St. Simon

Hi, Remember that the KMRC Website only shows stock in the Warehouse, where as they might still be one or two in either Guildford or Camborne available. If a web-order comes into for an item out of stock in the Warehouse but in stock at one of the shops, the stock will be sent back to the Warehouse to be sent out for Web Orders. Simon

Hi, Both SWT and Southern 4-VEPs are now in Stock at Hornby, should be in shops sometime next week. Simon

Hi, If you are able, you can phone the Guildford Branch of KMRC and reserve one for click and collect for free and they'll be able to hold it for up to 28 days. Simon

Hi, A momentary Track Circuit, Power Supply, TPWS, Point Detection or Lamp failure, the signaller might have either needed to (obstruction or report of a tresspasser) or accidently cancel the route, many reasons why a signal revision would happen. It could be to do with the 92, but I can't believe that the emissions are that bad it would affect a equipment housed in a Loc 6 tracks away! Simon

Except, the Loc cases that that loco passes aren't associated with any of the equipment that controls that signal, so the reversion is unlikely due to the 92. Simon

Hi, In theory there is, but I've been told that most TOCs are more than happy to let manufactures use their liveries and logos if they get a couple of models to display in the office or as gifts (and obviously if the manufacture approaches them into a suitable and polite way!) I think it's only the 'big' corporations such as Virgin that make a more formal issue of licensing. Simon

When you outgrow your invisibility cloak! Simon

Thanks guys, for some reason Model Masters didn't come up when I was searching, but I have now ordered, although I won't be surprised if they haven't got it! Simon

Hi, We are on the outskirts of information delivery for the project, but there's lots of theories flying about, but I would personally be looking on the train side of things rather than lineside, but don't quote me on, it's an educated guess! A work around was quickly found and is either still working or they have resolved the whole thing! Simon

Hi, From my experience in talking with manufacturers about various multiple units, the issue is the amount of tooling that is required is restrictive, three different complete vehicle tooling's is the vague limit for most companies as I think the law of diminishing returns comes into play after that (and more significantly than say a Class 37 or 47) A lot of multiple units have more than three different vehicle types in their consist, particularly the 9-12 car fixed units we see. Then you get into variations, even within a 'common' family of units means that the tooling costs become far higher than the standard loco, especially when lots of units come in limited liveries (for the moment). Whilst I know there is some modern stuff on the way, I think we are running out of stuff that makes business sense! The argument about units are needed to 'get kids into modelling' in my opinion is complete rubbish, kids are still coming into the hobby and will continue to do so, there is no evidence to suggest that the hobby is 'dying out' because of the lack of younger modellers (yes lots of shows and clubs are falling away due to lack of younger members, but that's because a lot of younger modellers are preferring not to join a club and have a presence online). Yes, lots of kids like modern units and the stuff they see, but there are also lots of kids who like 'pre-grouping' stuff or BR era stuff, so I don't necessarily think it is a limiting factor that there aren't that many modern units about. Having said that, it is an area where manufacturers need to look at again, now that various manufactures are proposing more multiple units and the market is content with the purchase cost. Simon

Hi, I'm struggling to find a suitable bridge for the following situation: I've got a narrow gauge line going underneath a standard gauge line and I need a bridge that is approximately 250mm long, 70mm wide and at maximum 20mm depth below rail head (to maintain clearance). The perfect model would be a Kibri Kit for a Single Track Steel Girder Bridge, however, I can't find one in stock anyway and I don't want to wait for it come into stock (I imagine it is going to be a little while!). The problem is I can't find an alternative that has the correct dimensions and looks like a 'modern' bridge (the idea is that the standard gauge has been rebuilt in the 2010's, so I want a simple looking bridge, either concrete or steel. Anyone have any ideas? If I really need to I can design one to be printed, but I don't have a 3D Printer so it would take a while to get and I'd rather just have a kit that I can build relatively quickly! Simon

Hi, I also saw from LinkedIn last night that the ETCS Overlay on the Moorgate Line entered passenger service as well over the weekend. Simon

Hi Jo, 1) Yes, the train describer, train detection etc works in exactly the same way as in a colour light system, so an ETCS train will show up on Open Train Times, TVSC screens, staff info screens. This would be the same for a no-signals arrangement (the Cambrian is on Open Train Times if you are interested!) 2) The colour lights are still lit and show the same aspects as they would under conventional signalling, with the movement authority displayed on the DMI would correspond with the signal aspect (i.e., the end of MA on the DMI would be at the same position as a red aspect). The only difference you will see on the lineside signals is that an approach control / release on junction signals or call-on is inhibited (i.e, there wouldn't be any) when a train is approaching in ETCS with a full supervision movement authority. Simon

Hi, Just a quick post to say that Collingwood is in the January 2024 Issue of BRM, which is out in digital form currently, and in paper form (unless you picked up a copy at Warley!) on Thursday 30th December 2023. Once again, a huge thanks to @SouthernRegionSteam for doing the photos, they look superb, as well as @AY Mod, @Debbiewood and the whole team at BRM for doing such a fantastic job on the article, I'm really pleased with it! I will get around to posting a round up on Aldershot and Tolworth in the near future! Simon

These (excluding the Northern 158) are now at retailers. Simon

I believe partly that there are no re-signallings on the cards west of Reading, and partly to let the layout east of Ealing Broadway (i.e. Old Oak Common) to settle down to a stable configuration after HS2 finishes. Simon

Hi, I believe that the E.T.C.S. Level 2 Overlay between Ealing Broadway and Heathrow Junction (to connect with the existing Level 2 Overlay on the Heathrow Branch) was commissioned over the weekend and is in operation. Currently this will be extent of E.T.C.S. on Western for a long time. Simon

Hi, That sounds like what I want, I assume it would be powered by the rails? Simon

Hi, That would be the best option, but it would mean that I'd have to rebuild my cassettes for a 2nd time to shorten them to allow a loco length cassette, plus I don't want to get into the engineering of aligning three joints together at the moment as I'm having a little difficulty in getting the cassettes aligned to the layout! Simon

Hi, Unfortunately, they are also too wide, and when I need 6 of them, £50 is far too expensive, and I only need the actual lift bit rather than the cradle and the foam. I need something that will fit over the existing rails rather than go on the end. Simon

Hi, I'm looking for alternatives to a PECO Loco lift for use with my exhibiton layout. What I need is a way of easily removing trains from the rails on a Cassette so I can move it to the other end of the train, the PECO loco lifts would be perfect if they weren't too wide. I need a method that fits with the sides of the cassettes (approx. 53mm). I could probably build my own, but it is the engineering of the metal 'rails' that fit over the track and allow stuff to run through the lift. Anybody got any suggestions? Simon

Hi, Yes, the stores I use still stock a fairly limited range of Woodland Scenics stuff, but I suspect that most modellers prefer to get their stuff from the model shops in the area, which may affect what Hobbycraft stock, particularly when they charge full RRP for these products. Simon

Hi, A friend used to be a Manager at a Hobbycraft Store and they thought that removal of Hornby Group products was to do with the stock / allocation situation a few years ago where Hobbycraft were getting fed up with inability to get regular deliveries of stock. rather than a tier system. The two Hobbycraft stores I have regularly used never stocked Hornby stuff, just Airfix & Humbrol. I always personally thought the tier system was a perfectly logical idea, it just seems to have been badly executed. Simon