SWT442

Those look fantastic! Think I might have to add a few of the single FEA's to my pre-order now... Andy.

Can't believe the last update was August last year, time flies when you're having fun working I guess! Some bits have been done here and there on the work bench front, with some of it documented and others just cracked on with. A running theme of this thread was the build of a Bratchell Class 456. Over the last few weeks this has had some more done to it, with the underframe on the motor car completed and weathering started on it. The main peice of underframe was (of all things!) a modified water tank from a Bachmann Class 40. This had the raised details filed back and then grooves scored into it to represent the 3 hatches. Other items came from the Replica MLV detailing kit. It's not 100% accurate, but looks good to me and is certainly better than the bare underframe of the normal model! The trailer car has also had it's underframe completed, and now requires painting and weathering. A couple of extra bits will be added in due course. The bulk of the underframe is scratch built from plasticard, with a few Replica and Bratchell bits used. Again, more a decent representation than total accuracy. The Colas Crane mentioned in the post above has now had it's match wagons done. Some weight needs to be added to help with running, as does a dose of weathering. Also finished was a Cambrian YSA Salmon, I'm aiming to get a few more over the coming months as one isn't quite enough! Since the pictures were taken, it's been fully weathered. Some additional weight is needed as it's very light but does run ok in a train. The Railfreight 20's as used by GBRf have been completed. 20132 has had it's overhead flashes changed, been weathered and recieved nameplates. While 20118 has had now had its plates fitted. This required the printed name to be partially removed due to it being longer than the etched ones. The Colas 37 was continued on with, but the even with the all the logos on the "good" side varnished in place, they all still came off when my weathering mix was washed over them! I did find some Colas transfers, so hopefully this will go onto the weathered surface ok. A DRS 37 was also finished off while another was started. Finished was 37038, which was origionally a Cheltenham Models limited edition that was earmarked to become 37087. However a search showed that 37038 lasted in service for quite a while, with it gaining the WIPAC front end early on in its life. A set of Rainbow Railways (formally R3Sprays) nose ends have been fitted, painted and had transfers applied. The top light has yet to be done, although the loco has been fully weathered. Next to be treated is 37405, which will become 37423 "Spirit of the Lakes" for no other reason than I like the name, plus DRS 37's always come in pairs! The new ends have been put on and painted, while renumbering has started. A Colas 66 is waiting in the wings as well. So far the numbers have been removed with it due to become 66849 "Wylam Dilly". Nameplates have arrived from Fox, with transfers to be sourced from Railtec. A model that has been crying out for some weathering was started on New Years day (I was working from home on emergency cover, so had to do something to pass the time!) was a Hornby Virgin HST. So far the power cars have had the underframe and bodysides completed, with the roofs to be done next and then a bit of tidying up on some rough patches. The coaches will be done in due course, with brake discs added to enhance their look. I might well look at modifying the couplings to kadees to give a closer coupling. And rounding things off were a couple of "quick" projects. First up was 40145, which is the limited edition model by Bachmann produced for the Class 40 Preservation Society quite a while back. This has been brought more up to date to represent the loco as it is now. This meant the domino headcodes have been replaced for alphanumeric blinds and the water tank removed from the underframe. A slight dusting of black powder has been put around the exhaust ports as I want the loco to remain clean. A Class 450 has passed over the bench so the front obstacle deflectors could be fitted along with a set of Kadees, as I hope to be able to pick another up in due course for a favourable price. And finally, a real bargain was to be had just after Christmas, with a Rail Exclusives ViTrains Class 47 in RfD picked up for less than £50! It came in the proper boxes, with all parts and the transfer sheet too. I'm unsure if this model was supposed to come with nameplates, though at the price I got it for I can live without them! A bit of research will be done to find a suitable candidate for this loco to represent. And that's it for now. I'm aiming to have at least one modelling evening during the week, so hopefully updates will be a little bit more frequent. Andy.

Some fair points made in regards to the prices. And thanks to Simon for confirming that the £399 price tag was an error! I would hazard a guess that it was meant to be £299? I'll put my pitchfork away. Andy.

Having looked at it all again, it seems Hornby need to employ some proof readers before putting the info out. The info card thing on page one shows that R3609 has an RRP of £399.99 with the R4870 coach pack having an RRP of £179.99 as I stated in my initial post. This does indeed give a £185 premium over the already announced R3514 5-car set. Having looked on Hornbys website, your qouted prices are indeed correct. I would assume those prices on the website are the right ones rather than those on the info card as posted here. Still, I don't see why it should cost more for the same product with a different number. Andy.

The Colas 67 is definatley of interest, can see one heading my way. The Virgin 87 has got my attention as well. I do share 159220's frustrations about the D&E stuff to a degree, but steam has always been Hornbys bread and butter so it is no surprsise that it, for most part, is always king each year. Bachmann do seem to keep more of a balance in this respect, with most most announcements having something for everyone (not literally, but you know what I mean!) I did think there would have been at least one "modern" tooling, be it loco, unit, coach or wagon rather than just a few new paint jobs. I've seen it mentioned a couple of times on this thread, but an Electrostar EMU has to be in the pipeline from someone, and I was keeping my fingers ever so slightly crossed that it would be done by the Red team. Still, with Bachmann doing the Turbostar, maybe it could follow? Agreed on that, such an obvious choice for a new model yet never done! I would say one of the unnamed ones would be a good shout, as that'd give the modeller plenty of scope to renumber to their chosen loco. An order for a pair would go in straight away! I don't think it's smart at all, not if it's aimed at the "cheapskates"! The as yet released GWR 5-car set has an RRP on Hornbys website of £393.99, while that two coach set is more at £399.99. That is quite frankly a price that is taking the piss for two coaches, even if one does have a motor. The 3-coach pack to accompany it is £174.99, meaning you have to pay a ~£180 premium to aquire another 5-car IEP with a different running number. Can't see that selling well. Andy.

Another "Millenial" (27) here, and guessing that I must be in the minority as I have no interest in modelling pre-grouping or whatever. I'm in the same camp as James in what era I like to model, along with also modelling the present rail scene. That being said, while also living in the Southern Region, I would say my end had a lot more going on in terms of workings, locos and liveries. And, to a degree, it still does. My modelling is mostly influenced by what could and can still be seen in the Eastleigh and Southampton areas. While today it's not as busy as it used to be, there is still a lot going on. Andy.

Night Train - The Seahorses

Could well be tempted by one of these, it's certainly something a bit different. Here's a couple of pics I got of one of the NR DVT's, I assume being tested. 82111 & 67027 working 5Z68 Northampton to Derby RTC through Cathiron - 29.05.2014 82111 & 67027 and the same stock, this time working 5Z67 Derby RTC to Northampton. This working made it as far Stafford before being sent back to Derby - 30.05.2014 Andy.

Liking the 37 conversion Jim (and pretty much everything else you've done!), have one on the go at the mo to do the same loco. Surprised you had issues with the noses not fitting properly, my 37423 is being done exactly the same as yours, including donor loco! Had no issues with the noses, fit like a glove. Wonder if it was a dodgy print? It'll be the second one I've done. First time round, the noses were changed on the Cheltenham Models Ltd Ed of 37038. Went on fine then as well. (Must remember to put the top light on at some point!) Andy.

My replacement 68002 bodyshell arrived today. Very impressed with it all! Now to get it all back onto the chassis and back in service! Andy.

I see the Colas 70 is now showing as Dec/Jan on the Bachmann website now. Wonder what's taking so long in getting it out, especially when the Class 47's released this month were announced after the Colas 70. Andy.

Oh hell yes! Will definately have a pack (or two!) of these! Andy.

Cheers for the info Steve, an order for a Class 68 will be put in instead as there is a wait. I did indeed check the Bachmann website before I initially posted, just to double check I had the months right. Andy.

No Colas Class 70 in there. Thought it would've been as it's touted as a Nov/Dec release, and there isn't much longer until we're in December! Might well chuck a pre-order in for another Class 68 if there is a delay. I do fancy a second DRS one! Andy.

Thanks for the correction Ron, not paid much attention to the amount of stock in there in recent years. I also stand corrected on Eastleigh being a DB Depot. Reading the latest Rail Express magazine, it mentions that it's run by Arriva Traincare. Would explain why Grand Central Class 180's have gone in there, as GC is owned by Arriva. The article did mention loco stabling, certianly DB's Class 66's go in and out reguarly as do the odd Class 67 when they're in this area. But then Arriva are owned by DB... so is it still a DB depot? Andy.

Sleep Long - Operation Ivy

Eastleigh Depot is still in use with DB. Up until recently, a rake or two of charter stock were kept there but are now looked after by Arlingtons next door. Cross Country stable their Voyagers there overnight, while I believe the Class 180 units of Grand Central have gone in recently as part of their upgrade. There's plenty of redundant stock littering the place as well. Andy.

Like Kids - Suede

I popped out my 'local' station of Beaulieu Road in the New Forest for both the out and back trips. I had hoped to chase the tour a bit, but wasn't feeling 100% so played it safe! D9009 passes through in a brief glimpse of Sun with 1Z45 to Swanage. Heard howling across the Forest before it came into view, D9009 roars by with 1Z55 back to Burton. And a video of the workings. She certainly sounded the part, and the matching rake of stock looked fantastic. Cheers, Andy.

Fun Night - Andrew W.K.