Rustyjt

I'm quite enjoying the jeopardy of an in service failure, it will add to the realism....and builds the excuse I need a spare 50 on shed! In all seriousness I probably should get some upgraded shafts set aside in the storeroom ready for the almost inevitable day.

I agree that the full suite of options on the 50 is immense and puts many larger scales to shame. Regarding the coupling to short wheelbase stock, it's been an achlllies heel of the 50 in every sale including 1:1 with the large bufferbeam overhang resulting in a large coupling swing. Bogie stock is fine but fixed swb stock is not their natural home turf and exacerbated in model form.

Desperately fighting the green. I never really like the livery on 7, both in model form or when I used to see the real thing (personal choice and probably in the minority I accept and probably tainted at the time by the renaming). However, there are only so many large logo renumbers/renames I can justify.....look at Lara black roof options or Monarch with blue roof perhaps, now there's at least 1 or 2 more then, even though my future TT120 layout is aimed at the midlands. Oops! You may guess I like the 50 model a lot and maybe lucky but no shaft issues or falling off bits amongst the lot of 'em. Happy camper.

As usual, great comments and help. Thanks all.

Is this on DC or DCC. If DC and you have these points in a crossover setup, you may be causing a short and therefore heat between two circuits using clips. As the clip is the lightest conductor it is failing first. Surprised some other protection device in the controller isn't cutting in though.

Tend to agree with you, variations wherever I look. To my eye they just felt a bit high. Must be a spec for gauging but that obviously would just be the minimum. Will try one reduced a couple of mm and see how it looks.

Any suggestions on the hight above carriage roof a platform canopy should be? Looking at photographs they seem quite consistently close to a carriage but could be from perspective of viewing from below. Just trying out some options and feel I need to lower the ones shown in attached photo if I stay with them.

I have found TT120 ideally sized as I can hide new boxes amongst either of the piles of N or OO and excitedly 'rediscover' a much searched for favourite.....worked a dream on the second 50 and extra 2fs. Currently living in fear however so next step, if looks like I will be rumbled, will be to promise to downsize the pile and offer dinner at a favourite restaurant from the 'declared' earnings. After that I'm in trouble, the class 50 is just too tempting and hovering on order no3 to rebrand as Exeter or maybe Warspite, argh perhaps I need 4.

Really exciting to see the increasing supprt for TT120 growing, especially the buffet. What I'd really like is a choice of mk1 bogies to enable adaption of what we have. B1, commonwealth and B4 were all visually significant differences and affected whete used,especially in mixed rakes where speed rating was an issue. Seems a simple mod.

Got a couple. Yes, they are laser cut ply and generally build quite nicely. The surface detail is well done but they are basic from the point of view of chassis, handles for doors etc. They have wheels and hornby couplings included but no bearings and I found the first one I made a bit of a dull runner with thenaxle ends just located in a hole in the wood. Next one has N gauge top hat bearing cups pressed into the frame to see if that improves things. Paint was a bit hit and miss to get an even coverage on the dry wood. I also struggled getting a neat roof profile on the more complex curve. Simple arcs should be ok though. Generally enjoyed building but need to work at it to make the best of it and get a free runner.

I find a small drop of acrylic thinner and soft wood scraper (cocktail stick or laser cut kit sprue cut to a wedge end shape) works well but make sure it is clean and washed off before fitting decals on top. This one of Collingwood had the last 5 start to lift as a drop of thinner remained. Quick flush and do again with the spare number and all was well.

The other side is!!! Yes this side I missed and only just noticed!

What this does give me though is a sense of TT120 being a true 'have a go' scale. If you want something you may need to be a bit more prepared to adapt what's available and that is very remeniscant of my early fond memories of railway modelling. Reward from your own efforts, no matter how perfect or not, is a tangible element of the enjoyment of this hobby.

Even worse, just noticed that this side I have missed the windows...aaarghhhh stop everything, cancel all services.....darn it...maybe there's a prototype picture I can find....

Glazing has not really been an issue. 1 side in 3 carrriages snapped into 3 bits but easily fitted back in. With it out you can gently dress the frame colour. Patience is most certainly the key for this. Suspect I will just finish a set when Hornby release thier version.........

Moving on with my era 7 plans, now attempting a repaint of MK1s. Generally happy with a little detail improvement to look at, but trying the railtec white lining between the blue/grey but it is proving a real headache. Any tips out there on getting them straight? Since photo, have started on second one with better results adding shorter strips slowly, plus practice, practice, practice. This may take longer for an 8 coach set than I planned!

And yes, the test track is on the breakfast bar courtesy of a very understanding and good lady. She drew the line at the dining room table though, no matter how much I explained the origin of TT!

Well it's been just over a month of dipping my toe into TT and it looks like the day my current 009 loft layout is swapped out is getting closer. I was prepared to be disappointed, after all the socials seemed to think its the anti-christ of the model rail universe, but I must admit to being very impressed. Strangely the best thing for me so far is being able to turn the tail lights off on the 50 so they are correct when hauling stock. That's been a bug of mine for years. True there appear to be gremlins (my only one was a slight issue with getting HSTs to consist in dcc but eventually solved) and others appear to have had a worse experience than me, but on balance so far it's delivering. I do think the breadth of compatible era stock needs to grow a little more quickly in order to keep dabblers like me interested but can understand the slow and steady approach. I think my motivation in posting this is to put some positive experience comments out there to balance things up. I truly feel for those that seem to have problems with everything they receive and that the QA needs improving, but those thinking of giving it a go shouldn't be put off as online comments usually tend to be the bad experience ones. Time to plan the loft layout 🤪