Stu from EGDL

Hi Gang, Finally seen this one in the flesh...hopefully, a good omen that my model will be in the post imminently. 🤩 Regards, Stu from NRSW

Hi Gang; I would request a different version to those offered on the vote. I would go for a Mk1 BSOT using the 5 window BSO coaches that have not been yet tooling by Bachmann. The 4 window BSK and the 5 window BCK have too many differences to make a decent representation currently!! Later; Stu from NRSW.

Hi Gang, Progress on all projects was plainly displayed on the Revolution stand this weekend, echoing the comments of the staff. Later, Stu from NRSW.

Hi Gang; Looking forward to these in N Gauge to complement my previous versions. The decision is how more many sets??? Later; Stu from NRSW

Hi Gang; Obviously, the 1st refusal for further Mk3s in ScotRail livery may well sit with Mike from C&M Models and only he will know if a future run is feasible. I would hazard that two production runs should have sorted the market, and satisfy those who wanted them but they 'do' occasionally surface as second hand items as modellers trim and modify their requirements. They do command a healthy price as 2nd hand items, which would obviously plummet as a 3rd run would be considered. As for the Class 47/7, it seems obvious to me that Bachmann/Farish should be looking at another run with a different name and number. 47712 may appeal as it has a historic and a current timescale, but I would go with either 47706/711 or 714 as preferred future print runs. The DBSO seems still be available at retailers, so it would seem that the market is currently satisfied, or it could be as it is the only component of the whole 47/7 rake available supressing its sale. Different manufacturers and a retailer in the mix have manged to have gotten all this together in the past. Who would bet on the future availability of any of it....I wouldn't!! Later; Stu from NRSW

Hi there, I echo the request that you should contact Revolution Support to get the official recommendations and spare parts to try and get your Highland Sleeper coaches running in a better way. They are dedicated to getting the best help to you to make you happier with your purchase. Regards, Stu from NRSW

The 37/0 volume is due for a second print run in the next few weeks. This is probably the reason for the advert in Model Rail. The next volume is in preparation and the teaser flier was on the end of the Wellpark layout ( if I recall correctly) at the SECC Model Show last month. Regards, Stu from NRSW

Hi Gang; Just back from a great weekend and day at the Glasgow show....it certainly had a better selection of layouts than last year and most were operating fairly well. A few operating difficulties for some, but nothing is ever perfect!! I have replaced all the wheelsets in the CS Mk5s now and most are now very free-running on the test incline. A couple were hesitant at first but a quick 'reseat' of the axles to ensure the bush sits smoothly outside of the 'pip' on the pickups and all seem to be fine. I have also found that repeated handling of these coaches and fiddling repetitively with the bogies has caused some fat finger damage to a few of the yaw dampers , so a little bit of superglue was needed in a couple of instances. I'll dig the test track out later and do a bit of a haulage test, but I feel sure that the Revolution 92 will now happily pull the Glasgow set (8 coaches) and I will add gradually the remaining 6 Aberdeen coaches to see how it gets on, although I cannot see me ever having the space to run a full length sleeper!!! Getting the test track out will also give me a chance to have a look at the 59005 collected on Friday too!! Later; Stu from NRSW

Hi Gang; The usual pilgrimage to Glasgow is ON this year and we are seriously looking forward to it once again. Eastfield will have to be seen to be believed and some of the other modern layouts (Wellpark/ Law Jn etc) are great to watch too. There are a few things on the shopping list too so the traders will have a fair few £££ from me, so we should all end up going away satisfied (hopefully). Will be nice to meet up with friends and familiar faces, even if it is only once a year for some. Later; STU from NRSW

Hi Gang; To add to the clamour for N Gauge Class 26, I would rather see a few more Class 27s, albeit there are fewer liveries to be done, there are a few subtly different versions in BR Blue but please make it a better BR blue than the previous batch!!). Of course a re-tool of the chassis to add sound would be 'tip-top' too. Later; Stu from NRSW

Thanks Adam; I might upgrade my sleepers when the new batch arrive. Regards; Stu from NRSW

Hi Gang, Coming in a couple of days late to this, so I may be repeating some comments. Nice to see a newly tooled loco again, even if it is not in my ‘exact’ time or region….who knows if I will pick up a green one with yellow ends sometime. Not particularly interested in the Mk1 charter rake but I will pick the WCRC FOs up on a casual basis. As for the reissue of the Mk3s, I feel that the latest Farish printing makes these more than acceptable. The dilemma comes when you run mixed rakes or have them side by side, otherwise the differences are not massively noticed. Interiors for the Farish Mk3s have been around for years and it would be easy to blank out/ darken the windows of sleepers with smoke coloured acetate. I think Farish have played a master stroke issuing blue/grey and Intercity sleepers after the pig’s ear that Dapol made of both liveries and their reticence to correct their mistakes (unlike previous actions with Class 73s and 156s in recent years). The Caledonian sleeper livery is a strange choice which I don’t think will sell well at RRP or 15% dealer discount. So all in all, a little bit in the announcement for me, but not an overwhelming amount. Anyone want some Dapol Mk3 sleepers (B/G and IC available!!). Later, Stu from NRSW

Hi Gang; A glaring gap in the N Gauge department is a Mk1 BSO (in Blue/Grey for me) which has 5 open bays. This would add to the BCK and SK currently tooled resulting in even more brake coaches (there are many surplus brake coaches in the N Gauge bargain bins). The reasoning is that they can be converted more easily to a BSOT format to support West Highland and other Scottish Region rakes without resorting to razor saws and such-like, although if no announcement is forthcoming, then the razor saw may appear!! I did mention it to the Bachmann rep at Warley, but he glazed over a bit as he discovered I was talking N Gauge. Should have been obvious as I was standing by the N Gauge glass cabinet!! A class 85 in N please...and I would be content. Later; Stu from NRSW

Hi Mike, Changed the coupling over and all is well. It is currently connected to a brand new 68 and running- in around the test track with the DT leading. Later, Stu from NRSW

Hi Gang, Happy to report that my TPE set has safely arrived and, out of the box, is acceptably free running and the Dapol 68 waiting patiently on the shelf happily romps away with it. Not tried pushing much as the loco buffers conspire to derail the adjacent coach on easing out from a curve, so will explore later, a longer shank coupling for that. Will have to compare the wheels and bogies against the remaining couple of stubborn CS sleeper coaches to gain any further useful insight, although I have managed to get those up to loco plus 8 without too many dramas. Still the occasional uncoupling from the loco due to accumulated drag, so a bit more work is needed. Later, Stu from NRSW

Hi Gang, I would love to see Kernow reduce the PRA China Clay wagon to N Gauge. Early AC electrics (81-85) are an obvious gap, now that the 87 and 90 are being/have been revamped. Farish could do well to tool up a 5 bay Mk1 BSO, therefore allowing a BSOT to be modelled a bit easier. AC units have got to be the future low hanging fruit, with the 387 already in the research stage. And to go with it all, some decent catenary portals and head spans. Later, Stu from NRSW

Hi Glencoe; Admittedly, they are a bit of a pig to re-assemble but a bit of perseverance and occasionally having 3 hands helps. It looks like you have cut the chassis wiring and separated all the parts. It can be managed without removing the wires and requires the baseplate and seating to be turned and teased around the body. It may be that you might have sacrificed lighting as the wires are excruciatingly short already and may not be suitable for re-soldering. If you need some assistance in re-assembling, then DM me and I may be able to offer some assistance. Regards; STU from NRSW

Hi Gang, Done two sets of the Strathclyde body swaps. All 4 cars are back together and seem to be running ok with all lights still intact. It is not a job for the faint hearted as some of the items, pick up wires especially, are a tight fit and you need to be careful not to bend the retaining lugs on the floor of the body. The light guides are incredible fiddly to re-fit but achievable. Getting the gangway, complete with hair spring back in place resulted in rescuing it from the floor a couple of times, but nevertheless, it got easier with practice. No real differences in technique between motor car and trailer, except that the seating on the trailer needs to be ‘encouraged’ forward to reseat correctly. The opportunity was also taken to remove excessive grease from the drive train. I’ll do the other two pairs once I have removed the decals ready for renumbering and rebranding as SPT with the whoosh once I find the correct decals. Anyone else done theirs yet?? Later, Stu from NRSW.

Hi Gang, After the prompt of a quick email to the Dapol sales address, I am pleased to say that I have now received the replacement 156 bodies. Will be a few days before I can clear the workbench enough to concentrate on the delicate task of changing all the fiddly bits over. I may take the opportunity to re-decal a couple with SPT logos and ScotRail ‘whooshes’ along with a re-number before I assemble them all back together. Thanks to Adam and Rob at Dapol for sorting me out. Regards, Stu from NRSW

Hi John, Well, that is some good news at last. I shall wait patiently for my email. I have 4 sets (8 body shells) to swap over so keen to get hold of them soon! Later, Stu from NRSW

Hi Gang; I have added my vote for the 'Swallow' IC Livery buffer fitted power car and the Colas pair. I didn't go for the IC Exec Livery Buffer fitted power car due to limited timescale and scope. The others are not really in my area but I assume the EMR buffer special will interest some. I would really like to see a 'Harry Patch' too. Later; Stu from EGVN

Hi Gang; Just given my TMC Dealer Express Parcels 128 a quick test run on the rolling road. All seems well with smooth pickup and drive in both directions. Lights are nice and subtle too, not getting too bright. A credit to all concerned. Not adding a sound chip at this stage, so cannot comment on that aspect!! Just another two to arrive direct from Revolution now!! Later; STU from EGVN

Hi All; The Scottish version of this wagon with the blue framing and the small saltire would be a welcome addition. The PECO one is incredibly hard to find now and I could do with a few more. To that end, if anyone has any they wish to swap on a one for one basis (for another colour framing), I'd be interested. Later; STU from EGVN

Hi Gang; My 9 Car Partial Avanti livery Pendo has also arrived and really looks superb. Not had a chance to try it out yet as the test track is currently packed away due to work and kitchen projects. I shall admire it for a few more days before digging out an oval of track to have a play. As Ged has said, well done Ben, Mike, Mike B and now Simon for getting these out to us all. Later, STU from EGVN

Hi Adam; Didn't get a reply directly, but this is indeed good news. Thanks for digging in and helping. Looking forward to the replacement bodies arriving. Regards; STU from EGVN