You wait ages for a train, then 2 arrive at once

by Phil Cooper

Hello again. I hope you’re all well and welcome to Britain’s favourite blog! Obviously, I can say what I like here!

Anyway another brilliant (he said modestly) blog for you to enjoy. Articles on Accurascale, Bachmann and, of course, Hornby (yes boys, including a new Montana photo! We’ve also got stuff from DCC Concepts, a great new modeller, Phil Pace and more works of art from Mark Wilson. Plus news about Scalecast, HS2, Avanti West Coast and Michael Portillo as well as news of another French initiative and the possibility of a direct service between London and Switzerland. You may need a large coffee! Good luck.

ACCURASCALE

Last year,  Accurascale launched their brilliant Class 55 range. Having said that, I’m making that claim from seeing them on Youtube. But they are nowhere else to be seen. Their latest batch is only available on “Pre-order”. Looking through their website I saw their lack of locomotive availability was pretty common for all their locos. So I had a quick look through their website to see what WAS available. The answer was “not a lot”On 16 March this was the state of play and I was shocked!

I emailed Accurascale to ask when they’d have some Class5s available. I wasn’t impressed with their response. They could/would not tell me saying that I’d have to check on their website regularly-rather unhelpful. Looking at the table above suggests to me that Accurascale’s cash flow might not be very good although they do have their coach packs. So I looked at the coach availability, once again 0n 16 March.

A quick look through their range of wagons proved showed a similar situation to their locos and coaches.

Because of this lack of stock people are making a killing on eBay, selling Accurascale Deltics!

BACHMANN

I like Bachmann locos and Neil Stanley says nothing but good about their Class 37 range. He’s got over 100 Bachmann 37s. Yes, I know he’s insane but he knows his stuff and he does have amazing skills. He’s weathering a Bachmann 37025 Inverness TMD for me and I am dying to see it out on my track. So, get on with it Neil!!!! If you all behave I’ll get a photo for you, maybe a video! But I do have a complaint about Bachmann with their Class 170 Turbostars. I’ve got some in Central Trains and Scotrail (prior to their Saltire) liveries. My grouch is about their couplings which I’ve never seen before. Basically the couplings are rings which fit together They’re great on the track but they’re very fiddly to separate. I’ve lost at least 3 Turbostar trains to my jumbo fingers!

THE SALTIRE

What is the Saltire you ask. Let’s consult Wikipedia - A saltire, also called Saint Andrew's Cross or the crux decussata. It’s the flag of Scotland’s Saint Andrew. You can see thousands of them when Scotland beat England at rugby -3 in a row so far and Murrayfield to come next season!

Scotrail use the Saltire brilliantly on their trains

Scotrail trains with the above livery are very expensive, even on eBay as it’s very popular , even with English people, the ones who have good taste, anyway!

And before you ask. No, I don’t support Scottish independence!

HORNBY

Sadly “The Simon Kohler Show” aka “Hornby: A Model World” is almost at the end of it’s run on the Yesterday channel. Of course, we see a lot of God (Mr Kohler) and we can all see he’s a good bloke with a sense of humour and a wealth of knowledge on model rail. I’ve loved watching this programme, even the ones featuring Scalextric. I hated Scalextric because the cars came off the track all the time. But let’s be honest, the biggest thrill has been the “Hornby Girls”, especially Montana and her hair. Yes, yes,  Messrs Batley and Styles one more photo of Miss Hornby for you bad bad boys which reminds me of a Nazareth song, “Bad Bad Boy” It could’ve been written for you, Messrs Batley and Styles.

Let’s have a look at Nazareth, in their glory days, performing “Bad Bad Boy”

Spot the weird Germans n the audience trying to look cool. And failing, miserably

Proof that Germans ARE weird can be found here

The guitarist was Manny Charlton and he was a great slide guitarist. Almost as good as the God of slide guitar, Duane Allman. Now here’s a bit of trivia for you. It was Duane Allman playing guitar on the second part of “Layla” by Derek and The Dominoes, not Eric Clapton and a second bit for you. On Cream’s record, “Badge” the guitar is credited to L’Angelo Mysterioso who just happens to be the late George Harrison, again not Eric Clapton. In my opinion the Moptops guitarist was one of the greatest performers of short guitar solos. His album, All Things Must Pass is still good today over 50 years after it was released. I think I’ll play it tonight.

Now, let’s have a look at some of the Hornby Railroad Plus locos. A year or so I bought Flying Scotsman with sound from the range and it is brilliant, goes like a , er, um, TRAIN, it looks and sounds great. For me it’s been very reliable and was sold at an affordable price even for me! This is what Hornby’s website says about Railroad:

The Hornby Railroad Collection is carefully designed to be more durable, with little compromise on detail. Railroad is ideal for model railway beginners and keen collectors alike.

They’ve released a new model, a Class 47 which looks great and runs great too. It’s in Rail Operations Group livery. ”Model Rail” magazine describes it as a very striking modern livery, runs well, budget friendly option.

Bachmann Branchline’s Class 47812 in this design costs twice as much as the Hornby loco. Hornby have it for sale at £96.99.

Let’s have a look at some more

HORNBY RAILROAD LOCOS

R30180 RailRoad Plus BR InterCity, Class 37, Co-Co, 37251

'The Northern Lights' - Era 8

£96.99 or 4 interest-free payments of £24.25

R30178 RailRoad Plus DB, Class 67, Bo-Bo, 67029

'Royal Diamond' - Era 10

£96.99 or 4 interest-free payments of £24.25

R30185 RailRoad Plus BR, Class 37, Co-Co, 37116

'Comet'- Era 8

£96.99 or 4 interest-free payments of £24.25

And these locos and many others are available now - Accurascale take note!

DCC CONCEPTS

If you’re having running problems because of your track you should consider Powerbase from the very clever people at DCC Concepts. I mentioned them a few blogs ago and even fitted them.

Yes, ME, I fitted them,  so you know they’re easy to install. The difference they make to your power is incredible, almost like magic. DCC Concepts have put up a video on Youtube to show you how good PowerBase is and here it is:

I suggest you right-click on the address (in red above) and click on “open in a new tab” the video will open in a new window. When you’ve finished watching, close the window and return to your favourite blog. They are best viewed in full screen. On the bottom right of the picture you’ll see an open white box, clock it and watch the magic. To come out of full screen, push the Esc button on your keyboard

One other thing I realised is that rather than push-starting a difficult loco, it’s best to just gently push it down on the track and then up the power. PowerBase using magnets brings the track and your loco pick-ups closer together!

While I was gazing in wonder at the DCC Concepts channel I noticed this video which explains “Stay Alive” and how to fit them without soldering:

My browsing in Youtube led to this video about soldering to track

I really got into their videos and here’s another one about their Legacy track which you don’t need to clean!!!!

www.dccconcepts.com

ps I’ve said before that DCC Concepts Legacy Lighting is much better and also better priced than the Just Plug alternative. I went into the trainroom today with Harrison and Nate, switched on the lights. Legacy lights, perfect. 2 x Just Plug lights fail (YET AGAIN). You’ve been warned – buy British!!!!

MODELLER’S PHOTOS

I’ve made a new discovery and he’s another top man to add to my collection of brilliant railway modellers. Say hello to

PHIL PACE

And this is Charlemont Parkway

The brilliant weathering is by Scott at Weathering Works

www.theweatheringworks.co.uk

Obviously Phil, like me and many other enthusiasts, is a Class 37 lover

Don’t run away because we have a video from Phil This is Charlemont Parkway and it’s glorious.

We use Youtube to house our videos.

Once again I suggest you right-click on the address (in red above) and click on “open in a new tab” the video will open in a new window. When you’ve finished watching, close the window and return to your favourite blog. They are best viewed in full screen. On the bottom right of the picture you’ll see an open white box, clock it and watch the magic. To come out of full screen, push the Esc button on your keyboard

A few blogs ago I brought you some photos from Mark Wilson who I had been chasing to get his photos on the blog. Here’s some more He has a fantastic eye for detail.

MARK WILSON

Some fantastic shots there from Phil and Mark so let’s have a look round the hobby.

SCALECAST

Scalecast are now again making new products and extending their range, in all scales. From O Gauge, OO Gauge and N gauge. 2023 is the year to get back on track (Pardon the Pun) and bring out lots of new building products to help members make more exciting and realistic model scenery. I’ve used their moulds to make platforms and found t easy to use with great results. But once you’ve mixed the liquids, don’t hang about eating a Greggs jam doughnut because, when combined, the liquid sets quickly so put this down!

www.scalecast.co.uk/#/

or, if you must:

www.greggs.co.uk/menu

N28 N-GAUGE HIGH EMBANKMENT RETAINING ARCHES 3+1 PLUS ABUTMENT - NEW2023

SKU: N28

£13.99

OVER ROAD BRIDGE - OO GAUGE - RW09

SKU: RW09

CASTLE TURRETS RINGS MOULD - C02

SKU: C02

£12.99

They’ve got lots more. Have a look.

www.scalecast.co.uk/#/

MICHAEL PORTILLO

I didn’t like him at all when he was a member of Thatcher’s government but the old boy has unclinched his buttocks and relaxed a bit now and comes over as a very likeable bloke. Here he I with his trade-mark pink jacket which I rather like.

And you can buy your very own Michael Portillo for your layout!

eBay has one last Portillo figure available at £19.99 which Is the same cost as our late Queen Elizabeth. Hmmm, I won’t mention “queens”. D’oh!!!!!

HS2 DELAY

I must say that I’m looking forward to HST 2 and the trains that will use It. However I do also think that the billions to be spent on it could be used more efficiently, improving infrastructure & rolling stock and also improving the railway north of the border. HS2 appears to me to be of great use to people in London, Manchester, Liverpool and, eventually, Leeds.

The UK Transport Secretary has announced delays to the delivery of HS2. Citing “inflationary pressures and to help balance the nation’s books”, the government will now during the next two years “rephase” construction work on the project to “optimise future delivery” of the Phase 2a, the leg between Birmingham and Crewe.

Following this rephasing period, the government said it would then proceed with delivering the high-speed rail service to Crewe and the North-West.

Another area where the government is seeking to cut immediate costs is at Euston, HS2’s terminus in London.

To date, over 20 billion GBP has been spent on Phase 1 of HS2 to enable high-speed rail services to run between new stations at Old Oak Common in London and Curzon Street in Birmingham.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

“We know the power of transport as an engine for sustainable economic growth. [...] “But we can’t ignore the current realities. Putin’s war in Ukraine has hiked up inflation, sending supply chain costs rocketing. The responsible decisions I’ve outlined today will ensure we balance the budget at the same time as investing record sums in our transport network to help halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt.”

Furthermore, plans to deliver on the commitments made in the Integrated Rail Plan to develop HS2 East between the West and East Midlands and Leeds remain ambiguous while the government “considers the most effective way to take HS2 trains to Leeds”.

The High Speed Rail Group issued a statement:

“The High Speed Rail Group is alarmed by today’s news that sections of HS2 will be delayed. The delay at Euston in favour of Old Oak Common coupled with the delay between Birmingham and Crewe by two years will not save money and will only add to the total cost of the project.

“Without clear timings on delivery between Crewe and the North West, millions will only be left behind again. The cheapest way to deliver HS2 is quickly.

“Constant uncertainty in Government breeds uncertainty in industry which does nothing to ensure efficient delivery.”

RIA, the Railway Industry Association, was equally dismayed, pointing out that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had expressed his commitment to delivering HS2 as recently as November 2022.

RIA's Chief Executive Darren Caplan said:

“This was welcome news following the scrapping of both the Eastern Leg from Leeds to Birmingham, and the cancellation of the Golborne Link, to enable high speed trains to get from the Northern Leg of HS2 to Scotland. [...]

“This stop-start approach is an inefficient use of taxpayers' money, and could ultimately drive the project's costs up, which is the opposite of what the Government is trying to do.”

HS2 was not the only project to take a hit. The government put two road schemes back on the shelf and cut its active travel budget by two thirds: 845 million GBP was approved in the 2021 Spending Review, with 273 million GBP having been spent to date. A further 119 million GBP is to be spent over the next two years, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said, suggesting, in effect, a cut of 452 million GBP.

RAILCOOP (NO RELATION)

Independent railway operator, Railcoop has announced that its first passenger service between Bordeaux and Lyon will launch in the summer of 2024.

Railcoop will initially offer a two-day return trip between Bordeaux and Lyon.

Each single trip will take just under 8 hours and will serve Bordeaux, Libourne, Périgueux, Limoges, Saint-Sulpice-Laurière, Guéret, Montluçon, Gannat, Saint-Germain-des-Fossés, Roanne and Lyon.

The service will run using former SNCF X72500 three-coach trainsets, which ACCM is overhauling on behalf of Railcoop.

Prior to commencing passenger service, Railcoop says it still needs to raise 4.1 million EUR in 2023.

Meanwhile, the cooperative is continuing to roll out its freight service between Capdenac and Saint Gaudens, which has been running since May 2022.

AVANTI WEST COAST

Train operator, Avanti West Coast has launched a low-cost ‘Superfare’ ticket for flexible travellers.

This offering allows customers to buy a ticket for a specific date, with the choice of morning, afternoon or evening slots.

A specific departure time will then be sent 24 hours in advance once the customer has been matched with an empty seat on a quieter train.

Superfare tickets will initially be available for single journeys between London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Preston and Manchester Piccadilly.

Fares start at 12 GBP for a one-way ticket between London and Birmingham.

Sarah Copley, Executive Director for Commercial at Avanti West Coast, said:

“Superfare tickets are aimed at customers who can be more flexible with their journeys. Not only does it provide a cheaper option, but it’s also quick and easy.

“We want to give our customers more cost-effective ticketing options in an innovative way when travelling with us, as well as encouraging more people to take the train.”

UK TO SWITZERLAND

There could soon be a direct service linking the UK and Switzerland.

One member of the Switzerland’s National Council has proposed a London-Basel daily direct train

Currently, if you want to get between the UK and Switzerland by rail, the route isn’t actually that complicated. One train will take you from London to Paris, and a quick change of stations, then another from Paris to Zurich. In total, the time spent travelling is often six hours, which isn’t too bad at all, really.

But soon the UK and Switzerland could be getting even better rail links. A member of the Swiss parliament has called for an inquiry into a direct daily train service between Basel and London.

Politician Matthias Aebische is the one calling for the direct UK-Switzerland train route. He argues that it would decrease air travel and that there is currently more demand for climate-neutral travel than ever. According to RailTech, a single journey between London and Basel would take about five-and-a-half hours.

So could a direct rail route between the UK and Switzerland actually be on the cards? Well, maybe. While the direct line is certainly a possibility, significant infrastructural changes would have to be made before it becomes a reality. Notably, as the UK is no longer in the EU, Basel train station would need to be partially rebuilt to include customs and passport control facilities.

Aebische’s proposals certainly aren’t the only ambitious plans being made for Europe’s rail network. A series of new high-speed trains could, in fact, even eventually run all the way from the UK to Portugal. What a marvellous time to be a rail traveller, eh?

See you, next time

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The views and opinions expressed within the content are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Trackside Signs or its affiliates.