87023Velocity

2 hours ago, MarshLane said:

 

Hi Simon,

Quick question, going back to your first post - how have you found the 180 degree curves on the layout, especially when running at speed.  Being 3ft diameter, have they caused any issues with running or derailing at all?

Rich

Hi Rich,

No problems at all, the 180 degree curve at the Warrington Bank Quay end the board is 2.5ft so the radius are between 11 to 12.5 inch radius. 

The pushpulls run fine around them at speed.

Cheers

Simon

With the yellow ends applied to Mentor 975091 and Test Car 5 975422, they were both given a test run although not finished yet.

Cheers

Simon

2 hours ago, JBM37404 said:

Tested the Sleeper set vid here:

https://youtu.be/o7NL694qY7I

 

Had some major issues with Chivers OTA wagons. They won't take the 2nd radious curves at the ends of the layout can't think of a solution tried every coupler going in my spares box. Anyone else used these wagons with success on curves?

 

Cheers 

 

John

Hi John,

I had similar issues regards the couplings then had an idea to use the Farish sprung coupler pocket from some redundant bogies (the generic type for the Farish 100t tanker and Freightliner flat). These were mounted on the OTAs and seem to work alot better and will negotiate the tightest curve in my fiddleyard at 9inch radius and also reverse crossovers in the fiddleyard. 

The other issue is trying to get sufficient weight in them.

Cheers

Simon

29 minutes ago, DavidMcKenzie said:

Top stuff Simon, they are coming on nicely and already look brilliant. 

 

All the best,

Dave

Thanks Dave 👍 Just need to look into getting some transfers done.

Cheers

Simon

After 2 year gap due to Covid, the Wigan Model Railway Exhibition is back this October (Dallam will be there), see below:

Cheers

Simon

Hi Jo,

I have used a cut down Shawplan 4mm class 37 nose etched grill to form the grill on ADB975422 (ex Lab 6). A full width grill is approx 7.5mm and could be cut to the correct height. I cut holes in the body to fit the grills rather than overlay.

Cheers

Simon

975422(ex Lab 6 Promethemus) is basically done now for the various mods required. The roof well has been fabricated along with the inspection window. No pantograph or lights to fit as by this point they had been removed as the vehicle was just used as a brake force runner. Also jumper sockets have been added to the vehicle ends. A bit of tidying up around the inspection window will be done once the glue and filler has hardened. Here it is with Mentor, 2 x ex Waterman Railways mk1 runners and ex mk1 courier 977905. Just need to get Mentor finished and then spray all 3 in Serco red/grey.

Bit more work done on the mk1 brake force runners. 

ADB977905 which is an ex courier van has had the necessary windows filled in and a roller shutter door fitted. Although the windows have been filled, plating will be added to each window. The B4 bogies have come from a GUV.

ADB975422 which is ex Lab 6 Promethemus has had Farish Mk3 BT10 bogies fitted, these have been modified by removing the coupling to allow the close coupling system to be retained that is fitted to the mk1. 

Although the bodywork is basically as per a BSK, there is a split grill on one side in the van area. 

I had a spare Shawplan 4mm class 37 nose grill etch which is nearly the right dimensions so 2 slots were cut to allow the grill to be fitted into the body rather than just overlay it as the brass is to thick.

Next job with this will be the roof modifications above the seating area for the pantograph well.

Cheers

Simon

Another running session featuring the MOD vehicles, the KUA Nuclear flasks, an MGR and a Virgin Mk2 service.

Thanks for watching!

Cheers

Simon

7 hours ago, Jim Martin said:

Loving those photos! What shade of blue did you use on the PDA? I have a couple of those in need of painting.

 

Jim

Thanks Jim, looked at pictures on Flickr and used Railmatch Provincial dark blue/Mainline Freight blue RM209, looks ok under the layout lighting. 

Cheers

Simon

A bit of modelling done this evening rather than playing trains. Got a coat of red applied to the 20ft MOD containers and also a coat of blue onto the PDA (ex VCA van), both done with the airbrush. The van needs yellow ends adding along with a dark grey/matt black roof going off pictures. The containers need the silver door locking bars picking out.

Another clip on Dallam with freight, engineers and a 142 thrown in for good measure.

Cheers

Simon

Back to normality after the class 320s. Had a class 47 themed running session earlier featuring:

47712 Fragonset

47761 RES livery

47785 EWS livery

47853 Virgin

Cheers

Simon

4 hours ago, Departmental203 said:

I have (unfortunately) been a bit inacive around here but wow, it was very nice reading all about the "Mentor" conversion here and I must say, it's looking fantastic! The details on the ends are very nice touches IMO😍 and its all in N gauge!

 

I do wonder, would we see an RTR version of "Mentor" in any scale at some point? I recon other people are hoping for one as it is a popular coach from the test fleet.

 

Jules

 

 

Thanks Jules!

Need to crack on with Mentor, not a great deal left to do. Wonder if Mentor would appeal to someone like Revolution Trains? 

Cheers

Simon

With the second unit run in I tried running in multiple. This works fine as both evenly matched speed wise on DC.  The head/tail lights were switched out on the middle vehicles. All internal lights switched off as well.

A video of both my class 320s running on Dallam - with DB liveried 90129 from the Freightconnection event on a passing Intermodal, this could be somewhere south of Glasgow around the early 90s.

With the second unit run in I tried running in multiple. This works fine as both evenly matched speed wise on DC.  The head/tail lights were switched out on the middle vehicles. All internal lights switched off as well.

With the arrival of the Revolution 320s, thought it would be good to set up a Scottish them with a push pull rake and the blue 08 (just need a few Scotrail 47/7s now!)

Although 37513 in Loadhaul is a welcome release, I hope that the bodyside window will be removed/filled in rather than the Loadhaul logo being applied over it as in the press picture.

Simon