Warwells? Anyone been out with a measuring stick yet??

On 03/07/2021 at 19:23, KDG said:

Are wee friends (friendship models) still making the Scorpion family of models? I can't find them on their website. There are a few for sale on eBay from someones model stash.

I think they are and the Scorpion is a nice wee kit. They take a bit of building so 'modellers only'  but Scorpions were very small tanks and clearance is not an issue on a Warflat either as Turret is very pflat profile. There is an Ebay shop in Dunfermline who sells them

13 hours ago, PaulRhB said:

I added some 3mm diameter x 2mm magnets so my vehicles can be removed and I’ll probably make the tie downs out of scrap etch strip pinned into the casting so they are robust enough to hold their shape. The magnets are just superglued to the wagon. 
 

 

Paul

I apologise if you've been here before but whose vehicles are these? As in manufacturer? Also are they 72nd or 76th? Thanks

On 12/03/2021 at 08:37, Pillar said:

 

SLW and Accurascale are the gold standard when it comes to locos, but this Bachmann effort looks pretty impressive to me. The bogies and underframe especially look excellent and much better than the old model.

I agree Pillar. the 20/3 is a very nicely detailed and finished model. Where they let themselves down is yet again not listening to modellers. I do NOT want a pre-fitted piddly little sugar cube speaker and little if any space to upgrade sound into (same issue with the 24/0) Heljan have listened recently, Dapol are pretty good for space and Fran and Patrick definitely 'get it' Hornby and Bachmann seem to have tin ears.?

22 hours ago, Accurascale Fran said:

 

Hi @mozzer models,

 

We're certainly working on them for the release date!

 

Cheers!

 

Fran 

GOING TO BE TRICKY FOR THE HOP AB!??

On 27/02/2021 at 09:03, weave said:

Hi gridwatcher,

 

Am new to this Forum so am playing catch up on a few threads. I model Spanish, French and soon Italian trains but have spent a very enjoyable morning reading through the whole of your lovely Portuguese layout thread.

 

Lots of interest for me, especially the coaches and buildings. I've never been to Portugal and forgetting Covid, I don't think I should anyway as I'd go and see some trains, get hooked and end up starting a Portuguese layout as well. Maybe if I win the Lottery.

 

Really great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

 

Cheers, Chris (weave)

 

 

Chris

Welcome. You SHOULD go. Once the travel stuff gets easier it's still a brilliant place to travel around by train. Relatively cheap to get to Sleazy Jet to Porto is a good option and relatively cheap to travel around by rail, proper loco hauled inter city and regional services and an increasing number of more tourist focussed trains. I would say definitely spend a day or two on the Douro valley and try and fit in the meter gauge Vouga line further south too. The only place that it's a bit of a desert these days is the far south. Andrew Donnelly (158722 on here) would keep you right, as he is 'Our Man In Coimbra'

That's brill John. Hadn't noticed that one. Meanwhile we have been told that Wigan Show is cancelled for 2021 so our hope of CAmpo getting a few days out and about has gone, and due to rejigging of the schedules and invited layout list needing to be shortened we have agreed to it being 2023! when we attend. Sorry folks. We will try and get another invite somewhere before then

On 11/02/2021 at 11:49, rembrow said:

Again there are two styles of handrails between the cab and the engine compartment. I believe the simple open type were fitted from new, the taller filled in type were an in service modification  as a health and safety change, to prevent the crew from getting to the engine compartment along the chassis. Not all locos seem to have received the mod as there are photos of 58s in late liveries with the simpler open type, so photo evidence is required for the particular loco.

If anyone is after a set of Heljan door guards I might have a set or two? PM me.

On 05/03/2021 at 19:12, Craig1989 said:

Sorry if I’ve missed this but how easy is it to fit sound to these? 

We had a little look at the prototypes for other technical reasons some time ago and I can assure you that much like the 25/3 the 'sound guys' have been listened to and there is a very generous amount of space provided for sound of your choosing.

OK here goes. I have a 102 in 1977 green here and the general report is very good indeed. Some lovely finesse about the bogies/roof and fan grille etc etc. Of the 'reported issues' I have had to slightly ream out one hole in the balance beam on bogie nothing that a minute's work won't sort. Running quality is first class and hooray there is plenty of room for some serious sound installation. Certainly if the fancy took you 2 speakers of the 40x20x10 scale would fit easily. The jury will remain out until SLW loco appears (in late 2021?) but this is a huge step forward from what we had before and looks right. Drivers now fitted, speakers all at the ready and just waiting on sound chip delivery. Thanks Ben and Heljan and on this evidence I would say the 86, Peak and Duff would make a lot of you happy.

On 02/03/2021 at 20:05, adb968008 said:

Being totally pedantic, weren't they there, just isolated ?

They were..... so we'll get you a Sutton One, and pull out the gearing from the bogie ? That OK for you?  In essence a slightly speedy tickover is all that's required I believe with the requisite brake noises, door slams or anything else you chose to add to sound file? We have already had one done (years ago) for a Bachmann 25 which ran out of 'puff' in Harburn Hobbies window and donated itself (having died) to the old Ethel project. Bryan at Howes did the sounds AFAIR??

7 hours ago, Roy Langridge said:

 

If we are being really pedantic it should have a motor, just not one that makes it move 

 

Roy

If we are being really pedantic it might have a Sulzer prime mover that makes a noise (and the Heljan one will allow wiring of a sound chip) but as there was no connection to traction motors it ain't going anywhere, so I will be waiting to claim my prize at the first show one motors past on the front of a train.... 

On 28/02/2021 at 00:48, P.C.M said:

I have been reading through this thread but I can't find a date that the model will be released. It's possible I have missed it but any info on when it's due would be great.

 

Cheers Peter.

'Autumn......'

On 26/02/2021 at 09:38, WhiteRoseRambler said:

Forgive me if I have misunderstood your post but if you are thinking of buying a Heljan ETHEL to provide a push you will be disappointed. The Heljan offering does not have a motor. The SLW version, does.

...and it shouldn't have, if we are going to be pedantic 

9 hours ago, Darius43 said:

Shapeways - crane for salmon wagons

 

Not cheap but I’m not sure what the Genesis/Appleby prices were when they were available.

 

Cheers

 

Darius

Thanks Darius. I am not sure why I didn't find them. Shapeways generally a bit of a minefield, but still, that's that problem solved. 

Has anyone found a new source for the Rail Cranes since Genesis packed up or tried 3D printing them? I am sure they would sell?

On 04/02/2021 at 10:52, Neils WRX said:

Very nice MLW, one of those if you have to ask the price “you can’t afford it”!!!

 

Stay safe,

 

Neil

Neil. Andrew has convinced me that they are actually 'FREE' Yes they may be expensive but in every case, with their previous models 1500, 1800, Sentinel etc) they are now worth way more than they were when purchased, a supply and demand thing I guess? So like buying quality antiques or First Growth Bordeaux wine I guess it could be seen as in investment! (ahem!...... and that's what I am telling SWMBO)

Look what has begun being painted in Korea. Very limted run of hand built brass and we have two (sound fitted) on the way to grace Campo De Leste. 

15 minutes ago, GordonC said:

 

you might be waiting a while for the same loco to be re-issued in a slightly different state, if it is produced. If you're never or rarely going to use it nose-first, would fitting a dummy headlight on the nose end do?

The loco is wired for headlights at both ends. (we know that from DRS version). So why not fit a working headlight if that's what you want? 

This looks good..... 

https://mainline-maritime.myshopify.com/products/railways-of-portugal?fbclid=IwAR204axhoVXh5ZHbMTn3BNAMgHFXL2tRIpqIJcAIrFBhD_Zqz4pBlCxE8MI

Much excitement building in Portugal (as and when lockdowns are lifted Fabulous image from Jorge Mendonca of 2611 at Contumil with a plastic thing. These newly overhauled old electrics are getting a new lease of life and loco hauled I/C services are on the up in Portugal. 

an HTV or an HEA please lads......

Ooooft that looks a serious improvement. ....but hold what's that I hear?

"It's not made entirely of steel and cast iron and few wires, it's only 9.7 inches long the real thing was 61ft 6, is doesn't have a working diesel engine and for £150 that's a total rip off, yadda yadda yadda" 

Well done lads (and lasses) 

On 30/11/2020 at 18:04, aureol40012 said:

Phew, I thought I might end up on the receiving end of some grief for posting that!

 

On a different note, be careful when removing the standard NEM coupling from the end wagon, it just resulted in my buffer beam shooting across the room....

 

Entirely my fault.

 

 

Nah..... I did that too when I was slotting the buffer beam to accept a Smiths Coupling. They glue back on!! 

16 hours ago, aureol40012 said:

Couldn’t agree more.  Model railway enthusiasts seem to often have the unfortunate combination of being exceedingly picky (bordering on anal) whilst also lacking the social skills to vocalise their views in a way that isn’t borderline rude.  To choose to enter this market as a manufacturer you need more patience with people than I’ve got........

That is a very well made point and the very one I have been dithering about putting somewhere on SO many threads recently. You've never had it so good and yet .....and yet.