Steven B

The free version of Anyrail has a limit on the number of track pieces that can be used which might account for the missing "return to fiddle yard" track at the left hand side of the plan.

@Hewlett87 what are you trying to achieve?

What era? A class 68 + Mk5 suggests current, where good sheds aren't that common.

What other trains will you be running?

Have a look at real locations for some inspiration. Seamer is a two track station with stabling sidings that could be turned into a small distribution hub like those at Blackburn, Wakefield or Middlesbrough. Have a look at Google Earth's aerial views - Blackburn's site no longer has rail access but the historic images show the connection.

SB. 

As a rail enthusiast the prospect of a tram system in Leeds is interested, but is it what the city really needs?

My guess is that it'll help travel times from the outskirts to the city centre but won't actually help travel around the city.  If it follows the old/existing supertram route proposals, it won't even serve Leeds-Bradford airport.

Public transport into Leeds city centre isn't too bad. Travel times are OK and it usually works out less expensive than paying car-parking unless there's a car full and you're not stopping long. Travelling between the suburbs is another matter.

My journey to work takes about 15min in the car, around the top side of the outer ring-road. According to Google, the same trip by bus can take 3-4 times as long, involve up to 25min of walking to the nearest bus stop where if I get times wrong I can be waiting 30 or 60 min for the next bus depending on the route.  More frequent buses that travel at more than 20mph would make it a viable option - a tram won't. 

Looking further afield, I can drive to my parents in about an hour. The equivalent by public transport takes nearly 3 and costs much, much more! 

Until the public transport options actually reduce journey times the car will remain king - unless a government decides to drop speed limits or make car ownership unaffordable nothing's likely to change.

SB.

My first visit to the Wakefield show since 2019 and it was well worth the short trip down the M1 (although I did miss having a ride on the miniature railway).

Thank-you to everyone involved with running it!

Most DCC command stations allow decoder addresses to be read back. The Bachmann train set decoder above will only let you program them to short addresses between 1 and 10.

Most DCC locos can be set so they won't run on DC, whilst a few others won't because of the way they've been made.

So which option is better for DC modellers:

1. Lights that are on/off based on a switch which you may need to take the roof off to access?

2. Lights that are on whenever there's power with no way of turning them off?

3. Lights that are on whenever there's power but can be turned off by waving a magnet over them?

4. No lights fitted - let DCC modellers buy them as an option like Dapol do.

SB

An extra £60 for the Paddington one (based on Google's ￥to £ conversion). I'd imagine a chunk of that will be taken up with licensing costs, and another chunk  with the extra tampo printing needed for the Paddington unit. Kato's batches are in the 10's of thousands - I can't imagine them making fewer Paddington branded units - if anything I'd suggest they're likely to sell more as somone who's already got a GWR class 800 may prefer to get the branded one rather than another plain vanila version..

Steven B.

15 hours ago, Portpatrick said:

When it comes to the lights automatically coming on again after you start the train from still, this seems to be an quirk of DC operation - they reset themselves.  Apparently this does not happen with DCC operation.

The rear red lights on the Rapido class 28 work the same way. As long as there's track power the magnet switch stays latched. When the power is turned off, it resets turning the light back on. The track power on DCC is always on so it's not a problem. 

Personally I'd prefer some hidden DIP switches as used on some OO Gauge models (yet accessiblefrom the outside). Whether there's room in N is a other matter.

Steven B

Shouldn't the 9F have arrived carrying a Class 1 head-code rather than class 0? (light engine going to assist disabled train rather than just a light engine).

18 hours ago, bmthtrains - David said:

Not just a Revolution thing by any means, but another example of why I tend not to pre-order things where possible and wait for reviews/feedback. Too many models seem to have all the looks but issues when it comes to them actually moving these days.

The trouble with waiting for the reviews is that models are often sold out within a week or two of arriving in the shops (e.g. Farish Mk2F) or in the case of Revolution cost more than the early bird prices.

Fortunately our consumer laws means it's easy enough to get a refund should you decide a model isn't worth keeping.

Steven B

You may find you need different lengths as the location of the NEM pocket isn't always where it should be on the model. 

They should work with electromagnets. Another options I've seen used is a permanent magnet being moved with a servo - either lowering it or moving to one side of the track. 

For alternatives, look for B&B or DG. Both involve some etched brass origami and are a bit harder to fit than just swapping one NEM coupling for another. They are less obtrusive than the Dapol easy shunt (or standard Rapido).

SB.

Stop it! Despite being able to justify a rake of 30 of these, I passed on these and chose to extend my rake of C=Rail kits instead. You're making me regret my decision....

Steven B

What DC controller do you have? A reasonably modern one without feedback should be fine. I'd avoid 40+ year old H&M controllers too. As mentioned, make sure any relco type track cleaners or high-frequency coach lighting add-ons are removed.

If you want to make sure the locos you have work, there's a lot to be said for a length of track and a 9V PP3 battery!

Steven B

They were found regularly on the Huddersfield to Workington TPO:

Bee Line (2) by Andrew Gallon, on Flickr

TPO Workington 1990 by Dave Marks, on Flickr

I believe three compartments were removed but with access to the area created restricted, rather than being open access like other BG/POS/POT vans.

Steven B

Lovely work James.

Have you ever considered building a T-TRAK module?

SB.

There was a Paddington to Manchester Piccadilly train that started out with a 50 on the front, which was usually replaced at Stafford with a 47. There are a good number of photos on Flickr of a 50 in Piccadilly after the loco exchange failed to happen or because the loco was off to Longsight for wheel turning:

(Simon Flower on Flickr)

Steven B

@Revolution Ben The video showing the Cartic's being tested doesn't play on either Chrome or Firefox. Can it be posted to YouTube?

Or alternatively I'd be more than happy to try the N Gauge ones at at Yorkshire Area Group meeting - address via my Revolution Trains account! 😉

SB.

Railway Modeller's rule #23. All trains should have a brake van on the end.

J04aLR by Vernon Sidlow, on Flickr

British Rail - "nah, put two in the middle"

SB

My 1988 Ian Allan Combined Volume lists 20, all in Red Star branded blue. None are listed in the 1989 Combined Volume.

Some did survive as internal user vehicles. An RTC liveried one lasted in Derby until at least the mid 90s. Blue ones could be spotted at Oxford and Three Bridges in the early 2000s.

Steven B

Newspaper train rather than parcels, but nice to see a monster and a couple of Siphons at the head of the train:

14Sep77. Taplow. Brush Class 31 31241 (Ex D5668). [Slide_D045] by Mr_Western, on Flickr

Perhaps the land needed for the flask wagon siding was more easily available at Valley compared to Amlwch, or it was easier to fit in with the other traffic timetabled for the line. Valley's population is smaller that of Amlwch which may also have had an impact.

Steven B

Make that 1988:

Sunday Papers At Gledholt. by Neil Harvey 156, on Flickr

Steven B.

I'm planning a trip to Games Workshop - Citadel Mephiston Red or Army Painter Pure Red look like good starting points.

Steven B.

The 1980 catalogue has the answers you need:

https://www.ness-st.co.uk/pdf/Farish 1980 Catalogue.pdf

2304 = single vent GWR

2404 = twin vent GWR

Red Bank, 1970

(John Turner on Flickr)

It's interesting to see the mix of maroon, blue and blue/grey alongside the green class 40.

Does anyone recognise the blue van on the end of the train in the centre of the picture? It looks like a former LNER extra long CCT. Next vehicle looks like a Mk1 CCT.

Steven B