the steps you mention are fuse boxes for the main 650 volts DC To the traction control and motors and are fitted at that angle.2 BIL stands for both with lavatory. hope this helps cheers,
The Peco track is UV resistant, so not too much. Essentially, make sure that expansion gaps are left to deal with temperature changes, and solder bridging wires across the fishplates because over time these connections will otherwise become unreliable as oxide builds up. Other than that, as long as the track base is well preserved and protected from damp ingress, all should remain well.
They can and do with certain models. The raised detail is part of the base moulding and the tampo printer just paints the raised area with the paint to make it stand out.
They will appear in running videos when I get the time to head out to the shed and film in there. The weather has been quite rubbish at the moment, so I seem to spend all my time fixing leaks in the roof.
I think Hornby cheapened out on this unit by not at least adding interior lighting and an additional centre carriage.. Bachmanns 416 unit is only 2 car and at £120+ is a lot of money. Still they are good models, but costly when you have to start adding in the upgrades.
the grey is an anti tracking varnish, and inside is a big ribbon of copper, which is the fuse. if there is a fault then the fuse can be removed if it hasn't blown. from the other shoes to isolate the equipment from the supply. this allows another unit to tow it with the shoes still on without tripping the 3rd rail supply. i had to attend a 508 unit at Purley, but the fault was with the shoe gear and removing the fuse didn't help. so it was a case of laying on the ground, between the train and the platform with a saw and cut the shoe gear off. not easy in a cramped dirty spot like that :-)
