37114

Coming on nicely, will follow with interest.

I think we will see either an updated 37 or 47 announced, probably a 37 to deter Accurascale who have tooled up the bogies for the class 55. I would love to see a motorised version of the EFE tube train, it always feels that the EFE tube was a missed opportunity and Bachmann are well placed to better exploit it with some of their smaller mechanisms.

Lovely layout, really well executed

Great layout build, will read it from the start when I have some time free. Re the LR wheels, hopefully this picture of my current project helps. Many of the diecast manufacturers seem to struggle with Land Rover wheels, the Caramama wheels are too flat unfortunately. Oxford are bringing out a 1:43 series 3 so I would be tempted to see what their wheels look like? https://www.flickr.com/photos/49261102@N07/29613522883/in/album-72157667604707553/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/49261102@N07/34345771355/in/album-72157667604707553/

Just watched the video and thought it was excellent, I have never really heard of magnorail but will look it up.

I used to run larger locos a lot on Peafore Yard using the same rationale as Russ outlines above. The loop on the lower level could just accommodate a class 47 but mostly I ran classes 20,25 and 37, as in post 526 in the link below: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/82744-peafore-yard-4mm-br-blue-layout-shunting-layout-sold/page-22

Another one to check is that the jackshafts are rotating freely. It is not unheard of on some 03s to cause problems (The first release green with yellow ends in particular) so I disconnected them on my 2 as you can't really see them behind the steps.

The backscene development is now finished having now progressed with the pictures that sit behind the low relied semi's. I have used images of the appropriate street from google streetview which have been edited to remove modern wheelie bins, 20mph restrictions and a fridge freezer in the front garen of one of the houses: Away from the digital trickery I have also progressed the water tank. Although not an exact match, I am still making an effort to replicate the Malago vale water tank so have scratch built the legs to appear as per the real tank rather than use the ornate Airfix ones. The exact positioning of the water tank is up for debate as while it breaks up the scenic area, it also potentially gets in the way while shunting so may still move.

LSL at Crewe has been mentioned as a possible/likely destination on WNXX

Not a clue about any steam era models but DE wise I would agree, 91 would be popular and timing would be great with 91019 going back into intercity livery. A new class 37 is required but hope Hornby leave that to Accurascale. N gauge would be eyebrow raising (especially since they discontinued the Lyddle end range) but could be one that they announce especially as Oxford produce products in N gauge and the market has moved on in 10 years since they last tried it. Personally I think they missed a trick not buying Dapol a few years ago which would have fitted neatly with the their range in 4mm with minimal overlap and given them a firm foothold in the N gauge market.

Looks good, whose kit is the Simplex and is it motorised please?

That is what I had heard from a couple of the guys unfortunately.

I would have thought it would be out of gauge, there is a big height difference between a Lowmac and a Loriot.

Sounds good Jo, will probably see you at Calne show as Julie has given me a pass out for half a day what with it being the last one.

I used Omega loops on Peafore Yard as well as leaving a section of wire not in the tube to allow some flex. I used slide switches to both latch the handbuilt points and do the polarity. The throw on the switch was slightly more than the points so the flex took up the pressure, in 4 years of exhibiting it I never had a point failure. I also used a crank to move the point on the upper level, there are some photos on the layout thread and the point control was also featured in a BRM video (December 2016 I recall)

Thanks for the tip about road markings Jo. I have a few reference shots I have dug up which I can send across which may help with the bridge. Have you started on your layout, any pics yet?

I know what you mean, they worked ok on Pallet Lane but on this one they wouldn't stick at all.

There are times during a layout build when a modelling session just clicks and it feels like the layout takes a step forward and today was one of those days. My focus today was on the backscenes, an area that I felt I never got right on Pallet Lane and was improved upon if not perfect on Peafore Yard. The advantage with PVCS is that it is semi based on a real location so consequently there are some photos available from Parsons Street/ Malago vale that can be edited to suit. I like using photo backscenes but often a lot of digital manipulation is required. First off I tackled the skyline beyond the footbridge. I used a photo taken from the roadbridge cropped to size, partly as I felt this better suited the curved nature of the site The area under the bridge needs more work but it looks much better with the skyline above the bridge. At the other end I had to make the bridge parapet. I plumped for the ones from the Wills kit in the end, it is similar to the original at Parsons Street which is now rendered and pebble dashed effect. Like the other end I used photos of the actual location from google streetview. Now this brings it's own problems as the road network at Parson's Street is very busy so consequently I had to edit out the modern cars and then find suitable vehicles to put in the picture instead. I used a Ford D series Cherry picker which was posed perfectly for my image. Modern adverts were replaced with period adverts (mostly cigarette ads which seemed to be prevalent in the 1970's). The corner will be hidden behind the Leyland bus seen in earlier posts. I am really pleased how this turned out and gives a definite feel of the area.: Next job is the road markings which will be tricky as the self adhesive ones I have in stock don't seem to work on the wet and dry paper unfortunately so a plan B is required.

That bridge looks excellent, look forward to seeing this develop.

Agree, and good tip about 2 colours for the tyres

Not quite, Bachmann tooled up a new nose for the higher headlight position but HNRC fitted a square headlight, which made the job easier. The round headlight was removed when 37099 was sold, I know this as I bought one of them.

My layout is set in 1977 so I have 55001 ordered but will renumber into 55015. I am also likely to order another one to renumber as 55009, and dependant on the nose step either 55022 or yet another 55001 to renumber as 55022.

Anymore updates on the layout please?

While the 40 might be a better spec than previous both this and (to a greater extent) the 37 have room for improvement in the roof and cab window area. The skirted Bachmann 37 have compromises in the nose and the Bachmann bogies are far from great while the underframe is very under-detailed. I hope that you guys doing the bogies for the Deltic will naturally take you into the territory of doing a 37 (and for that matter a 50 in the fullness of time as the Hornby model has it's fair share of areas for improvement) because I think it will outsell the Deltic by a significant margin.

More progress tonight as Dave and Alan came over for the fortnightly beer and modelling evening. I have made more progress on the boiler house which is coming on nicely, I wonder how many times the chimney's will get caught on shirt sleeves. I also have made the end of a house to go near the footbridge. I am a big fan of ghost signs so fancy having a go modelling one on the end of the house even though it is not protypically correct. There are plenty still left in Bath which is my nearest city so may have to go on an inspiration hunt: