Hal Nail

On the theme of buying discounted and the wider impact, as far as I can tell, Modellbahnunion in Germany are an authorised Dapol dealer and often have significant discounts and, if you are below the duty threshold, it works out at a significant saving. c£130 for a 14xx for example. I assume Dapol aren't losing out, any discount offered is the retailer's choice so if anyone it missing out its the UK tax authorities but they set the threshold. So other than not giving a margin to a British retailer, what do people think of the morality here?

I sent a polite offer to Gostude for a coach he's failed to sell in 6 months and got a rude reply, which quoted how much the paint job cost. Supports the idea floated earlier that he pays way over the odds for some of his more ridiculously priced stuff!

As opposed to all the other rmweb threads?

Whilst easy enough to avoid buying anything from China now, once they are in circulation over here then anything second hand could potentially be an original or a fake. So from that perspective knowing the difference (or the affected items) is going to be quite important. Apologies @adb968008 as I've basically repeated your point.

Presumably there is a sweet spot where enough like it to keep Heljan in business but sufficiently few that they decide to have a 5th crack (3rd time lucky in 7mm?!)

That is the current discussion following on from the photos on the previous page.

I'm not sure there is a consensus. Some thought the Heljan looked wrong from the outset, some couldn't see it. The various comparison photos over the last few pages must at least have established the two interpretations are quite different but people are now just disagreeing over which one is correct!

Have you tried the painting and weathering section where there are any number of threads discussing what's around?

Saw a loco yesterday, listed as used. The description was AI so picked out that it had a highly detailed smokebox door, but failed to mention if it works or has any damage. I messaged the seller asking and have had no response. Will be interesting to see if AI increasingly becomes a way of sellers hiding behind the recommended blurb and how eBay react to any increase in returns on the basis of an incomplete or inaccurate description. Edit. they have actually responded now but my view remains unchanged that when listing something that is going to be sold remotely, the seller should have to write a description. Yet another example of new ways of doing things being introduced that completely miss the point behind doing it the old way. Welcome to old age!

https://georgedentmodelmaker.blogspot.com/2011/03/slow-progress-on-47.html?m=1

In the Bachmann 47 thread it says Shawplan do 47 marker lights

They do other types as well- but it was only the lenses I was thinking of using for missing Modelu ones.

Thanks. So the XP has moved to make room for the data panel and looks like the tare might have been repainted (although could be a stain). Generally the condition is pretty good though, apart from one new plank on the end door. Various later photos people have posted are much more scruffy but thats probably more appropriate for 70s onwards.

I've been meaning to try these for the lenses but haven't ever got round to it! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225155015253?itmmeta=01HTD57G4RX00PA6A3CAV9JQ7V&hash=item346c48e255:g:YY8AAOSwyTtdTEzl

I think you can over engineer this. I use a set square and corner bracing if the floor isnt sufficient but getting the sole bars properly aligned so the wheelsets aren't set on a slight skew is probably as crucial for free running. Since they invariably have to be fettled to clear buffer beams they aren't always going to end up identical length.

I was going to say the same. The wall has really made the buildings look like they belong there and added depth.

This is along those lines, if you'll excuse the pun. It's the forecourt access road rather than a normal public one though.

I did find this earlier.

What are you going to do with the little green austin? They do a normal van version I picked up but the prices seem to have rocketted.

Anything in here that helps?

This isn't bad :) https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/model-railways/arun-quay-in-o-gauge/

This technique might work on these. only caveat is I've found it works well on a factory finish but tends to remove your own so need to try sealing the original colour first I was never happy with this and reworked it but I can't find any other photos offhand. The right hand ends gives you the idea though if you imagine that on the darker base.

Albeit you are asking people who have stuck with it! Andy Peters' who's layout was quoted above as an example of what you can do, sold up and moved back to OO. Best advice is to buy a few things to try, perhaps second hand, and you can always sell them on again. Don't sell your favourite OO stuff immediately and you derisk the decision. Ebay generally have low fee weekends so you don't need to pay anything like 12% and clearly a dealer is going to offer less than they think they will get anyway. You are paying them for convenience though and in bulk that may be worth it, especially if you can negotiate some part exchange.

I prefer being able to sell all my surplus stuff easily for a minimal fee without even leaving the house.