SouthernMafia

I don't know what press release Hattons have read but they are advising the 33s are due in July (and the O gauge 50s) :/ Q4 suits me much better.

c2c 387301 spotted with 'Cardiff Central' and relevant station stops scrolling on the PIS on Reading Depot this morning...

387152 / 387165 in service today: 9U44 07:12 PAD - BPW 08:37 9L43 10:19 BPW - PAD 11:42 9U54 12:12 PAD - BPW 13:36 5Z54 13:49 BPW - SWI 14:14 5Z53 14:32 SWI - BPW 14:57 9L53 15:10 BPW - PAD 16:43 9U66 17:12 PAD - BPW 18:38 5Z66 19:04 BPW - RTCD 20:07

Guards being trained on 387s today to run in service between Swindon and Didcot from tomorrow.

That seems grossly unfair, why should the customer who had no involvement in the ship crashing have to pay anything?

https://www.euronews.com/2021/05/05/egyptian-court-refuses-to-release-ever-given-container-ship-that-blocked-the-suez-canal Doesn't look like they'll be moving any time soon.

Triple headed looks pretty good with three different versions. (33026/33002/33103)

Latest early DRS 20 is OOS already at Kernow (their stock hasn't even arrived yet) and showing OOS at Rails.

On closer inspection I think you've just got the white and red lights on at the same time! Haha my bad. But it does highlight the issue I mentioned, I've yet to see it convincingly modelled.

This looks great, how did you do the light lenses? A key feature of the 66 which unfortunately is missing on many models from several manufacturers, not just the 66s. The best I could manage was some paint on the outside of the lens, but this clouded the brightness of the LEDs and looks a bit naff.

I will be very tempted to do the same when the early DRS ones arrive, since it will always run with another loco I won't need lights at the bonnet end, and I'd rather have a bigger speaker. Has anyone looked at finishing off what Bachmann should've done and added a marker light at the cab end yet?

Looks good. If I may suggest, please take the time to do a digital livery sample in Dutch. Dapol got their bodyside windows very wrong in 00, and it really stands out when you try to correct their incorrect application of Dutch livery. Taking the time now will save the inevitable grumbles later if the proportions/locations aren't quite right. The same problem exists on the 00 33 sadly.

So, Hattons, what happens when they all sell out? Done and dusted or time for batch 2 announcement ?

A request if I may, does anyone have a pack of the nameplates available? I picked up a cheap one but unfortunately it had no detail pack or nameplates. Will go via Shawplan but before I do thought I'd just check here first. Thanks.

Yes as Roy says they are glued in, I ain't fussed about them rotating. 66079 was the worst wobbler I've had, but was happy to rectify and removing all axle box contact solved it straight away. Funnily enough I picked up 66502 off eBay last week, which also had them all cut down and glued in, runs lovely. I'm up to 7 66s now, I don't need anymore of the current batch so let's see if Hattons can deliver on an improved V2 with new liveries. Original Medite and Metronet for me please!

£85 "bottom of the barrel" purchase. Listed as "poor runner", broken/loose drive shaft (included), underframe detail loose (fuel tank) It also wobbled like jelly, 2 axle boxes missing, and no detail pack (these weren't listed in description) Anyways, an hour's work today and the drive shaft has been reinstalled, now runs fine. Fuel tank glued on. Wobble was down to axle boxes, all removed, cut down and reglued in, now completely wobble free! Just need 2 spare axle boxes and a front skirt without NEM hole (anyone fancy sending us a spare please??) I think that's pretty good for £85.

Following a house move I've managed to get Portland up in its entirety in the new garage! As it's a new build I was able to check in on construction of the house and was nervously watching the garage go up wondering how wide it was. The support pillars worried me but luckily with a bit of an angle of the layout the whole thing fits! This is the first time I've achieved this at home as never really had space in its first room, and lived in various flats since then. Lots going on with the house as only been in 10 days, so won't be much modelling just yet and I've got lots more model railway clutter to move up first, but hopefully I'll get Portland up and running again soon.

Ooooo 58033 is looking lovely!

It would be nice to know if "next time" is being considered. Do I pick up another model or two at £119 and renumber, or wait for a potential batch 2? If I wait and it never comes, I've missed the boat, although quite happy with my 4 variations thus far despite the flaws. Some indication from Hattons would be nice, they used to be good at communicating, why has that changed? :/

Furthermore, the weekend just gone was the Twitter model show, and I have compiled some videos I shared running the layout in 1990s Network SouthEast mode. We've lots still to do scenically for Redbridge, first and foremost a good tidy up and repair of various bits that were damaged from the Romsey show. We also aim to have some scenic elements like lampposts changeable to facilitate more modern running sessions. With the vaccine rollout continuing hopefully it won't be too long before club nights can resume and progress can be made on Redbridge. The layout remains available for exhibition in 2022.

It's been nearly a year since the Romsey show, which was the very last show before Covid restrictions set in, and naturally not a lot has been done on Redbridge Wharf since. Having looked up this thread to share something else, I realise I forgot to share some footage taken at Romsey, running in 1967 mode:

My inspiration: My models....still lots to do, the 73 only arrived this week so is box fresh! I have the correct formation with all Hornby Mk1 BG/FO/FO/RB/FO and a Bachmann Mk2 BFK in the rear to be repainted.

That's the one.

Just had a catch up Ian and layout looking excellent, impressed with your trackwork weathering - something I'll be revisiting on Portland once it's reballasted! Is it airbrushed presumably?

The new Jamie Goodman one I thought sounded excellent. I only saw it recently but now I can't find the video...and it was a recent upload not an old one.