Review: BB 27127M

PavløvA_YT

Less that 12 hours after publishing it, I am reviewing my own remix of the BB 27100M.

Let's start the review!

This model is an N Scale model of SNCF BB 27127M in Lineas livery. This model was made by me, based on a diesel version from CP92.

Above: BB 27127M "Prima" in Lineas livery.

Model overview:

This model has many nice features that are hard to find on most paper models, including a detailed roof, detailed underfloor, and accurate scaling. Overall, it is quite high quality, because CP92 and Sensoul12 sketched it (I only changed some tiny bits of it). If I had to sketch it, it would look out of proportion.

This model is also the easiest thing I have ever built, it all just slots together.

Build time is consistent for people of all skill levels, this is a time consuming model to make. 

Now, for the rating:

Build difficulty: 3/10

Detail: 9/10

Accuracy to real life: 8.5/10

Time to build: 1h (experienced builder), 1h 15min (novice builder)

Overall score: 24.5/30

Recommendation: Definitely build this. It is an iconic French locomotive, and is super easy to make. As not much skill is required, it will take almost the same time for all builders of all skill levels. I suggest making this train in the classic Transillian livery, once I remix that.

Gallery:

Base

 Left side

Front end

Two of the 3 pantographs

Roof pod, my own little addition to the model
 

 

 

BB 75008

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Above: BB 75008 "Prima" in TSO livery, remixed by me

Recently, Sensoul and CP92 have released a model of France's keystone locomotive; the Alstom Prima (Variants are BB 27000, BB 27100M, BB 27300, BB 37000, BB 37000RC, BB 75000 and BB 75000M). This model is very good, and gives a good overview of the locomotive, but it is not perfect, so I obviously had to redesign a bit of it, to fix all the errors.

Only one change was made:

• Adding front bashplates on the underside and increased the size of trim tabs so that it glues better.

This particular train is BB 75008 in TSO livery. This livery is very beautiful; the blue pinstripe makes it very neat looking.

More Prima will come soon, with variants including BB 27000, BB 27100M, BB 27300 and BB 75000.

P1 -- the locomotive itself, Alstom Prima No. 75008.

P2 - underfloor equipment

BB 27117M

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Above: BB 27117M "Prima" in RegioRail livery, remixed by me

 

Recently, Sensoul and CP92 have released a model of France's keystone locomotive; the Alstom Prima (Variants are BB 27000, BB 27100M, BB 27300, BB 37000, BB 37000RC, BB 75000 and BB 75000M). This model is very good, and gives a good overview of the locomotive, but it is not perfect, so I obviously had to redesign a bit of it, to fix all the errors.

Those changes are:

• Improving the design of the roof, by adding a trapezoidal pod on the roof, like an actual BB 27000.
• Adding front bashplates on the underside and increased the size of trim tabs so that it glues better.

This particular train is BB 27117M in RegioRail livery. This livery is nice, but rather bland; I think it suits the engine nicely, however.

More Prima will come soon, with variants including BB 27000, BB 27100M, BB 27300 and BB 75000.

P1 -- the locomotive itself, Alstom Prima No. 27117M.

P2 -- roof equipment, floor equipment, and bogies.
 

BB 27127M

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 Above: BB 27127M "Prima" in Lineas livery, remixed by me.

Recently, Sensoul and CP92 have released a model of France's keystone locomotive; the Alstom Prima (Variants are BB 27000, BB 27100M, BB 27300, BB 37000, BB 37000RC, BB 75000 and BB 75000M). This model is very good, and gives a good overview of the locomotive, but it is not perfect, so I obviously had to redesign a bit of it, to fix all the errors.

Those changes are:

• Improving the design of the roof, by adding a trapezoidal pod on the roof, like an actual BB 27000.
• Adding front bashplates on the underside and increased the size of trim tabs so that it glues better.

This particular train is BB 27127M in Lineas livery. CP92 and Sensoul12 made a BB 75000 in the Lineas paintjob, but no BB 27100M was made in this livery, so I had to do it.

More Prima will come soon, with variants including BB 27000, BB 27100M, BB 27300 and BB 75000.

This goes well with flat freight wagons and oil tankers as trailers. 

P1 -- the locomotive itself, Alstom Prima No. 27127M.

P2 -- floor equipment, roof equipment, and bogies.

Build: MF19 vs MF19, which to make?

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Two MF19s... which to build? Here is my honest review of both.

 

Note: A completely new MF19 from me is coming soon. 

MF19 007 by btk.spotteur.idf

This is a high-detail model of the MF19 train, specifically 007. It comes in ÎDFM livery or the test livery (which has a slightly different floor design)

 

 Pros:

-Insanely high resolution and model quality, high clarity and good attention to detail

-Large size of model suits A4 printers nicely

-Body folds nicely

 

Cons:

-Model is very difficult to assemble

-Model has some inaccuracies with doors and windows

-Bogies and underfloor equipment are not provided (despite space marked out for them)

-Windows are gray, missing the gradient of other models

-Cab door windows are not finished

 

Photos:

Notice the Alstom logo above the doors! This is very high resolution!

On the floor: bogie space but... no bogies?

Side is nice -- I modified this model a bit before printing

Front end is very high quality

LOOK AT THE ROOF! In all of my models the roof is never done. This looks superb 👌

Review:

Excellent looks, terrible construction; this model will make you hate yourself if you have not built over 100 trains before. 

Overall opinion:

Build difficulty: 8.5/10

Detail: 9/10

Accuracy to real life: 7.5/10 (8.5/10 for remix)

Overall: 19/30 

Time to build it: 30min (experienced builder), 1h 30min (novice builder)

Recommendation: Nice model, but very incomplete and painful to make. Build at your own risk.

MF19CC Remix by PavløvA_YT and CP92

This model of an MF19CC goes for a very different design philosophy to the other MF19...

 

Initially designed by CP92 and remixed by me, this model attempts to re-create Paris's newest train. It comes in a variety of liveries, including ÎDFM, test livery and even Crimson.

 

There is one little problem, however...

 

Pros:

-Relatively accurate bodyshell

-HO scale when printed on A4 paper with no margins

-Includes detail in cabin

-Has floor equipment (bogies, inverters, air compressor) which other model lacks

 

Cons:

-Proportions are all off, nothing is accurate at all

-Model is very painful to make (this is a theme here)

-Underfloor equipment significantly increases build time

-Front end not designed to be assembled the way it is.

 

The problem with this model is its proportions. They are all inaccurate. The MF19 looks chubby, round, with wide doors and small windows. This model is the exact opposite of that. The windows look like they came off a boat.

 

Side of model, notice the details on the floor

Underside

Back end

Full side view

Front end, showing cabin details

 

Review:

 

This is a good model, especially for those who prioritise detail and general quality over specific accuracy, but its caricature style may throw off some modellers.

 

Overall opinion:

 

Build difficulty: 6/10

 

Detail: 8/10

 

Accuracy to real life: 6.5/10

 

Overall: 18.5/30

 

Time to build: 45min (experienced builder), 1h (novice builder)

 

Recommendation: If you want a variety of liveries and a finished model, build this model. It is better overall in terms of quality and is not so fiddly to assemble. However, details make it score lower than the other model. There is no trap in this model, it has no hidden secrets, unlike its equivalent.

 

Final opinion:

Whilst both models were only 0.5 points apart, there is a little difference. Realistically, as an experienced builder, I would build the MF19 by btk.spotteur.idf, but overall the MF19 I drew is easier to make for novices. Pick for your skill level. If you can do it, make btk.spotteur.idf's MF19. However, if you want a more detailed model that can be expanded into 5 car trains, make my model.

 

Or wait, I am making a completely new MF19CC and MF19CA pair soon. Very, very soon. 

 

 

 

 

MP51 (Simplified Version)

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Some people complained that the MP51 is too difficult to build. Here is a simplified version for those who struggled to fold the roof in and build the floor. This version admittedly lacks a lot of detail, but sometimes that detail is not worth the difficulty in building it adds!

Differences which make it easier to build include a square roof (no channels on each side), bogies that are already attached (negating the need for multiple floor pieces) and more square side/front parts. Most of the details that would typically be folded are just printed on the sides of the train. It does however omit a pantograph from the model, although I don't think anybody actually put the pantograph on the train...

This version is designed for people who struggle to build detailed parts, have printers with low tolerances, do not have all the right building equipment, or just do not have the time to build a carriage.

Build time is 15 minutes versus over an hour for the other MP51 version.

It prints to the same scale as all of my Parisian metro trains.

White MP51

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Announcement of a challenge:

This is a white version of the MP51. Print it out and colour it in with pens, pencils, even paint (?) to make a custom livery. E-mail the custom livery you draw to me at this mail:to link. First place wins a prize (early access to an MP55)!

 

Good luck! 

Buid: MP51

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Today, I built the MP51, the first driverless train in the entire world. This model is also my most viewed, so I feel like it deserved a build. It has been 3 months since I designed this train, but I have never actually built it.

Building it was easy, the roof vanes surprised me a little, but overall it was a build of 4/10 difficulty, as there was no underfloor equipment except two square bogies. The pantograph is difficult to attach, however, and I recommend not building it.

The model is highly detailed, no wonder 10 people have e-mailed me photos of complete MP51s!

Note: I intend on publishing another livery of the MP51 some day... decide what livery you want! 

Statistics (with photographs of complete train underneath):

Look how many views it got!

Views peaked in August, where it got about 300 views total.

Below are photos of the MP51:

Front ¾ shot on a handrail

Left hand side of the carriage

Front ¾ shot on a bookshelf

Photo highlighting the "MP 51" on the side

 If you have built an MP 51, please send me photos of the train!

MP59s

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Here are the driving motor cars of all MP59 liveries, intermediate carriages will come soon:

Bleu-Creme -- this livery is the 2nd livery worn, replacing Bleu-Creme-Vert

Bleu-Creme-Vert -- this was the livery the MP59 entered service with.

RATP Bleu-Blanc -- this was the third livery, worn exclusively by the Super 6 sets on Line 1/4

Métro-Vidéo -- this was a livery exclusive to No.6005 in the late 1980s. Some explanation of the reason for this livery would be lovely, if anybody knows why it exists.

RATP Vert -- the last livery of this train, running on Line 11. 

Photoshoot: MP14CC and MP59 Super 6

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In an obscure photo session, I have photographed both the oldest and newest production rubber tyred trains to run on Paris's metro (MP55 does not really count as a production train, model coming soon anyway)

Both carriages coupled together

The MP59 Super 6... only Super 6s wore this livery...

The MP14CC, which replaced MP59-4 trains on L11...

Staggered side view

Side by side
 

This is huge news

PavløvA_YT + Papertrolley Project Archives

The first Comeng 2100 trailer, 2101, was built today! The AdMet livery looks excellent in real life, and the trailer builds perfectly. Another trailer and Motor car 2003 will follow.

 

Here are some photos:

2002 is finally not alone! It now has trailer 2101 to drag around!

The iconic "AdMet front" that most trailers wore at the end of their lives
 

Some photos of the Sydney RER

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For anybody who does not know, I live in Sydney, Australia. We have an extensive and complex railway system, with double decker trains much like the Paris RER. I would actually say the two systems are nearly identical (however, Paris has better trains because they are Alstom X'Trapolis Tagus/Duplex/Cityduplex trains instead of the chinese and korean trains we have...)

Anyway, our older rolling stock were made entirely in Australia. Recently, Australian manufacturing dried up, and nobody builds anything here...

No more talking from me though, here are some trains, and descriptions about what they are.

81 class locos -- I do not know what they are pulling

Tram-train in Canberra

My local station with an RER train (I am officially calling our system an RER from now on)

This train is a Tangara - built by Gonninan (Australian trainbuilder, now defunct) in the 1990s. Highly recommend listening to one of these - they sound beautiful

Coupled point of two Tangaras

CAF Urbos tram-train - these have batteries, we should have bought an Alstom Citadis with ground power over this!

Side photo of same tram

This train is called a Waratah - New South Wales' state emblem. They are, obviously, made in China. An X'Trapolis Cityduplex would have done just as well as this does.

These are ok trains...

Their traction motors sound incredible -- listen to one someday!

At Clarendon station

From the level crossing

D Set in Central - also called "Mariyung", the aboriginal word for "Emu", which is a large flightless bird in Australia, which also means EMU, as in "Electrical Multiple Unit" (UME in France)

30 class steam locomotive; in the background is a brand-new 94 class freight locomotive.

Alstom Metropolis - these have been in service since 2019. They run on the Sydney "Metro" but in reality, it is not actually a metro, stops can be over 5km apart in places. In essence, this is an MR6V, and this is basically Paris Metro Line 16, so not actually a metro.

The best Sydney train, the Tangara. I love these things.

Another tram-train photo. I race these on my mountain bike sometimes. Visible is the enormous battery on the roof.

Another D Set photo

10-car D Set and an 8-car V Set; the V Sets are getting replaced by the D Sets (which are much nicer in my opinion)

D Sets are composed of a 6-car train and a 4-car train; they have Silicon Carbide (SiC) inverters from Mitsubishi...

94 Class locomotive from before in better detail

42 class, got a photo before this crashed into a parked train.

XPT, a diesel-hauled high speed passenger train (it is just a HST with lower gearing -- this is the only place on Earth you can still hear a Paxman Valenta screaming for its life)

Volvo bus

Routemaster bus, from London.