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Yeah it’s bound to be to very close to the tv version, giesl ejector and all.

And hopefully Peter Sam to follow at some point this year as well..

I don’t really have any affinity with it at all, probably because I don’t remember it from childhood holidays. I guess these passions often start from a young age. Thanks anyway though, I have heard it’s a really good model and reliable runner from these online forums.

Thanks Paul, good to know. Deep down I want to wait for the VoR locos to come out, but id have to base my layout on the VoR- I couldn’t bring myself to do anything else. The quarry Hunslet appeals as I could do a completely freelance layout and have fun with it. But how small would they actually be? And the Fourdees has appeal as in I could buy them now and devise a fun layout, but maybe I don’t have quite as much of an affinity for the locos there, nice as they look! Decisions...

What are people’s thoughts on Fourdees, can anyone recommend their locos? Have seen a distinct lack of feedback on them on forums. They look fantastic to me from looking at their website, but wondering if anyone owns one and can give their opinion? Hoping they’re as reliable as they are good to look at. In a bit of a three way quandary at the moment as to whether I wait and buy the yet to be released VoR locos, Bachmann quarry hunslets, or a Fourdees Russell and a couple of others.

Yes, I was wondering if it was possible to use an object rather than a ramp. I think Paul has answered that now below with the wire suggestion. Im planning an end to end layout, so would need to uncouple a loco regularly at each end of the layout before it runs back round its stock. Something like a piece of wire would appeal to me if it’s simple to do, as I wouldn’t need to stop the loco in exactly the right spot every time for a ramp or a magnet. Not sure exactly which way I’m going to go yet though. Magnets do appeal to me if they’re reliable and if I’m able to get the hang of stopping in the right place routinely. Would be interested to know peoples thoughts on which are the most reliable magnetic couplers also.

For manual uncoupling, am I right in thinking that the hook and loop couplings need an object underneath to push up and release them? And knuckle style couplings can be released by using a bamboo skewer to prise them open? Haven’t used either yet, just going on snippets I’ve read online. Which method is the easiest do people find?

It all looks absolutely fantastic, and you’re obviously very talented. Have you had issues coupling the carriages together like others have reported?

Thanks for that Bob. Haven’t got a layout or stock yet, and have been deliberating what to do about track for a while. I’d much prefer the set track as I’m a total beginner, but thought the Skarloey locos and carriages may be just a bit too long for 9” radii, but too short for the insulfrogs and stall. Sounds like they’re maybe just about ok in both regards though.

Hi Bob, all looks great. Just out of interest, I take it that Skarloey, Rheneas, and the red & blue narrow gauge coaches all run fine on the 9” curves? Also are you using the Peco set track insulfrog turnouts, and if so, have you had any problems with Skarloey & Rheneas stalling on the frogs?

No I haven’t yet, but will do. Thanks very much for that

Thanks for your help, moved the kit on in the end. I’m waiting for the Bachmann quarry hunslets to arrive and checking everyones’ reviews on here and on the NGRM. Probably going to end up getting those or the Skarloey/Rheneas line but who knows. Many Thanks again.

Yep all noted. I am a beginner, and was always planning on finding someone else to do the fixes for the loco. However the flexi track issue is probably going to be one spanner in the works too far, and it’s all my own fault for not checking before hand the lack of set track points going beyond 9” radii. Still pondering but I may return it to be honest. Thanks for everyone’s help, don’t want to take over this thread with my own issues any longer, cheers.

Yeah, I wholeheartedly agree with the last bit!

Ok, may buy a length of it and have a practice. Thanks for the advice on the pins also.

Thank you very much for your advice.

Thank you for your advice. If anyone’s going to mess it up then it’ll be me though trust me! Ive got a lot to ponder. May attempt to do it myself when the time comes to build the layout, or find someone else to. Also considering returning the loco. I was always planning on finding someone to modify the pony trucks and the connecting rods. That stuff is a million miles out of my capabilities, I just wanted to get the loco sorted out to start with and then learn how to maintain and take good care of them myself over the years. But now the issue of flexi track being involved is making me rethink everything especially as it’s still under guarantee. Of course the best thing ever would be a 3rd batch to cure all the issues, but it doesn’t sound too realistic. Moreover, even if Heljan did manage to do it, it’s a big stretch to imagine it passing through 9” turnouts successfully. It’s my own fault, I should have investigated the PECO set track configurations more closely before buying the loco. After all, even accounting for the issues with the loco, it was never intended for 9” turnouts even in the first place.

Thanks Paul. It was seeing yours and Nile NG’s fixes on here that convinced me to go ahead with the purchase of this loco, knowing there are people out there who’d be able to get the model sorted out and running reliably. Just a bit of a blow realising I’d have to have a bash at flexi track for the run round loops as I really don’t trust myself with it, and wanted to do all the track work myself using set track.

Yeah, thought as much to be honest Hobby. I have one still under warrantee but don’t have a layout yet. I’m fine with using the Peco 18” streamline turnouts in principle. My main issue thinking ahead is using them to form run round loops. This will be my first ever layout, I’m a total novice, and wanted to keep things as simple as possible. Therefore I had wanted to use set track throughout, and use 9” set track turnouts to form the run round loops. I’m now aware I’d have to learn how to cut flexi track to form the run round loops when using the stream line points which isn’t ideal as I know I’ll mess it up! So I’m in a bit of a quandary at the moment.

Paul RhB, do you think there’s any realistic prospect of Heljan releasing a 3rd batch of these locos to address these issues you mention?

Hi everyone, I’ve recently bought the Langley Models Darjeeling Himalayan loco body kit. However I can’t seem to find the Arnold 0-6-0 n gauge chassis needed to complete it. Wondering if anyone knows where I could get it from, or if there are any other chassis out there that would fit and do the job also? I read somewhere online that the Arnold chassis is somewhat poor in operation anyway, so I was wondering if people had an opinion on whether my best bet would be to: - persevere in finding the Arnold chassis - use another chassis (don’t know if this would be possible) - go with a scratch built chassis - try and wait for a backwoods kit for the loco to come up somewhere (something I’ve been doing for a while but with no luck). With regards to the final option I don’t suppose anyone knows of any update to whether any of the backwoods kits are to be re-released, the DH B Class loco in particular? Thanks for your time.

Thanks 009, nice idea about the early era Talyllyn, something to bear in mind. RJS1977, I will contact 7mmnga online and take it from there. I don’t suppose Model Rail said when the limited edition model will be released, whatever it is?

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and advice. Finally made a decision, the lure of the Bachmann narrow gauge was too strong so I’m planning to buy the Skarloey & Rheneas models. The fact they’re RtR, good runners so I’m told, and the fact that I’ve seen how good people out there can do paint jobs on them has sealed it for me. I’m planning to buy them soon and then once the little one starts pre-school, build a small simple layout just to give them regular runs with the view to building something larger and more scenic longer term. I’m also going to buy the conversion accessory packs for each, with the view to having them repainted and lined at some point also. This means I’ll be selling my assembled 7mm scale TR locos. If anyone on here could tell me how I’d go about getting them valued (because I honestly have no idea how to start), that would be great. The big risk for me here is that Bachmann don’t go on to release Sir Handel, Peter Sam & Duncan, but that’s a risk I’m going to have to take. And if they don’t, and then in a few years time somebody decides to make RtR VoR locos, then I’ve got another decision to make. Thanks for all your help and patience, as you can tell I’m not really a modeller at all yet- but hope to be at some point in the future.

Thanks so much for the replies to my rambling original post! Still haven’t made my mind up, and 009 micro yes I’m very tempted to wait and see on the VoR situation. May be a risk worth taking. Thanks for the advice Jim, and if I do go down the Bachmann narrow gauge route with these models then I think that’s what I’ll do, test them once a year or so. Anglian, no I hadn’t really considered the garden seriously before. I see your point as I’d have more space and they’d be less prone to getting damaged as they would in he house. However my problem is more time at the moment (apart from writing long rambling posts on this forum it seems!) Something to consider though possibly. Many thanks to all. I’m in a proper quandary over this but will take a bit more time to think. Will definitely visit these forums for information as I go along.