Matt

I’ve probably got this wrong but wasn’t the 303 one of first trains to have automatic sliding doors? If so then would be totally appropriate for the model to be first to have them… either way I’d have a few depending on livery choices.

Having now fitted detail packs to 2 of my AS 37s now I have to commend AS again. For some other manufacturers in the past this has been a chore finding that holes aren’t big enough or that details need fettling to fit. Not only are the details comprehensive and look good, they fit first time and their flexible plastic makes them less likely to be broken. I’m still puzzled on a few of the bits of black plastic working out where go but bufferbeam pipes and ploughs are ace! Overall has turned a chore into a pleasure!

Ok I’ve had a fiddle with my Bach 37/4…. The AS plough does fit really nicely with a coupling in the NEM pocket - gripping the shaft gently although a dab of glue will keep it there. Position looks about right to me. For the non coupled end I tried Bachs own plough and it sticks out slightly too far (not as bad as 47). However removal of NEM pocket from bogie and inserting the tail of the plough directly into the mounting space on bogie puts plough right distance from buffer beam I’d say. Some packing needed to get height right but does lock into bogie quite nicely. That’s the good news… I am finding however that the plough even set back this far interferes with buffer beam detail such that loco can’t operate. Seems to be down to rigid plastic used by Bach for pipes compared to others more flexible plastic. Still pondering solution on this one…

I think the single piece plough was designed to lock around the shaft of the TL coupler quite nicely just outside the NEM pocket. When you use a Kadee the plough is a loose fit around the Kadee shaft as it is smaller than a TL resulting in a bit of slop - it can be moved further back and forced onto the NEM pocket itself but this results in plough being set slightly too far back. I think answer is to put a blob of something to help it grip the Kadee shaft adjacent the NEM pocket. What they have done is exactly what I’ve tried to do on several Bach 37/47 in past - their ploughs can be modified this way but I broke as many as I successfully converted…

I was just trying the AS ploughs on my AS 37 with Kadees last night and plan was to move to a Bach 37 this eve and try same. Plan might be aborted as have come back from work with headache but will see later. with each AS loco coming with both options and me fitting each loco with coupling at one end, I have a spare set per AS loco to use for my Bach ones…

The old one wasn’t much better TBH - there wasn’t a way to have couplings and ploughs on later versions of old model unless you carved up the supplied plough assy. But at least the plough didn’t stick out so far. On the very early Bach 37s the ploughs came in three pieces that plugged in separately but the shape and position of the plough wasn’t right… feels like Bach have never managed to get their ploughs right on any of their BR era models… shame as much of their models are right up there with the best apart from this area. As a Scottish modeller this does irk somewhat! I haven’t tried yet but wonder if the AS ploughs can be made to fit the Bach 37…

Yes unfortunately this is a feature of the new model - ploughs also can’t be mounted with couplings.

There were a few retailers selling 37201 at Perth show today suggesting they might have arrived earlier than expected. M

I was confused by the dipswitches as the “as delivered” setup appeared to be none of the recommended settings and the absolute opposite to recommended for ESU decoder. I found my ESU decoder worked fine with switches as delivered and with ESU position- couldn’t see a difference. I wasn’t exploring the various light settings tho as not sure what function they are on (none of my 3 to date have info on DCC settings). I do love them and no issues with window fitting despite earlier concerns raised here - they look the biz and run well too.

It’s the light above the windscreen that jars most for me - your photos show it well. This then makes me question whether the porch over front windows is too deep as light seems level with front of porch…

Buchanan Street was also a terminus. I don’t believe the lines met in the tunnel so much as they were developed as competing systems with Buchanan St being the Caley’s terminus and servicing their line to Edinburgh and also the Callander and Oban line amongst others. It and Queen St generally served the north / east with GQS being the NBRs terminus. In very simple terms St Enoch and central were sort of similar competing for traffic from south being built by competing companies (GSWR and Caley respectively). In effect cuts led to all south and west traffic being concentrated into Central, and all north traffic being concentrated into GQS and other stations closed.

For me it was I think 101s in from Lenzie. As a small child I recall fast trains thundering through (early days of 47 PPs around 1980 I assume) and the excitement that a real train may stop and pick us up only to be disappointed when a dmu appeared in the distance. If memory serves correct I think we once had an HST stop and pick us up due local service being cancelled but this might be my memory playing tricks. as an add-on, mum used to reach the end of her tether with us boys scrapping and would take us to “Lenzie sidings” to watch the trains and get some reprieve. I suspect this was actually Cadder Yard and I recall little blue diesels (25/26/27?) shunting wagons around and keeping us entertained for a bit. To this day she can’t fathom what got me interested in railways…!

Fair point and my apologies to Phil - It would totally depend on what era the OP was referring to. Alfas were notorious for rust in 70s and possibly 80s but they started galvanising their cars later to overcome their reputation being one of only manufactures to do so at time or so I was told anyway. My 156 dated from 2000 and never had a spot of rust - many other problems tho….

As someone who has owned 3 alfas for a total of around 18 years (156, 147, 159) I have to dispute this. None of these cars had any rust on them at all during my ownership, helped by being galvanised. Now they did fall apart…. (Esp the 156 - I had a box labelled “bits that fell of the car but I don’t know what they did”. I also had to change the engine in the 156 and had repeated problems with the 159’s timing chain stretching.

I seem to recall Rainbow Railways printed up some in advance of Hs release - I’ve never seen one in the flesh but based on their other reliveries I would be surprised if not a lot better than the factory attempt! Haven’t looked if still avail….

I had issues with 1 of mine - in the end I removed the contacts for cab lighting which seemed to help get body seated properly. I recall getting quite frustrated….

I’ve been deliberating on which ones to go for too for a central Scotland layout. I’m not finding many images of car trains in Scotland but have seen images I think of MAT wagons in late 80s at Millerhill and I think some Silcocks ones at Mossend. Realistically I am exercising rule 1 again I think but am curious about what car trains did run into central Scotland and when. Surely it would have made sense to bring cars north this way from the import docks in the south and or factories like Longbridge???

I don’t think any other 37/4 were painted in RF metals. If you’re ok changing the logo on side then there were a few in RFD, at least one in construction and at least one in petroleum (428)

Only thing I can offer is that some early Heljan 27s came with wheels that were impossible to keep clean (brass looking?). Mine ran like a dog but a new set of wheels solved the issue.

I don’t know how I didn’t notice this before but I seem to have 3 versions of 423 now… (vi trains mainline, Bach railfreight metals, accura DRS). glad I realised before I programmed the DCC and wondered why they all moved at same time…

I would agree - Harburns is always a must visit every time I’m in Edinburgh (I have an agreement for a “dad escape hour” on each visit). In recent years I have made a point of always buying something each time too - usually something significant - recognising that if I don’t they might not be there when I want to visit next time.

As I’ve watched our city’s high street gradually become derelict, it is something I’ve pondered a lot about what retail needs to do differently to survive on the high st in the internet age. My own ponderings keep coming back to the retailers need to provide an experience to draw the customer in. Some retailers do this already to some extent - I once spent 10x more than I intended in Next when a lovely personal shopper helped me pick clothes that suited me, John Lewis’s expert product advice in store has secured them most of our electrical goods sales for past 30 yrs, Waterstones draws me in with being able to browse books and have a coffee. In the main I would say model shops do this to some extent too. Many of those I visit have helpful staff who can provide advice and being able to see things in the flesh, test before buy, and even just browse things like scenic products or accessories to find what you didn’t know you wanted/needed is way simpler than internet. I wonder if this is why model shops have been perhaps bucking the trend vs some other retail sectors? Further success could be really focussing on what else can be done to make more of an experience and provide what the internet can’t. And I don’t mean providing sofas or free coffee which could be abused. Maybe more how can the retailer help their customer go further - have the confidence to try new techniques or products, buy complimentary stock to build up a collection etc. Some shops are doing this already in my experience and it draws me back.

Stu I may be misunderstanding you but it looks like BlueFlash90s kit does include the registration arms. Wasn’t aware of these before - they look great - has anyone tried them that can talk to his robust they are? Are they compatible with pantograph up operations? edit: sorry should have read description properly… there ARE registration arms but not suitable for use - only cosmetic.

Just been looking at spec and the Lais decoder is 6 functions. Bachs own Plux22 come in 9 and 11 function version with the 11 function recommended. So that’s likely the issue but still surprised something I would say is high on priority list of lighting is a long way down the function list. Anyway changing the decoder will be an option (note I only bought Lais as at the time all other brands were unavailable). Before I go does anyone know if there is a simple way to remap rather than cutting wires? Or maybe one for DCC forum?

Yes non sound. Maybe have used all functions - if the case then would want to reconfigure somehow as control of internal corridor lights I have less need for than the main headlights. Seems like a slightly odd configuration as stands but might be better using Bachs own plux decoder?