TravisM

I’m building a modern day layout based on my former local station on the long closed Northampton to Peterborough line had it remained open. Originally the line was double tracked but was singled and in my world, it remains so. After spending some time at Whittlesea station recently, watching the semaphore signals and gated crossing at work, I was wondering if something similar would work on a single line and how would the signalling be arranged?

I travelled from Whittlesea to Ely on the train last week and I have to say that March station looked a disgrace. Half of it was abandoned (and it showed) and the other half looked tired and unloved.

I think it’s a case of DBC 92’s crew traction knowledge to run on the national system rather than anything else as the safety case would apply to GBRf as well. DBC’s 92’s that are running in the UK are configured for HS1 and the Channel Tunnel though those stored at Crewe Electric TMD could be returned to service to run here, if there not already cannibalised. I notice that the 92’s in mainland Europe bar one have now been moved to Croatia.

Ordered one, so hopefully it will look right for the layout. Would Dapol’s LMS upper quadrant working signalling be correct as well?

I’ve got several Hornby Class 153’s and though I like the model, the moving plow at each end annoys me as they should be firmly attached to the solebar. Does anyone do a replacement plow or using the one that comes with the model, detailing brackets which can be attached to the chassis?

Can I ask who’s design is it?

I spent some time at Whittlesea station last week, looking and photographing the semaphore signals and the signal box, which looked very similar to the Metcalfe 233 kit. Am I right or is that of a different design?

True but the big problem would have been for the brakeman who would have needed to ride upfront with a radio. That would have meant that proper steps and platform built front and rear as hanging on the side would not have been a option. Then you would have had to built into that grade crossing collision protection, then to add extra expense, you would have needed to extend the knuckle couplers and install draft gear. I got this information from my cousin who works for BNSF as a safety inspector in Southern California. I sent him a picture of a 08 and told him there were plans to send some to the US and he scratched his head and said “why bother with all the expense of shipping them over and modifying them when there’s a surplus of home built switchers”.

For all his faults, Beeching actually stated in his report that the MSW should be upgraded, improved and become a premier line to ease pressure on the Hope Valley and Matlock routes.

Railte?

I’m sure someone does both the revised Freightliner logo and nameplates, Shawplan or someone like that.

Ordered a set, thank you.

Thanks for the information and I did put a thread on another forum asking if there was a detail part regarding the revised air filter but I got no response. I wasn’t aware of the buffer or the logo change. Thank you for that.

I’ve recently purchased both versions of the revised Bachmann Class 70’s and I was thinking of buying one of the first batch of Class 70’s that Bachmann did and see if I can purchase a spare body of 70015. I’d like to model 70004 as it is now with the revised air filters but the first batch had slightly different cabs, so my plan is to swop the cabs from the earlier model onto the new style body. Does anyone know if this can be done or any sensible suggestions to model this loco.

I seem to remember reading years ago that the list of loco’s to go on the “strategic reserve” list included the rebuilt WC & BB’s due to their recent rebuilding, Black 5’s, 8F’s, Britannia’s, the standard 4-6-0’s and 9F’s. Obviously not all the loco’s in each class were kept, just the best or recently overhauled examples.

70013 Oliver Cromwell was the last steam loco overhauled at Crewe works. I believe others were scheduled after 13 was done but they were cancelled.

Yes, Ed Burkhart did like them and yes they would have been able to cope with some dodgy track work and with a few cars, but the main issue was visibility with the bonnet leading, crew protection at grade crossing and probably spares as well.

After years of modelling the US scene, I’m trying hard to get up to speed with UK modelling. Would the Metcalfe PO233 or the PO430 signal box kits be suitable?

I’m totally surprised that they would even consider sending a 08 stateside given the fact the weight of US trains. Also, as most US switch engines are in the region of 1500hp and considered underpowered so former mainline loco’s in the 2000 - 3000hp bracket are used instead, 350hp would have been at best a bit of a laughing stock though I for one would have paid good money to watch one trying to get a 10,000 ton train moving

In the mists of time, EWS were planning to send surplus Class 08’s to mainland Europe under their ECR banner and two were painted white or pale grey, fitted with radio control and marked out in ECR. I can’t remember which two they were but does anyone know why the idea never got off the ground?

Does anyone have pictures or plans of signal boxes on the line from Northampton to Peterborough? I’m assuming that they would be small LNWR boxes except for places like Peterborough, Wellingborough and Northampton. If they are, is a kit available?

You said that the Virgin liveried Class 90’s was one of your favourites. I think I can say with certainty that they would have never appeared at Cambridge whilst with Virgin West Coast as there was only 15 of the Class with them (90001 - 90015) and they worked them really hard on very intensive diagrams. If they needed major overhaul, they would have gone directly up the WCML from Willesden to Crewe.

Really looking forward to my EMT version.

The Class 717’s are replacing the aging Class 313’s on the Moorgate - Welwyn Garden City/Stevenage via the Hertford loop services

Is there any palletised agricultural produce other than small amounts of fertiliser carried on the railway? I was thinking of getting several of Kernow’s Cargo Waggons and have them either being pushed in, pulled out or parked in a siding at a agricultural factory or warehouse.