the fuzzler

Does this apply to any of the class 57 models ?

Thank you Dave, this forum really benefits from input from those like yourself. I've been "frustrated" in the past about your "batch run system" having just missed out on a 67 first time round. I suppose its just a matter of waiting, but it seems to be a feature of the whole market at the moment - all manufacturers seem to make small batches and if you dont get one straight away, you wont get one. Good luck with the Brit anyway - not up my street, but pleased to see any model that makes a genuine advance for the hobby.

Very nice ! Interesting pic, long gone times

Have to say that I'm so impressed by what I've seen on here and read on other websites that I'm going to be spending some money on these. Wasn't planning on modelling AC electrics, but with a catenary system (ok, the poles) and nice DCC friendly and well detailed models, I'm putting OO on hold and joining the n gauge mob for a micro layout. Interesting times. All I'll say is Dapols effort looks a lot better than the mess and lost opportunity that Heljan have with their effort. Well done.

Indeed, although it doesn't look as notcieable to the naked eye, the camera has been very cruel. Don't get me wrong, I voted with my cash and decided it was worth it. It's lovely.

If you fancy a challenge get your hands on Heljan 14. I struggled to finally get a chip and wiring harness in (TCS D2pXUK doesn't fit). I'd like to see what an expert thinks about it......!

Right then, fired up the computer again to do an image trawl (most of my stuff on here is posted via mobile phone) and its true, CoT does have balance weight in different postions on each axle. Well I never ! And yes, i was talking cock ! Anyone know why the balance weights would need to be fitted like this (and don't say to balance the engine and its hammer blow/track forces....!)

I did do a search for "city of truro balance weights" and that brought up lots of irrelevent stuff, and nothing from the thread. And that thread seems to have many pages of wibble about "its too expensive" and stuff about its livery. So I think (hope) that this is virgin territory ! Jenny Emily - point taken about the balance weights being for the con rods inside the frames etc, but I've never seen a steam loco with balance weights in different positions on different axles. It doesn't look right, and I can't see why the weight would be in a different posiiton.

Right then, the combination of me being off work, the wife at work and young Gaylord being in nursery has finally occurred and I've got round to testing/decoder fitting a backlog of stock. I've just tested my CoT, which runs well straight out of the box. But whilst on the rollers, something struck me about the balance weights on the driving wheels. I've not seen the prototype, and I've not seen a clear picture on the web, but their positioning looks wrong. As I type, CoT has its cranks facing the 10 o clock postition. But the balance weights, instead of being at the expected 4 o'clock position, are at eight o' clock on the leading axle, and 6 o'clock on the trailing one. Is this right ? I could, of course, be talking cock, and am more than willing to be correcteted

Have to say that my green D9500 is a beautiful runner even without being run in. Its silent and will crawl exceptionally slowly, second only to my Hornby 08. I've put the Hornby 8249 chip in (see my DCC thread about the "fun" with that, a really awkward installation in my opinion) and it seems better under DCC than it was with a gaugemaster 12v controller. On the Bachmann rollers there is a very slight wobble, but it doesn't affect the running on my straight test track at all. Talking of wobbles, I've built up a collection of standard steam classes plus the odd one of interest to me for my 2preserved2 layout. Maybe I've been unlucky, but 25% of these have had to be replaced due to wobbly axles. The worst is a Hornby Black 5, bought late last year and only tested today. the middle axle is miles out. Anyone else DCC's one...surely ? Did you have fun ? And how do you put the headcode blinds in ? My headcode glasses are very firmly stuck in, and you can't ping them out from outside the loco thanks to them being a 2x2 digit design with a bit of body in the middle !

Mines still in the box from pre xmas so not tested yet, and don't want to fiddle too much until I sort out a foam cradle thing to assist in dismantling. I was not too interested in Tornado, until I saw her in the flesh rolling into Leeds. That, plus Clarkson's trip on her, swung it for me. Now then - commercial confidence be damned - I bet this has been a belting seller for Bachmann. Any ideas how many have been sold ?

Have to agree with that...many of my books mention them coming down to Victoria. And knowing how "resourceful" NH were/are....I'm sure its a possibility. by the way, as a "local" and one time driver over the Oldham Loop, I'm a big fan of your layout. How are your withdrawal symptoms now that the lines closed ? I'm cheating. I have decided to model a interchange with a preserved railway shed in the background. I can run my units, and the railway has the only full collection of BR standards and one-off diesels in the country......yes I bought my Clan from Tim at Shaw and its a belter. now for the new Bachmann tank to come along, together with the 15 and 14......

It seems to have broken cover and become official now. My Railway Modeller, (December ? With the DVD on the front) carries Heljan's full page advert and its rather prominent. At this rate, Hattons will be taking pre orders before the end of the week..............

Do we know if these are a limited edition or s "standard" model ? I'm really taken aback by this. Lion would sell on "wow" factor, as Kestrel and Falcon have done. I can't see the point in replicating this small class with a limited operating area (gn main line?) amd short life. And only a proportion of that was spent in the condition that Heljan will model it in, following the real things rebuild. Or can they get round it with just an interchangeable nose. On the model, that is ! I'd love to know the reasoning behind it, as I can't think of another main line class that was so "limited" in its operation/timescale of operation - class 17 possibly excepted. Ok, one did survive into departmental use, but even so Do Heljan intend to corner the "niche" model market - it'll be a class 77 or 84 next ! Not moaning, just very intrigued as to why the 23 made the grade.

Blimey....not even on the Heljan website yet !! Very odd choice, would say that Lion was the firm favourite for next release. Another model to hide from mrs Fuzzler then. Next layout will be a preserved railway interchange....I can run my units and have all sorts of tackle out and about on the "preserved" bit.... If memory serves, I thing that the real 23 ran under the same bogie as the 20s, and they already know about 20 bogies from their O gauge excursions, possibly making it a little easier/cheaper to produce. Lion has nothing in common with anything they (or any other model manufactuere come to think of it) has made before.