Robert Shrives

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

Well mine landed today. so Sligo should be awash with fuel now !! Lovely models but will need uber gunking at some point, will need to look at photos. Thanks to all involved in this project around the globe. Robert

The 66 is brewing up nicely having seen some bits and bobs across a desk near mine! A bit of a wait but i think it will be well worth it, still like my G1 one.

Good news but does it mean the big orange one has a model railroad in the White house ? Thinks before pressing send is it of "Orange" prototypes, the UK "special arrangement" might thus refer to MK2D air cons ... Robert

used link but not able to order as it will not recognise Wales Had hoped to get some black bogies and 3 tail lamp packs but just not able to... Robert

A bit of time today, avoiding the blow meant along with a delivery of tiny castings the GWR railcar has lurched forward with bogie side frames fitted on one side. The axle end gear box comes as double drive ended add on casting to the basic side frame so in BR days the double drive was removed I have trimmed back to more like photos. Body is a shapeways grainy affair bit having had quite a bit of sanding does look ok Power bogie is a blast from past it is a Mike Chinery 12mm NG power bogie intended for Irish NG railcars but is a lovely runner and railcar does not need to shoot about like an HST so works well on Branchline layout. robert

A good news and obvs a source of cutting and extending ... As it happens I was just a few metres away from the office where this was generated. So will follow with interest - I did help look at seeing if a CIE look-near- alike was possible upon this tooling even allowing for it being short and it was just not viable hence using the suggest vehicles to take on the Tourax decoration instead. Hopefully I can get my mits on some samples in time to chop up ! Robert

Two pics for added value ( I hope) 117 dmu with middle car at rear in blue drivers still in primer with more work required on roof domes. The 158 is a 3 D print in the grainy style of old from Shapeways I will carry on with it but I think it is a bit dead in the water given modern print standards. Robert

Mol, Ennis was on my ideas list a while back due to the curved platforms and terminating trains - I was going for a modernised trackplan but with benefits. Claremorris -Burma Road- Sligo a`la Patrick style of presentation was another flight of fancy - lottery requirement to oblige! NIR stuff did see a Portadown idea as well, along with a Belfast Central- Adelaide yard fancy. It hard from afar(ish) to avoid a fictional section to allow the multiple interesting train formations slide by. Your space with a double line loop and at a differing level a single line and loop attached to fiddle yards/loops could then be anywhere you fancy on the day. robert

A bit of an update, found box of DMU stuff so now having a review. Met cam 101 dmu has home made airvac vents two more coaches to go at. The green Tadpole needs roof details sorting - cable conduits on all three plus roof fans and hatch handles on PC. The Mk 3 is in primer, bogies done just need to sort couplings and bogie mounts, sadly Alan Doherty has no more etched sides so I only have 4 vehicles. The 121 is a mix of 3mm soc ends and Alan`s sides and roof, needs undergubbins and exhausts. I need a new box of roundtuits as well. Robert

Indeed the sets had quite a good reform game with power cars moving round - I guess exams/ faults along with a desire to run trains saw lots of fun! Trailers were augmented with loco stock - a one way conversion and of course repairs were necessary due to damage. Several vehicles went to Glasgow works and some power cars went back to Derby. IIRC loco coach driving brake 812 became a DMU vehicle and ended up having brake end removed and standard seating accommodation - done in Glasgow using part of sides from withdrawn Mk2. So a basic 80 class project is quite tool/ slide hungry which is cost rich.... Re 450 you never know. Robert

Looking to the north the 80 and 450 class units float a boat here. The 80 having some "cross over" with Mk2 stock . As we know Mol it is easy to spend somebody else`s dosh. Robert