Scottish Modeller

Hi Eddie, I think that means you never touched it since you bought it the first year Heljan released it! You were going to do it as a demo - if I remember correctly? Thanks

Hi all, Another query re Class 37 liveries... Is there a list of which Class 37's carried the CE Yellow/Grey livery? Thanks

Hi Simon, How is your luck running? That seems to be the only way to gauge the probability or otherwise of whatever you order and pay for turning up! I ordered and paid for several sets of the DMU pipework sets and also DMU MU receptacles - total just under £20.00. That was the week after York exhibition.... Thanks

Hi HighPeakMan, You my friend, are in exactly the same position as I am... Order and pay via the website - then wait and see what, if anything turns up. I'm still waiting and my email chasing the items has not been responded to. Thanks

Hi all. It appears to me that the difference in price for the various makes of sound decoder ties in with the ability or lack of when it comes time to program the thing! I initially just bought whatever prime mover/power unit sound from whoever did it. I've come to regret that - but I learned a lot in the process! So - Yes - Buy the best you can afford is a good start point. However, once you get more into how it all works and what they can do, then the cheaper decoders loose out - Big Time! My MRC decoders can only do a third of the later decoders from Soundtraxx, TCS, Zimo, ESU can do and it's not as high a quality sound. As this lesser result comes for slightly more than 1/2 the cost of the more expensive decoders - save the money and buy the better decoder. It all makes sense in the end.... Thanks

Hi there, There will be 'drop in' sound decoders available for the loco from several makers. I would start with Soundtraxx and check the website for the model listing. Another option would be MRC ..... Walthers took over and have now released the Life Like locos with upgrades. Thanks

Will try and see if I get a response! Thanks

Ok - Please tell us what you ordered - then I can have a guess at whether or not back orders may be forthcoming! Thanks

Hi there, Thanks for the response.... I had this same situation in Scotland! None of the clubs appeared to have a solid D&E interest and there was a visible gap/opportunity in the exhibition content. One of you needs to bite the bullet and join DEMU (again)! Then you approach the Area Group guy (or become the Area group guy - like I did) to see what the DEMU membership is like in the area and then work at convincing them to appear at the show (and any other shows that are of interest). Of course - if their is an area group for your area - then you need to make yourselves and the opportunity known to them. My point is - Until you have an advocate for movement on the D & E front - then it will remain stagnant. When you consider that the D & E era is now the largest time period for modelling - it should have a larger representation around the clubs. Thanks

Hi there Team Yakima.... Are non of your club members members of DEM as well? If so - they should speak with their area group co-ordinator to see if a presence at the show is possible. After all - DEMU are the only era specific society to cover the D&E era exclusively! Thanks

Hi there, Check out eBay at present as there is a listing for one of the replacement full motor units which feature better control and speed. Not connected - came up in a search for something else totally unrelated! Thanks

Hi Grahame, Checked the website and nothing new listed? http://www.ngaugemodelling.co.uk/ourshop/ Not sure how often/when it gets updated as it looks exactly the same as it did a few weeks ago! Thanks

Hi there, Yes - Dogfish and Mermaids run together. In fact - there was a separate code for the - Merdog. Semi permanently coupled.. Enables the full width of a track to have ballast spread over it. Thanks

Hi all, It always amazes me viewing film from the 70's by just how much 1st Class coaching stock there is on the trains! Must have been a lot richer clientel in those days.... Thanks

Hi Jim, I've been trying to use the Gutzhold spring pivoting pockets with the Kadee couplers as well. They are fine between the separate rakes of wagons but look out of place between the wagons of a set. So - I thought about rigid coupler bars between individual wagons. Most of the ones available are too long and give an increased gap that looks wrong between the wagons. I've just started to try and make something a bit shorter. Take the standard Hornby or Bachmann coupling that fits the NEM pocket. Cut the bar part of the coupling off - leaving a shank with a wider plate at the end. Drill holes in both of these at the same distance from the front of the shortened coupling. (Hole sizes are up to you!) Cut 2 bits of 20thou plasticard 3mm wide by 20mm long. Drill holes in both ends of these. (same size as holes in the coupling) Assemble with one piece plasticard above couplings and one below. Make short T pegs to go through the hoes and couple the wagons. You may need to adjust the length of the plasticard pieces. Once happy - It's up to you to either make these into solid bars or leave with the extra ability to pivot. I'm still playing at this point. They seem to work but only going forwards. Needs sorting out to enable them to work in reverse. Thanks

Hi John, That would be great - thanks in advance! Lets hope they don't get moved overnight.

Hi John, More interested in the Sea Urchin - ZCA! Is this the only angle you can get of them? Thanks

Hi Mark, That 'Instantly rigid and stiff' chassis looks good! Just wish that some of the designers of etch kits in the past had the same policy.... I still have an etch kit on the books to do in standard OO for someone - the only problem is that only goes together properly when you build it to P4 standards. Not a happy bunny - but the customer says he is happy to wait for me to come up with a solution! Only problem is that I would have to resign the kit. Thanks

Hi Delticfan, I'm sure that Chris would love to be able to tell us all about the difficulties that have been encountered to even get the model to the stage that it has. But he won't - if you go into something like this - it's all at your risk! I know that there are drawings available for the loco - several versions it seems! So - even getting to the point at which you would consider going from paper to theoretical CAD model is fraught with set backs. So many sources contradict other sources as they are found. How do you decide what is right and wrong? Especially when you remember there is no full size loco to scan and work from! Thanks

I take it you would rather they had rushed out the model? Then had everyone say that it was wrong in oh so many ways and should not have been released with all these errors? No - I didn't think so! So - you preordered one - good Did you pay any money up front - No - Good. So, even if it never appears you are not out of pocket. Chris will be - he will still have all the research and development costs to cover. I can remember when a certain gentleman from Trix said that he would get the Trans Pennine redone as a Glasgow Blue Train.... Still waiting! Thanks

Hi Dave, A Google search is all that is needed to find the drawings..... http://s405.photobucket.com/user/dirty_numb_angel_boi/media/British%20Diesel%20And%20Electric%20Locomotive%20Drawings/BR_Class_25_zps2fcae5d1.jpg.html Thanks

Hi Pete, You are correct - not many photos of Halifax around - especially colour ones. A photo survey of the station was done in the early 80's - it was one of the sites touted for the Bus Museum. I do remember there were over 200 photos covering the station, goods shed and environs. Not sure who would have the photos now though. If you try contacting the Halifax MRC - it is possible they gained them as the photographer was one of their members. Thanks

Hi pete, There appear to be very few colour images on the web that show how Bradford really was, but I remembered the R W Caroll had posted one in an earlier RMWeb. http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w174/robertcwp/Other/BradfordExchange_undated_s.jpg This gives a good idea what it was like! Thanks

Hi Pete, As a one time extensive user of Bradford Exchange - I think you have it about how I remember! The colour variation depends on the porosity of each sandstone block. The more porous it was - the more water (and dirt) it absorbed and the more prone to frost damage it became. I've actually stood by and leaned against, one of the walls at Bradford Exchange. On some of the blocks the surface would rub off leaving a lighter shade of stone visible. Thanks

Hi Jay, The ESU Select Direct is a straight replacement - you need to make sure that you put it in the right way - there are a couple of capacitors that are rather prominent on them and get in the way! Thanks