SRman

Add to that the Melbourne trains are a little wider than BR stock too. Ironically, Sydney trains are wider and taller than Melbourne's loading gauge allows, even though New South Wales uses standard gauge while Melbourne uses Irish 5' 3" gauge. That's why the four-car Double Decker set that ran on the Lilydale / Belgrave lines for a while, even though it was based on the NSW Tangara design, was shorter, lower and narrower than the NSW stock. There are details of this train on the VicSig site (mentioned earlier) too.

Just a thought, seeing as I assumed HO scale to start with. If the OP is modelling in N, then maybe some of the lovely Japanese EMUs from the likes of Kato and Tomix could be adapted to resemble Melbourne's trains.

I don't know of any models that are remotely similar to the current trains, be they Hitachi, ComEng, Siemens or X'trapolis. There was a firm called Black Diamond Models that was going to produce original style ComEng units in HO but their website seems to have disappeared so I don't know what happened to them or the models. For earlier stock there is a modeller who appears regularly at Melbourne exhibitions who converts Lima South African coaches into very passable Harris trains but these are probablt way too early for your tastes. If you go down the scratch building route, I'd suggest the Siemens trains as being possibly the easiest as they have smooth slab sides and are completely devoid of any character (IMHO). They only have two sets of flush-fitting double doors per side whereas all other types have three pairs of recessed doors and curved tumblehomes on the lower sides, not to mention fluted panelling on the ComEngs and Hitachis. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

That 150 really looks good, Peter. I'm really jealous now, because I want one of those but just cannot justify it with all the other stuff I want but can't afford as well! Your pic also shows that Hornby's colours on the 142 were pretty close to accurate, even though they appear rather bright in the flesh (unless you have repainted it). Your progress is amazing. Keep up the good work.

Yeah but don't forget the sound ...

Hornby's latest update and Kernow's newsletter both now showing the add-on coach pack. I've had mine pre-ordered since the beginning of the year so it shouldn't be long now ...

It hadn't really occurred to me before but the REPs were cleared for 100mph running whereas the 73s, with identical power equipment and bogies, were only cleared for 90mph. Even with full power available (as in 2 x 73 + 8TC) they would have lost a little time on long, fast stretches.

ECML180, that is a brilliant livery application but I wou;d question whether it is a class 47 as it seems to have a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement.

It was also pointed out in one publication that, in theory, the REPs could be coupled and run in multiple with any of the other SR EP units but, in practice, if this was done they would have blown every circuit-breaker in the vicinity! Somewhere in my bookshelves there is a recorded run with a 4REP + 4TC combination that (it is claimed) reached just over 106 mph, although this was quite unofficial. Since the officially recorded maximum for a third rail unit is (or, at the very least, was until recently) 106-point-something with a class 442, which also used the electrical gear from the REPs, that speed claim could quite possibly be legitimate. Whatever the truth, for such "uninspiring" units (as much of the press referred to them) they had the all the makings for the stuff of legends!

Looking promising! My reservations lie with what mechanism Hornby are going to place under it. I am absolutely positive that the body moulding and finishing will be top notch. No worries on that score! B) Â I did recently send an email to Simon Kohler asking if he was in a position to tell us what the mechanism is going to be but, as yet, I have had no reply - unusual as Simon is usually very quick to respond (I can only assume he is very busy at the moment).

All you need to do, Charlie and Arran, is print an "Out of Order" sign for the lav door. Nothing could be more realistic than that!!

I agree, Jo, that livery sits very well on the 66. I can't say the same for the (real) class 86 in that livery though.

Also ideal for running in multiple with 155 units - well, at least West Yorkshire did with their 144s.

Like you, Dave, I can only justify a BG, which will add a nice variation to my mixed parcels rake. Very nice pics, Andy. The crimson and cream sits well on them while the maroon looks a little dull ... just like the real things (no criticism of Hornby's excellent finish).

Love the brick handbrake, Melly!

Yes, that Cortina looks very convincing.

The BR blue really does sit well on the Britannia. Very nice.

The ends aren't lumpy enough to be school custard!!!

The Falcon-style two tone green could be interesting on the 47 as well - personally I always thought that looked really good on Falcon.

That Railfreight Co-Bo looks quite good. I wonder if, with its metal body and modern motor bogies, it may have been bult from a Dave Alexander kit?

Sublime but not so ridiculous! Lovely effects there, Pete. Top marks for a bit of lateral thinking, too, as you didn't even need to use any Photoshop trickery.

Love that video, Rick. I could almost hear the whine of the traction motors then! I know that the Bachmann units produce lovely track sounds quite naturally, even on my currently very short shuttle run but that sounded really great on your extended run. As to the formations; as long as the coaches remain in the correct orientation in relation to the power car, they will work in any combination of 2, 3 or4 coaches - and probably 5 or more if anyone cares to try it (eg, DMBS + TSK + TSK + TCK + TCK + DMBS (dummy) ). I can't vouch for the power consumption or power drain on a decoder for DCC purposes, though. They do run very well in multiple, both on DC and on DCC. Your video proves that perfectly.

Couldn't you come up with a sexier name than Buzzard, Paul???/ That one is very interesting and actually looks like the livery belongs on the 47. What might have been ...

Not sure if I like that one, Burkitt (your artwork is superb, though!). However, EWS livery might look more at home on a Western.

There was someone posted a video on youTube of a Co-Bo with sound recorded from a Crossley engined Western Australian locomotive.