CCGWR

Hi Jack, Yes, decoders are becoming more expensive, although, nowadays I get most of my locos fitted by Kernows or Hattons, depending on where I get them or I order the standard Hattons decoder and fit it myself. I think you could get them from DCC supplies at one stage but they seem to have run out of stock. A shop over in New South Wales called Casula Hobbies has them but they are $67 AUD each, bit expensive for my liking. You could get them from TCS directly which are about $37 (US) each but that's my suggestion, I reckon the standard Hattons one is a similar style and would fit too. Good Luck Connor

Good to see that you are back with some more locos Jack, has been a while and it is always enjoyable viewing this thread. From memory, I have fitted a number of M7s with TCS DP2X-UK decoders which are direct 'plug and plays' and didn't involve any weight removing. Hope this helps. Connor

Agreed, no Competition there. a C38 (streamlined) is my choice for the tender variety. British tank wise, probably an A5. Connor

The Most Elegant 4-6-0 has to be a Great Western Hall (with 4000g Collett tender) without a doubt, probably followed by a Castle. For me there are a number of better looking LNER 4-6-0s than the B17, not well proportioned with those big wheels, a Thompson B1 has a much better balance to it. A B12/3 or a GCR 4-6-0 have to be my picks for a LNER based ten wheeler. Connor

I would say that the Billiton E4 is the probably the most attractive 0-6-2 Tank. As a Great Western fan I find it a bit challenging not to nominate a product of Swindon but I just don't think the 56xx are particularly good looking locos, probably because of the intended freight use instead of the more graceful lines of Passenger 0-6-2 Tanks. Cheers Connor

Graceful has to be the GW 2800 but I would say the 2884 is better looking just from the cab perspective. However, the 47xx is the best, just beasts, especially with a Collett 4000g tender. Connor

Atlantic has to be an LBSCR H2 (in Southern Green, not that awful Brown). Connor

Here's my two bobs on the 2-6-0. GWR 43xx best, hands down. Also don't mind the look of the LBSCR Ks, they have a purposeful look about them. Don't mind the look of most moguls that I think of it although never thought much of the LNER K3, too out of proportion. Connor

I found a picture of #4903 Astley Hall at Oxford in 1956 in what is supposedly BR Mixed Traffic lined black but it is unlined with no emblem on the tender and just lining present on the loco, mind you it is in fairly clean, presentable condition. The book is L.Waters 'Great Western Halls and Modified Halls' Thought it might be if interest to you. Connor

Not sure any Halls ran in plain black in BR days as were lined in red and white when painted in black. From the mid 50s they were painted in lined green. In saying that some may have carried the GWR Wartime Black into early BR days with the lettering changed but I'm not 100% sure about that. Connor

Thanks for that, it is only on this piece of track and it seems to stay on the track around the tightest curves (and they are some tight ones!) and the track does drop rather than lift on the derail hotspot ((he other end where it lifts slightly seem to cope better). I might consider something similar to you as you are right the flanges are very fine. Connor

No I haven't, will have a look with a gauge and see if that fixes things

Has anyone had trouble with the pony-truck of the 47xx derailing on slightly suspect track. Mine is notorious for derailing even at slow speeds on the lift up section, unfortunately it is difficult to get this track absolutely perfect because of the need of it to move (lift up and down), temperature changes don't help either. In saying this all other locos behave 99% of the time and I have seen worse track. I have tried adding some weight to the truck in the shape of some small bits of lead sheet but there isn't a whole lot of room and it made no difference. It doesn't derail normally either as it just jumps off. Some solutions would be greatly appreciated Connor

The Tender, Peter's Spares have apparently been waiting for a while for the Star screw on back order and haven't heard from their supplier. I might end up looking for a Grange one Connor

Thanks, that looks about right, pity they are out of stock. I doubt Star and Castle stuff would differ under the skin. Connor

Hi Everyone, Does anyone know where to get a spare tender draw-bar screw for a Hornby Castle (most recent tooling) I assume the screw is fairly standardised across the range, if so what is the code? I have one that is missing one and I can't use it if it is only connected by the decoder wires. Connor

Jack, my experience with weathering has been getting rid of the stuff with ISO and going over with acrylics but that is weathering not repaints and sometimes that needs to be done 2-3 times. I saw Tim Shackleton did a weathering article on a Bachmann Class 24 which was covered in oil and he soaked it in normal household cleaner (like you have? I am not familiar with Simple Green) and then vinegar because apparently it neutralises the oil but I am yet to try it. If you do use this method I would be interested in the results. Good Luck. Connor

Looks Fantastic as Always Richard. Will you consider getting the new Bachmann 121 when it is fully released as a comparison to the Dapol model? I have a Dapol 122 which was great until it decided to play funny with decoders. Brilliant weathering on the models, I very much enjoyed the video! Connor

They would be handy! Connor

I have just made one of the older releases of signal work by a reed switch (so passing contact) in the track so it is purely controlled by the trains as I wanted it to return to danger automatically. Yes it is not prototypical but I didn't want to have to switch it by DCC or push button every time a train went past. Just thought I would comment on my effort. Connor

Basically, I am happy with the 4000g tender because I like the look of the Stars with a 4000g Collett tender, hence why I bought it (4013). As I mentioned, my issue now is steam pipes, not tenders. 4004 and 4007 would be the ideals and as far as I know I have photos (in L. Watters book) of them both in the 1940s with 4000g tenders but (to give me flexibility in time bracket) have elbow steam pipes. Connor

Thanks again, everyone. I can basically get away with the ones you all mentioned from 4000-4020 (they have the same front end 'box' over the inside cylinders, anything after had a different design (4012 and 4017 were allocated to Newton Abbot (bit far) and Swindon (similar reason) respectively), so some other options would be good. Obviously, I know about the ones built into Castles and some were withdrawn, have to weed those out. One thing that would give me a little more flexibility would be the ability to add elbow steam pipes, but I can't find any. Does anyone know where to find them or how to make them? Connor

Could very well go to 1948 Jack, as you say it would give a bit more variation but still with plenty in pre-nationalisation colours. End of the day it is up to you. Connor

Thanks for that, yes I have ordered it. I basically just need one that would have been fitted with a 4000 gallon tender but retained inside steam pipes until 1948. I will study the book once it arrives. Connor

Hi Everyone, I am asking to know if anyone knows a list as to when each Star class received a Collett 4000 Gallon tender. I understand they started receiving them in the mid 1930s. Trying to nail down one that had received one by 1942 with inside steam pipes. 4021, 'British Monarch' would be ideal (because of allocation at the time). I am keen renumbering/naming 4013 which is currently very cheap on Kernows. Connor