Robert Shrives

Just found this thread and it looks a big budget exercise! confident use of glass which I hope bodes well for the future. Tickled that worker safety concerns higher than end user with platforms fully barriered to stop falls during build - are the builders not to be trusted! Looking at bus working edge I hope some sort of double deck canopy as it seems a shame in what can be a quite damp climate at times (?) that you can alight on to a dry platform and navigate a vast concourse still in the dry but then get wet for 1m while boarding an enclosed bus. Penny of tar syndrome. Cannot wait for it to open and look forward to one day seeing OLE gracing the place. Hopefully such quality is a start for more thoughtful spending for the future. Robert

Just to add on the three some!! I now have 2 from first batch and 154 from this batch and all lovely models. now need to find time to build suitable layout in my loft - slightly more possible as found some boards in good order - albeit 50 years old! This loco will get a spot of filth for fun. Robert

Hopefully the bottom line after the coaches go out will be enough to see some heating vans from IRM. I have two silver fox ones but would hope an rtr one would help many of the new converts to 5` 3." My RPSI rake now complete - diesel hauled for now ... Robert

An interesting bit of fun, several I guess have been helped over the "line" because of this . Model Rail I do not think have done one as a result but this if the first would be fun. Robert

I guess waiting on announcing original livery/ Hunslet project, well hopefully. Robert

Hi Publicity looks to suggest a rerun of Ally Pally shows in London but I guess room for enlargement. NEC costs are eyewatering so it will be very interesting to see how the new "Warnley" show develops hope the Warners team of paid staff can pull of a show to match the volunteer run one. I wish them well in this show. Robert

Brilliant and using the formation guide just shows the marketing ploy for the gen brake, I look forward to buying 2 of these, bound to happen as I was about to add some white lines on a model tomorrow, having gained a free day. I suspect the high spec model will come with a sound facility built in even on DC and perhaps a wand switched taillamps - plug in accessory , but DCC version will have guards conversations, door slams and gen start up stuff. Now for a smoke unit!! - that can be retro into the new NIR stock and the soon to be announced MK1 EGV sets ..... April announcement dates I guess. Robert

With all the talk about unwanted stock - It would be fun to alter a bumble bee MKK2 So into micro buffet 548 or was it 916 with the air con windows on one side? I guess both are beyond the niche horizon for IRM rtr versions. 548 was a bit more upmarket than the BR TSOT variation as had a the window behind counter was paneled over, BR kept frame often with glass painted over. - There is this version in the AS BR range to be. Robert

hope that helps but why twice - my mistake !!

Hi, Not sure if this to late to the party stuff, but a friend in EM on Western Thunder forum showed the following about beet traffic in Eastern England : https://www.westernthunder.co.uk/attachments/img_3423-jpeg.207460/ttps://www.westernthunder.co.uk/attachments/img_3424-jpeg.207459/ might help along the way? Robert

Well latest batch arrived in the blue and grey - look the part and checking after bogie comment all "pure" NIR are fine, what I call crossover coaches as the basic vehicle could be BR or NIR all have the BR 00 bogie. Given majority use 00 just having an exchange bogie will suit I am sure. Perhaps I missed it but I guess the MOQ for 21mm replacement wheelsets prohibitive to offer as an after market choice. Still brilliant and at work the BR modelling guys were drooling!! Now we have the middle car for augmented 80 class and with new end slide the DBTS as well. sort of 66 class railcar... dreams of top spec 80 class in 2025... Robert

To add to the plaudits I took delivery of the bumble bee packs just now and lovely models but the best part was finding a card in the base below the protective inner tray looking like an OLE warning - carefully done to explain the various coupling options. The booklet with diagrams very useful and clear. Showing how our rtr models are really a mega kit built for us to use/play with. We might make one model but spare a thought for the many hands in China making these for us, I guess 5000 plus kits to build and most of us would baulk at the thought !! Thanks to all involved in the project around the globe/ other side of the flat earth! Robert

Paul, Thanks for that. I guess doing interior gen set corridor walling in a light grey and black on the other side will calm down the orange currently visible. Thanks Robert

Well my EGV landed and had a chance to look over, MM5603A , in IR livery it looks the part just need to fanny with roof vents - black wash and a dot of black on exhausts to make it look like it has a hole. I guess paint over the orange interiors - a bit lurid but at least it has an interior - any soul got phots of inside please. very please to see bogies are suitable of 21mm gauge and cleverly the brake block moulding can be reclipped to the outer spacing - neat design move. Very please to add coach to fleet - does take the "urgency" off finishing a couple of brass ones in the massive part started heap! Thanks to all involved in rerun and distribution. Robert

The couplings are standard fishtail NEM couplings IIRC and so any Bachman/ hornby/ dapol would fit. check with a coupling off a wagon? robert