• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

What's your latest acquisition?

D1511

Established Member
Joined
29 Jul 2023
Messages
1,210
Location
WCML N
We really need a new 25 in N don’t we!
We certainly do.....I saw you had mentioned that in the other thread. And any one of the older AC electrics - classes 81-85 - are long overdue. I got hold of some CMAC body moulds for a class 81 and a 85 from eBay that look pretty decent, but I can't get them to fit well on any of my Bo-Bo chassis options......and they'll have no working lights obviously. So I really need someone to make one of those.......they are such an integral part of my spotting memories, as we nearly always travelled on the WCML on our trips down south. I also really liked them once haulage took over after I'd seen everything - we used to unscrew the light bulbs in the MK1 compartment and pull down the corridor blinds so we could fully appreciate the arcing! Shap was always very lively ;)
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Cowley

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
15 Apr 2016
Messages
18,919
Location
Devon
We certainly do.....I saw you had mentioned that in the other thread. And any one of the older AC electrics - classes 81-85 - are long overdue. I got hold of some CMAC body moulds for a class 81 and a 85 from eBay that look pretty decent, but I can't get them to fit well on any of my Bo-Bo chassis options......and they'll have no working lights obviously. So I really need someone to make one of those.......they are such an integral part of my spotting memories, as we nearly always travelled on the WCML on our trips down south. I also really liked them once haulage took over after I'd seen everything - we used to unscrew the light bulbs in the MK1 compartment and pull down the corridor blinds so we could fully appreciate the arcing! Shap was always very lively ;)

Lovely stuff.

But I completely agree about the AC electrics. Especially bearing in mind that it’s a good scale for running proper length trains
 

trainmania100

Established Member
Joined
8 Nov 2015
Messages
3,033
Location
Newhaven
4 more intercity 125 blue coaches for my 1970s power cars.
Anyone know what a typical 125 blue yellow rake would be? I've got 4 first class coaches , 2 standards and a restaurant. Guessing 7 needed so 3 of each?
 

Geep

Member
Joined
29 May 2015
Messages
25
Location
Dunkeld
That's right for a typical early 7 car train where there was a good proportion of business use, such as on the Eastern region. Subsequently on Eastern, that grew to 5 standard + RC = total 8, and then later 6 standard +RC = 9. On Cross-Country, it was normally 1 first, 1 buffet and 5 or 6 standard.

There were very early business formations that had both a restaurant and a buffet car, in separate locations not together, but that was only intended for services with a large breakfast or dinner clientele; they didn't last all that long. That reminds that there were early buffet cars that weren't intended as restaurant, but as time went on these I think were mostly converted to mixed meal service, that is, they could provide breakfast, dinner etc (but for less numbers than the 'real' restaurant cars) but also had a buffet counter. That's mostly how I remember the Western cars, certainly in the late BR era.

There were also variations in class for the half restaurant vehicles. Some were 1st, others 2nd. There was a general instruction that a half 1st should face the other firsts, and similarly with a half 2nd, that should face the other seconds. Sometimes on the routes with a smaller first demand, that meant 1½ vehicles would suffice, and allow more 2nds for a given number of cars.
 

Sun Chariot

Established Member
Joined
16 Mar 2009
Messages
6,652
Location
2 miles and 50 years away from the Longmoor Milita
4 more intercity 125 blue coaches for my 1970s power cars.
Anyone know what a typical 125 blue yellow rake would be? I've got 4 first class coaches , 2 standards and a restaurant. Guessing 7 needed so 3 of each?
Two TF vehicles from from the outset, on Eastern Region and Western Region sets.
The first years of service, both Eastern and Western Regions had both a kitchen and a buffet car, with one less TS. No TGS at that time.
The evolving catering habits and an insufficient second class capacity, resulted in changes to the original formations: with one TRUB / TRFK / TRUK, two TFs and four (WR) or five (ER) TS vehicles.
Trailer Guard Second were introduced, IIRC, 1980 - 1981, with one TS removed and cascaded to the inter-regional HST sets.
 

trainmania100

Established Member
Joined
8 Nov 2015
Messages
3,033
Location
Newhaven
Two TF vehicles from from the outset, on Eastern Region and Western Region sets.
The first years of service, both Eastern and Western Regions had both a kitchen and a buffet car, with one less TS. No TGS at that time.
The evolving catering habits and an insufficient second class capacity, resulted in changes to the original formations: with one TRUB / TRFK / TRUK, two TFs and four (WR) or five (ER) TS vehicles.
Trailer Guard Second were introduced, IIRC, 1980 - 1981, with one TS removed and cascaded to the inter-regional HST sets.
Cheers both. Can't run with 7, my motor isnt powerful enough no traction tyres, run with 5 in between (2 first, one restaurant, 2 standard)
 

GatwickDepress

Established Member
Joined
14 Jan 2013
Messages
2,588
Location
Leeds
Popped in an order for one of Revolution's Class 483s. I need to get back into the modelling groove and an Isle of Wight-themed micro layout might just do that.
 

GatwickDepress

Established Member
Joined
14 Jan 2013
Messages
2,588
Location
Leeds
Excellent! Which livery did you order?
Island Line unbranded, in the classic maroon livery!

I always concoct these grandiose ideas and then never go through with them, so I'm hoping a very small micro layout will give me no excuse to not follow through.
 

Cowley

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
15 Apr 2016
Messages
18,919
Location
Devon
Island Line unbranded, in the classic maroon livery!

I always concoct these grandiose ideas and then never go through with them, so I'm hoping a very small micro layout will give me no excuse to not follow through.

Doing a little mini project is a really good way of getting into things. What I would say from experience of doing the same thing - is that it might be worth planning in the opportunity to incorporate it into something bigger in the future.

You may find that you do such a good job of it that eventually you’ll want to start running trains into the scene like I’ve found a couple of times!
 

GatwickDepress

Established Member
Joined
14 Jan 2013
Messages
2,588
Location
Leeds
Doing a little mini project is a really good way of getting into things. What I would say from experience of doing the same thing - is that it might be worth planning in the opportunity to incorporate it into something bigger in the future.

You may find that you do such a good job of it that eventually you’ll want to start running trains into the scene like I’ve found a couple of times!
That's a really good idea. Incorporating a bit of forward thinking might be a bit of fun - any excuse to run a bullet train into a rural Isle of Wight backwater!

But as my main British layout idea involves Revolution's DC EMUs, having another bit of third rail to run into would also lead to more 'play value'. Thank you.
 

Cowley

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
15 Apr 2016
Messages
18,919
Location
Devon
That's a really good idea. Incorporating a bit of forward thinking might be a bit of fun - any excuse to run a bullet train into a rural Isle of Wight backwater!

But as my main British layout idea involves Revolution's DC EMUs, having another bit of third rail to run into would also lead to more 'play value'. Thank you.

No problem. The reason I thought of it was that I recently made a display board for my new O gauge locos and it came out better than I expected. I’ve ended up adjusting my plans so that I can use it at the opposite end of the layout from the station.

I think once you’ve put time effort and a bit of money into something you might as well get the most out of it!
 

Gloster

Veteran Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
12,992
Location
Up the creek
That's a really good idea. Incorporating a bit of forward thinking might be a bit of fun - any excuse to run a bullet train into a rural Isle of Wight backwater!

But as my main British layout idea involves Revolution's DC EMUs, having another bit of third rail to run into would also lead to more 'play value'. Thank you.

Somebody did a ‘Ventnor as it might have been’ layout: a short platform immediately outside a tunnel mouth with a two-car train that could pop in and out. Why not do this for Newport, with a terminal platform moved back to the tunnel mouth make way for Medina Way?
 

Milo's Trains

On Moderation
Joined
10 Jun 2022
Messages
44
Location
Sussex
Not sure, I currently haul mostly Rail Tours (MK3 coaches (some Mk1s from my club when it visits) Or whatever freight wagons i have. If you have any suggestions for a rake I'd be happy to listen.
Is that the Railroad Plus model? They are really good value for money - any plans on a rake for it?
 

Milo's Trains

On Moderation
Joined
10 Jun 2022
Messages
44
Location
Sussex
A quick Internet search class 37 Loadhaul brings up a good mix of freights and Civil Engineer rakes - some of which are only a half dozen or so wagons long, so entirely plausible to model and not cost too much.
Okay. I'll have a look, I just checked my collection and I have 1 Secow and 2 tankers
 

DannyMich2018

Member
Joined
19 Dec 2018
Messages
937
Not bought much for a while so treated myself to this from Hornby. Its Raillroad range, pretty good detail , runs quite well too, no lights or fancy detailing etc but a steal at just 121 quid new on Amazon!
 

Attachments

  • 20250624_201340.jpg
    20250624_201340.jpg
    2.1 MB · Views: 42
Joined
3 May 2023
Messages
528
Location
Too far from an HST...
Not bought much for a while so treated myself to this from Hornby. Its Raillroad range, pretty good detail , runs quite well too, no lights or fancy detailing etc but a steal at just 121 quid new on Amazon!
Not bad. The Railroad Plus models definitely breathe some life into the Lika offerings. And often great candidates for cheap upgrading!
 

RichJF

Established Member
Joined
2 Nov 2012
Messages
1,201
Location
South London
Not bad. The Railroad Plus models definitely breathe some life into the Lika offerings. And often great candidates for cheap upgrading!

Majority of them will fit under Lima bodies. So you can have a Hornby up to date chassis/motor with your favourite older bodyshell.
 

SCH117X

Established Member
Joined
27 Nov 2015
Messages
1,993
Problem with Lima mechs were the tolerances were quite wide - you could have one motor bogie that was a smooth runner and an identical one that was rough. My best runner was a MetCam 101 dmu that I treated to a replacement CD drive motor and now has Peters Spares replacement wheels
 

4COR

Member
Joined
30 Jan 2019
Messages
881
Location
W Oxon (UWL exile)
Not often I buy brand new, but my Rapido E1 32694 turned up today after placing the pre order three years ago. Very nice it is too!

PXL_20250629_150710607.jpgPXL_20250629_151035558.jpgPXL_20250629_151047563.jpgPXL_20250629_151109353.jpg
 

Top