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Could you look at going into talks with Cavalex to see if the MK4 part of their binned project could be resurrected? As at the moment, we don’t have a top drawer MKIV (or even a MKIII) to run with the 89 (if it went ahead) or Hornby’s 91. 66738

Oh yesssss indeedy!!!! I’ll have have one of each of the entire fleet please. 66738

I don’t think it’s a bad attempt at weathering either. In the early days of Colas, they seemed to keep their locos very clean but that weathering is spot on for today’s colas fleet. 66738

I’m not convinced anyone has got the 1st Generation DMU sound spot on yet. I’m not aware of a sound profile that has the change in engine sound as it goes from idle to 1st gear being selected. To assist in getting across what I mean, 0:29 seconds in. Although from memory, the sound is probably more pronounced on this Train Sim link below than in real life, there definitely is this change in engine sound. I’m willing to stand corrected if it has been replicated. The rasp of some exhausts compared to others is demonstrated at 1:30. 66738

18 sets in total I believe. I’m sad that I didn’t get to savour my last drive on a 144 (006) last Thursday Huddersfield - Bradford - Huddersfield. The end came more abruptly than any of us ever thought. 66738

I think we all say things on here in the spur of the moment, then maybe we reflect on it and come to the decision that perhaps what had been said was maybe not getting across our point quite how we would like. Charlie deleted his post after cs233 had quoted it, and given a good argument why it was not really fair to compare the old Hornby product to what will be a state of the art Realtrack unit. I think this shows Charlie reflected on what he had said and acted to ‘take his views back’. As a fellow Yorkshireman, I can say that we are fairly blunt and to the point. Especially when money and value for money become involved. “How much?!!!!” Is often in our thought process. I’m sure a lot of you have come across Charlie in person at shows/exhibitions and he sure is a character. Blunt, to the point and quite different to other vendors. Allowances for his unusual personality are often taken into account as offence could easily be taken by unsuspecting individuals. I wish I’d never started this whole debate off. I was just wanting to highlight the demand out there for the 142. I did not want to create any ill feeling on this board. 66738

I have just noticed that an auction for a Hornby 142, in Northern livery (R3140?) ended the other day on a popular auction site, and it amazingly went for £268 (inc postage)! I admit it is a fairly rare model but that price surely indicates that the Realtrack offering will prove to be popular and do very well indeed. 66738

I’ll just take the drive shafts out and perhaps the motor too. I intend to put an old v3.5 sound chip in, and just have it ticking over in the train formation as it would have been. I don’t see why it would need a more sophisticated chip. 66738

The modern railway scene is not really my thing, but it surely can’t be long until saloon ‘Caroline’ is announced by someone. Accurascale’s 37/4 would be the perfect accompaniment to her. 66738

Yes, the same for me. My heart did a little flutter when I opened the email, but I breathed a sigh of relief when I realised they were not 80’s/90’s versions. 66738

Yes, the Welsh ones got modified to LED + Zenon wipacs (Just like the 144’s did) but the Northern 142’s always kept the original style wipacs. MHT THM 66738

2011/2012/2013 ish? 66738

Yes this. The second mans side (day/Right) headlight was not connected. Only drivers side (left/Night) was wired up. This was the only headlight. 142015 had a new rotary 5 position switch fitted, and the 2nd mans side headlight wired up. The wipac units themselves were not changed. 66738

That is excellent news Charlie. Apart from the Welsh 142’s, yes, the Up North 142’s only had the old style Wipac lights. Unlike the 144 units, with Right/day, Left/Night, Tails, Markers functions, the 142 originally had the 4 position desk switch. Off. Tails. Markers. Head (left/night only). This was fine, until the one and only headlight failed. If a portable headlight was not at hand (normal operation was permitted), if only markers were lit, and perhaps a bardic on the lamp bracket, line speed was limited to 20mph. Not ideal at all! It was not until the 1st incarnation of Northern that saw one vehicle of 142015 fitted with trial Right/day, Left/night, marker, off, 5 position switch. (And the right/day light cluster headlight wired up). The trial was deemed a success. And after a while, all 142’s were fitted with said switch, and wipac mod. 66738

Charlie. Would you give any consideration to having the 142 with lit marker lights rather than printed on. It was my only gripe about the wonderful 156. I would have paid a bit more to cover the cost to give lit markers. Next to the Hornby 153, or Bachmann 150, the Realtrack 156 wipacs look odd, and for me is a real shame. 66738

This could end up being very expensive. Fingers crossed I have a couple of years to save up! 66738

Gloucester is unfortunately the furthest South West I’ve found. 66738

I had to have a quick look at photos of 37043 just to convince myself that she did from time to time venture away from Scotland. Evidence of her at Ipswich in 1986, and at Gloucester in 1987 were enough for me to order. 66738

Your efforts will result in us having our house repossessed because I can’t keep up with mortgage payments. I hope you are happy with yourselves! 66738

Although I wasn’t in the market for a 91, I’m sad that Cavalex have been worried to such an extent by Hornby’s plan that they won’t be progressing with the project. I can see why you would have second thoughts about it, as it’s a large initial outlay of money. You’re money. Not the modellers (yet). Any project is a gamble but as soon as Hornby made their announcement, that gamble suddenly got a lot larger. But I think you would have done alright if you had stuck with it. A high fidelity model like you was planning would have its own market and Hornby’s (I would anticipate lower spec 91) would have their own market. A bit like Hattons class 66, Bachmann class 66 and Hornby class 66. And because you were doing the whole lot, MK 4, DVT and Loco, I’d guessed you would have faired far better than Hornby. Who would want a 91 by itself? But I totally understand your decision, as Hornby could announce anytime that by the way, new tool MK4’s and 82/2 DVT are planned also. That would have left you in a precarious position. One I’d not want your great little outfit to face. Take stock, reflect and go again with a new project, and hopefully no one would scupper your plans for that. Good luck for the future lads. 66738

Hi Alan. Yes, I could easily do the wire handrail part but it’s the guard part that wouldn’t be easy. I’ll bide my time and wait. Something will come up. Not all 58’s were fitted with the guards but as far as I know, all Heljan 58’s came with them to fit, weather the prototype had them or not. Someone one day will not require them and put them on an auction site. Fingers crossed! 66738

I too hope someone takes on a spares service. Bought quite a few Heljan bits and pieces from Howes over the years. But a lately I have noticed quite a lot of parts unavailable. Have been waiting a good while for the class 58 Handrail guard sprue to become available again but alas it seems they never will now. 66738

Hmmm. Running facing road through Hebden Bridge, or for some reason these have hooked on the rear, and are going to go over the signalled main to main cross over back towards Milneroyd Junction. Great picture. 66738

I’ll just echo what has already been said. Absolutely superb. Just requires about 6 more to look a decent rake. Already looking forward to run number 2 with different numbers! Nudge nudge, wink wink Fran & Co. 66738

There isn’t that much that I’d like from Bachmann this time. The longtime wish for a Class 104 DMU still stands, and original Spinterman livery 150/2, but I appreciate the front gangway door window would be an issue. Mk 1 FO White roof IC charters but perhaps Hornby have a better chance of that coming to fruition. Mk 2B/C coaches. Maybe another run of Blue+Grey and/or Intercity Executive Mk 2F TSO’s to extend the rake to 6 (or 7 if you add Buffet car). Another couple of FFA’s to make the minimum 5 rake. and that’s about it. 66738