Warbonnet

If you're looking to do some body detailing this guy on the old RMWeb did an amazing job on a 59, he used the Bachmann 66 guts too. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=29258

Dave is selling his body?

45 pounds for a Hornby 50 body? I paid near that for a whole 50 brand new not too long ago!

After a prolonged period without a computer I cracked on with a couple of projects to keep me amused. One was the building of some Accurail covered hoppers. I bought a pack of three CNW hoppers in differing colours a few weeks back and nailed a couple together. What you get Added detail So some Kadee replacement trucks were acquired and fitted, weights that had sheered loose glued back in, end detail bent out and roof walkway fixed. I had to remove some of the ladder detail but it doesn't look too bad.I may look into getting a replacement part or get out the plastic strip at a later date. Some weathering will help give it an in service battered look too. [attachment=:name]

I've just done a quick overview of the 59s, different types etc http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/909-Class-59-A-brief-look-at-the-different-types As for laptops, I quite like my HP G6, but they're all pretty good these days. Go Lenovo if you can afford it, but plenty of the middle-of-the-road such as Dell are grand. I reckon Bos would give better advice than me. I'd stay clear of Apple though, overpriced and over hyped fashion accessories!

As there was a few questions about the class 59s on the new Hornby 67 thread I thought I'd do a quick summary of the class as they are a firm favourite of mine. Essentially there are three different variations of the class 59; 59/0, 59/1 and 59/2. 59/0 These were the first 59s build by EMD in La Grange for Foster Yeoman. Four were built in 1984 with a fifth coming in 1988 as FY were unhappy with the poor reliability of BR locos such as the class 56 at the time. They were the first privately owned locos to run on BR metals. They featured centre mounted headlights under the cab windows and different marker lights from subsequent batches. They were all delivered in Foster Yeoman livery, pictured here http://www.flickr.com/photos/donglos/4976383991/ One of the original class, 59 003 was exported to Germany, renumbered as 259 003, and operated by Yeoman/Deutsche Bahn (DB), pulling stone trains. Picture of it here - http://www.modern-locoillustrated.com/MLI%20issue%20downloads/Issue%20173/59003Eastleigh.jpg It has since moved on to Heavy Haul Power International and is operating in this livery in Germany http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5451528031_ce9dace62f.jpg 59/1 Foster Yeoman's main competitor ARC were impressed by the 59s and decided to buy some of their own. In 1990 four 59s were built, this time in EMD's London plant in Ontario, Canada. Designated 59/1, they featured revised lights each end, losing the centre beams the 59/0s had, and getting lights similar to the first 66s. Picture of the original ARC livery here - http://mike-walker.smugmug.com/Trains/Mendip-GMs/i-pT227WT/0/M/R-BR-852ARC-59103-Old-Oak-M.jpg 59/2 Following Foster Yeoman, National Power decided to investigate the possibility of running its own trains, by ordering a single pilot locomotive. Following the trial, National Power ordered a further five locomotives and a fleet of hopper wagons to carry coal and limestone. Again built at the London plant in 1994 and 1995, the six Class 59/2 locomotives differ from the Class 59/1s in several ways. A carbon dioxide fire control system replaces the original Halon system, NiCd batteries replace lead-acid, and the fleet all have drop-head knuckle couplers fitted. A more advanced slow speed control suitable for merry-go-round power station coal train operation has been fitted, as well as yaw dampers for a higher top speed. These were the last of the 59s, orignal National Power livery - http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6031/6324851535_8d28f1a36f_z.jpg In April 1998 EWS took over the National Power rail operations and re liveried the 59/2s into EWS http://www.semgonline.com/diesel/pics/cd59205_1.jpg and now they are all owned and painted in DB-S red http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1a/59s-at-Acton.jpg Mendip Rail In the mid 90s both Yeoman and ARC pooled their resources and formed Mendip Rail. This became a train operating company to operate 59/0s and 59/1s on stone trains. The locos gained new liveries, such as Mendip Rail http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/7166192084_da18905c30_z.jpg Revised Yeoman http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3260/5761465652_43cfebd59c_z.jpg and revised ARC http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Main%20photo%20file/Cl59-1arc ARC was then taken over by Hanson, and the 59/1s were repainted into their colours http://www.traintesting.com/images/59104%20Westbury%2019-10-06.jpg Yeoman has also been taken over by Aggregate Industries, and the 59/0s are now being painted this livery http://www.therailwaycentre.com/NewSite%20POD%202008/POD30-07-08.jpg All 59s work Stone trains in the South east, and can be regularly seen in London, mainly around Acton Mainline and the North London line. Any questions/corrections/comments/additions accepted! Hope it's of help.

yep, all the DB-S 59's are the 59/2s. A bit too modern for me liverywise, I like the earlier ARC, Yeoman and National Power liveres myself but they look smart in Red. I'll be updating my blog further now I managed to replace the screen in my laptop (put my phone through it, replaced it last night with a kit, good as new) in the next couple of days.

Just realised the next Genesis SD70ACe heritage livery is due out in mid October too and I have my name down for one. I need a proper job! Anyone want to buy a kidney?

So less than a month to go and I'm sure most of us are getting pretty excited. The Bachmann Blue Pullman is also due the end of the month, giving me an awful quagmire. How do I afford both!?!

It has some lovely touches Rich; see through grill and internal detail ala the Hornby 60, no opening cab doors (praise the lord!) the bodyside ribs are excellent and lots of detail below the chasis (air dryers etc) The printed on horn grills are a tad disappointing though. I only had a quick look at her last night when I was putting a chip in, need to have a closer look.

Interesting and lovely build Anthony, I think that would make for a great 'how to' feature on here and might attempt similar with my Lima 59 if I come across a cheap 66 chassis. Was also thinking of doing a similar rebuild with a Lima 201 using Kato parts. Another two for the 'to do' pile!

Yep.

Yep.

Yep brand spanking new model with all wheel drive, bells and whistles.Weighs a ton. I hope someone does an up to date 59 soon, I'd have 4 or 5!

Apologies for the poor pics, but a glimpse of the new Hornby EWS Class 67 which arrived today. Has been chipped but no detail parts added yet. First impressions are that it's quite nice. Needs weathering though! Amended Hornby packaging. Much better than the old splitting packaging and similar to the current Bachmann arrangement.

Pics!

Lovely paint job, well done!

Something else to consider is that the DART will have a fairly limited appeal due to its restricted operation over one line. I can't recall seeing too many Irish layouts with overhead wires and/or based on the geographical location or timeframe that the DARTs operate in. I do accept that overhead stock and overhead wires is a bit of a 'chicken and the egg' situation though. Railcars are characterised by their windows as glazing is such a prominent feature. Maybe look instead at freight stock? Since MIR ceased manufacturing there has been a shortage of Irish freight wagons on offer. There are people who are now moving to fill those gaps, but there might be wagons they do not offer which you can have a go at. Whatever you decide to do, best of luck.

silly question; cleaned the loco wheels?

I think Rich hits the nail on the head here. Well done for having a go, but I can't see anyone will pay 400 euro for something that has printed detail and no glazing, especially in these times. If I was forking out 400 quid for something it would be either brass or O gauge. I hope it goes well for you, but maybe look at alternative methods of construction, such as those employed by the 2600 railcars to see if you can do something better for less.

BLMA stuff is lovely, recommended. Mind you scratch building will get you something unique. You can use corn flake boxes, like someone on here did for a much coveted bridge that has since been felled by a sledgehammer!

I'm pretty sure Bachmann are the biggest selling brand of model railroads in the USA. The quality might be dodgy but they sell loads of trainsets, do the Thomas the Tank Engine series and sell cheap locomotives across a variety of scales.

I heard a rumour on my travels that Grahams are doing a Bachmann 5 car Voyager set for €109.99. That's a bargain.

John Major at it again.

I'll let you know when my one arrives Rich, but I'm glad to report no opening doors at least! I don't think the brake discs have been replicated though, but will confirm when I get my hands on it. I'll stick a few pics up too