Robert Shrives

Packaging is a game for all the family and a game of choice for carriers. My main problem is that the pressures put on rural carriers is the time taken to find out of the way places - large parts of rural wales might as well be on another planet given the excuses given but by using friends in a local town does seem to be better. Plinths v. foam, poly foam, blister packs and plastic two part trays are all used by manufacturers in China depending on their favourite supplier and sometimes what the customer wants. The important thing I guess is model cannot get damp, move within packaging so livery or parts cannot catch and get knocked off. Also they survive drops - some models I know have been while in transit packaging chucked off a fire escape - 5m drop. The additional thing now is collector value for mint boxes over scuffed ones. I get at work requests for boxes to re box a model for resale, but quoted to make collection complete ! Sadly boxes are rarely available now. The IRM plastic sleeve on the Hunslets and Park Royal will help defray requests, even it means a little more faff before getting mits on a lovely model. cheers Robert

Hi Thanks for that, on my bench are parts of a part painted 80 class ! an EGV Mk3 and somewhere bits for a second GSV....

DJ thanks but cannot see that on my account pages so happily waiting on the gang sorting it, minefield when updating or changing trading platforms, easy is often the last option !! hope all well otherwise. 80 class next I guess.

Hi guys, I have paid for Hunslets in full as I cannot seem to get system to take my vouchers 335 euros worth - a gift when I retired from friends at Crosscountry trains, sadly hunslets have arrived after friend who sorted vouchers sadly passed away. I guess folk are always busy but several attempts to contact electronically have yet to see a response , but I did see a bundle of points arrive via email message . Hopefully if vouchers can be sorted I will use to pay for the ICR that seems to be payment outstanding when I got on to site, not that I have seen any advice from folk that payment was due. Still reading this thread there is still an amount of human activity to sort system merge and resulting cracks/ black holes !! - good luck. Robert

I look forward to this loco build as I too have a Silver Fox C class and it looks ok to me but can see the front shape is better. With tongue slightly in cheek I expect when finished a very well know supplier will announce an RTR model. In a twin pack in NIR blue and an 80 class railcar. robert

I guess an 0 gauge 071 is a big ask as it is a big model!! but you never know now..

Good progress on EPs also looking to sets.

Hi Done the deed and ordered coaches, looking forward to Hunslets and living off dry bread for a few years to save for 80 class. .... Robert Hopefully as a spare part to upgrade older models.

lovely weathering , As noted the passengers are of their time - reading and not a "device" insight. The stay alive and lighting looks good as well. thanks for showing.

Indeed ! TLCs are often problematic if several versions in use. UAT is one for rail staff - User acceptance testing or Ultrasonic axle testing, Universal Access toilet. SNAFU and FUBAR are FLCs that spring to mind several times a week. Robert

Well it does seem to added a few Kw to the froth boilers. Multiple vehicles projects with extensive tooling suites are always going to be a time consuming project and the potential of several iterations as CADs and samples prior to production can slow process and increase cost risk/ reduce profit margins. I am like many happy to sit and wait it out in a calm manner. I am sure TB has tongue firmly in cheek and enjoying the fun created! Robert

Been saying it for years! I guess after the Hunslets sell out on the second batch ! Then with enough pennies found down the side of the breakout furniture in IRM towers might just lead to an 80 class being announced. The selection of colours and the fun mixing of liveries means buying sets will really be a plural activity. Robert

Yes that is it Comet coach kit style.

JHB, Indeed. I spent 1991 - 2024 less 5 back on FR co works building hostel and marketing work. Trying to run some sort of services at BR, Reg rail, EWS , VT- XC in several colours - I was like a stray dog having several owners but nobody wanted to feed or pay the vet bills. Bashing heads with Railtrack and NR was fun in the day . Once I was refused permission to run a 153 dmu through the Severn tunnel as it only had one engine. Like a class 47 I asked? It was suggested I was sarcastic and difficult. Only when needed I replied, 153 ran... Hopefully back on topic the Enterprise services will be sorted and new shiny but tested trains will improve transport. Robert

The idea of sharing stock falls on the alter of risk minimisation- by only using own stock then crews expose the owners to limited risk compared to letting them operate hired in stock - even if they sign the traction. XC crews could not use GWR HSTs as not all cab switches ended up in same place due to the "non regulated" schemes , could not even use VT / Advanti 221 voyagers as cab switches had differing positions plus XC crews no longer sign tilt equipment. Thus spare Advanti sets sat on Central rivers while XC services short formed ran past.. This sort of "fun" repeated across the network. I recall running BR 304 emus Rugby to Crewe and back to ensure the 14 standing= needs an exam was avoided. Summer specials / adex stock was rotting garbage most of the time and hardly a good experience but even with rose tinted specs were operational liability. I recall a SO detached at Shrewsbury off a Birmingham - Pwhelli train - Itself a poor shadow of the weekend London - PWL services to allow Butlins inmates swap over. The coach lingered for weeks while resources found to rescue back to Tyesley for attention to dragging brakes. Finally some folk on a Euston - Wolves service enjoyed 08 haulage from Grand junction to the platforms one day when an 86 gave up the ghost. IIRC fun days! Robert