The Black Hat

Well it would certainly suit the area. Im from the North East and a strong supporter of the historical legacy and engineering brilliance that the area had. Small collierys were really common all over the South Durham coal field. Some served by small branches off the main routes or main branches in the area. Your station has the feel of somewhere quite high up in the dales, the likes of Waskerley, given it also has a shed, or maybe Wearhead. The area had small mineral quarries and companies that shared loading or colliery branches that fed onto the main network. Your station really would be quite in tune with this. The A8 is a great model, what you need is a J21 or G5, heavy power from a Q6. A BR standard 2mT or 3MT would be perfect too. Some of them featured highly in wish list polls in the last year, so stay tuned on announcements this coming year and next! I'll join you in hoping for them as if they were made, Im sure to build a layout like yours!

Extension got to be a small colliery given the location and time scale. Ether that or a quarry for stone traffic. Layout looks superb and beautifully crafted... if only we had the NER region engines to go alongside propper LNER and BR standard examples to recreate the perfect scene. Layout truely is fantastic....

My general opinion on times for periods and the phrase modern image is something that moves on constantly. To illustrate Im using the north of England as a context. I think the phrase modern image stands for the current scene. To me, this would be the 2nd phase of privitisation. At the moment the current scene of operators, like DB Shenker, Freightliner, Colas Rail, GBRf for freight, along with Nat Express/East Coast, Arriva Cross Country, Northern Rail. This modern scene has a number of changes from events around 10 years ago. This would be the first period of privitsation, being GNER, EWS, Virgin Cross Country, Arriva Trains Northern, GBRf, Fragonset. The operations have slightly changed between the two. There are more regular working patterns and flows as well as the closure of depots marking a change in diagrams. The changes are the introduction of new and in some cases old stock, which has since been transfered over to a new franchise. Old workings like HSTs, class 47 and stock, Mail trains and how charters operate have all gone or changed considerably. Even in these two fairly immediate periods, the operation, stock, liveries, layout, performance and appearance on the layout should all take into effect the differences between the two. My own layout bridges the two periods, and is now loosely Modern Image as the first scene of privitisation has gone. Most would still think that privisation is the modern image, but to back date everything to around 1995 would be an error of judgement I think. Different periods last different amounts of time. Sectorisation was one that really doesnt last as long as the Blue and Grey period that went before it. This Id group everything in together right from D numbers and the advent of TOPS right through to the start of sectorisation in the late 1980s. These periods tend to last about a decade or so, but no one would seriously suggest that the life span of an engine from grouping to scrapping through the Big Four and British Railways would be one period. As such the same approach to diesels from the classic transition period to the present day is nothing but foolhardy and almost ignorant of the changes that have happened since. Periods and events on the railway show distinct periods and the term modern image does not apply to these now. No one would say the Cuban Missle Crisis, The Falklands War or the collapse of the Berlin Wall were all part of exactly the same modern period we are in now. These have been placed in different period and highlight events of what was happening then. Having periods is all well and good, but they need to reflect not just the engines, but the stock, the operation, the society and passengers they served and the technology used on the railway to differenciate it from another. Modern Image is I think a useful phrase, the only problem with it is that its been used so long and for some, hasnt adapted to the change that has happened on the real railway when some modellers remain fixed on the classic transition period and then dont allow to adapt to what happens afterwards.

So, as a bit of a appertiser to engines being worked on recently, I will leave a few pictures of engines almost completed and ready to be allowed 'into traffic'. I have some pictures of the work done to these, so will update the thread when time and chance allows. Britannia class - 70013 Oliver Cromwell Bachmann 47, in Res - 47790 Saint David / Dewi Sant. And finally a photo of work being done to turn Kidwelly Castle into 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. Hope that gets you interested...

Some of my first repaints came from wanting to model that which was on the mainline. A returned pair of Bachmann class 37s picked up at Warley soon did the trick and were repainted into DRS blue. These worked quite some time before then being sold on. My first layout made use of having a variety of stock. It was well thought out and had a lot to offer the prospective viewer, but my wodwork skills were not superb, the layout could have been earthquake proof as the whole thing wobbled if touched. Should the ground have moved, the layout would have remained still. Joins between the boards and trackwork became an issue, the ballast and joins were something I had yet to master. Eventually it went the distance, replaced by what I have today. One idea for my old layout was to encourage others to have a go, by letting them choose which engines to bring on. At this time trains were for entertainment, the loading chute at my quarry for actually loading the wagons on the layout went down great with kids and adults alike, particularly those adults impressed with the way the whole thing was put together using plastic card tubing and a bicycle headlight reflector case for the funnel. The layout did however have one issue. I made it with some gradients to make it more interesting. It meant the Bachmann 08s struggled with pulling the loaded wagons back to the reception sidings. The answer was a stronger model, but what type. The solution came in a spare Bachmann 25, which soon was repainted into Transrail grey, the story being it was brought out of departmenal service in Scotland for the job in the north east. As a result one of my first repaints was completed and in use. I had researched where engines were found and the story behind it was fairly plausable. It did look faily accuarte along side other engines on display. It did however, spur me on to do more. So the idea came that along with them choosing engines to appear, so some would be ficticious engines, even if some didnt notice, alongside favourites like Flying Scotsmann, Britannia, etc. One of the first was to do an 08 in north east, Loadhaul colours. Cast plates were ordered for the engine, named Guide Dog, and the idea evolved so that donations for selections could be asked and then go to charities linked to engines on display. Actually, no 08 did recieve Loadhaul colours. They remained in their previous liveries the whole time till EWS came with a paintbrush. But thats it from the archives on these for the moment. Its time to start the thread with a taste of what I've been up to recently!

Hello all, Welcome to my workbench thread that I have been meaning to start for sometime. The Workbench will be featuring pictures, reviews of engines I have, and reports on work I have done to some of the engines and rolling stock in my collection. Most of my stock is made from RTR companies, predominantly the main two - Bachmann and Hornby. Heljan once made a forray with class 47s before these were sold on before Bachmanns arrived. At present I dont have much Heljan, the engines they have made dont fit with my plans for a modern day take on my hometowns railway station, with some added twist in history to portray what I would love it to have become had everything worked right. Sadly, the case is that it still has lots of potential, but little hope of realising this. New entrants Realtrack have arrived on the scene with their class 144. No doubt as other units follow, more of their range will be added. The layout, "Bishop Auckland" can be seen above. It is a layout of the station, built with a new preserved line station. Most trains run round to then return to their respective networks, but I have inclulded a few that pass through being mainly freight. There is some precedence for this as the line recently has had a coal flow and stone was planned. The link to the lines page here is below, but does need updating. It has not been out on the circuit much owing to it growing in size and really does need a team behind it. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/14497-bishop-auckland/ I hope you enjoy the pictures of the engines I have updated and done myself. Most were repaints to start with, but with DCC sound and the desire for greater accuracy, this has grown to start to include weathering and adapting stock and engines to suit my own use. I am happy to share how I have stubled across such methods, and my reasoning behind some creations. Hope you enjoy it all!

I wonder if any have graced the layouts at Warley... would have been great to see one on a layout down there when they were going on sale with the company too.

Some further observations on the model, as the last ones were made in the run up to a Cubs sleep over! Im really impressed with the accuracy and the attention to detail. I love how Charlie, Arran and the team have used creative thinking to get the most out of the model. The seats are good and the model uses the space wisely under the seats to give an impression of depth when all the motor, housing and everything else is under there. It will mean cutting the legs off some passengers to go into the compartment but it will mean more detail in the end. The detail below the main passenger compartment is what makes this model stand out. Every single component is in place and it makes other engines such as the Hornby 142, 156 and Bachmann 158 crude in this regard. It will be interesting to see if the Bachmann team notice this and add it to their forthcoming new class 158. Details and printing here is some of the best Ive seen and attention to detail shows dividens around things such as door buttons, no smoking signs (on models that should have them) and instructions for opperation on the chassis. One of the best steps forward is the connection between the two cars. At first looking at this I was anxious about using it often thinking it might bend or get damaged. Fact is that it fits well together and will soon be copied by someone else as it allows so much to happen on the model. The close coupling between the two cars again adds more demension to the realism of it all as the corridor connection between the two should remain tight. Changing the coupling on the ends of the units gives them a more realistic look. The coupling supplied is good enough to look accurate, but the tension coupling shown will have a rather bigger gap between this and another unit. Im not sure what else they could have done, but a more specialist coupling might be something the few wanting to close the gap want. Not everyone will run this unit with another, so the solution adopted will Im sure please most. You can talk about how accurate and detailed the model is made for hours, the roof with the pods again is another area I could mention. However, this in turn leads to something more of an issue. Given the attention to detail and its accuracy overall, Im sure all the dimensions are accurate on the class 144. But standing it alongside other models, it does look small. THe Hornby 67 and Bachmann 66 seem to tower over it, the Hornby 142 is the same size more or less although the roof pod would take its height higher. Despite this, using pictures from the 'net, I do believe that the unit is right and that when you compare its height to areas on a 66, or the 142 the dimensions are accurate. Obviously some models might be out by 0.1 but its made me realise whether I noticed how these real 144s are built and compare height wise to the other units around. I have a photo of my own of a 144 and 142 coupled together and the pair look accurate alongside each other here. Even though, it does give the impression that compared with other models, its smaller by comparrison. Right now, Im thinking the sound chips for the two I have are now the highest priority and when fitted I'll be taking them to a freinds layout for the run in and test as mine is packed up. Still think this should be in the running for model of the year...

Got my 144s today having had to go and collect the parcel from the post office in town... a handy way of sneaking them into the house when its possible! First impressions are the 144s are a brilliant model and far outstrip the level of detail and accuracy of diesel units thus far. This really is a moment and step change when the unit section has its Merchant Navy moment like steam engines did about ten years or so ago. Its not to say that units to this point have not been all bad. Bachmann have made new models of first generation type units a virtual monopoly for them and have previously made good models of the likes of the turbostar, and class 158, but these now need updating to the standard of the 144, a massive block in the 150 hasnt helped them. Hornby by their part have made the class 153, but others of the former Lima range and others like the 142, even if well presented are now inaccurate and crude by comparrison. Finally, a second generation unit is produced to the standard of the steam, diesel and electric engines and rolling stock on the market. The attention to detail is brilliant, with the printing fine and livery application accurate. Colours seem to be very close to the prototype. Seats even look great too! The box is a little lightwieght but to be honest is sturdy enough. The packaging would be strong enough to take a dent or two. What Im more impressed with is how the packaging has cut down the endless opening and parts of boxes. The sleves and outside box do the job well enough without further packaging and boxing around engines. Im happy with it. First impressions are of a great model. Just needing the sound chips now so that they can be fitted and the two I have used on the layout...

Love the recent pics of the 144 on show. Brilliant development and cant wait to get mine. Given the news on the 142, is it not time for a new thread for discussion on that.

Has the 142 been confirmed... its been all but announced for sometime... I hope it soon follows the 144 for release. The review for the 144 in the latest Model Rail is very good. As for the 142, Id like it in Brown and Cream, Tyne and Wear Yellow Regional railways, standard Regional Railways, and Northern Blue.... just for starters!

Err... Not quite. Try again...

Hello, Theres this one, although its not quite the same style as the one to be released by the team in Barwell. http://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/p987753631 and then another http://www.departmentals.com/photo/45020b which Im sure might still be about on the mainline today. Further to that, theres a Brown and Cream one out of Carnforth with the WCRC stock, although that might now be going maroon same as the rest of their coaching fleet. EWS did have some that were used and one of those might be maroon now. To be honest, need to double check....

Theres at least one running on the network in maroon, while plenty of others are on preserved railways running in heritage liveries. Bachmann really is onto a winner here, they will fly off the shelves and you can bet the repaints beckon!

Shame there arent more Darlington green engines out there.... wonder if Hornby, reading this actually thinks a run of P2s in fictious form of Darlington green, BR Brunswick or BR Blue would be worthwhile.... Darlington green does look great. But then I would say that...

Nothing wrong with that at all! In fact, I'd suggest they keep it that way!! Watch how everyone takes that really really really seriously.....

Does it come with a free wet vac to mop up all the froth?

Hello all, Here is my Bachmann class 47, fresh from its renumber and work done to turn it into 47790 'Saint David/ Dewi Sant'. Will have to start a thread on all the conversions Ive done!

I couldnt agree more, and join with other comments about the fact that Bachmann are light years ahead of the nearest rivals in terms of locomotive choice and selection. Yes the H2 will be a fine model, but again Bachmann have found an engine that is one of the ones that when the railway was running it could be found on more mundane workings, or the occasional duty that was given to the class. What with this announcement Id hold off carving this release as the C1 is bound to feature later. Personally Im hoping that the 0-6-0 chassis, compound and the not to be forgotten (and on my part very much prayed for) 0-8-0 are equally a part of future developments...

You could try fitting the blanking plate and removing the chip. Then youd know if its the chip or engine. As you stand to loose nothing by taking out the chip then it should function like an ordinary engine.

Google and ebay are your friends there...

Not the only one.... I know Bachmann's not making one but seeing the thread still makes me think twice.

Hello Sean I took soem photographs but did the work at night and used the camera on my phone so will endeavour to get some better ones. Here the doors are to be replaced. I attached the Darlington smokebox off the LNER D49 I have that has been sitting idle for years as its not DCC and not sound chipped. Its unlikey to run again, its not boxed so was almost volunterring to surrender its box door. The other donor, a Replica B1 of 1264 in LNER Green was in a similar state and was already used to repair another one whos chassis had siezed. The new door is attached and on the Hornby body. Some black plasticard has been added to make a smokebox door numberplate, which has been cut down a bit more since. The locomotive back on the frame of the running chassis. The tender has been removed so that the crests can be changed to the BR Late crest that 61264 had before its recent overhaul. At the moment the smokebox door is changed and the crests changed. I will get more pics later and update when the numbers and transfers have done. DCC sound is also getting fitted.

Id get a mini decoder for the new releases coming soon. Would be very interested as was intending on putting DCC sound into the ones Im getting.

All true, but more so if 00 gauge finally gets north of York and us in the North East finally get an engine for our long lost region.