I am currently working on a layout set in the Western Region on two 3ft by 2ft (roughly) boards which could only allow real leg room for two-car DMUs at best. Since I moved from N up to OO gauge the right stock has always been problematic for me. Most of the major manufacturers make classes that would be appropriate for Devon branch lines.
Time period is the major issue. Originally the plan was going to be '80s but with the low availability of a 'Skipper' (cream-brown Pacer) I reckoned I could settle with a Hornby blue-grey 121 'Bubblecar' to stand in for a 122 which appeared on Devon and Cornwall lines. Loco-hauled workings, some of which were brought in to stand in for the absent 'Skippers' on the Tarka Line, are currently out of the question because of the lack of space.
Now Hornby are releasing a Class 153 in Regional Railways livery AND a Class 142 'Pacer' in the latest First Great Western livery.
. Both are reasonably priced and could stretch the time period for the layout.
Assuming that the Pacer is virtually unchanged from the basic model judging by the Arriva Trains and Merseyrail Pacers that came out last year (2007), which is the model worth waiting for? With the FGW 142 I could bring the layout right up to date. But the 153 I assume could be the superior model and a better runner. The first of the 153s have already had great reviews and would at least allow for a '90s layout. I'm not sure how I could improve the 142 detail wise, which of course is another option....
If I go down this road I would like to put people inside it.
Time period is the major issue. Originally the plan was going to be '80s but with the low availability of a 'Skipper' (cream-brown Pacer) I reckoned I could settle with a Hornby blue-grey 121 'Bubblecar' to stand in for a 122 which appeared on Devon and Cornwall lines. Loco-hauled workings, some of which were brought in to stand in for the absent 'Skippers' on the Tarka Line, are currently out of the question because of the lack of space.
Now Hornby are releasing a Class 153 in Regional Railways livery AND a Class 142 'Pacer' in the latest First Great Western livery.

Assuming that the Pacer is virtually unchanged from the basic model judging by the Arriva Trains and Merseyrail Pacers that came out last year (2007), which is the model worth waiting for? With the FGW 142 I could bring the layout right up to date. But the 153 I assume could be the superior model and a better runner. The first of the 153s have already had great reviews and would at least allow for a '90s layout. I'm not sure how I could improve the 142 detail wise, which of course is another option....
