SouthernMafia

Good to hear progress on the layout being made. I thought about a similar idea (having lived in Southampton) but am waiting for you to build yours!

Now that we have a nice shiny control panel, running has been in full effect. Here's a couple of videos of some VEPs and TCs running around. NSE a little too late for 1967 but not my period! A few images also. A wide variety of stock is being used to test the layout sequence, it also demonstrates the club's spectrum of interest! The fiddle yard. The 5 cream coloured lines to the left are the Romsey lines, the blue are the Freight sidings (which allow access to any part of the layout), red are Up lines and green are Down lines. An 08 trips wagons from Marchwood to Maritime. Bulleid on the Down Blue VEP pauses at Redbridge.

Hattons already low on 33056 and 33114, and other sites now showing OOS, best order mine!

According to Kernow, latest 33s are on their way to the UK.

Am I right in thinking the EWS versions have now completely sold out at retailers? Was thinking about adding a couple to my order of 9 red ones but Kernow and T4U now showing page not found.

Reading West this morning. Pan came down shortly after. IET came off Reading W Curve.

And for those who don't want to fit standard couplings or have a hole in the valance...? I hope they follow Hornbys sensible approach akin to the Class 60 by providing a spare of each allowing the user to choose which valance they want at both ends. Ie the model should come with 4, 2 already fitted and 2 spares.

Yet to receive my email having paid the deposit already but happy to wait until it's quietened down, no rush. Email is correct on system.

I hope that's on top of ones already fitted to the model...not running a 59 with a big hole in the valance at one end...

Yes, doesn't really solve the congestion problem in the Up direction though apart from when they are fully bidirectional. Regularly see an Up Worcester held outside waiting for whatever has just come out the sidings in front of it to depart after a 10 minute dwell...

In the new track/signalling diagrams, there is an additional position 2 junction indicator OOU on the Down Main signal giving access to platform 4...could this be for access to a new platform 5 making platform 4 an island in the future?

Works nicely on the Carmarthen diagrams where a 5-car is required as you won't get 9 in at Carmarthen. I'm sure I read somewhere that GWR have released all the required HST sets headed north so shouldn't be at a loss going forward, aside from releasing sets for 2+4 conversion which is behind schedule.

The new Quail map which includes the four-tracking shows just two platforms at both Stapleton Rd and Lawrence Hill. Can't really see a need for four platforms to be honest as crossovers are being installed to allow things to move around and still call. (new Horfield Jnc being created)

I would agree as mine did this. Couldn't put my finger on it initially until I read this thread. Apply some power with croc clips to the pick-ups (ie bypassing the contact to the axles) and I expect the motor will run smoothly in both directions.

Hi Simon, Whilst the issues relating to infrastructure may well have been resolved, there are problems sometimes on the units themselves that have created delay, eg TMS getting in a bit of a mess, GUs not actually starting. Granted, as these things have become more embedded and Hitachi able to resolve their faults, the problems have reduced, however a few months ago it seemed to be happening a lot.

I noticed this today too. That is a shame as the 442 cab ends are very nice. Luckily I picked up a pair last year and some bogie bits but not sure I've got enough to do another 5-WES! Must get round to upgrading my Hurst version.

Not to mention the additional delays caused to IET services when they have 'power changeover issues', a seemingly daily performance at Didcot with one service or another.

East Coast Azuma trains thwarted by northern track - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-45435683

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45458222 Slightly related to this topic hence why its been dug up, but more so my question as to how these people did not get electrocuted if they're in the pit under a moving train. There's not much space down there and careful movement around the 4th rail when you're in shock can't be easy. They must have been very lucky...unless there's some fail safe available?

First 9-car 802 in service last week, 802101 working 1C04 07:30 Pad-Pnz and is working the same train today.

That angle though with the yellow warning panel, is it right? Certainly different to Lion behind it.

I have ordered mine but won't be able to inspect for a short while. It appears the artwork for the buffet is different to the model, at least the images shown on Rails's website show the buffet as the version I need, so hopefully it is this one. https://railsofsheffield.com/products/34909/Hornby-r4855-oo-gauge-virgin-trains-mk3-buffet-trfb-10235

^what he said, layout looks awesome. Glad I'm not working on mine currently as its just nowhere near your standard. Sorry I can't make Taunton.

Things quiet on Portland at the moment but stock has seen some work along with thinning of some of the fleet, mainly anything a bit too modern or not local to Hampshire and Dorset (but I still can't resist a Colas 60!) I also embarked on a 'get things running' programme so anything previously not fitted with a decoder now is. Bachmann Colas 47727 with some detailing and orange box movement to the right place: A Colas 70 arrived: Virgin 47814 has some front detailing: Years ago I did a 3-way nose swap with some Bachmann 37s but never researched the configurations correctly. Now stuff like this bothers me so a 2-way swap occured to make this more accurate. 37239 on the left has its original nose back and will become 37178. 37035 on the right has a nose of 37042? and will become 37046. 37035s nose is on 37013 in Mainline: 47190 is being transformed into Solent local 47197. This has had the fuel tanks swapped out from a 47474 and will have cosmetic attention to one of the flush ends to reinstate the blanked headcode box and lights: A Bachmann 170 has been DCCed and I was experimenting with fancy features: Stock box arrangements. These are excellent but only available for 8 items. Some tweaking means a rake of 10 (or two rakes of 5 as here) will fit nicely: Lima TEAs are becoming chassis less TCA LPG tanks, these have been rebogied with spare Dapol HIA bogie sets which are the correct Y25C bogies for this type of wagon: Also working on revised Fawley TTAs which have a different ladder and walkway configuration: The walkway is from Stenson models and is very nice, however is slightly wrong for the Fawley tanks. There is also no lower walkway as found just above the buffer beam. This was made using a PCA walkway from the same company: The walkway was tweaked a bit to closer match the prototype. Revised end ladder and handrails also added. Still some final grab rails to add here: Lastly with the spare bits off the TTA walkway I wanted to see if could be used elsewhere so I had a go at a Lima PGA. It's too short but looks much better. Have also rewheeled and Kadeed two, only 25 to do!! Life is busy so modeling time remains limited but working on stock in preparation for Redbridge attention the Southampton show in January, hence a focus on "Solent" trains.

Apparently the work to operate 5-car IETs to Bedwyn, ie extend the siding, was completed in the last Newbury blockade. Be interested to learn what they've done to the foot crossing.