Steven B

Beware! The Templot file you get might be completely to scale - the points and crossings as designed may not be available within the standard FineTrax range. You may find yourself having to build some track parts from more basic parts unless your volunteer tweaks the layout for the range that is available. Steven B

Would you need a flush-fronted DBSO for correct rakes of Anglia MK2fs? Steven B.

+1 for dark grey. Another option is to make up some half-relief machinery or shelving to fill some of the window space. Steven B

76003 passing Godley Junction by Arnie Furniss, on Flickr Another photo here: https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/2186/famous-line-memories-wonderful-woodhead/ https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2017/05/RM-May-p36.jpg Suggests MAT blue. I'd go for either of the blue, (removing the motorail branding if needed) and weather them! Steven B.

You wait ten years for a Maroon Mk1 and half-a-dozen turn up at once! Talk about going from famine to feast! Still no Pilkington green/red/blue though (grumble grumble.... 😀) It's good to see that Bachmann/Farish have perhaps been listening to the may grumblings about the lack of second class coaches compared to the other types. The Clay Tiger is also a worth while addition to Speedlink trains. I was expecting higher prices for the coaches too so doubly good news. Fingers crossed for the missing Mk2a in the autumn (blue/grey TSO & Regional Railways BSO). Steven B.

The Rail Express article (June '04) lists the following: D9021 (cl 55) + 6x TCV, Mk1 GK, 2xSK, BSK (blue/maroon mix) Perth to London Holloway, 08.68) D1527 5xTCV, Mk1 FK, RBR, 2xSK, BSK (Holloway to Edinburgh 08.66) If running a shorter train, passengers from each car were allocated a compartment to themselves. One FK equals seven cars. The Newton Chambers vans initially carried six, but were later downgraded to four as the lower deck was taken out of use following several accidents. Steven B

Just to add to the confusion, some Royal Navy stoker's were also firemen. As well as keeping the boiler fires burning they were also talked with extinguishing any fires burning in places they shouldn't!

Nothing special - out of the box Dapol Mk3a TSO, Farish 90 (Intercity Swallow and RfD) running on Kato Unitrack - mostly straights with some 282mm and 315mm curves (11" & 12.4"). Out of the box, using the fitted Rapido couplings I had no trouble pushing a rake of 10 Mk3a + DVT. Hauling the rake resulted in plenty of unwanted uncouplings. Switching to the taller Dapol Easi-shunts solved the problem. Don't recall having any problems with Farish Mk1 or Mk2F - at one point I was using a Farish BG as a barrier between the class 90 and the Mk3s. Steven B.

DCC throttle for a steam loco? With or without auto-fireman? https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/an-operating-steam-throttle-you-can-customize-12548356 Steven B

The former CML Electronics, now Sig-na Track is worth looking at, but benefits from being plugged into LocoNet. If you use JMRI then have a look through the available scripts - they include an example for a basic times shuttle and it should be possible to expand it to use data from sensors or block detectors. You'll also be able to sound whistles via the script. The basic option if you have DC compatibility enabled is to run a separate section of track using a DC shuttle module. Steven B

Nice work! Has anyone else had issues coupling up to Dapol Mk3s? Using standard Rapido's the two won't stay coupled as the coupler heights are very different. I've switched to the Dapol Easi-shunts which are just about OK. Steven B.

The 2mm Scale Association and N Gauge Society both have area group networks, so this may be another thing worth looking at (not sure if the 4mm and 7mm based society's have something similar). Rather than setting up a full club, perhaps a notice in the local newsagent, supermarket or parish newsletter might help the OP find some modellers more local to him than the nearest existing clubs. Steven B.

BR didn't manage to get the stripes lining up 100% of the time: (both Dave Sallery on Flickr. (first and second carriages, number four is modified NSE)

There are plenty of folk who'd tell you S curves aren't prototypical...

The budget of the Italian Job sequel didn't match the original....

To ensure the loop track is always powered, simply add another track feed to the loop. You may need an insulating joiner on the rail leading to the frog/common crossing of the point/turnout (but probably not for #4 in N). The need for this will depend on if you're using #4 or #6 points. Kato Unitrack #4 HO, #6 N may need the isolating joiner, #6HO, #4 N shouldn't. Have you seen this site: https://wiringfordcc.com/switches_kato.htm Steven B.

If you want something more permanent than a band of Sharpie ink, then have a look at cable markers e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394091280398?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28 (not a recommendation, I've never used that seller!) Using these you can number your feeds as required (at both ends if needed) . Don't forget that you can still use fine wire droppers, and solder on a larger diameter wire which can then feed the block detection. As some blocks may have multiple track feeds you may find yourself doing this regardless. Steven B

Don't seal the waterslide transfer with varnish and you should be able to remove it with water, or worst case something like Microscale's MicroSol. Steven B.

DEMU and locos with those loaded car flats. Steven B

Class 50s could often be found on the 1K01/1M10/1V87 services between Manchester/Stafford/Paddington. Normally the 50 would be replaced with a 47 but would occasionally run through to Piccadilly. I've found photos of the following in NSE colours in Manchester: 50 017 Royal Oak (Revised) 50 018 Resolution (Original) 50 027 Lion (Revised) 50 044 Exeter (Revised) NSE Mk1 & Mk2 non-aircons found their way to the region and were common around 1990 before receiving Regional Railways livery. Whilst not a loco, NSE liveried class 101 could be found at Buxton: (Joh Turner on Flickr) Steven B

Personally I'd avoid any oil or grease which can act as a magnet for fluff and dust making things worse. Firstly, check the wheelsets are free to move. Is there any flash/plastic they can rub on, acting as a brake (including model brake-blocks!). Are the pin-points and axle holes clean? Are the axles the correct length? If they're too long then the axle will be tight in the axle boxes - an axle reamer or careful use of a drill bit can make the axle rotate freely. Are the pin-points on the end of the axes properly machined or are there any burrs? Once the mechanics are sorted, if lubrication is still needed then try a dry lubricant such as graphite. A 3B or 4B pencil is a good starting point but there are a range of graphite lubricants available - they're often used in locks. Steven B.

Test running at the next couple of Yorkshire Area Group meeting? Steven B.

Keeping them presentable is little different to keeping any other loco or multiple unit presentable. At leasts they're mechanically and electrically quite simple. A bigger challenge will be later locos and MU's get preserved with their more complicated electronics. It's a lot easier to keep something moving safely when it can be fixed with a hammer & spanner. Steven B.

Agreed. Much better hauling your dummy power car with a pair of class 50s: One Exercise Session Only. by Stapleton Road, on Flickr Or perhaps when the train set your ordered came with two dummy power cars: 50008 5Z43 by Rob Reedman, on Flickr Steven B

The DJH/Wright/Rathbone combination might well be better than a RTR equivalent, but the DJH/Average Modeller/Average Painter probably won't. I'd also suggest that a fleet of RTR locos of a particular class is probably more consistent mechanically and visually than a kit put together by the average Joe Blogs. Most of my loco fleet is RTR - of the 3 loco classes I've kit built all but one have since been released RTR allowing multiple purchases. Renumbering still happens, but the end result it a more representative fleet and time spent on what can't be bought RTR (wagon kits and semi-decent weathering!). Steven B.