Dixie Dean

I couldn't find a picture anywhere either. But didn't know for sure.

Lima once made a model of 87017 as Lima L204809-HR01 "Iron Duke" in EWS livery. Was this just wishful thinking or did it in fact carry that livery at some point? Also 87101 was for a time owned by EWS. Did it every carry the EWS livery?

I'd like 87017 in EWS livery - never going to happen though

Another newsletter has been circulated with some additional information about both the OO and N gauge projects. As with previous ones, they will be made public in about 2 weeks on the DJM website.

Another newsletter has been circulated with some additional information about both the OO and N gauge projects. As with previous ones, they will be made public in about 2 weeks on the DJM website.

2 main types are currently being used in the UK, Bonomi Omnia from Italy: http://www.gruppo-bonomi.com/en/sectors-bonomi-group/railways.html http://www.satferr.it/wp-content/uploads/Omnia-25-kV-and-Components-UK.pdf and Furrer and Frey from Switzerland: https://www.furrerfrey.ch/en/systems/Series-1.html with variations at different places around the network (mixing bits of both systems), such as the North West, Scotland, Great Eastern

Can't we just put a line under this now and just await further developments? Or why not just a separate moan about Dave thread and leave this just for OO gauge Class 92 updates? I think everything that can be said has been and just regurgitating it seems pointless. If your still in, you're in, otherwise you're out!

As it's been over 18 months since the portals were first mooted at ScotRail last year I thought I'd contact Peco for an update. Basically they replied that there isn't one. Looks like they might have died a death. Same though as I need to start building something similar very soon.

So what would be a typical GBRf consist for these? I also have some of the Dapol ones in Green. What is the prototypical difference between them, especially how they were used?

Ben, what about the slightly odd shape to the front that many have previously commented on, was the previous model's front windows and above modelled right or wrong, and if wrong, has that been corrected? And regarding models, I'm firmly in the EWS maroon/gold and early freightliner era, so will be waiting patiently for those to appear!

As far as I am aware those of us who have paid the first instalment will get told when we have to pay the next one, which I understand will be paid through the new system on DJs website.

To me it looks like a newer Trent Valley portal of this type: https://youtu.be/pKbSmXBZDLw?t=1310

Does the sound fitted 87s have a different configuration from the other types? Are there still switches on that version or are the lights controlled through the chip?

I suspect that the 87s are already here in the UK but awaiting a part or two, perhaps some detailing or the box or something

Thanks Alan. Fortunately, we will be going by car, so hopefully not a problem. Looking forward to both of them. If I'm ever up your way I would love to see yours. Another layout that I think you will also find interesting, and which also has been very inspirational for me, as I am having to build my layout in a single garage with only about 33" vertical to use, is this: I love the way he has literally shoehorned it into a 3 x 2 metre room, but used every inch of its height!

I hope you don't mind me going off topic a bit Alan! I must admit that although I'm a big railway fan my wife and I rarely travel by train unless it is when we are holiday in Austria, Germany, Switzerland or Italy and then only for day trips or on the outward trip of a cycling day out. We usually going abroad by car with our caravan which is a lot more flexible. One of things I'm hoping to do on our next trip is to visit a couple of model railways, one is this: (a Swiss based, modeller's railway, which is in a house south of Frankfurt in Germany) and another is this: (open to the public, just in Germany but by Salzburg - worth watching right through, including the night time section!) I love the Lötschberg route you mentioned Alan, and in 2001 was very privileged to have a ride in the cab over the old mountain route from Speiz to Brig and back in a class 460, plus a couple of trips on the Kandersteg to Goppenstein car transporters in one of the Brownies "Court". I also spend a day on the Gotthard route a few years ago: Great memories!

Re the Bernina, I would ask RhB for voucher to do this trip again in the future! To fob you of with a bus is scandalous!

Hope it's going well Alan, enjoy your break!

Not very likely, I'm afraid, as the line runs along the side of a valley, with a drop off on the shunting loop side.

Thanks for that roythebus. I missed that completely. I will amend the diagram accordingly. Everyone, please bear with me whilst I consider whether to lengthen the platform loop at either end so that if there is no passenger train in the station 2 freights would be able to pass each other if necessary, and a big thanks to everyone for their contributions so far. They are much appreciated.

I fully realise that my layout isn't very prototypical, but I would like to get the signalling as correct as possible, despite the unusual layout. The loop on the other side from the platform is for shunting and running around the timber train. I also added two small shunting stubs in which freight wagons could be stood for loading/unloading as if wagon load was still happening. I wasn't thinking of two trains passing a third. In fact, neither loop is long enough for passing freights to set into. I did wonder if it would be a good idea to increase the length of the loop opposite the platform to allow for freight trains to pass. Are you implying that if it's not for passing and only for running around it is unnecessary? Please clarify. Perhaps you mean I could use the platform road to run around? I put full signalling on it to provide for the timber train to enter the main line. Is this unnecessary?

My grateful thanks to all the contributors so far. I have now morphed the original diagram into the space I have for this section of the layout. From what has been outline above, would the below be a suitable signalling arrangement for this section of my layout? I presume that there would have to be a two aspect "distant" colour light back from each end of the station in case either of the three aspect signals at each of the loop were showing "stop"?

The single line is entered at both ends from stations with multiple platforms. So would that requirement be satisfied by a 2 or 3 aspect signal? If so which?

The through line, the platform road and the top loop are all electrified. The timber sidings are not electrified.

It's a single track electrified main line, which was always single. It was electrified and re-signalled 40 years ago but with old boxes controlling colour light signals. There is one stopping EMU each way each hour with additional DMUs every couple of hours, one express passenger train each way each hour (non stopping) and at least one non stopping freight each hour. Timber is collected once a day. It is shunted by a class 03 and collected by an electric loco. Is that enough information? I realise it is a bit of an oddity, but I like it!