CovDriver

I agree about working the 321's as I worked them as a guard for a few years but the B'ham International to Walsall shuttles did drag a bit changing end's all the time.

Those green caps are the new bodyside cameras they've been installed but aren't live as yet (hopefully they never will be)!!,There is a large monitor in the cabs too which is currently plated over Siemens retrofitted them without any agreement from the unions. Hope that helps Cheers Colin

I think this maybe a bargain for those in O gauge. Class 60 in O gauge at £299 https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/69467/6014-Heljan-Class-60-Diesel-Locomotive-60-040-Territorial-Army Even I was tempted at that price. Cheers Colin

I passed Kings Norton this morning and that's the first time I've seen a 69, I do like the look of them. I was hoping for a red signal on the way back towards New St to grab a quick pic, but no it was greens all the way from Bromsgrove. Great pics Jim Cheers Colin

Sorry only just seen the comment it's gone I'm afraid apologies.

Well that was a nice easy morning until my last bit from Redditch. First thing it was a taxi to Birmingham International to prep a single 350 and run ECS to New St followed by using the same unit to do a New St - International shuttle. Then it was 30minute break before a trip to Four Oaks with a pair of 323's (211&213) and return through to Redditch and back to New St and finally pass back to Coventry and finish. But everything was going well until my departure from Redditch, shortly after departing a felt a sudden jolt whilst taking power and then I lost traction power in the front unit. The front unit was 213 I managed to limp into Alvechurch and try a pantograph up reset I did this twice but it was no good so I decided to limp onwards to Barnt Green where I wasn't blocking the single line. And took instructions from our control. Basically a switch it off wait a minute and switch it back on and fingers crossed but to no avail. Now with the signallers permission we had been given authority to limp on towards New St and be met by fitters. It was really odd driving back to New St as it was silent the only sounds in the cab was the AWS and no noise from the traction coverter and motors. And also I had no regenerative braking as it was now only on straight air brakes. Upon arrival at New St it was declared a failure and to be sent to Soho depot for attention. Here's a couple of pics from this morning. Cheers Colin

Just a couple of pics from this mornings turn, I was supposed to prep a pair of 350's and work the 0539 Coventry to Northampton service = 1W02. Then travel pass to New St have a break then work a 4car 350 to Wolverhampton- Walsall and return all the way Wolverhampton and back to New St. But an instructor and trainee took my job from the first Wolverhampton part and completed the rest of the job. So it's been a really easy day. The first pic showing 350376 and 239 on road 2 in Cov Yard now its been reopened to traffic. And as I was down changing the points at the South end 6Z46 appeared on the Down slow to wait time so I managed a pic of 56091. Wish I was driving that instead of 350's all the time Cheers Colin

View Advert REDUCED PRICE Hornby Class 50 (50149 R2434) Railfreight sector Livery (Rail Express magazine limited edition) DCC sound fitted Here we have a Hornby class 50, 50149 in the one off Rail freight sector livery from when it was converted by BR. It has had a bit of work done on this the jobs done are as follows, the windscreens have been altered to the correct profile with the shawplan etches. The roof fan has been disconnected from the motor to improve the superb slow speed running. the roof fan has been replaced with an etched version. The whole loco has been lightly weathered. Etched nameplates and Laira Galleon depot plaques have been applied. And finally the loco has been fitted with a Hornby TTS sound decoder with a sugercube speaker and sounds very good. This is a reluctant sale but as its just outside of my operating era and location i think it's time for it to move on. Payment via Paypal please I will accept F&F but if the buyer prefers G&S then the buyer must agree to pay the relevant fees which is approximately 4%. Postage will by via Royal Mail 1st Class signed for delivery. Any questions then please message me Advertiser CovDriver Date 07/04/23 Price £160 Category OO / 4mm scale  

Well the plans for working on the layout have completely gone out of the window as SWMBO & mini SWMBO are away I decided to grab some overtime at work. And it's a weekend away this weekend, firstly a trip to Longleat safari Park so I can get the miniature railway in.

What time are near Stechford on working 5K40 off International at 0631 once I've prepped it so I may get away a few minutes early. Cheers Colin

Well it's been a busy few days so here are some pics over those days. It's been the usual Joy's of cross city and it seems that 323221 the green one is following me around at the moment I can't get away from it. Roll on this weekend as its long weekend and for a change we are going away and this time it's not Wales it's the delights of Glastonbury for a few days with a visit to Longleat safari Park and Wookey hole. Cheers Colin

Well after a cold start this morning it was a taxi to Coventry North Yard to prep a pair of 350's (267&241). And surprisingly no faults at all this morning. First part was ECS ino the station then work the 0533 service to New St and then the dreaded cross city, I hate this route with a passion purely because we seem to do this route all the time even though I'm based at Coventry. You would think New St depot would do the majority of the work but it certainly feels like we are lumbered with whilst they get the cream of the work on New St - Northampton trips. Anyway my 2nd part was the 0623 New St to Bromsgrove with a pair of 323's (241&203) and then all the way to Lichfield TV and return back to New St. And time for a break. I should be working the 1036 New St to Rugby and pass back to Coventry, but there is a fiddle so I could get back 30mins earlier. Also this morning on the cross city part it was an RMweb members traincrew turn with @Amnesiacas my rear gunner. Cheers

View Advert Zimo MX644 21-pin Direct MTC Here we have Zimo MX644 21pin sound decoder loaded with Class 47 sounds and the immersive drive. It's no longer required within my stock since I've purchased the new Bachmann 47. There is a speaker included with the decoder which will have to be soldered to the solder tabs on the desired loco's pcb board. Any questions then please message me. Advertiser CovDriver Date 26/03/23 Price £70 Category OO / 4mm scale  

Well after losing the modelling mojo big time around Christmas even to the stage of almost selling it all its returned with vengeance. I've decides to slow burn this one and do it properly and the next couple of pics show exactly what I've been upto. I've almost completed the overbridge to the fiddleyard entrance just need to or attempt to do the road surface and the curb stones and finally paint and weather it. The class 25 has been weathered a bit more and dcc sound fitted. The grampus wagons (parkside kit) had been laying in a draw unbuilt for the past 10years or so so I thought I may as well give this one ago. Just need to paint/number and weather that now. That's about all for this update. I'll try and get some more scenic work done once SWMBO and little one go away to North Wales in a couple of weeks as I'm unable to get annual leave (oh dear what a shame)😇 !! The layout will be moved into the downstairs extension so I can get around the layout. Cheers Colin

The final piece in the New St resignalling project looking forward to going into Monument Lane loop from the South End once its all commissioned. I've only ever gone in there once since I became a driver. Great pics as ever Jim. Cheers Colin

Apologies for taking up this thread but this boxset of DVD's I bought from Amazon a few years ago are absolutely fantastic for a bit of nostalgia.

I can only echo Jim's kind words, It would be such a shame to see this layout scrapped as I was going through my dvd collection the other day I came across a railfreight today (1980/90's) dvd covering North Wales in particular the Amlwch branch. I would be tempted to do something similar to your project perhaps in the future. Cheers Colin

Hi all, Been a bit quiet on here as I'm having a few issues trying to post on the forum in general. As I usually use my mobile to post on the threads of weeks to make the size of the post absolutely huge with hundreds of spaces and gaps between sentences. I'm not sure what the cause maybe but I have a suspicion that it could be the Microsoft edge app on Samsung mobiles. So it's been a bit manic at work doing a bit of the dreaded overtime to pull back for the strike days and now having two Guinea pigs as my youngest thought it would be a great idea. I had been volunteered to be involved with an audit by the ORR that was stressful to be honest hopefully never to be done again. If I get 5minutes tomorrow I'll add some pics of the recent workings I've been doing. Cheers Col

Most definitely not boring as I've been watching your progress it's giving me so many plans for my annual leave next week . Keep up the great work. Colin

Bit of the same old mundane work this morning first it was a trip to Redditch with a pair of WMT liveried 323's 243 was my leading chariot back to New St it's odd to think this was the first mainline unit I drove back in 2016. And as I was stopped on the approach Kings Norton for some late running XC services I managed to see the HST powercars that have been used to haul the Mersey rail class 777 units. And finally another pic of 323221 again at Lichfield Trent Valley. And back on the Cross city in the morning after a quick blast with a pair of 350's from Coventry to New St ECS I'll be on 323221 and with another 323 on the 0546 New To Four Oaks and the straight through to Redditch and return to New St for breakfast followed by a return trip to Lichfield Trent Valley. Cheers Colin

Well now I've got over my few days of being spare (Cabin cat Duties) I'm back out on the mainline but to be honest there's been nothing really of interest to take a pic of. Yesterday I forgot to upload the only pic I took as I was waiting to come out of Coventry North Yard and that was 56091 which was working 6Z46 Wembley Yard to Burton upon Trent (Wetmore sidings) aggregate working.

I think there was a clue or was it typing error Jim ?

Well 2nd day in row a slightly different job first it was a taxi from Coventry to Birmingham International and supposedly prep a single 350 unit but when I arrived it was still coupled to another 350 which also required prepping. Once I uncoupled my unit I prepped it and took it empty stock to New St. Then it was booked a round trip cross city with a pair of 323's it was New St to Four Oaks then through to Redditch and back to New St and low and behold it was 221 and 206 again. Then it was booked pass on the 1036 New St- Euston service but managed to catch an earlier Avanti service. That's me done for today so before all the social media channels go into meltdown. I'd like to wish all you RMwebbers a very happy new year. Cheers Colin

Well I hope we all had a good Christmas and as this morning is the first time I've touched a train since Christmas Eve. I had a booked turn to travel pass to to Birmingham International to prep a 350 and take it to New St ECS. Then I had the delights of a pair of 323's from New St to Bromsgrove and then to Lichfield TV and back to New St for a lengthy PNB. But I was pleasantly surprised to have 323221 and 206 on the cross city. As some of you may know 221 is now in its near as possible original livery. Here's the pics of this great looking unit. My next bit is the 1206 New St to Northampton and back to Coventry and that's all for today. Cheers Colin

That looks fantastic I could do with something similar for my little project, but carpentry isn't strongest area. would you have pictures of the actual traverser to give me some ideas. Cheers Colin