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Trainmaster64

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  1. I do own one A4 - this being Hornby's fantastic No.60010 'Dominion of Canada' issued in 2010. A very fine locomotive and my personal favourite of them all; I love to run it time and time again. My only concern is what will happen when and if the motor finally goes... for now though I am happy to keep her in steam and in full operation. I also used to own a RailRoad A4; Mallard No.60022 with the DCC chip. A decent locomotive, but sadly had issues with the decoder chip that made her inoperable. The locomotive moved about a foot, then produced a magnificent steam effect. Only did it once though...
  2. Here's an interesting point to bring up; not sure if anyone's discussed this or not but this seems the appropriate place to ask about this: I own three 'Railroad'-style 0-4-0 locomotives in my fleet; a Railroad Caledonian 'Pug' No.272, A GWR175 Holden Class 101, and a Pullman Class 06 for the 2008 Club Loco. The Pullman 06 has an SK code on its box; however the GWR175 101 has an REF code on it, and my Caledonian 'Pug', bought in 2012, has an REF code as well. This would indicate that Hornby started to use Refined before 2010 for production of some locos and possibly other items. The questions are, when did Refined start for Hornby, with what items, and how long has this been going on? If anyone has any products from Hornby from this time period (not just locos, but maybe trucks, coaches, buildings, etc.), let's check the codes on the boxes and try to put together dates and times. Be sure to indicate the loco and possibly product numbers if possible, so we can determine a timeline of sorts. To start, what are the codes on the other two GWR175 products? The Castle, I would assume was a SK product - but perhaps not? And what of the Achilles Train Pack?
  3. Quick question to anyone who owns one of these engines - the bearings in the chassis of Hornby's Tornado. Are they round or round brass bearings, or are they the square-cut bearings as found on the 42/72xx, P2, Duke, etc.?
  4. Just a few updates as of this day: -The Italian tender engine has been put into operational order; it is able to run once again. However because of its temperamental nature it is only working very limited workings. -The Stephenson's Rocket has been obtained as of 12/05/13; it has run but is undergoing overhaul. It is doubtful if the locomotive will operate in the future. Trainmaster64
  5. Just a few updates here from the last time: -Almost all locomotives have been added to the fleet here and catalogued; the two Italian steam engines are all that are left and will be finished by the end of the weekend. -Class J70 No.7 'Toby' has been reinstated to the fleet as a limited-operations engine, after the mechanism was torn to pieces and cleaned thoroughly. -Norris-Type locomotive has been reinstated to the fleet as a limited-operations engine, after an examination revealed its pickups were bent out of shape and deformed. A more permanent solution is required to keep the pickups in place; for now the engine works fine at times. -No. 625 316 arrived yesterday as a long-term restoration project, and has begun preliminary work. Trainmaster64 Chief Mechanical Engineer, Sumtown Tramway Co.
  6. Fair enough, coachmann; I was not suggesting that you are not entitled to your own opinions as well, and I do apologize if it seemed as if I was. We are both entitled to our own opinions and have the right to share them. My comment was that you seemed to be somewhat more cheeky, as you put it, and not much else to it. If you were to spend time and effort compiling your thoughts and opinions like that, and posted them in a general thread for the thing in question to share with others, would you want to have such a comment about them afterwards? In fairness, I do agree that my model is older - perhaps if my review was a more general one on the 'Castles' it would have gone over better. As it is I feel that a lot of what I said in the review and in my comments accompanying it are valid still, and can be applied to the 'Castles' produced even today, particularly in regards to the drawbar/four-pin connector arrangement on them. As they have not been upgraded since 'Earl Cairns' I feel that the comments are still valid even today. I'm willing to let bygones be bygones, as it were - no hard feelings? Let's simply move on from here, and enjoy the 'Castles' for what they are - I think we can agree that, whether it's 'Earl Cairns' or 'Clun Castle,' these engines are fine examples of Hornby on their A-game.
  7. Thank you very much; I will definitely consider that when thinking about buying a 31. I don't want to have to go for a Railroad one but if I can't find any of the newer ones it may be the solution for me.
  8. Thank you very much, Adam, for your quick response - I do appreciate it highly. It seems as if I will be going for the Tarmac livery then; arguably the nicest looking one of them all. Granted, that's personal opinion there! It will be interesting to see how it performs as Hornby's first new four-wheeler since the 'Railroad'-style 0-4-0 locomotives and chasses.
  9. A few points, I will raise on your comment, coachmann: My comments, I think, can and do pertain to the Hornby Castles in general, which can be applied to all of them - not only 'Earl Cairns'. If I am mistaken here, please let me know, but I am fairly certain that all the 'Castles' since this one share the same build and design, with minor cosmetic differences to distinguish between individual engines (double chimnies and so on). Though this is one engine in particular that is being reviewed it is not a unique build and unlike anything since - Hornby have produced 'Castles' since then, in single-chimney form and in BR Early Crest livery. Most of what I had said in my review can be applied to every 'Castle' that has been built from the redesign a few years back to now, particularly that of the tender-locomotive connection employed these days. I appreciate that the model hails from 2009 and it is now 2013; however, my thoughts on it are still valid, I think. If I am mistaken in this, and if my opinions on it are not to be shared here, please tell me now so that I know better for next time. Your response seemed fairly rude and unnecessary, to be frank - the sarcasm is noted and not appreciated in the slightest. All I was doing was stating my thoughts on my own particular 'Castle,' as well as the Hornby 'Castles' in general; nothing more. Presuming Hornby's build quality is up to snuff still I would not hesitate to buy another for my line, and would recommend it highly for all Western modellers in any livery and identity, since they have not changed from 'Earl Cairns' to now. Again, if I have done anything wrong by stating my opinion on my locomotive and commenting on the 'Castles' in general I do apologize for it - I will be very careful about doing so in future, I think.
  10. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1084/entry-8969-br-castle-class-4073-no5053-earl-cairns-a-profile/ A profile on my own 'Castle', No.5053 'Earl Cairns.' I got it a couple of years back, at a decent discount - today I still consider it one of the smartest buys I ever made for the line. Lots of detail, but not so much that it becomes a hazard to simply hold in one's hands; a strong and smooth powertrain to move it along; excellent quality and stunning looks... this is one of the best that Hornby have done, and though there are newer and more detailed engines out there this is still one of the best I can see. Every GWR/BR(W) fan should own at least one, even if it's a smaller line that is being run. The benefits of this engine are far better than the consequences. The only two faults I would have to mention are in the coupling of the engine to its tender - the four-pin plug doesn't work for me at all as it is less stable and solid than the previous-generation Hornby tender coupling. If the tiny wires become unsoldered or disconnected, the whole unit is worthless. Also, the drawbar is very small as well, and couples differently than other tenders - having a permanent connection on the tender rather than the locomotive. Using the previous-style of coupler between locomotive and tender would, in my mind, have made this a near-perfect machine; as it is, it's a stunner still and well worth purchasing.
  11. I am really liking the looks of these engines - I may be interested in obtaining at least one for my line, provided the price is right (it seems to be) and that the identities are okay. By that, I mean that I cannot use an engine which survives today and has been preserved. Does anyone thus know if all of these engines' liveries are of preserved examples, or is there at least one that is of an engine not preserved? I know that Cattewater (Esso) has been preserved; are the other two as well?
  12. The Class 646 locomotive, as photographed in July 2012 not long after arrival. This locomotive was obtained on a whim like the GE 20T Switcher, and was bought with the intent of operating a 'world' fleet of locomotives from most countries, selecting the most historically relevant engines possible - this including the Class 646 from Italy. Manufactured by Lima in Italy, appropriately, the locomotive is more basic than the other engines but makes up for it with a charm of its own in terms of its appearance. The side profile of the locomotive, showing its unique shape - boxy, but decent. The motor, an old Lima 'Pancake' motor, is showing its age but still runs in a fair condition, propelling this locomotive around the line with some speed. In time it may require a remotoring to be efficient as the other engines; for now the locomotive works fine. The cabside, where the simple shapes and livery stand out in sharp relief and are highlighted well. The roof pantograph on the front of the locomotive, standing tall and proud. The articulated section of the locomotive, showing its flexibility as an articulated design. The rear cab of the locomotive. The rear of the locomotive - though the paintwork is faded and the quality is lesser, the engine is a survivor and still stands strong. The front of the locomotive, showing its headlamps (directional) and profile. Overall this is a locomotive that runs reasonably and looks reasonable, yet belies more than it lets on.
  13. The Pullman-liveried Class 06 diesel shunter, as photographed in January 2013. A new arrival to the railway, yet produced some five years previously - this being an official Hornby Club locomotive for 2008 - this engine was an attractive purchase as a limited-release, small-sized shunting engine for the railway. Though the Pullman livery is far from realistic it does look moderately attractive in some ways, with some of the minimal detail on this engine helping to bring its looks up even further. The side of the locomotive, where its livery is able to shine through the greatest. This locomotive does look decent in some ways, though unrealistic as it is; the only downfall with this engine is its chassis which IS wholly unrealistic and provides this engine with a top speed too high to comprehend. Nevertheless the engine runs smoothly and is intended as a more basic locomotive for crews to learn from. The side of the locomotive, showing off the impressively-done Pullman crest and fine lettering on the toolboxes. The separate handrails are also a nice touch - not as detailed as the Class 08, but still very nicely done. The cab of the diesel, where the numbering and lettering are crisp and the simplistic looks are allowed to come through in a decent way. The rear of the locomotive, where the warning stripes are applied nicely and the overall shape of the engine looks the part. The front of the diesel, showing its looks once more. Overall a simple yet decent looking locomotive, which is able to appeal to collectors and newer drivers alike.
  14. The Class 101 tank engine, as photographed in December 2012. Obtained in September 2012 along with the Class 423 4-VEP, this locomotive was actually produced two years previously as part of the 175th Anniversary of the Great Western Railway. Cheap and cheerful, and sporting a handsome livery to commemorate the feat, the locomotive is No.1347 of 1835 produced. The side profile of the locomotive. With a simplified valve gear and a standard chassis, the locomotive's performance is of course laughable - excellent for beginner drivers to get used to. Nevertheless the locomotive does run smoothly if not realistically, and is an enjoyable engine to drive every now and again. The smokebox and cylinders of the engine - simple yet decently done. The tanks and brass dome of the locomotive, showing the finely-applied celebratory crest and number. The rear of the locomotive, showing the bunker and cab controls. The front of the locomotive, with the smokebox dart lined out well. Overall a smart and sensible locomotive, which is perfect for beginners and interesting enough to give more experienced drivers something to look at.
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