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Posts posted by andyman7
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I think 3D prints might be the way to go as there still seems to be a complete absence of a range of UK streetlamps, the Bachmann Scenecraft ones being the only ones I know of that look British rather than international. There were a number of distinctive designs, especially the CU or Stanton concrete posts which were everywhere at some time but have almost completely disappeared in the last 20 years.
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2 hours ago, ERIC ALLTORQUE said:
The 66 is the model for today and as it was looked at as the red death when they came in force it is the Marmite of locos for the late 90,s modeller. the only ones i did not buy are this and the green freightliner.Just good to see them start to arrive and no list of this that and the other moans that they are not 110% perfect in every way.
Just like 47s back in the day. We'll miss 'em when they're gone....
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When setting a back to back for Triang wheels if refitting them to the axles I always aim for 14.1-14.2 mm for running on modern Code 100 set track
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Although I have a large boxfile of decals acquired over the years I didn't have any Rail Alphabet 'D's so took the opportunity to order a complete set of loco decals for D5165 from Railtec. The only shortcoming on the sheet was that it included 7 electrification flashes but D5165 needs eight as it had three on each end, so I had to borrow an additional one from another sheet. Then the process of adding in other details including the 'translucent' section of roof
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I have a 'thing' for Class 25s as I remember them well from the London end of the WCML in the 70s and 80s. These days we are well served with RTR models but the sheer variety of body styles, modifications and variations mean that there are all sorts of opportunities for modelling.
One variant not yet modelled at all by anyone in RTR is the Class 25/0 - essentially a Class 24/1 body style with only one underbelly tank and (in real life) with the uprated Sulzer engine. This body style included a 'skirt' as built; Bachmann reflect this on their early Green livery Class 24s and omit them from the blue ones. The biggest weakness of the original Bachmann Class 24 and Class 25 models in my eyes is the 'false' underframe under the body that is absent from the real locomotive (the newer ones correct this error).
I like modifying models but am a bit of a tightwad when it comes to carving up £150 superdetail models so when I acquired a neatly done Class 25/0 conversion from one of the earlier Bachmann 24s (with correct style headcode boxes having been very neatly added) I was eager to add it to my projects pile. However, early non-yellow end green is far too early for my memories or modelling period. However, the wonderful DerbySulzers website not only had some decent images of 25/0s in blue but revealed that at least 3 of the class had received full rail blue whilst retaining their full skirts and the original exhaust ports for a short period.
https://www.derbysulzers.com/25015.html
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18 hours ago, Steamport Southport said:
Made In India!
Just went through about twenty boxes.
Jason
The Airfix moulds have been to various places, for many years after Haldane Place closed the kits were made by Heller in France. Nowadays most Airfix kits are made in India but there are other locations that get used (occasionally UK as well). Making plastic kit is vey different to making an RTR loco, the process consists of moulding, breaking down the sprues to 'box' size (newer moulds generally have the frames set to the box size to aid this) and boxing with instructions and transfers. There isn't the skilled assembly and soldering requirement so kit making is still pretty well dispersed across the globe.
2 hours ago, Bernard Lamb said:What puzzles me is why people buy stuff from China via ebay. If you do want to get involved in that market, then the margins are much better using ali express, or dealing with a company directly. The volume of model trains that could be sold, seems to make it unatractive for people in China to contemplate a punt. At least not in a large way. The Chinese are certainly aware that Hornby, for example, have been known to get quantities very wrong and have had to resort to fire sales. It is actually a brownie point for Dapol that that they are considered worthy of attention.
Bernard
Frankly if you need some screws and they're 99p shipped 'shopping around' is likely more effort than its worth
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1 hour ago, decauville1126 said:
Way back in time there were "error" Models of Yesterday coming direct out of the back door of their factory such as different paint colours, canopies moulded in different colours, etc. I also some some Triang (pre-Hornby) bodyshells shot in clear plastic but never knew if they were back-door-to-order or test shots of some sort.
The Triang ones would have been test shots but shouldn't have left the factory. I remember a factory visit to the Margate plant in 1984 where in one corner they were grinding up unused Scalextric bodyshells to stop them 'leaking' out of the factory.
3 minutes ago, 34theletterbetweenB&D said:Such things happened in dear old Blighty of which I have had direct experience, and doubtless everywhere else in the world with any significant manufacturing. In many ways it is easier in really large operations, more appropriately skilled people among whom to find the 'recruits' to put in the extra hours, turn a blind eye, and perform other essential roles.
Sorry if this sounds cynical, but I have had training in this field.
There are tales of the 'back door' trade in Meccano and Dinky Toys out of the Binns Road factory in Liverpool when industrial relations were poor and times were hard
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On 28/03/2024 at 03:53, DCB said:
Those springs look very long for Mainline. It's a long time since I had one apart but I don't remember the brush being a cylinder I thought it had a reduced diameter where the springs engaged like the Hornby ones. When you get it running I would suggest putting it on eBay quickly before the wheels fall off. Fitting pickups from frame to the back of one of the wheels each side helps and kept my 03 chassis going for the past 20 years my only surviving Mainline loco, which oddly enough replaced a Bachmann 03 chassis which the wheels fell off... ,
No, the mainline brushes were simple cylinders and didn't have the taper like Hornby/Lima. The springs tend to end up quite compressed in a Mainline motor but are quite long before fitting. I've still got a original replacement brush and spring set sent to me by Palitoy in 1982...
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1 hour ago, Fredo said:
Hi, it would be good if there was a model of the experimental 47601/901. Fred
1 hour ago, rob D2 said:No manufacturer have ever done that …limited number, colours and geographical area may scupper the idea
47901 is a perfect candidate for some actual modelling, whether your start point is a £35 Lima model or a £200 Bachmann one
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On 28/03/2024 at 07:50, drduncan said:
Imrex85 at Wembley conference centre. Tge Coombe Merlin layout was there…
Duncan
Ooh yes I remember that Wembley show. My friend's father was on one of the stands there promoting SEEP point motors - he was one of the founders, having helped set up the operation when the H&M works shut down in the early 80s. I can remember going round to my friend's house and seeing SEEP motors being soldered up on a workbench.
Gaugemaster eventually bought the design - I wonder how many people know that SEEP stands for Sandown Electrical Engineering Products. names after the Sandown industrial estate in north Watford where they were based?- 2
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I'm awaiting a sound fitted SLW25, when it's ready it will be ready.
I am slightly amused by the 'I must have SLW, it's the only acceptable one' comment. When the Heljan one came out there were comments that it was a bit pointless with the SLW one 'imminent' - well I have 4 Heljan ones and whilst I've no doubt that SLW is a better model and that the Bachmann one is likely to be good as well I'm really glad that I've had a couple of years of enjoyment from the Heljan ones.
Frankly, for me they are first RTR ones to actually capture the look of 25s out of the box. Then again, being a child of the 70s, I'm pretty used to adapting what's out there for what I want in terms of D&E rather than banging the table and demanding that my needs are served.
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17 minutes ago, John M Upton said:
Is it just me or is this "built kit" according to the description title just a box full of someone's left overs swept off the workbench into a box and has very little if any connection to the purported contents
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226069236587
Looks like a bit of wishful thinking from a house clearance seller
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2 hours ago, Trainnoob said:
The only controller I have seen that can't do up to 28 functions is the Bachmann EZ command. I not looking for the cheapest controller possible but I personally don't feel I need to go to the most expensive options either, I haven't seen a mid range system I didn't like, and that's where my trouble because I don't know which one. Also, I 100% agree about visiting a DCC specialist if lived near one but unfortunately for me I don't.
The latest version of the Bachmann E-Z command can do up to 28 functions. I know many would turn their noses up at it but for a small layout with a few locos, if you're not into resetting CVs etc it's a simple bulletproof design.
I have an earlier version I picked up for a song that I use on a test track and despite its limitations as a tactile piece of kit it's really good. -
11 minutes ago, adb968008 said:
I personally find making a profit of model railways is a pipe dream, and if you do find 4 or 5 that do make a few quid, its more than offset by the 10-20 that make a loss.
Absolutely. I've reached a point where I can offset a whole myriad of losses to a pretty good extent by careful sale of stuff I don't need or want through regular clearouts. I also try to get better prices when I sell things by ensuring that they are serviced and work properly. But as for a business, it's decidedly negative, which is why a need a real job (on which I pay very real taxes) to fund it all!
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3 hours ago, Sjcm said:
I see EBay have put a big article about "no side-hussle tax" on their home page. Seems a bit late seeing it came into law in January, so I wonder if there has been a significant drop off in sellers listing?
It's because the rules will start being actively applied for the upcoming 2024-25 tax year
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11 minutes ago, ejstubbs said:
eBay don't 'encrypt' the buyer's address, they just insert a code of their own part way through.
Sorry, I meant that they encrypt the buyers email address. Like you, I use the Royal Mail Click and Drop site rather than ebay and as you say that also allows the opportunity to correct errors in the buyer's address (I am amazed at how many people seem to be quite sloppy at entering their address details!).
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4 hours ago, Reorte said:
Is this actually Parcel Force? I had a package last weekend which had been sent by them with IIRC Tracked 24. So I could see the van right at the top of the track to my house on that. Shortly followed by an email saying "your package has been taken to the Post Office" (without even saying which one, although it gave the post code so I could find out).
No, it's a Royal Mail service, not Parcelforce:
https://www.royalmail.com/sending/uk/tracked-48
https://www.royalmail.com/sending/uk/tracked-244 hours ago, Captain Cuttle said:Problem now with 2nd Signed For is that compensation is now reduced to £20, i have used it for years and its been completely reliable for me. Now if we prefer to use RM we have no choice but to use Tracked 24/48 which with the 48 service can take longer but with compensation upto £150 is better suited plus i can print it and pay at home so less time in the Post Office.I have had some issues using it on Ebay but the Community were able to put me right. For me items delivered have always come RM not Parcelforce. The latter i have found are not so reliable with a recent purchase, i would call an absolute joke!
I've found that Tracked 48 is pretty reliable for two day delivery
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If you want it properly tracked, then it needs to be sent using Tracked 24 or Tracked 48. Paradoxically, these services are actually cheaper than the Post Office Signed For service, you can enter the buyers contact details (which are provided by ebay in an encrypted form that can be copied into the order) and they automatically get notifications when its on the way and due to be delivered as well as full tracking.
There are still sellers that insist on using (and charging for) the inferior 'Signed For' service but the Tracked services are the ones to go for.
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I do like the Hornby (ex-Lima) 101 so it's good to see it issues again. One oddity I've noticed is that the motor bogie frame has a NEM socket but the other bogies retain the moulded on 'D ring' coupling. Upgrading those bogies so that the couplings could be easily altered would be my next choice of upgrade for this model.
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As @AY Mod has pointed out, there is a search function and in my experience it works really well, it is always worth using that first when one has a question. At the very least it means you can reference it when seeking more information.
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All-new Heljan 47 in 00 gauge
in Heljan
Posted · Edited by andyman7
They sold through the entire first batch and the second batch have now passed the period where discounting is limited so a few places have them at around 25% off - hardly a fire sale. Looks-wise the Heljan 25 is great - a convincing leap ahead of anything previous, and it made it to market years ahead of revised Bachmann and SLW. So as far as I can see it's been well worth doing, and at £150 it's going to remain a contender.
I'm certainly planning to keep the Heljan ones alongside my awaited SLW and Bachmann purchases. As far as the original Bachmann version goes, I did obtain this 25/0 that had been made out of the first release Bachmann 24, and refinished it in BR Blue as one of the few to gain the livery whilst retaining full skirts and original exhaust - the beauty of this being that the skirt hides that hideous false underframe