Dapol put us out of our misery!

The new "mystery" model due for launch at the Warkey show this weekend is the Class 220 Voyager! Details on the Dapol website here:

http://www.dapol.co.uk

The photos on the website are stunning and this is one model that deserves to sell by the shed-load, regardless of how one may regard the prototype!

The model is fully DCC-ready and features magnetic inter-car couplers and the ability to be fitted with a sound chip and speaker system. Full retail price for a 4-car unit is £139.95. Not cheap but probably worth it for all the cool stuff on board.

Dapol are to be congratulated for raising the bar in British N Gauge and producing something that their competitors will find hard to match.

Also promised for 2007 will be a SR Q1 0-6-0, Class 73/0, Low Emission 66s, more Ivatts, Prairies and M7s, a new container spine wagon (FEA?), Blue Spot Fish Van and Tiphook steel carrier. Cripes.

Bachmann should really wake up and smell the coffee here and start to produce some of the models promised for 2005

89001 is safe!!!

Great news from the AC Loco Group here.....
http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/index.php?page=project89.php

Wither the Class 442..?

Regarded by many as the finest Electric Multiple Unit trans currently in operation, enthusiasts will mourn the demise of the Class 442 "Wessex Electric" units, operated by SouthWest Trains between London Waterloo and Weymouth.

Introduced in 1987 but fitted with the redoutable EE507 traction motors from the 4-REP units, the units are undergoing refurbishment but are destined for storage, as they have been deemed "non-standard"....

All is not lost. Other Train operators are eyeing the 442 fleet for their own uses, with Southern taking an interest for a high-quality Victoria-Brighton service - who knows, this may become a reality....

Class 165 Progress

over the last few evenings, I have been in my loft whittling and polishing away at the Class 165 shell with Milliput dust flying all over the place. This is the result so far...

It doesn't look too pretty at present and there's nothing like a digital camera for pointing out any flaws in the job done! There is a lot of extra detail to add, such as footsteps, roof vents as well as general tidying up around the coupling hole.
Take my word for it, it really is Turbostar-shaped!!

There is a considerable amount of stray filler in the cab area to be drilled out to allow a Farish 170 chassis to fit, hence why the front bogie is some way back at the moment.

Watch this space for updates!

N Gauge Show 2026

Taken from the ModelRail PodZene, October 2026 edition:

The N Gauge Show was once again a huge success, taking place in Halls 1-5 in the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham. The major manufacturers were out in force showing their latest wares:

Hornby
Hornby were showing off their Lyddle End "Nano-Folk", 1:148 scale robotic folk who can be programmed to perform simple tasks such as getting in and off trains, waiting impatiently on the platforms and going shopping. We are assured that the problems encountered with earlier Chinese-built "Nano-Folk" will not be repeated and they will not form a Democratic Republic on your layout.
The scenery range now includes virtual backscenes, with real time images of the following: Highland Mountains, Cotswold Hills, Hackney Grot and Margate seafront.

Dapol
Pre-production samples of the new LNER Garrett were on display, featuring working smoke generators, firebox glow, surround sound and, by popular demand, will work on old-style 12v.
Work is also progressing on the Class 750 Maglev units, which have recently entered service on the Marylebone-Edinburgh "TransRapidLink" but there are delays in the manufacture of the track system due to shortages of superconducting magnets.
Like the prototype, Dapol’s Maglev units will feature virtual paintwork that changes with the surrounding scenery.

Graham Farish
The new Bulleid coaches were on sale for the first time, having been freighted in from China a couple of hours earlier by Hypersonic transport. These coaches are works of art, with doors that open when the train stops in a platform, operating lights and digital clanging sounds.
Sales of the Live Steam range have disappointed, so the planned GWR Castle and Southern Terrier models have been dropped.
There is still no firm release date for the Class 101 DMU

More to follow…

N Gauge Projects for the Future

Bob Davis of N-Train and myself are currently co-conspiring on some exciting new projects for modern image N Gauge.

First up is the Class 165 / 166 "Networker Turbo". I've created a mock-up bodyshell using a cab of one of my Class 325 kits mated with a 75ft DMU bodyshell, which doesn't look half bad when full bodyside decals have been applied. The shell is currently stripped and will be receiving the front cowling and additional detailing before casting.

One of the most requested modern image units has to be the Virgin Class 220 / 221 Voyager and Super Voyager DEMUs, in use on the Cross Country and WCML networks.

Bob has produced some stunning CAD artwork for these units whilst I have been looking at livery design, etc. Using clear coach sides with Electra Plus decals, it should also be possible to re-create the Midland Mainline and Hull Trains Class 222 meridian / Pioneer units.

Obviously there are a lot of technical issues to consider here, particularly the unusual inside-framed bogies used on the Class 220 and 222 units but as a long-term project it's very exciting.

A lot depends on what Graham Farish and Dapol have in store for 2007. A ready to run Voyager in N would be a sure-fire hit, though I gather that sales of the 4mm version have been disappointing, which is a surprise.

There is a definite core of MI modellers who feel that "if you can't hang a truck behind it, then it ain't a train". If you want to see more units, then get behind your friendly manufacturer today!

Whilst it is sad to see Graham Farish's release dates slipping away into January and beyond, there are some goodies on the way - namely the Class 04, 57 and 60 along with Mk1 Pullmans, re-released MkIII and MkIV coaches and HTA hopper wagons. Dapol have their Habfis Cargowaggon available soon and a modern-traction surprise lined up for Warley.

If anyone from GF or Bachmann reads this then PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE WEBSITE. Many of the pictures are out of date, feature 4mm models, though N Gauge versions are on the market and the "Stop Press" page is vague to the point of uselessness.

Whilst we understand the difficulty of guaranteeing production slots from the Kader factory in China and establishing exact delivery dates, you can do much better than this.

The front page has improved with shots of the the MkIIIs and MkIVs (which, incidentally, are excellent) but the content is in major need of an overhaul. Remember, your website is your gateway to the world these days.

Help to Save 89001

As many of you will no doubt be aware, the financial woes of GNER's parent company, Sea Containers have forced them to put the unique Brush Class 89 Co-Co Electric up for sale.

The AC Locomotive group have launched an appeal to purchase this locomotive, which has until November 16th to run.

Please visit their site and help to save 89001 from the scrapman.

http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/

I'm doing my bit by offering a five pound donation for any Electra Railway Graphics kit sold over £10 in value.
Click here: http://www.electrarailwaygraphics.co.uk/

Ah well, another week over with the weekend to look forward to, weather permitting.

On the model railway front, Dapol are stunning us with a picture of the interior of their N Gauge Gresley buffet car.

I've been playing around with my GNER HST which now has the new-style headlights and red doors on most of the coaches. Just need to add the Wi-fi dome to the buffet car.


I really must get around to starting a layout but with all the new stuff for Electra, there's hardly any time. The new Electra Plus clear-windowed decals have proved a huge hit and the pressure's on to re-release the old range. The Class 423 4-VEP is next on the list.

Welcome, one and all to my "Blog". An occasionally updated selection of ramblings and look at what's happening on my workbench, N Gauge-wise.

Please feel free to comment!

Anyway, who am I?
The name's Adam Warr and I live in Orton Waterville in Peterborough with Andrea, my lovely wife, David (8) and step-son Peter (16 who occasionally graces us with his presence).

We have two cats: Tommy an eight year old Tabby and Misty who is a tiny grey 13-year old. Their fairly peaceful world was shattered earlier this year when we adopted Joey, a rescued Greyhold. Joey is seven years old, very friendly and patient, and has settled in nicely, though there is an uneasy truce with the cats at present. They will need to sort it out for themselves....



By day, I work for the Environment Agency at Kingfisher House in Peterborough providing IT support over the phone. By night I run Electra Railway Graphics http://www.electrarailwaygraphics.co.uk/, providing unique bodyside decals for N Gauge rolling stock.

Andrea works at part-time Peterborough Travel Centre for GNER, the operator of the East Coast Main Line from London to Scotland and Yorkshire.