atom3624

Any sign of 'the boat' yet? Just asking!! Al.

I reckon a certain manufacturer's class comprising 200 editions should be considered ... sorry ... BUMP ... Class 40 bump !! Oh, and let's look at Fowler and Stanier's finest - Parallel Scot (tapered boilered Hornby Scot is excellent) and various versions of the Jubilee. The 8F's another that's been mentioned quite a lot, and I agree, a new version of this very popular locomotive would go down very well. Al.

I find the Dapol Class 68 motors fail in a very similar manner - brush related. I have 2x TPE 68's. Brutus is on her 3rd motor, Splendid her 2nd. Part of that is poor brush alignment somebody once observed I think. Al.

Is it possible that the end bushing at the brushes end has been over lubricated, some weeping through to the brushes, POSSIBLY softening them, causing them to both arc and also break up more easily - filling in the gaps between the segments of the commutator? Or possibly they're too hard / fragile - the converse - which has caused them to fragment? The motor seems to be a very good one. When I had brushed R/C modified motors, there were different brush options - Cu impregnated, etc - harder but apparently better, but required you to clean the commutator more frequently as they arced more - something you really want to avoid. Much of this related to people not 'bedding in' the brushes before applying 'full beans'. One way of breaking / bedding in new brushes was to run the motor on light power, in water ... Al.

Is there a confirmed date when these are available - M1 or just Q1 2024? Al.

Brushless motors can generally be compared to a tuned engine - LESS torque low down (where you need it) but (depending on turns, wire thickness, etc) considerably more powerful, and higher revving in general cf brushed - from many years 'playing' with R/C cars and trucks! I don't think use of a BL motor would be a benefit to a heavy goods locomotive with a general need for low down torque, not top speed. Al.

Just popped up as a news story on the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67731853 Al.

How about ..... Starting a trend to model diecast warbird aircraft in 1:76.2, not just the current 1:72? On a similar lateral thinking front, how about a modern rendition of Minic cars and trucks - making a flexible system which can utilise existing Oxford model cars as well? These of course could drive onto wagons ... self powered, or transporting slots to advance all at fixed speeds. Al.

I always liked the blue/yellow Rapid Fit Mondeo (thanks to PistonHeads.com): Otherwise, my shortlist remains the same: Stanier Jubilee, Parallel Boiler Royal Scot, Class 40 ... agreed the 8F needs an update, and haulage capacity to suit. Al.

Could try the 'squirrel concept' ... there's quite a lead time .... just a thought. Al.

Fair comment and understood.

Sun-bleached red - over 50 years' of use perhaps?

I still want a decent model of a Parallel Scot and Jubilee ... never mind. Al.

I'm sure this will be a fantastic model, but for me, there's little 'wrong' with my Bachmann model. It's almost a natural 'best seller', a bit like the Class 47, 66, and dare I say it, Class 40 diesels! Al.

I enjoy my light pacific 'spam cans', agreed, but the lights, and rebuilt heavies are really quite old now. Question is, are we certain this new steamie will be a larger locomotive, or yet another small / industrial / station pilot? Al.

Each to their own opinions, all perfectly valid. Many have been brought up commuting using MU's, whether 'D', 'E' or hybrid. These are very hard-working units and a mainstay on the mainlines of UK, but personally I find them totally without character and frankly boring. HST, 220/221, 390, 395 excepted. Model railways has always been exaggerated with an excessive number of locomotives hauling coaches or wagons for me, however invalid. Al.

I'd be careful to avoid silly replies, but I'd just look at Clarks, Hattons and others, plus of course Ebay itself to see what they're going for in similar condition to your own. Al.

Is there any sign / chance of Gordon returning to steam? Al.

Born in 1960 myself, I don't remember any green diesels, but perhaps steam went out later in the Liverpool area, with the Black 5's and 8F's ... then my frequently observed, daily locomotives seen, and same choice, were the 25's and 40's. Al.

If they're sticking to a GWR theme, then the County Class 4-6-0 could be considered ....

If we're looking at 'old super detail' then the rebuilt Merchant Navy locomotives are overdue .... Al.

This is definitely one of those rare beasts which is 'so extreme' it's a definite must have - biggest, most powerful - always a justification somewhere!! Who doesn't want to see 'how many' they can haul as well? 😄 Even if sat in a siding much of the time, the immense size just dwarfs 'normal' medium-sized locomotives. Al.

I'd still prefer a Parallel Scot, or a Jubilee - it's only one locomotive 'with variants'. The Hornby 8F still looks good - but doesn't haul that much!

Fran's hint was 'plenty of variants', so if larger, surely it just has to be a Jubilee? Al.

I'm more a West Coast than East Coast fan, yet have models of 'both sides'. I left the LMS Garratt, but had been hoping one day somebody would build the 'British Big Daddy', and finally they're going to. I've pre-ordered one - just had to!! Al.