Hi Bob

The layout is a real credit to you, VERY VERY GOOD, I just love all the little cameo's that you have made, also the signals looks really good, what make have you used, because ( as you already know, and thank you for the post) they look like the sort of thing we would like to use.

I am in the middle of reading this thread, but I have to do some work, so I will have to come back and finish/learn later.

[user=52]henryparrot[/user] wrote:

Very nice video Bob Sound puts another dimemsion within a model railway i find it a great addition but i think if you had 10 sound units running at once in an enclosed area it would be rather loud

cheers Brian.W

Brian

I agree. I find that with 3 running it can be a bit much. I am turning the sound down so that it is more of a background noise. Certainly my DMU is too loud. The class 20 is now set at just 14 and it still is a little loud. Of course it depends where the layout is being operated. Mine is a small spare bedroom and there is no real background noise, such as you would find at a club or exhibition.

Bob(K)

[user=285]Alan[/user] wrote:

Hi Bob

The layout is a real credit to you, VERY VERY GOOD, I just love all the little cameo's that you have made, also the signals looks really good, what make have you used, because ( as you already know, and thank you for the post) they look like the sort of thing we would like to use.

I am in the middle of reading this thread, but I have to do some work, so I will have to come back and finish/learn later.

Alan

Thanks for the comments. As far as signals go I started off with a cheapish bunch that I bought on line. As far as I can tell this source has ceased trading as I have been unable to find the seller. I then switched to Berko light signals (I show these being installed on my layout thread - see page 14) and I have to say these are very good and not too expensive for what you get. Of course you also have to install a switching unit. Slightly cheaper is Eckon, which are very similar to berko but come in simple kit form. If you decide to go down this path I can give you a few web sites who can provide them. My real ambition is to install some neat, reliable and effective semaphore signals on my branch line- as far as I can acertain these are not available commercially, although I have built my own with limited success using point motors.

Bob(K)

Bob

Oh no not point motors again!!

We are just in the middle of putting in around 30 on our layout.

Thanks for the information regarding the signals that you have used and I will go and read page 14 ( before I read the rest of your thread!!) to learn from your experince.

Continuing the upgrading of my locos my 2 Class 37s are now fitted with sound and have been weathered. The first is veteran Bachmann Class 37, D 6707 which has also lost its pristine look and has taken on a heavy coating of soot and grime. The sound and weathering was done by Olivia's Trains of Sheffield. Here she is trundling past Upton East box:

 



 

The second is my BR blue Vitrains Class 37 37131, which some may remember arriving in pristine condition and the the discussion whether to weather or not. Here she is pulling in to platform two at Upton central. Again now fitted with sound and weathered by Olivia's Trains:






Bob(K)

 

Hi Bob

Really like the weathering that you have had done on both the 37's, can you please tell me how good are the Vitrains compared to the Bachmann, in detail and also the running, as I am looking at buying another 37, but cannot decide if to purcahse a Vitrains or not.

Great images, lots of interest in the background.

[user=285]Alan[/user] wrote:

Hi Bob

Really like the weathering that you have had done on both the 37's, can you please tell me how good are the Vitrains compared to the Bachmann, in detail and also the running, as I am looking at buying another 37, but cannot decide if to purcahse a Vitrains or not.

Great images, lots of interest in the background.

Alan

There is not much in it really, both run exceptionally well with sound chips fitted. The rear lights on the Vitrains locos are not very good and the other downside is that it has traction tyres on two of the driving wheels. On balance I would go for Bachmann if you can get the livery you want and the price is right as I think they are heavier and perform a little better. The Vitrains loco was just over £40 to buy new, whereas Bachmann Class 37s are a little more expensive. I am not an expert on accuracy but the Vitrains paint job is very good and competes equally with bachmann offerings. It comes with a comprehensive detailing pack, most of which can't be fitted with tension lock couplings in place.

Bob(K)

I would agree with Novice - I run both types and it is difficult to tell the difference.  Just pick the livery that you like and buy it, no matter who makes it.

Price wise the ViTrains have become more expensive because of the falling value of the Pound / Euro…

Thanks Guys

I thought that the difference was very little, but it is always good to here from people that have both, look out for which I purchase on our site soon.

Going on the two photos alone it would definitely be the Bachmann for me, great looking locomotive.

[user=2]Robert[/user] wrote:

Going on the two photos alone it would definitely be the Bachmann for me, great looking locomotive.

I agree, is this model still available, or has it been discontinued.

The first picture is the original Class 37 in as built condition, from the original batch of locos with nose end doors etc.

The second is from the second batch of Class 37s with centre headcode panel and valancing cut away, as modified during the 1980s so although they are from the same class they are actually totally different bodies.  Difficult to compare as a result!

Bachmann did make the original body style but these have long been sold out.  You might find one knocking about somewhere, reference numbers 32-775 / 32-776 / 32-777 / 32-778 to help you search.

I bought green Class 37 second hand a couple of years ago at a swap meet. You sometimes see them on ebay and the likes.

Bob(K)

 

Chris & Bob

Thanks for the information, I asked because I have not seen that model around, and it looks really good on Bob's layout. I will keep my eyes open and hopefully one will turn up.

 

Great pictures Bob, one little thing someone suggested to me in the past, cut off the pips on either side of the Peco tie bars as they look out of place ( I havent done it yet its on the to do list but I keep forgetting)

As for the Vitrains Bachmann, I have both and I think the Bachmann has the edge but just.

John
RJR

You know when you do something on the spur of the moment…….well I was looking on ebay to see what prices the Bachmann Warships are going for and I was tracking one for a couple of days when I spotted this loco, a Bachmann EMD F9 Diesel, former C&O, in Chessie System colours. I have always like the shape of these big US diesels and this one was going for a song. I did the inevitable and two days later it turned up. On testing it was quite rough but with a bit of running and oil it soon ran quite smoothly. It has a light on the nose that flickers badly and of course dims when the loco slows down.

I decided to pop a Bachmann decoder into it (which cost more than the loco) and the light now can be controlled and the loco runs even better. So it looks like the Upton Railway society now has a US loco for excursions at weekends :roll:

Here is a picture showing just how bright the light is. Although an old and pretty basic model I reckon with a bit of external and interior detailing and weathering I will have a nice item. maybe a small US layout is needed??






Bob(K)

A very nice model, Bob, and the Chessie colours will still look good with muck and grime weathering!

What did you oil that made it run more smoothly? (And what does Mr Dapol make of this trans-Atlantic beast?) ;-)

That's a mean looking thing!  Love the headlight. Yes, I'd say a small US layout is warranted

 Mike

Your building up a nice stable there Bob, varied but nice..

When a couple of trans atlantic beasts arrived at RJR a while ago, they got custom paint jobs to make them feel more at home.







Perhaps your chesie could go blue with a yellow nose, Im sure that would meet with approval !

John
RJR

[user=5]rector[/user] wrote:

What did you oil that made it run more smoothly? (And what does Mr Dapol make of this trans-Atlantic beast?) ;-)

Tim

The Dapols are very happy as they are hoping for the excursion contract. :roll: The loco was in fact acquired by one of the Dapol's many US cousins, who as mentioned above, are now considering a separate US operation :lol: 

As far as oiling is concerned I just applied the tiniest amount of light oil on a strand of wire to the metal motor and wheel bearings. The cogs in the motor are all nylon so were left alone. The motor was seized solid when I first put it on the track and it would not move at all, but a few nudges and she started to move and got better and better.

Bob(K)