Steven B

My understanding of the project is that the NRM have either bought or been given one of the engines from the production HSTs now that they've all (or most of them) have been re-engined. This will be refurbished and used to replace the original one which, as mentioned above, has been sectioned. I've heard from a friend who works at the NRM that one of the plans is to use it to run a shuttle service between the NRM sites at York and Shildon, possibly top'n'tailed with Flying Scotsman. No idea how true the rumour is but it could make for a fun day out! Happy modelling. Steven B.

I'm sure CJM would sell you a class 59: http://www.cjmmodels.co.uk/V2-Products/CJM_Class_59.htm Don't know how you'd go about making it run on 2FS track though. Stone wagons from Farish, NGS & TPM. Job done. Happy modelling. Steven B.

I've got a Sprog2 and when combined with DecoderPro on my Netbook PC it's a perfect set-up for programming decoders. There's no need to remember what CV does what - the user interface of DecoderPro does all the hard work for you. Together with the JMRI software it can also be used as a DCC controller. What it won't do is program sounds into sound decoders (you'll need the manufacturer specific programmer for that), but you'll still be able to change the standard settings on sound decoders. Recommended. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Dave, will there be "Intercity 125" branded coaches to go with the Executive livery HST? If so what are the catalogue numbers for them? I can't find anything on the Dapol website or any online shops. It's a bit tricky to pre-order them without the numbers! When are they due out? Hopefully not too long given the review in Model Rail last month. Happy modelling, Steven B.

As if excelent 2FS wasn't enough, Julia's shaming us with 2mm narrow gauge. What next? Working value gear in T gauge? The chassis of the Nm3 wagon looks OK. The actual hopper would look better in etched brass or nickel silver though. Happy modelling, Steven B.

TPM do etched headcode disks if you want to ditch the Farish plastic ones.

Some excelent work on show here. One question if I may though; Why go to the effort of all the CAD work and then build the structures from plastistrut? Why not laser cut plastic/card/wood or etched brass? Happy modelling. Steven B.

I might have missed this in an earlier posting, but which brand of plasticard are you using for your brick work? The pub would look quite good with stained or etched glass windows. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Agreed. They should come in very handy and mean I can do something more usefull with the class 90 bodies I have rather than just use them as pantograph donors. Not forgetting the class 26, 56, 121 and 142 that have already been promised... Happy modelling, Steven B.

I'm really enjoying reading about the progress on this layout - you can almost smell the stale urine and vomit from the underpass! Any plans to exhibit the layout when it's finished? Happy modelling. Steven B.

Stunning work - just goes to show what can be achieved in N. Hopefully it will inspire a few more larger scale modellers to look again at something a bit smaller (or at least take a look at exhibitions - all to often I hear & see folk walking past a N gauge layout because "it's too small"). I'd be tempted to increase the value of the resistor you use for the LED signal lamps - they're a bit on the bright-side in my opinion... Happy modelling, Steven B.

Great weathering job on the PGAs! Happy modelling. Steven B.

Compare the Moquette have a couple of samples on their website. Sounds like you need a tour of preserved railways though... Happy modelling, Steven B.

58 023 accesses the branch to the colliery. Isn't it remarkable how far models have come in the last 10 years? Happy modelling. Steven B.

Surely all the passenger trains on preserved railways are revenue earning otherwise the train ride would be free! There have been many examples of real freight being hauled on preserved railways. One of the biggest recently was the use of the section of the East Lancs railway between Castleton and Baron St for the transporting of materials for the track relaying work on Metrolink. Most of the larger lines with a mainline connection have run through trains onto the national network - The Royal Train running on the SVR is a very good, if unusual example. As for a dull timetable, I'm guessing that the average gala weekend has many, many more trains than the line had in BR or big four days. How many of the GWR branchlines that often get modelled saw more than three or four trains a day? If anything modelling a preserved railway is much more like the average model railway. How many model two platform branchline termini have a big glass canopy like that at Kidderminster compared to the number on the national network? Don't forget Keighley on the list of preserved stations that are next to national rail ones. Happy modelling. Steven B.

The photo above shows just how far British N has come in recent years. After seeing this photo (and the others on the forum home page) I had to look closely to see if it was the N or OO version. The future's bright, the future's N gauge! Happy modelling. Steven B.

PFA - low floor container flat - still in use by DRS & MOD. There are probably a few brake vans knocking around somewhere too. Happy modelling, Steven B.

I wonder if the 67 would suit Loadhaul black/orange; I've yet to see a loco in that livery that doesn't suit it. Would the class 67 look any better with a more traditional split window? Happy modelling. Steven B.

The Class 58 Loco Group's Fotopic site has some interesting liveriers: http://c58lg.fotopic.net/c1872224.html Happy modelling, Steven B.

Looks like a really interesting project and very different to the 1980/1990s EMU based layout we normally see in N Gauge. The model 3-SUB captures the original rather well given that it's based on the Farish suburban coaches. Great job! What did you use to power it? Looks a bit like the Farish class 108/150 drive. Happy modelling, Steven B.

Impressive work as ever. Will it use a scratch built chassis or are you going to 2FS the Farish GWR railcar chassis?

Scratch builders sheets available in landscape (brick courses running parallel to long edge of A4 sheet) and same sheets but to fill A3 paper (again, landscape and portrate versions). Both would allow bigger structures to be built without having to worry quite so much about matching the joints of the standard sheets. Happy modelling Steven B.

Wider span bridges please. The current N Gauge concrete bridge and brick/stone viaducts don't quite have the span for the river I want to cross. Using OO equivalents might be an option but there's the problem of the brick size. Happy modelling, Steven B.

Which sign do you find outside of every station? British Railways cycling lion or a BR arrows of indecision logo? Even in todays privatised railways its still the sign for directing you to a station. Didn't /hasn't BR Blue last longer than any other livery? Happy modelling, Steven B.