Ragtag

Top work that, Chris - might well have to have a go myself.

Model Rail did an article fairly recently on modifying a pendolino to be dragged by coupling. I expect that a similar technique, modified using information from photos, could be used for an HST.

Off to view some houses in an hour. The fiancée has foolishly left the decision entirely up to me - does she not realise I'm just going to take the one with the largest spare bedroom?

You're probably right on the inspections front (I once opened another fire exit to find about 20ft of the yard behind filled with shopping trolleys right up to the doors themselves, and no way to move them without going around the building) - as for closing and locking it may have had some sort of returning arm fitted but I couldn't swear to it. As for being like that now, the place was flattened a few years back - I think there's a Chinese takeaway there now. Neil - looking forward to seeing some more pics, I've enjoyed watching this one come together.

While I won't doubt your expertise in that that is how it should be done Cav, I do have to disagree. At my old place of employment the fire door doubled as a staff entrance. The hinges allowed it to open both inwards and outwards - outwards requiring only the push bar in case of fire, inwards requiring the push bar and an electronic key code entered on a wall-mounted pad.

I think the fire door looks good, and I've seen examples with the bar on both sides.

Fair point - I ask because I have an old Hornby bodyshell myself which I've been pondering.

Out of curiosity, any reason you went for the Lima chassis over the ViTrains option?

Unless the dummy BSI is mounted in a floating socket Michel, I think there might be some issues on corners with that setup.

I'll take 'em both in Night Blue =) Any chance of highlighting the compromises?

Looks very impressive, might have to stretch to 2 rather than 1.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hornby-Class-37-Diesel-Locomotive-Network-Rail-Livery-/290556450283?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item43a68395eb Yet another casualty of the "Repaint anything yellow, stick a couple of Network Rail logos on, and it'll probably sell for a fortune" mentality.

Very sad, and sudden, news. Condolences to the family and those who knew him well. Had been following this with interest.

How about £125 for a Replica PCV?

I'm surprised to hear that, whenever I've had orders on split deliveries I've only paid for postage once - though that has admittedly been due to out of stock items, not pre-ordering.

Done a cracking job of that one, I have one half-way through spraying in Royal Mail red.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hornby-MK-4-COACH-RESPRAYED-INTO-NETWORK-RAIL-LIVERY-/280579614538?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item4153d9274a "Difficult to obtain"...? Why, I dare say it's unique!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kit-built-OO-gauge-SR-EMU-4-VEP-Class-423-BR-Blue-Grey-/270650974585?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item3f040e2179 Perhaps I've missed something, but this seems a litle pricey when the Hornby one is set to retail at ~£168. I'm sure you could have a professional respray done for less.

I'll admit to being tempted by this when it wsa in the £15-20 range, but £56 for an unpowered Lima loco? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190454534491&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

A horrific livery on the coaches, but a prime candidate for respray jobs. A tenner for three aircon Mk.2s, including two 8-window SO's? Bargain.

Exactly, someone buying "armfuls" isn't exactly likely buying em for personal use.

Don't tempt me, I have too much Northern Rail stock to rework Kielder as something in the Highlands

Looks great, keep us updated on the next one What'd it cost, in the end?

2 tickets, bid now at £230. Reserve not met