St. Simon

On 15/01/2024 at 18:30, Butler Henderson said:

Um.. despatched today. Thinks is that from Cornwall or somehwere else they are ordering them from.

On 15/01/2024 at 20:58, BR(S) said:

 

Might be coming from their Guildford store.

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

2 hours ago, GreenGiraffe22 said:

I hope they hang around for a little while, gotta renew my car insurance this month and I think my pre ordered accurascale banana vans are imminent 😭 someone save me a Malachite CC1 please

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

3 minutes ago, adb968008 said:

As your a signaller, I would be interested to know your thoughts on why it happened.

 

As I said another service was bearing down on that signal and deaccereleratd considerably. Nothing crossed the DF to warrant it, and it was cleared after… as you can hear on the video, I wasnt the only one who saw it and thought it odd.

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

7 hours ago, adb968008 said:

I caught a 92 tripping a signal at Finsbury Park once…

 

9mins in, look where the 92 is in relation to the trackside cabinets

 

 

it nearly caused a northbound GC 180 to SPAD circa a minute later as it rapidly deaccelerated into FPs platform.

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

31 minutes ago, Reorte said:

Not read the whole thread yet but are there also possible licensing issues / costs with the liveries and logos of current trains?

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

16 minutes ago, airnimal said:

I believe this gentleman is a politician who values see through policies. 

When you outgrow your invisibility cloak!

Simon

7 hours ago, spamcan61 said:

No idea who this seller is but they apparently have the Kibri bridge in stock at a reasonable price (inc. P&P)

 

https://modelmasters.co.uk/products/kibri_39705_h0_steel_girder_bridge_straight_single_track

6 hours ago, Peter Eaton said:

Just about to post the link, modelmasters in Bognor Regis.

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

21 hours ago, Banger Blue said:

Yes, the disruption was all connected, it wasn’t a smooth transition at all. Someone may correct me but I think some of the Class 345s were still installed with an earlier version of the required software. Something like that!

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!

2 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Nothing moving to/from the branch in the early part of teh day but when I was on my way home lateish in teh afternoon I saw the unusual sight of a HEXliveried 387 approaching Hayes on the Down Relief so I wonder if it was doing some trsting.  Looked empty but as the 387 I was on was busily zooming along the Down Main it was only a quick sight of the HEX liveried one.

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

7 hours ago, Steadfast said:

A couple of questions regarding the overlay ETCS.

1) does the train still show in the signal berths (is that the right name?) of the traditional signalling systems, so would show on TVSC's screens, Opentraintimes.com etc?

 

2) what does the driver see? Are the colour light signals still lit, but just ignored, or are the signals black? Presumably the AWS and TPWS don't trip as they're inactive with the train switched to another system.

 

Thanks in advance for any answers, it's interesting to see how it will come into being with the two systems side by side.

 

Jo

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

On 24/11/2023 at 21:55, Paul.Uni said:

In OO the SWT & TfW class 158 DMUs are showing as arrived on the Bachmann website. The Northern 158 is now due Dec/Jan.

 

The Dinorwic Slate Wagons are also listed as arrived.

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

Simon

5 hours ago, ess1uk said:

Is that because there is no major resignalling for a while?

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

18 hours ago, BrushType4 said:

I make the intentio cassettes and I can think of a way of making a cassette that will fit on the rails if you’re interested. 

Hi,

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

Simon

4 hours ago, CloggyDog said:

 

Do you mean move the loco from one end of a train to the other? 

 

One commonly used approach is a short or stub cassette (as long as your longest loco) which can attach/align with the main/train cassette.

 

Train runs in, loco ends up on the stub cassette. Uncouple and lift the stub cassette with loco, move the train cassette along a bit to allow the stub cassette to fit at the other end of the train, align and couple to train, away you go. Use small bulldog clips or brass clips to align and electrically connect the cassettes with eath other. 

 

 

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

17 hours ago, Bucoops said:

Anything here any use?

 

https://www.dccconcepts.com/product-category/specialised-model-accessories/dccconcepts-mpd-loco-storage/

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.

16 hours ago, Garry D100 said:

Or maybe these

 

Intentio Fiddle Yard Cassettes

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 

8 minutes ago, 009 micro modeller said:

What about other model railway and diorama products (Woodland Scenics etc.)? My local one used to have Mod-roc plaster casting moulds, the polystyrene trackbed, talus rock debris and other Woodland Scenics stuff but I’m not sure if they have such a good selection these days. It may be more to do with that particular store though.

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

On 12/11/2023 at 20:39, 009 micro modeller said:

Is the tier system the reason why Hobbycraft seem to have stopped stocking Hornby’s 00 railway ranges? I had assumed it was Hobbycraft themselves reassessing what sells well in their shops, but interesting if that isn’t the case.

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

1 hour ago, Waverley West said:

 

An interesting explanation/solution. I have had this problem on my 37430 (now 37404) too. I assumed it was something to do with moving off before pressing F1 (to avoid the startup sequence, which I sometimes have a tendency to do).

 

There's a sticker on the plastic insert in the box which reads:

 

"To use sound on DCC, you must press F1 before moving. Pressing F1 after initial movement may require the sound to be re-started by turning F1 Off and re-started using a warm start (F1 On), or by removing the model from the track momentarily".

 

...so I assumed it was something to do with this in some way.

 

Whatever the cause, it's an annoying issue and, being a Loksound man too, I will be avoiding any Bachmann/Zimo sound-fitted versions in future. Because it's a Zimo chip, I can't do much with the functions with my Lokprogrammer either, which is very limiting. 

Hi,

I remember the sticker on the box, but didn't really read it was I thought it was about start up rather than just movement and DCC sound, and that warning does tally with the scenerio I'm experiencing, so I'll try that next time.

The issue with that solution is that on an end to end exhibition layout, it takes too long for the locos to start up so I keep the sound off until after it gets going!

I do think all DCC Sound Decoders are just getting too complex.

Simon

Hi,

I've now got 2 Deluxe Class 37s (37401 & 37175) and they both exhibit an annoying trait.

If I'm running them with sound on and bring them to a stand, they tend to not want to start off again, they don't respond to the throttle. Sometimes they will notch up, but they don't move and won't move until I lift them off the track and put them back on again. It seems as though the handbrake is being applied when they come to a stand, but I'm not the one applying it, I've also tried pressing the brake button to make sure the the brakes are off, but this doesn't seem to work.

Is there some clever logic I don't know about or does anyone else have this problem?

Simon