Tales from The Room of Doom. Dipping a toe in various bucolic backwaters.

[Willl]

It's an odd one this... I am also one who can't really tell the difference when it comes to older coaching stock, so if I were still running passenger trains, I don't think it would bother me.

Yet if someone brought out some under-length Mark 1 coaches, that would bother me a great deal and I wouldn't get any.

I have certain things that I get all pious about, such as pannier tanks and inwardly wince when I see an erroneous caption in a book describing a distant 74XX as a 57XX.

Yet on the other hand, my ignorance of the prototype extends to certain BR diesel types, so I am perfectly happy running a Mark 1 Bachmann Class 25 on my P4 layout. If it looked like a Black 5, I wouldn't run it, but to me it looks like a Class 25, so I am happy.

It's the little things...

I think in some things ignorance is bliss!

 

[simond]

I think in some things ignorance is bliss!

It’s certainly cheaper!

 

[Flaxfield]

It’s certainly cheaper!

Morning.

Not wrong, Simon.

Hot on the heels of the not insignificant outlay on the Evolution coaches, an invoice has landed this morning from Accurascale for their exclusive edition of D5579, the golden ochre Class 30.

The RTR market is literally chocker block with new models from a number of manufacturers, which all seem to be landing together. Brilliant for the 00 side of the hobby but it does rather impact upon the individual when new models 'collide'.

Of course, it's entirely down to the individual and I don't help myself by being interested in two distinctly different eras/locations which require wholly different sets of stock.

On a positive, this is quite literally a years new purchases out of the way in the space of a week.......but I'd have preferred them to have landed some distance apart !

Obviously, none of this is 'needed'. I could do without but if I did, and then decided to purchase in the future, I would be beholden to those who seek to profit from the short production runs that these models have. It's therefore cheaper to bite the bullet now.......or so I keep telling myself.


Rob

 

[Flaxfield]

Morning all.

The Rapido coaches arrived yesterday and I'm very happy with them. I only had time to unpack a couple but they are really rather lovely. Here's one of the brake 3rds sat on Ewe.






They come with a pack of detailing parts, plus alternative glazing to allow the depiction of open windows.

A couple of LB&SCR coaches are due to arrive today but it's been agreed that these will be saved for Christmas as I have no intention to start on Project Dyke before then.

Rob

 

[Willl]

Top stuff Rob.

Mine are waiting at home, and I’m thoroughly looking forward to opening them. That said, I don’t think I’ll have a layout big enough to accommodate them for some time! Perhaps something Port Victoria-esque is in order.

 

[JayDean]

Crikey it’s this kind of lovely model that almost pulls me away from the C&HPR.

Almost.

Looking forward to seeing an accompanying layout Rob!

Jay

 

[Simon H]

I'm another one with a small stash of etched coach kits...mostly bought from the estate of a local modeller via a heritage railway. If I actually get around to building them, they'll be in a later, simplified, GWR livery.
I'd like something like a plain grey, brown or green version of the SE&CR Brake 3rd to use as a light railway coach...
Would I buy any of the new generation of coaches? Possibly, though I would channel Colonel Stephens and go for something second hand and at an advantageous price, given that it would be likely to get a repaint!

 

[Flaxfield]

I'm another one with a small stash of etched coach kits...mostly bought from the estate of a local modeller via a heritage railway. If I actually get around to building them, they'll be in a later, simplified, GWR livery.
I'd like something like a plain grey, brown or green version of the SE&CR Brake 3rd to use as a light railway coach...
Would I buy any of the new generation of coaches? Possibly, though I would channel Colonel Stephens and go for something second hand and at an advantageous price, given that it would be likely to get a repaint!

Morning, Simon.

Plain brown is in the pipeline.

Generic Brown ‘Evolution’ Non-Corridor Carriage Brake Third

rapidotrains.co.uk

Rob

 

[Flaxfield]

As an aside, the LB&SCR coaches are still en route but, Royal Mail advise that they should be delivered tomorrow morning. Whoop, whoop !

Far less of a whoop, whoop, I spent an inordinate amount of time yesterday, literally hours trying to pay for the other significant purchase of the year, the Accurascale Golden Ochre Class 30. I lost count of how many times I tried. Of all the companies, Accurascale's payment system is the most difficult one to navigate, in my experience at least. Such that it was yesterday, I have cancelled all future orders direct from them. It is simply not worth the resulting frustration.

Eventually, the payment went through, I think. I await confirmation from Accurascale but the money has left my account which shows it was made to them.

Not the best shopping experience.

Rob

 

[Flaxfield]

And confirmation has now been received......

 

[Terry]

Morning all.

The Rapido coaches arrived yesterday and I'm very happy with them. I only had time to unpack a couple but they are really rather lovely. Here's one of the brake 3rds sat on Ewe.

View attachment 257782


View attachment 257783

They come with a pack of detailing parts, plus alternative glazing to allow the depiction of open windows.

A couple of LB&SCR coaches are due to arrive today but it's been agreed that these will be saved for Christmas as I have no intention to start on Project Dyke before then.

Rob

Wow! Absolutely stunning! I can't wait for the Southern liveried stock.

Terry

 

[New Haven Neil]

Rather odd - I paid for mine this evening with no issues whatsoever. I wonder what the problem is. I did use Paypal, if that makes a difference but their payment system worked well. A shame you felt so frustrated with it.

 

[Flaxfield]

Rather odd - I paid for mine this evening with no issues whatsoever. I wonder what the problem is. I did use Paypal, if that makes a difference but their payment system worked well. A shame you felt so frustrated with it.

Hi Neil. Quite. I've previously had no issues and cannot work out what the issue was this time, other than it was somehow linked to this 'shop or shopify' app thing. The main stumbling block seemed to be the system repeatedly telling me that the three figure CVC code didn't match the card. That wasn't correct as I had used this particular card for prior purchases from them. It really was banging one's head against a brick wall....deleting details, reinputting, deleting etc etc.
I thought about using PayPal but I'm not keen on using it and eventually managed to pay by clicking on 'other methods' or something like that ......using the same card that was being repeatedly declined.......

But it's done now and I await the arrival of the orange one.

Rob

 

[Simon H]

Morning, Simon.

Plain brown is in the pipeline.

Generic Brown ‘Evolution’ Non-Corridor Carriage Brake Third

rapidotrains.co.uk

Rob

Thanks Rob!
The plain brown coach looks good, ideal for a fictitious light railway, colliery workers' train or whatever.

Having looked at Rapido's coach page, I reckon they're good value for money...to buy an etched kit new will cost nearly as much, then it'll probably need wheels (about £10?), as well as couplings, paint, transfers...and that's before you look at things like seats and lighting, as well as the small matter of actually building the things!

For a more "budget" kit option, I've got a couple of Ratio MR coach kits for my "one day" EM fictitious light railway.
I've had them for several years and they show no signs of getting built yet, even though they're probably easier, and perhaps less time consuming, than the etched ones.

I suppose it boils down to what you want to spend your hobby time/money/motivation doing...until fairly recently, there wasn't really a choice...want bullhead track? You'll need to build your own points, at least.
Want a variety of wagons? Kit or scratch build, etc. etc....
None of the new RTR stuff means you can't do things the old way any more, just that you don't have to.

 

[40057]

… and I await the arrival of the orange one.

Rob

The state visit took place last September. As far as I know, there are no plans for him to come back.

Martin

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Hi Neil. Quite. I've previously had no issues and cannot work out what the issue was this time, other than it was somehow linked to this 'shop or shopify' app thing. The main stumbling block seemed to be the system repeatedly telling me that the three figure CVC code didn't match the card. That wasn't correct as I had used this particular card for prior purchases from them. It really was banging one's head against a brick wall....deleting details, reinputting, deleting etc etc.
I thought about using PayPal but I'm not keen on using it and eventually managed to pay by clicking on 'other methods' or something like that ......using the same card that was being repeatedly declined.......

But it's done now and I await the arrival of the orange one.

Hi Rob

Apologies in advance for 'teaching grandmother to suck eggs' and all that.

Having seen your plight here, I recommend you double check your card transaction statement/history to ensure only one transaction has been processed.

Any good retailer would have a banner on their web site home page advising of payment issues.

I'm suspicious of payment sites when they trip up as it could imply they have been compromised. I have personally been caught out by this and my card subsequently being used in New York and Amsterdam on the same day! Two places I couldn't have been in at the time as I was at home recovering from a major operation. Fortunately this was picked up by my bank and fully refunded.

For the record I have just recently retired from the Banking/Investment Management industry and we were constantly bombarded with messages from our security teams regarding fraud.

 

[David Hall]

I suppose it boils down to what you want to spend your hobby time/money/motivation doing....

Spot on. We're all different. Rob may not like kit building stock, but his scenic work, weathering, and the 'atmosphere' he creates is of the absolute highest quality (I'd use the word "incredible", but I don’t want to embarrass the chap too much ). It's horses for courses and as this is a hobby, which we all should be doing for enjoyment and fun, we can channel our efforts into what we enjoy doing.

Hi Neil. Quite. I've previously had no issues and cannot work out what the issue was this time, other than it was somehow linked to this 'shop or shopify' app thing. The main stumbling block seemed to be the system repeatedly telling me that the three figure CVC code didn't match the card. That wasn't correct as I had used this particular card for prior purchases from them. It really was banging one's head against a brick wall....deleting details, reinputting, deleting etc etc.
I thought about using PayPal but I'm not keen on using it and eventually managed to pay by clicking on 'other methods' or something like that ......using the same card that was being repeatedly declined.......

But it's done now and I await the arrival of the orange one.

Rob

I had a similar problem on the Rails website about a year ago Rob. I tried a couple of times to put a payment through and got the dreaded spinning wheel of doom. In the end it turned out I was charged twice. Even though I at no point got a message to say the payment was successful. They were very good, and I did get a refund, but it does make me wary of using certain websites now. I suppose all we can do is be vigilant. After all, if we thought too much about online payments, we would put our card details nowhere near this t'internet thingy!

After all the hassle, I do hope the class 31 lives up to expectations though

 

[Flaxfield]

Hi Rob

Apologies in advance for 'teaching grandmother to suck eggs' and all that.

Having seen your plight here, I recommend you double check your card transaction statement/history to ensure only one transaction has been processed.

I had a similar problem on the Rails website about a year ago Rob. I tried a couple of times to put a payment through and got the dreaded spinning wheel of doom. In the end it turned out I was charged twice. Even though I at no point got a message to say the payment was successful. They were very good, and I did get a refund, but it does make me wary of using certain websites now. I suppose all we can do is be vigilant. After all, if we thought too much about online payments, we would put our card details nowhere near this t'internet thingy!

After all the hassle, I do hope the class 31 lives up to expectations though

Thank you both.

Yes, I have checked the transaction history and only one payment has been taken but I shall continue to keep an eye on the account concerned.

Switching from Accurascale customer to one who works for an Accurascale retailer, having difficulty paying them is nothing new. It never seems to be straightforward, which is in stark contrast to our other suppliers. I won't elaborate further but I know we are not alone in finding this ( I do speak with other retailers ).

Anyway, I hoping that the Orange One arrives before the weekend. RM tried to deliver the Rapido LB&SCR coaches today but sadly we were out and about and missed it but they will apparently attempt tomorrow. So, something to look forward to.

Rob.

 

[Flaxfield]

Spot on. We're all different. Rob may not like kit building stock, but his scenic work, weathering, and the 'atmosphere' he creates is of the absolute highest quality (I'd use the word "incredible", but I don’t want to embarrass the chap too much ). It's horses for courses and as this is a hobby, which we all should be doing for enjoyment and fun, we can channel our efforts into what we enjoy doing.

David, you are far too kind. Thank you.

We all have those areas of modelling we enjoy more than some. Yes, I enjoy the scenic side. For me, that is the point where the layout ( literally) comes alive with the addition of colour.
Other aspects, such as track, wiring, ballasting are a bit of a chore but it's the challenge of adding 'character ' that brings me the most enjoyment.........and on that very subject, I'm hoping to take another faltering step on the road of progressing the new ' small layout'......

Rob

 

[David Hall]

David, you are far too kind. Thank you.

We all have those areas of modelling we enjoy more than some. Yes, I enjoy the scenic side. For me, that is the point where the layout ( literally) comes alive with the addition of colour.
Other aspects, such as track, wiring, ballasting are a bit of a chore but it's the challenge of adding 'character ' that brings me the most enjoyment.........and on that very subject, I'm hoping to take another faltering step on the road of progressing the new ' small layout'......

Rob

'Character' is what this game is all about for me. And you deliver it in bucket loads. That often indefinable magic that makes a layout come alive. I can appreciate the skill of some of the finest of finescale modelling, but it can sometimes leave me cold. Whereas your layouts sing to me!

So I cannot wait for the new 'small layout' to break cover in due course