Gilloverland

I think TT120 is a great move, less space than 00, more detail than N and options for sound etc. I think (and hope) Hornby are on to something here and rather than reduce sales in other scales this might hopefully attract new people to the hobby, not just children at Christmas etc but look at the increasing numbers of adults who build Lego... Hopefully we'll get more announcements at the likes of Warley?

I hope this is a move Heljan come to regret; they would have been better focusing on something Hornby is not - TT120 Garrett anybody?

Just picked one up today to replace a hand built point which was destroyed when I tried to lift it to alter the track plan. They are pretty good but I think its a case of two steps forward and 3 back when it comes to this uni-frog. There are two locations where a short is possible, even with modern wheel profiles. I'll add that It hasn't shorted yet but having had a play with a few wheel-sets its looks more than possible so I'm not taking the chance! I'll add the pictures later but I have started to modify them to how I feel they should have been made - IE live frog. Fortunately the stock rails and the switch rails already have a small electrical bond in place. Its now just a case of a bit of careful slitting with a disc, two existing bonds at the frog to cut and a couple more to make. The pictures will explain it better...

Put me down for a J72 or two and I think those Thomson are stunning!

I agree that the videos I've seen of the mogul make it sound very similar to the 8Fs and Black 5s. I believe the main factors in a locomotive's sound (chuff) are the boiler pressure, super heating and cylinder number and size (all 3 are super heated and have a boiler pressure of 225lb, the 8F and Black 5s have 2 cylinders 18.5" x 28" and the mogul 2x 18" x 28").. When you think that in 00 the models are 76 x smaller than the real thing, it ought really to be close enough, especially if the project can be 'built' with the correct whistle. I'm currently using a BR std 4 sound for my mogul, its not perfect but will do for the moment... The one I'm struggling to find a sound for is the Horwich Crab...

Just a quick update to my tales of woe with the LMS models, I got a replacement BR early crest model and it runs a dream, no clicking and no wobble, yes there might be small issues around the valve gear but I know that if I attempted to build a kit it would A cost more and B not look as good as the Bachmann model. With that in mind I'm now happy.

T-Cut on cotton buds, the clear stuff mind - not the coloured!

OK, I can give that ago. Just to clarify, the issue is the combination lever lifting up the radius rod slightly rather than swinging back and forth

After letting the 2nd model run in a little, it does seem to have improved and is much better than the first (which had a loud clicking) although I'm still not 100% happy with it. I've taken a couple of videos of each side running at the same speed (ss17/128). https://youtu.be/1axCI13zACQ https://youtu.be/-5ykCaVnkdQ Please feel free to comment or compare to others, I need to know if I'm being picky or if there is indeed an issue with joint of the radius rod / combination lever. Nathan

Well I'm disappointed to say the least! Picked mine up this afternoon and rushed home, fitted a chip and proceeded to 'run it in' and that's where the problems began. Straight away it was evident there was a clicking noise as it running, closer inspection showed it do be coming from the radius rod and combination link which was moving up and down rather than swing to and fro... so remove the chip, race back to the shop and exchanged it for another, back home fit chip... no click this time but definitely play / movement from the same place. This one runs smoother and quieter but it doesn't look right in motion and I think for £135 it ought to be so tomorrow it will be back to the shop again, this time for a refund!

The first thirty had a Midland-type “bell” whistle, but a Stanier Caledonian-type hooter was fitted to the final ten.

Not much to it, I didn't see it with the body off but was told it has a small zimo chip hard wired on the side of the motor (where the standard Hornby 4pin plug and socket would be) and the smallest sugar cube at the front where the Hornby chip goes - there's a bit extra room as it was designed to have a fly wheel. Also Jeremy at digitrains had added some extra pickups to aid current collection as there isn't much room for stay alive, although when I do mine I reckon if I ditch the NEM couplings I might get a capacitor between the frames at the back maybe...

Nope, all completely hidden within the body and nothing on show

I've just been to digitrains in Lincoln who have plenty in stock - and even a sound fitted one trundling around their layout!

Two places that I know have them... The KWVR shop at Haworth and Going Loco, Outwood, Wakefield.

I'll second that as I too picked up a length today and I must say the chair detail seem to me to be better than smp and c&l (think its the keys being visible in the chairs) - I now need to see if I can replace it's rail with either the HI-NI or SS versions available.

Not much room for sound! Not much room for sound!

Hopefully after the popularity of this model we will see a few more 'industrials' too, I quite fancy one of the Manchester ship canal 0-6-0t engines....

We may have kept pace in previous years but it should not a be a race to the bottom, if other industries aren't happy with our pay deals then they should organise and fight for their own, not attack us because of what we have got.

Good headline figure - who are you trying to kid 1.5% doesn't even come close to covering what we would lose by having annual leave in hours rather than days!

Lets hope for a rtr S160!

Green diesels... sounds like you need a slw's 24, rtr in EM lol

NER G5

Well although its an excellent model, Hornby's service department is frankly, rubbish. I emailed them over a week ago asking for replacement detail parts which weren't glued properly to the boiler, (they look like some sort of wash-out plug / mudhole cover and I've lost two of them). The reply I got was: Dear Sir Thank you for your email and apologies for the delay in responding to you. We now have a spares section on the Hornby web site, please see the link supplied- xxx If the parts you have requested are not on the site we have a network of Service Dealers across the UK that can supply spares if they are available. These can be viewed online at xxx Spares can also be obtained by mail order from: - AC Models on 02380 610100 or via email at info@acmodelseastleigh.co.uk - East Kent Models on 07854 094640 - Peters Spares on 01642 909794 or via email at sales@petersspares.com All spares are subject to availability. Kind Regards, Which seems like they haven't even read my email about the specific parts I want. I'm reluctant to return the model to the retailer as I've fitted scale couplings etc so I guess my final option would be to ask here if anyone knows a supplier that makes those parts in either brass or white metal?

Pic's please if you do