All Things Model Railways

I couldn’t resist and get my hands on the full set of the Class 395 “Railway 200”. I can’t show the entire set with the other pack of two intermediate coaches as I don’t have enough space on my TV stand:

 

Once again, I ordered more stuff for my layout. I'm working on adding accessories, so I purchased some power and control equipment so I can get started on more wiring (Oh boy! Wiring is not my favorite thing, but it isn't as hard as it looks. It just takes a long time.) I also purchased a cool Atlas O BN Bicentennial Hopper Car that I wanted (my very first Atlas O freight car). It's going to look cool. I also have an Atlas O Die-cast sand tower for my loco facility. The tower is in BNSF livery, and it will look cool. My stuff should be arriving sometime next week. The layout is coming along nicely.

 

Embarrassingly I have started an O gauge Tiktok channel recently after being frustrated with the lack of O gauge content.

 

My latest fleet addition, a Metra F40PHM...


My pre-order list is thankfully getting shorter and shorter. Maybe someday we'll find a house for me to actually run these damn things lol.

 

On the subject of preorders: I have a new locomotive on order. MTH Trains just announced an SD9 "Cadillac" in the Nevada Northern Tourist RR's recently repainted US 250th Anniversary livery. I've ridden on the NN, and I really wanted the loco on my layout. Plus the paint scheme is really cool. The locomotive looks great in pictures. My NN SD9 will probably be here in December or sometime early next year. Now I just need to buy an MTH DCS system to run it.

I also did a bunch of ballasting around my loco facility. It turned out so good that I think I will buy some more ballast and do the rest of the track.

Then I'm hoping to attend a train show in early September in Boulder City, NV (near Las Vegas, where I live). I plan to start adding more accessories to my layout, as well as more scenery. It's coming along nicely.

 

Finally got my Badger!

 

Class 20, 20227 “Sherlock Homes” (OO Gauge)

 

Jealous! I want an LT 20 so bad, but they cost a fortune to import used.

 

Yes unfortunately

 

My Rapido 44-Tonner came off pre-order; quite the upgrade from the old Bachmann one I used to have!

 

O Gauge Class 37s

 

New locomotive preordered! Atlas O (yes, you heard that right; I did finally preorder an Atlas O loco!) recently announced a model of UP's new SD70M Abraham Lincoln #1616 locomotive. I like special-liveried diesel locos so I preordered it. The loco features MTH's DCS, and I will have the system on my layout sometime soon since I have the MTH Nevada Northern SD9 #250 on preorder too.

 

Exciting train layout news! I got an email today that my Lionel BNSF ET44C4 has finally shipped. I've been waiting a long time for this new locomotive. Now I will have a cool new modern diesel locomotive on my O-Gauge layout. It should be arriving next week sometime. I will post photos sometime early in December.

 

O Gauge Class 55 “Deltic”, “Royal Highland Fusilier”

 

Hi there all. I’ve been meaning to pass by here a few times.

Why well because as a child always wanted a train set. Santa never got me Thomas the Tank and only once the wild teenager years past did spend some money in trying to return to models and trains sets. Things got worse from there and still today no better off.

My personal choice tho. Anyway am here because I don’t have the cash nor room even time to enjoy a childhood passion.
TSW is the closest I have.

Now I’ve been creating content and many other things over the years with trains being one interest.
Yet with trains and modelling in general takes a lot of experience to understand what’s what in order to create layouts.
And its here with the knowledge members post have could possibly help me.

Basically away from some ideas I’ve had with Hornby jumping into the console market I’ve been working on a few liveries aimed towards model collectors looking for items on CC. I think if I can make one that cost me nothing then would it help others enjoy having that model but on TSW. For free.

These sets as an example. Hornby, can’t find the R code as they seem quite old.
Then Limas version item code L205180 again quite an old set.

Without having the a huge amount of knowledge about trains or models in general then today I’m kindly asking for assistance if ever the need should arise.
For I know I’m creating these reskins which has nothing to do with modelling but does share a link with gaining access to the knowledge in order to replicate them accurately be a model themed set or something away from this topic for any model themed set is released with an RS Model shop code. Rigsby Sim Model shop.

And that’s all I’m here for this evening to see if the knowledge and experience members have here could assist in providing accurate reskins for the community or for members here. (Just the model theme reskins that’s all).

I will leave you all be and I do apologise if I’ve intervened.
Enjoy the rest of the evening all.

Risgby.
✌.

 

Just a thought, would it be cheaper if someone you knew here in the UK purchased it and then posted it to you.

Some of these selling sites place high delivery cost on them.

✌.

 

It's a good thought, but I would still run into differences in exchange rate plus shipping regardless (not to mention our lovely tariffs, thanks Don...). Shipping's not usually terrible if they go Royal Mail. I usually only spend $35 - $40 USD for most trains.

For the LT Class 20 in particular, the high cost is due to it being a relatively rare model and a little hard to come by. I really don't need another 20 though, I already have a nice one in BR Green (I can't remember if it's a Bachmann or a Lima unit, it's currently in storage).

 

You’re correct about the cost now since leaving the EU, been a while since I’ve posted anything. A lots changed with cost going up, a pain but unavoidable I guess.
For the TFL class 20 they are you say very rare but I’m looking at one now for 109 pounds if a Bachmanns collector member or 159 pounds if not.

✌.

 

If only I ran N-Scale lol. The Graham Farish models get me all the time, they're so detailed. I really wish they did their 319 in OO.

 

What!. I didn’t notice that, it’s so detailed it didn’t even cross my mind.
Things have definitely come a long way since checking the market like 15 years ago.

Sorry to get you all excited there tho, am quite taken back by this news.
Amazing little piece of kit.

I might start looking at some N gauge stuff. Only stayed away because I had a couple of old HST sets along with a few bits un bobs I’d picked up over the years. All gone now tho

Anyway Christmas soon, so you never know what Santa might bring.

✌.

 

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving this last week. I sure did. I also got some cool train stuff. I've got a new engine running on my layout! I also have a new announcement that I'll mention again after this quick review on my new locomotive. The loco: a Lionel BNSF ET44C4.

First thoughts: it's big, heavy, and very well-detailed. I love the paint scheme too. It has accurate lighting, including step lights and even control stand lights in the cab!

I put the beast on the track, powered it up, programmed it, and it ran right out of the box! That's always the best thing about buying locomotives.

The sounds are fantastic. Lionel knocked it out of the park with their new ET44s. Their sounds were recorded from actual ET44s and they sound amazing. The only nitpick I have on the new ET44 from Lionel: no rotating bearing caps. Scaletrains, who makes HO and N Scale US train products, includes rotating bearing caps on all of their modern diesel loco models.

Anyway, I highly recommend the Lionel ET44s to any fan of modern Lionel Trains. They look great, run great, and have amazing sounds.

Now we need DTG to add a BNSF ET44C4 and some new BNSF rolling stock (modern reefers, new autoracks, etc.) to the Cajon Pass Route. We should also get CSX (for Sand Patch), UP (Sherman Hill), NS (for Horseshoe Curve), and CN (for Oakville Sub), and maybe KCS/CPKC ET44ACs that could be run on any route as run-through power until we get a CP, KCS, or CPKC route.

Now for another new announcement for my layout. No, it's not another locomotive (although I do have a couple more locos on the way; they'll be here sometime next year). In their Jan. 2025 catalog, Lionel announced something really cool: massive scale autorack cars with sound! Yep. You heard that right. They have sound! Lionel has been making 1950s-era steel reefers with sound systems that simulate loading and unloading of produce and ice for a few years now. I have a set of their Santa Fe sound-equipped reefers.

I've been wanting some more modern rolling stock with sound for my layout, and Lionel has gone big with their new autoracks with sound. They have simulated automobile-loading sounds with dialogue, car horns, car alarm chirps, and even car alarms going off if you bump the cars too hard! So cool! The cars have shipped, and I will receive mine sometime in the next week (it's in a Santa Fe livery, of course; although I really wanted a BNSF one; maybe the next run). It's going to be awesome to have my new ET44C4 pulling a long freight with a sound-equipped autorack to add more fun to the consist. I can't wait!

 

I'm planning to buy KATO's Class 800/3, but if those of you in the UK had anything to add or suggest, what would it be?

I plan to paint the areas under the floor yellow and red, and the terminal sections at the ends of the car black.