Mike Huxley

I was wondering if any other here had had problems with getting models from Powside. I placed an order for a pre printed 7 plank wagon with them on the 31st of March this year and after 3 calls to them was told there were problems with getting the printing done. I still havent received my order and there are no replies to emails I have sent . Now his phone won't connect. I'd be grateful to learn if others have had the same problem or if they have any news on whats happening with Powside Models. Cheers, Mike

Ade, a rivet counters comment here, but why would you need an LMS non common user Meat van to deliver meat to a deep GWR station like Malmsbury? Surely meat was sourced locally and if more was required it would be delivered by a GWR Mica meat van? Nice model, but out of context for a GWR branch terminus in my opinion.

Ade, that's one hell of a lot of fish for a small town like Malmesbury 😄. But the model is lovely. Cheers, Mike

Nick, Nice as they are, at £74 each your going to need deep pockets to get a rake of these.

I think there is a new Gostude on the scene now. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334650635054?hash=item4deabb732e:g:UnEAAOSwuixjihTf&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoHk4rWw9xaPQi%2B81Q%2FKS74XjEwuXYnnSjJ6lbMNVrxiUZ5n0J%2F6e7wSVOiXwjPUplo%2FuKj5%2BlILFNm5pGsg%2B33ygRDwkyBIRXKtVIN2J0R0N2fZP3e7vVs%2Fq%2BmhFEDwPCxqs0vaZBwjS%2FHZsQkOeIgcRQcSjCwAN4JFMXZBCucfdK9G54VrQcQ7qgA4SQm3BIkL4Bdu4HUCwy%2Flq%2FhrV7I4%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR5bSpsmaYQ

If you have a Loco shed, these wagons were also used to remove the ash from the dropped fires to be used in other locations, nothing was wasted in those early years of the GWR.

Well Ade, there wasn't much of a service at this time, quite a sleepy branch in fact. Most of the goods was sent by mixed train. I hope this is of interest for you. Mike

Hi Ade, just out of interest, do you have the timetables for goods and passenger traffic over the branch? If not, I'd be happy to scan the entries from my September 1930 GWR Service Timetable book for you. Cheers, Mike

Have a look at Falmouth station for your period. 2 platforms, goods shed and an engine shed. Rated to take blue class locos and some good operation if you can fit it into a reasonable size layout.

Ade, Have you ever thought of using HMRS pressfix or methfix transfers? In my opinion, they provide a much better finish, saving having to gloss vanish first and then maybe still get a silvering effect. Yes a sheet of 7mm ones are expensive, but the results are far superior and you get a lot on it for other wagons. It's easier to rub the transfer between the planks of the wagon and get a real painted on finish as well. Just my experience and thoughts.

I have been building several O gauge horse drawn kits lately, most are intended to be GWR company owned collection and delivery one s. I now have the problem of finding suitable transfers to adorn them. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find any produced by the regular suppliers of transfers. So my question is, does anybody know where I can obtain any. Thanks, Mike

Back in 1979 I believe I was Daves first customer at the Queen St, Maidenhead shop. Well, I say customer, more a roped in helper. It happened as I gazed with amazment at what I saw being displayed in the window of the shop. Next thing I knew, the door opened and I was invited in, the shop hadn't opened for business as yet. As I went in I exclaimed "Bl**dy hell, at last a model railway shop in Maidenhead". Dave burst out laughing and said , " can you give us a hand to move this counter over there". That was the start of a long a deep friendship. From then on for the next few years I used to spend all my spare time, after my shift with Royal Mail had finished, helping Dave, Sheila and his other two young helpers Paul and Barry, convert the many RTR locos that went on sale for customers and private orders. Those were the greatest and happiest modelling days in my life. Dave was always the prectical joker, and with his infectious laugh would keep us in stitches all the time. A big man with a big and kind heart. Dave, I will miss you deeply, thank you so much for how you helped the railway modeling world an me in particular. Rest in peace my friend.

Now I am very happy that I cancelled my pre-order. Looks like I will pick one up for at least £100 less.

I have been reliably informed that there are only pick-ups on the tender. Therefore one of my reasons for cancelling my pre order. I will wait and see what the overall reviews of this model are and it's running qualities before buying. Splashing out almost £700 is a big risk if it doesn't perform well, even if it looks good. Mike

Ahh that makes sense. I had chosen that number also for my expected loco, which will be based at OOC to serve my upcoming layout. I was concerned about the running when I saw on here that the pick-ups were only fitted to the tender, as reported in the Hornby review. I still seems strange to me that Heljan should do that, as it doesn't improve good running by only fitting them to the tender. But if you have tested it, Ill take your word as it's OK.

Steve, 5380 was an Old Oak Common loco in 1934, when did it get moved down to Wales?

Steve, does it have pick-ups on loco and tender wheels? And, how come you have one when it's not in the retailers shops yet?? Mike

Norman, From my last 50 years in railway modelling, I was always taught to add as many rail pick ups as was possible to a loco, and if not possible from a loco, then add them to attached stock. Even if the wheelbase of the tender is longer than the wheelbase of the loco, the more you have, the less chance of poor running. The model may well run on straight track, but across turnouts and crossings this would improve smooth running. So, I still cannot see why Heljan have not employed this time experienced solution on this Loco. Mike

It's not not so good because a tender has a much shorter wheelbase. Better to spread the pick up over a longer distance and have it on all wheels. For a company like Heljan to scrimp on the perfection of good running is unbelievable. I would love to know the reasoning behind their decision not to put on all wheels. Mike

I'm not sure if I will go ahead with my pre-order now, having read what Hornby have reported. Pick up from only tender seems to spell bad slow running. Mike

Hi John, I've had a similar problem with my Dapol 5700 pannier, which ran reasonably well at first, then developed the same problem as you have experienced. Also, the circuit board started to smoke after a short time. As the model was within the 1 year warranty, I have returned it to Rails of Sheffield, who are replacing it, but if I had the option I would prefer to have another "Minerva" Pannier instead. I have a feeling that this is an ongoing problem with Dapol locos of late and as a result will not be buying any further modls from them. Cheers, Mike

The loco was tested by Rails prior to shipping to me, also it ran fine for the short period that I used it. I feel that it's the quality control end of Dapol that's failing. Well today I spoke to Rails and they will send me another replacement, but it shouldn't have to come to a retailer having to keep replacing faulty goods for the manufacturer. I must say, that the Minerva 8750 that I have does NOT have any of the shortcomings that have shown themselves with the Dapol production. I for one, will not be buying any of the advertised releases from Dapol, until they improve their quality. Mike

I give up on this model. I ordered when first advertised from Rails, waited for over a year for it to be released, then was told it had been withdrawn because of a wiring problem. When it did arrive in early May this year, it was damaged, inside motion was disconnected in 2 places and it ran like a dog. Returned it, was replaced and all seemed to be fine. Well, I only had a chance to run it a few times on my 12' test layout, and all seemed good. However, over the last 4 months I haven't been able to do much on the layout, until about a week ago when I ran a few shunting movements. I noticed that the Loco was making a very strange squeaking noise when it was put in reverse and it slowed down, this was intermittent. Well tonight when I tried it again, I smelt burning and noticed that smoke was coming out under the chassis, also the flickering firebox light stopped working. On further investigation, I found that the DC blanking plate was shorting out somewhere, well that's what I think it is. Never again will I buy a Dapol O Gauge loco. Poor quality and very bad service.

Paul, I understand what you mean, however, it's the sellers responsibility to supply the goods in a working order. Recently I had an issue with the Dapol 5700 loco that I ordered from "Rails of Sheffield". There was a missing part and another was broken on arrival. I made a call to them and they sent me a pre paid return label and then supplied another loco without any questions being asked. Now that is what I call service. A turn around of about 5 days and when the replacement loco arrived, all was OK.. Don't put up with fob offs from retailers. The law states that the goods should be fit for purpose. Mike

Paul, I would have just returned the loco to "Tower Models", as not being sold in a complete state, and asked for a replacement. Why should you have to do the chasing around to fix a problem that was sold to you as new?? Mike