AndyG

I noticed the same with the Oxford Adams Radial. From cold the loco needs a lot of power, both light engine and with a load, from a Gaugemaster D to get running, but speeds up significantly after running for a few minutes. This occurs with all three of my Radials. I don't have an issue with it, and am simply curious as to the reason why, as none of my Hornby, Bachmann or DJ/Hattons models exhibit this behaviour.

My R3531 is a beautifully smooth runner-and here comes the 'but'. From a cold start it runs almost silently, but after a few minutes a gear-grinding/whining noise develops and gradually grows in volume, eventually becoming unbearable. This happens when running in either direction, but appears to be quite random; sometimes I can get through a running session with no issues, and sometimes the noise develops when running forward but not in reverse, and vice versa. I should add that the running quality is not affected, and I pair the loco with the pull-push set. Can I also add that I'm hesitant to start fiddling around inside with all the separately added parts needing to be removed and replaced. As of now the M7 makes an attractive ornament in my cabinet, and deserves better... Thanks for any suggestions.

Thanks, I'll be interested to find out what on earth this is.

I do hope it isn't rot. I returned an M7 to Olivia's which had arrived with a warped running plate.

I have R3531 (30129), a lovely model, smooth running and reliable, and which I run with the Hornby pull-push set. However it has a strange issue; from cold, and run bunker first, it has a whining/grinding noise which doesn't affect the running quality, and which gradually fades to silence after being run for 5-10 minutes. Occasionally this also happens when running chimney first, but less frequently. I hesitate to be taking the thing apart to see what might be going on (I have no idea what to look for anyway!), so can anyone suggest what it might be? I thought it might be poor gear meshing, but as it seems to disappear with running I'm a bit baffled... Thanks.

Try 'The Big Four In Colour, 1935-50' (ISBN 1 899816 08 9), for examples of how different film (remember that?) emulsions represented colours. Little wonder that it's so difficult to replicate pre-grouping and pre-nationalisation liveries with no original examples remaining for analysis. I still prefer 35mm for accurate colour rendition over the infinitely tweakable digital alternative. There again as previously mentioned we still have to bear in mind differing colour temperatures during the course of a day, with the blue end of the spectrum more prominent in the morning, and red toward late afternoon, all of which will affect our perception of colour. Then there's aerial perspective to consider...

How is this done? I haven't attempted any weathering at all, as yet, but I'm intrigued as to how paint spraying delicate steam loco valve gear, etc, is done without everything sticking together.

I'm another who has had great service from Kernow. Both my 02 and E4 arrived well packed and quickly. I even called to thank them for their service; something of a rarity these days and something Kernow should be proud of. I'll most certainly shop with them again-something I definitely won't be doing with a well-known, small, Sheffield retailer...

Thanks; I didn't actually check what material the frame was made of. Perhaps being told that 'it has been in the display cabinet for a while' should have thrown up a warning signal. Has the shop's cabinet been in full sun, I wonder? Could that have distorted the plastic?

I have R4746 and R4747. Both run freely with no issues at all over Setrack, with no derailments, either pushed or pulled, including over pointwork, although it did take some lubrication and plenty of running to get them really loose. My Oxford Adams Radials pull them happily; my 02 will pull one but struggles a bit with both.

Most disappointing. Today I'm having to return a Hornby M7 (R2504) bought used (presumably, because it wasn't mentioned on the retailer's website), because the entire running plate from the tanks forward is distorted, bending downwards, to the point where the splasher is showing daylight from separation from the running plate. The buffer beam is also canted to one side. What a shame on an otherwise perfectly running model. There was also an unidentifiable bit lying in the bottom of the box, broken off from somewhere or other. Has anyone else experienced this problem with their M7?

I promise I will as soon as the rivet counting stops. Deal?

Anything but yet another bloody pacific! Yes they're big and impressive but look frankly ridiculous on the average layout where your prototypical 12 coach train won't fit. The only pacific which doesn't look daft is a Bulleid with one or two on on the Withered Arm.

On such a small model are you really going to notice a possible millimetre or two's 'discrepancy' on your loco which is already running on, presumably, 7" underscale OO track which is absolutely not correct but apparently perfectly acceptable?