NS Peak

I would second the recommendation for Sawplan for class 47 marker lights here is the link to the catalogue https://www.shawplan.com/extreme_loco4mm.html

Hello Steve, Here is the link, https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Hn-oo-cl86&stock=1 I think this is the the correct part it’s either this or HN-OO-cl86.110. When I order some the invoice quoted part number 0.93 but if in doubt e-mail the spares team they are really helpful https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/model-railways/Heljan/Heljan-spares.html which make / version class 47? Let me know and I will check as I have most versions and I will take a look for you. My first thought is the class 86 marker lights are not going to be suitable not least as class 47 tend to have different marker lights at each end. Stephen

Hello, you might want to take a look at gaugemaster.com at their Heljan spare parts and search for HN-OO-CL86.0-93 which is a class 86 head code / marker lights. If they are in stock it might take a little bit of trimming to fit but just measured it up on my class 85 and it seems to be a good fit and just what you are looking for. stephen

The Dapol 04 Drewry shunter kit might be an option. Or possibly (and I don’t know the MTK kit if it’s possible) go for an early Upwell example with no exhaust stack and cowcatcher and side plates

The service sheet is only for the 8pin models there is a different updated service sheet for then 21 pin models. The sheet only covers the initial release which is why it only shows a single pcb. The sheet does show different pantographs and multiple working cables base£ on the models with only R3580 not having a Brecknell Willis pan

The way I did it was to take the body off and turn it over and you will see the holes in the roof where the insulators are glued in. You can try to loosen up the glue first but if you try a solvent make sure it won’t damage the body. I then used gently a small needle file to gently push out the insulator from underneath ( I said gently twice for a reason). You need to be firm and constant to break the glue bond don’t be rough or stab at it. Then repeat with the other insulators and the pantograph will come loose and then it’s eas6 to remove the insulators as you wish.

The Lima 87 bodyshell in true Lina fashion uses one of its standard pantographs which are closer to HO than OO. This means the holes will not be spaced for an OO pantograph. Just to give you an idea I have attached a few photos to give a better idea. The pantograph with the Orange tip pan is a Hornby class 91 the next is an APT pantograph followed by an oversized Heljan class 86 pantograph. The last one with the blue insulators is a marklin pantograph which is HO scale and the closest fit. Your best bet would be to look for an old HO Lima body with pantograph or possibly a somefeldt pantograph or a marklin one which as you can see is a close fit (Just as an extra reference the marklin pantograph in the picture is 7208) which should be available as a spare part.)

One of my eBay annoyances and excuse my ignorance but what is a Heljan 200 and why is it 450 quid…. I know it’s a guy that add a bulk of listings in one go but boy is it annoying when you have Heljan as a saved search. Ok rant over…

Hello, I see you are quoting Hornby OO track codes so that takes away people first question of what’s the scale. Just a few thoughts on first impressions on the plan. The curves look very tight and a lot of modern stock is only rated for a minimum of 2nd radius curve (R607) and will derail or get stuck on R605 curves. Unless you are running very short wheel base stock you will struggle with running and the over hang will really look like a train set and not prototypical. for the flexitrack that you have be careful as this takes some getting used to laying as you can create sharp curves without realising it and might have an issue of coaches bumping into each other and derailing when going round corners. I have lots of cases where a plan looks great but not really practical and even some of the books with track plans don’t always work in real life. My best advise is to try it first and see what works. If you have them use 2 MK3 coaches as they are some of the biggest and if they go round a corner most other things will also. Also don’t get carries away less is always more, don’t be tempted to add an extra siding but think more like the real railway where nothing is done without a really good reason.

Hello Andi, TMC have a stock of 2nd hand weathered FFA at 55 pounds a pop https://www.themodelcentre.com/38-626tmcpre Stephen

One more for folks like me paid in Euros. Modelbahn Union is doing a discount wagon week. I just picked up a 3 pack Accurscale HBA’s for 59 euros and they also have a lot Dapol on discount https://www.modellbahnunion.com/HO-OO-gauge/Freight-Cars-HO-OO.htm?shop=modellbahn-union-en&a=catalog&p=826&filter=k3274g4152p6542

Just checked the and the online shop did X9887 ‘s are on order but X9665’s appear to be in stock and you can add them to a basket and not shown as out of stock

Hello X9665’s look like they are in stock at Lendons of Cardiff at 1.99 a set https://www.lendonsmodelshop.co.uk/index.asp?redirect=&q=X9665&searchwhere=On-Lendons-Website&condition=or&highlighted=on

Glad you got the outcome you wanted

I am based out of the Netherlands and the link shown was probably based on my location.) I did not look at the postage costs but I don’t know how anyone could justify 10 quid for what is basically a rubber band an evolueerde and a stamp. You could try logging into ebay with a uk based app that might change the postage rates. or messaging the seller. stephen

https://www.ebay.nl/itm/Hornby-OO-GAUGE-R2001-NSE-2-CAR-CLASS-466-NETWORKER-SUBURBAN-TRAIN/334821347188?hash=item4df4e84f74:g:MvgAAOSwR2hkLsFj&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAA4BgMpl208M0HGMLpoVeQ0KWkKiVsg6hNV4nYVbe5odx1n9kDeWBBktRPr9I6PGfrIabOU7ljcPwKVCRMk6dRw88YQhEvcyh7VR9DvrnMRW9x8YdZlNxn/Y34b1fOj9TqeBo3KzGtNsxz7tKORg1pDNdQuHnQtUELTV3WHhbqBcPTaUqiIKlshcjW+pqWo8QjBEw8sQDKj9QFnBGqm3gAhkQUaedqE7nuJmkPXEYNtAkDkR83+14JbpbCinMIoHM5QCeAFs8Ml79z8HKWoToU7M+etwbJ+jDKthS4zdsG/LZt|tkp:Bk9SR4aUvfrqYQ&pageci=d0ba291c-6bd0-42db-be27-cfca4dab0516&redirect=mobile

Hello I recently bought a couple of new Jouef tgv intermediate coaches to extend what I think is an older TGV . The bogies and couplings are different and I was wondering what’s the best way to couple these together? Should I use an older bogie and file down the coupling arm so it fits in the newer smaller hole or is there another way without damaging the coaches themselves?

Yes they are very similar and interchangeable. The DVT does not have opening doors so they are not identical. Also and be careful you will need to unscrew the lighting boards and these are absolute swines to do. Also be careful with the drivers desk when you take it out as the seats are very fragile and easily snapped. (Don’t ask how I know this)

I am not sure about the Bachmann couplers but if they work on the same principle as the Hornby couplers they are gravity locked. Just turn the model upside down with no pressure on the coupler and try gently pulling apart

A bargain possibly if you have broken the pantograph on your Hornby class 87 or want to upgrade an old 86 https://www.lendonsmodelshop.co.uk/index.asp?search=Railways OO/HO Gauge&check=yes&searchme=Hornby Spares - Pantographs scroll down and look at the replacement class 91 pantograph for GBP 4.48 plus postage. I just ordered 2 also as a side note Gaugemaster have replacement Heljan pantographs at GBP 25 a pop. FAIVELEY TYPE shown as 3 in stock at time of edit https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/magento/catalog/product/view/id/88587/s/Heljan-hn19850012/ not sure the Heljan pantographs are a bargain but useful to know

I had a similar problem. Options I found were: buy a new body try good old flushglaze for a Hornby 25 try cutting an old cd case to size keep checking eBay in hope I ended up here http://www.shawplan.com/extreme_Loco_Laserglaze_4mm.html Sorry don’t know what happened with the post getting 2 pages

For the Netherlands I have seen interest in British models increasing over the years. The Dutch e-bay equivalent https://www.marktplaats.nl/ Does have quite a bit of OO and the prices are higher than you would expect. Some model stores also carry some 00 like Kuijpers hobby huis in Utrecht and there are other retailers that specialise in British stuff at exhibitions. You are not going to find latest releases at discount prices, OO stuff carries a premium which is good news if you are thinning your collection. It’s better selling privately than through an auction site as going to a store I am sure the reception would be frosty and the price offered low, but you never know where were you thinking of relocating to?

To give an example. Buying from Hattons which are Dutch vat ( btw) registered the price paid is that quoted plus a delivery charge. Hattons themselves track and pay the tax to the Dutch authorities. Buying from Kernow as an example (and I have done both) Kernow remove uk vat from the price and then add shipping. On receipt I have to pay Dutch vat plus a surcharge from the currier which is normally at least 15 euros on top of the vat. This makes it much better to pick a Hattons over Kernow particularly unless you buy in bulk

I know Hattons are vat registered with eu countries such as Germany and The Netherlands and of course Amazon is large enough in its retail presence to be that registered in most EU countries. But I was wondering which if any other UK based retailers took the step to be VAT registered in other EU countries, I suspect Hattons is probably unique this regard but I would love to be proven wrong

Probably more for “foreign” folks like myself and Maybe not a bargain for UK based folks when import taxes and postage and conversation rates are taken into account but I just picked up a stretched sentinel for just under €71 including postage from Modelbahn Union https://www.modellbahnunion.com/e-vendo.php?shop=modellbahn-union-en&SessionId=&a=search&SearchStr=Hornby+sentinel they have 4 versions for 50% off at € 60.70 plus 10 euro postage to most eu countries i saw they also had a few other Hornby items on sale but these were mostly the same bargains as listed earlier in this thread. well worth a look if like me you are paid in euros