Ron Ron Ron

Earlier opening up to Crewe, without completion to Manchester, throws up a few issues for the rolling stock orders, particularly if the order is to be for two types, captive and classic compatible. Although nothing is set in stone, Manchester, like Birmingham, is expected to see operation of captive trains, but HS services between London and Manchester won't be able to utilise these until the full NW route is opened to the Piccadilly HS terminus. I've read suggestions elsewhere, on another forum, that classic compatibles would be used on these services initially, which would then be redeployed to the NE route to Leeds and beyond when that opens.. Floating an idea here.... It might make sense too, with respect to the production line and deliveries of the HS train fleet. Opening to Birmingham only, followed by a 4, 5 or 6 year gap before the next phase comes into use, would leave a significant gap between train deliveries and would possibly push costs up. By quickly following on with Crewe, halves the time gap until the next phase is opened, i.e. both Manchester and the full route to Leeds, reducing the gaps between train deliveries and allowing more continuous run of production. I'm making assumptions here, such as.... there being two train fleets (CC & captive), rather than one (CC only), if there are two types of train, that there's a single contract for both fleets and it's awarded to a single manufacturer. .

I completely agree. I other markets (USA & Germany) there are RTR manufacturers who specialise in only making high-spec wagons and passenger cars. We could really do with such a venture over here. Having said that, Bachmann have produced some absolutely top notch wagons in recent years. .

Looking at Dave's close up photos, a few posts up (post 134), it would appear that many of the concerns may spring from the photo of the Banger Blue example on the SLW website. That Blue one doesn't look right. Dave's Green one looks superb. The other issue raised is the glazing. Is it just the light showing up the bottle lens effect in the front view photos, or does it look like that in normal conditions? It's the same problem that afflicts a lot of RTR D&E models. This is an excellent development in the RTR marketplace. Along with Dapol's just announced Black Label A4 and a few other high-spec, high fidelity models , UK RTR is suddenly taking a very positive move forward. p.s. The price is bl***y marvellous. Well done. .

According to MRE, Econami with British steam and diesel sounds, are being launched at Warley this weekend. Class 20, 31, 37, 47 and UK EMD710 (66 &67) with 9 horns (high/low tones), 2 air compressors, engine startup, shutdown and exhaust, Spirax valve, brake squeal/release, and more. Price given as "starting at £52". http://www.mremag.com/index.php/news/502-sountraxxwarley .

According to tonight's BBC regional news..... GWML electrification is 4 years late and will not be delivered until 2020 The new EMU fleet will be stored for up to 4 years. The 25% increase in capacity, due to be delivered in 2018, cannot now be delivered until after 2020 Big one here... All GWML Class 800's will now be Bi-Mode. The all-electric stock in the current order will now be switched to Bi-Mode versions. If the report about the Class 800's is correct and factual, that is a big upset and loss. I can't find anything about this anywhere on line, so more detail may emerge tomorrow. On the other hand, it might be a misinterpretation or poor reporting on behalf of the BBC local news team. .

BBC News are running a short feature on the Japanese Maglev today. They make the inevitable comparison with the UK. The HS Bullet trains have been running in Japan for 50 years and it will be more than 60 years when HS2 finally opens its first phase from London to Birmingham. By that time, the new Maglev line should be about to open between Tokyo and Nagoya, with trains running at speeds greater than 300 mph. Cost of the line is compatible with our HS2, despite much of it having to be tunnelled and built through mountain ranges. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34829621 .

They are out in the wild now Mike. Here's a link to that FAQ page mentioned above. Some people are reporting problems on there..... FAQ's (Click the link to Info/FAQ page). .

While the Google Play store is a relatively much safer place to download apps from, rather than riskier 3rd party download sites, it is still not fully curated and very few apps are tested by Google for security risks. There have been reports of hundreds of dodgy apps available on there. The golden rule is only download Android apps from the Play Store, if they come from reputable developers. Quite unlike the "walled garden" Apple App Store, where apps have to be submitted for testing and only a handful of dodgy apps have managed to escape the net. As it's a relatively rare event, it's a big news story when they do. .

...or if you're a Hillbilly - AAAAAHHHHHH...banjos (as in Mmmmmm!) .

Looks like there are plans for 8 boards (decoders). They are asking for peoples requirements or wishes, so select "Click Here to join our list....etc"). http://bluerailtrains.com

5629E54B831273795979606376448_SW_WEBM_1446670836243a15f0f359a.mp4

Note that the MC2 can be found at a cheaper price. e.g. €285.95 (approx. £204 ) MC2 with WLAN adapter €265.95 (approx. £190 ) MC2 handset only Similarly, the Piko SmartControl and train sets complete with the SmartControl and LokSound fitted locos, can be found cheaper tham m.r.p. e.g. €331.95 (approx. £237 ) Full SmartControl system. €469.90 (approx. £335 ) Two different train sets available with track etc. €559.90 (approx. £399 ) A larger set containing two trains - ICE3 + Freight train .

Signs that release of the SmartContol may be getting close.... A new video, just released by Piko. .

I don't know if this CGI has been posted before? Courtesy of VTEC (creative commons).

If you are/were into Genesis (the proper era before the remnants went all Pop), or a bit of a prog fan, then this concert is fantastic......

From the Fareham show last w/end, I hear that DJM hasn't completely cancelled or ruled out the 59 in 00. That project is in limbo, only held up by the lack of one licence (we already knew that). I have also heard that the other licences are/were in place and exclusive to DJM. Which may present a problem for Dapol with an 00 version. How much of this is true, I don't know? .

Is it that Dapol don't have the rights to all the liveries in 00 ?

I'm sure DCC Concepts plans for a RTL track range have been known about since at least Ally Pally, back in March. Wasn't it mentioned by Richard in his BRM/RMweb "theatre" talk? I can't find it on the forum, but I seem to remember it being mentioned here, several months ago. .

How damaging to Lenz will the withdrawal of TouchCab be? Lenz haven't displayed much enthusiasm for its DCC developments over the last few years. Their throttles are dated and long overdue for replacement and from anecdotal evidence and other comment, the availability of TouchCab has partially, or completely compensated for those weaknesses in the eyes of some Lenz buyers and users. For others, TouchCab brought wireless control to their Lenz systems, for as little as £5. Lenz even introduced a new LAN/USB interface to allow smart devices to be used as wireless throttles with the Lenz system. AFAIK, TouchCab has been the only app available to make use of this facility, without having to go through a PC running a computer software package. I wonder if "stay tuned" has any bearing on this? .

It's not showing in Piko's Oktober 2015 - "NEU im shop" latest releases bulletin. With only 11 weeks to go before Xmas (Crikey!!!!!), I would think that Piko will want its new SmartControl digital train sets in the shops, in time to make it into a few Christmas stockings. So hopefully there won't be much more time to wait. On the subject of SmartControl train sets. These are being advertised from only €138 (£102) more than the cost of the SmartControl + SmartBox alone. For example, that extra £102 buys you.... a Piko H0 diesel loco fitted with a LokSound decoder, plus 2x double deck coaches, plus track to make a basic layout. ...or a Piko H0 AC electric loco fitted with a LokSound decoder, plus 3 bogie tank wagons, plus track. That's right. A LokSound decoder fitted loco + wagons or coaches + some track for only £102. Note: The SmartControl + SmartBox alone is still being advertised at €332 (£245) .

There was that promised "Control Tower" app for Digitrax systems, designed to work with Digitrax's LocoNet WiFi interface. I'm not sure what happened to that? There is another similar "computer free" WiFi application though. The new Bachmann "E-Z Command Smart Interface". Designed to work with the basic E-Z Command DCC system. (n.b. this is not the Bluetooth based system, E-Z App, which is another product.) The demise of TouchCab is a great loss. Many thanks to Jens, not only for all the hard work, but for his pioneering work in this field. . .

In this case, unless there are other factors at play, FGW clearly think it is. There's nothing wrong in that. In most cases road transport is "cheaper, more convenient and more sensible". Well it's not FGW's competition. They're not a freight hauler. .

If I was a First shareholder, a financial lender to the company or a senior executive, I would be very "bothered" if they weren't "bothering" about their costs. From a railway perspective, it is neither crazy or not crazy to move these locos by road, rather than rail. It's down to the commercial judgement and priorities of the companies concerned how they wish to carry out this task. Any negative impact on the highways, its users and any affected local communities, would be another matter. .

I'm not sure if the photo in the local report is from the files, or from this latest event? http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Passengers-stranded-wave-struck-train-hours-near/story-27794848-detail/story.html .