cheesysmith

The pilot scheme was botched simply put due to panic buying due to the poor financial position BR was in, with the hope that the new diesels would provide a quick win and turn things round, without looking at the underlying reasons why BR was loosing money. When BR was formed it was run by old men who understood how the old ways worked. Thus the old ways were perpetuated as they knew they worked and it didn`t need new training or investment. A example is, RA Riddles who was in charge of the modernisation plan, had a ride on one of the brand new AC electrics with a old driver. This train would have been speeding along at a speed and acceleration no steam train could match, improving the railway in many ways. But all they talked about was the old steam trains. Or the fact that when BR was formed, there was a large order for standard wagon types, and one order was for a large number of two axle short wheelbase twin bolster wagons. Luckily this was cancelled quickly, as these offered no advantage over a bogied bolster, and a few disadvantages including slower speeds. Or vac brakes/steam heating/slam doors etc. All these can be described as they work with what we have now/maintaining the status quo, not looking at where we want to proceed to. One luckily outcome of the modernisation plan was the DMU, which saved so many lines from the axe that came later. Riddles even had a plan on the drawing board for a small class 2 steam loco for use on secondary services.

Jessy has done some already, do look nice.

Am I the only one who actually likes that colour scheme on it?

Everyone keeps saying how heavy it is, but I`m sure it has been ballasted up to that weight. Depending on equipment, a SD40-2 comes in at 160 to 209 tons, so this is just half the weight of a SD40. No way does a little 400hp diesel engine (probably from a truck or such) weigh as much as the 10 to 12 tons of the V16 3000hp EMD engine. And there is not even half the frame there. Be more interesting in seeing how one of these would compare to the shunting Bo Bo that Clayton are making now. Reducing one of these to UK size and weight would not be difficult (the width and height is all in the walkways and cab/steps, the rest would already be in gauge).

It is not going to wear out the motors. 400hp engine, with losses is only going to be about half the output of one traction motor. Not much chance of a flashover on it. More likely to slip before you over load anything.

A tip for masking difficult bits (like 08 wasp stripes) is blue tack cut when flat. Has worked for me in the past.

D'oh, yes. Stupid spell check.

Lightwood have just release a new book on the woodhead line. Ordered my copy, and will let people know what it is like when it arrives.

Never under estimate other people. Most don`t even know what trains they are dealing with. I once picked up a pair of vi trains 37 for £30 notes because they were non runners. The photos gave away the problem. No DCC blanking chips. That was a bargain.

I take a 9v battery for these type buys. Just the right size for 00 wheels.

Modern FB rail has been getting heavier, so code 83 might even be closer to modern CWR than 75.

It was your posting that gave me the idea. Mine are not as good as yours. The underframe trussing is from the ex kirk bits from phoenix, bogies from the same (SR ones with the tie bar between axles cut off). Respaced to 33ft bogie centres, MJT etch frames. Battery boxes from the same ex kirk sprues, fictional electric lighting, and only single row of roof vents, using the gas light vents as the one on the sprue had too much flash.

Could you provide some random numbers for these coaches (post 33), late withdrawal date ones? Also, the first used as a composite, how was it arranged? TTFFFTT or some other pattern?

I have been converting some of the ratio coach kits into something representing a sheffield set. Does anyone have the numbers of such a 4 coach set? And where to obtain such numbers? Thanks

These are the colours i`ve decided to go with, as they are what i had in stock. Sides are vauxhall burgundy red, ends halfords plastic bumper, roof RAL 7038 agate grey. Not sure on the roof, might be too light. Can always weather it after lol. Just a little touching up of the paints needed. These are done using automotive spray paints. Tip for touching up after is to spray lots of the paint from the can into a plastic container then use a fine brush to touch up after. Can see where the side is awaiting touching up. Decided to say these were repainted marron, as it is almost identical colour to the LMS red, but don`t need to do any lining lol.