atom3624

Hornby lack of crank throw annoys me a lot. With the plastic-centred older wheels this can be lightly 'tweaked'. The other way is to slightly adjust the profile of the crank, to increase / decrease the throw that way. Al.

Any update? Still 'due Q2 2024'? Al.

Will this have an operational fan as well as the Class 31? Can this be switched on/off via dip switch settings on the DC only versions? Al.

Don't forget 'Diesel 10' !!

I have so much 'pre-ordered' gear that I just couldn't, but these look absolutely fantastic!! Wonderful job, and that's just from the impression given - no idea what the actual locomotive was like, but I'm sure it'll be pretty close! Al.

Was a 50 ever in Thomas the Tank engine? Probably too new? Al.

Can we start a countdown - to arrival / possible delivery yet? .... Just asking 🙃 Al.

Funny, but just to clarify, as a question is Evening Star included in the 1st shipment, anticipated sometime very soon ... please? Thanks, Al.

'Evening Star' wasn't there? Al.

Batch 1 still on for April? Al.

Apparently 'loading an Atlas V rocket' .... Antonov AN124.

😶

Looking very fine indeed - nice job, comments above excepted. Will the fan be 'dip switch operational' as the Class 31? Al.

Like the 1:1 will have the odd tub of grease on them, a little drop or 3 of oil would work wonders on these too! It was only in jest - smile! Al.

Just that extra step which A/S take to making things look more realistic I reckon! How many 1:1 coupling have you seen in absolutely pristine condition, and over years ... 🙂 ? Al.

+1 on Pmorgancym. Operation of model locomotives is a 'mutual understanding' between the design, and the operator. If it runs on a little, like with a built in stay alive for DC operation, it's little more than an exaggerated flywheel effect, but it could assist greatly in running small wheelbase locomotives over points at 'prototypical speeds', not sped up to compensate for lack of pickup. Al.

Is the nail not restricting movement in the reverse direction? I find the main issues with kinematic coupling being simply to ensure free and smooth movement, and also to match the tension lock 'hook' dimensions as closely as possible - there are a huge number of very slight variations which can throw this operation off at times. Al.

Just seen the latest update on this 2nd run project for the Deltic 55 - Q3 anticipated now. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop - news always available on the A/Scale site updates section. Al.

One nice detail I appreciate if/when seen and applied well, is 'wiper wear / smears' on the screens - plus the associated dirt around the areas not wiped. I sometimes have a minor issue with the kinematic coupling if it's been static for a while, so I invert and HoG physically moves it side-to-side up to 20 times, then it works just fine, with no derailments, and my Bachmann 100-tonne TEA bogie tankers are sensitive to these couplings as well. I've not had any issues with the sand pipes either. Sort-of got used to the gentle 'clicking' as the bogies turn. Al.

That weathering makes them look even more realistic - fantastic job - both you, and of course CavAlex. Al.

Totally agree - nice to see 'characters' inside the cabs. If there's a problem with the CavAlex 56, it's too well put together!! Most complain of 'finding bits in the box' when a new locomotive arrives. Nothing with mine, and virtually nothing mentioned with anybody in this thread. This holds true for the chairs in the cab I've found! They're REALLY well glued in place. 'Gentle persuasion' didn't work, so as a chair was included in the Modelu figures, I ended up breaking them off then drilling out the 'stumps', slightly enlarging, and simply gluing the Modelu figures in position. When I'm putting nameplates on bodies - each to their own - I spread out the smallest slither of black-tack and carefully press onto where needed. It does mean if I catch it when HoG (Hand of .. ) required, it may move a fraction, but easily re-positioned. Al.

TBH I've accumulated all sorts of paints over the years - mainly acrylic. I painted the shoes, chairs and 'dotted' the eyes in black. Eyes after a cream, red mix for skin colour on the hands and faces. Overalls were a mixed dark blue - I simply used Rail Blue plus a little black .... I then used the paint in an orange paint pen for the Hi-Vis jackets over the dark blue jackets. Hair - I've used black on one, copper on another!! Just to be different. The thought was there, the effect sort of! Hope that helps!! I'm no artist, and many on here will be miles better, but I'm quite pleased with the result. Al.

LoL! Sounds about right. Al.

I've fitted the Modelu crew into my 56. It got me thinking what 'other detail' might be of interest, so thought of newspapers - always saw the drivers carrying one or 2 when mounting the cabs at Lime Street in the late 70's. Thing is, the size of them. Tabloids are 17x11" (~6x4 mm) and Broadsheets are 27x22" (~9x8 mm). I copied and pasted BBC front page presentations onto a Word document, then reduced the size - might work for an effect at least. Al.

I've mentioned my principal locomotive interests for the 'to do' list. If you were to stick with GWR, an obvious one would be the 14xx. Another which could be considered, would be the County Class 4-6-0 - they have been produced but not recently. Al.