Steven B

I generally don't mix different era's of production within the same train (I model in N), but it comes down to personal preference. A 1980s era model running next to a model to current standard can stand out, particularly if they're of the same wagon type. Running past each other in different trains is less of an issue to my eyes. Of your examples, I'd avoid the 1970s tooled Hornby TEA. The Bachmann, Cavalex and Revolution versions should look OK next to each other, but they are models of different prototypes that may not have run together prototypically (another can of worms!). I'd avoid the 1980 Hornby HAA, the 2003 may look OK mixed in with Cavalex and Accurascale versions, but again it's personal preference. More relevant, you may find in running models from multiple manufacturers produced across 40+ years might not be as compatible as you'd like - couplings have been refined over the years and so you might discover that some combinations don't couple (or stay coupled) as well as others. Steven B

Click the picture and you'll be taken to the Flickr page where all is revealed:

How is it powered? I've usually seen similar behaviour when it doesn't have enough power. Steven B

Plenty of mixed up trains can be found: RFT114-17 by Robert Catterson, on Flickr 91001 & 43195 at Leeds in April 1997 by DB ., on Flickr HST Longrock, Penzance 1996. Intercity - Great Western by radclifferaz, on Flickr It's also easy to find power cars from one TOC on a rake branded for another. Steven B

Not my layouts but this shows Peco code 55 track, medium and long radius points, crossings and light weight 3d printed stock can work together quite happily: The Yorkshire Area Group of the NGS run stock from Farish, Dapol, Peco, Rapido UK, Revolution, Fleischmann, Kato, Atlas, Tomix, Minitrix and others with few issues on Kato or Peco track. Most derailment are usually due to incorrectly set turn-outs or parts of the model catching on uneven rails at baseboard ends. Steven B

There's always batch two... I was disappointed that the WYPTE class 321 didn't make the cut in N. I've still got the plain white one waiting for some paint having been out of the box twice. Clearly no actually that important for my modelling! Steven B

How much too wide is the existing model? Steven B

Sellafield placed the order for the CBD-80s in 2020. Based on photos, they were on site by mid 2021. A CB-40 followed the initial two locos. Steven B.

Thanks for the clarification - your post sounded like you were putting the blame of the slow class 90s on the fact it has a coreless motor. Have you got a link to the motor you used to replace the factory fitted one in the class 90? Steven B

BNFL #4, 5 & 6 are Hunslets: (Ray Forster on Flickr) (Ray Forster on Flickr) http://bescotplus.co.uk/trains/BNFL6_NortonLakeside0329

I'm not worried if a model has nine rivets instead of ten, but I am worried if there are rivets where there should be a weld. I find it interesting seeing different approaches. I've seen stunning hand-built fine scale track running through what I'd consider poorly executed scenery. Likewise I've seen layouts with stunning scenery with course scale track and radius 1 curves. Neither way is better than the other - just "different". Model railways/railway models is a broad church with each member of the congregation finding their own space of happiness. Sometimes they cross over! Steven B

You still need to rule out any issues with the RSA/USB adaptor. I'd imagine that when you plug the converter in you'll get an additional audio input device on your PC. The PC should be capable of playing back sound from this input via the normal speakers/headphones - doing this should prove the adaptor is working correctly. Play some tunes into the adaptor from your external source and check that both inputs are working. Steven B

Is the burning smell there with the body/lighting fitted/connected? Is it an electrical burning smell, or more plasticky? I'd be tempted to unscrew the PCB and with the loco running touch each component to see which is getting hot enough to make the burning smell. The other option is to turn the power up to 11 and see what goes pop! Steven B

Coreless motors don't mean slow top speeds - if models can't reach the top speed of the prototype then the gearing's at fault. Steven B.

The tank and the crane /column could be one and the same construction: 45305 LMS Black 5 taking water at Wigan Wallgate. 4/8/1968 by Idle Drifter, on Flickr Steven B.

Ah, a PCB from Dapol's "could do better" phase... The residue on the PCB is probably flux from the soldering - it's probably "no clean" which means it should do no long term damage. It won't be the cause of the problems. It should clean off with some IPA or methylated spirit on a cotton bud/Q-Tip if needed. The PCB should be screwed to the chassis block with two screws. It looks like only one is still there. I'm not sure if the black coating (paint?) is conductive - adding a sliver of insulating tape under the PCB won't hurt. You'd need to check what the red wire is connected to. Is there a matching black one on the other side? It looks like Dapol have used standard DCC colours for the wiring (red & black = track, orange & Grey = motor, yellow & white = F0f & F0r). I'm not sure the component with the burn mark is a transistor - Dapol used twin diodes in the same package. A few years ago they appear to have had a batch that burnt out. I've had issues with them on other Dapol models, mainly HST and classes 26 and 58. The usual diagnosis from what I remember is if the model works normally with the body (and hence lights) not fitted. With nothing plugged into the decoder socket, check that there's no contact between the motor feeds and the chassis. I'd put some kapton tape under the PCB just to be on the safe side. The wires soldered to the PCB aren't pretty and do have quite a bit of bare metal exposed on the wire. As belt-and-braces, either re-solder them with less exposed metal or paint them to be on the safe side. As suggested, I'd do any further testing on DC, and when 100% happy test on a DCC programming track. Much less chance of magic smoke being released! Steven B

One for next year? Courage Brewery Hudson / Hunslet 0-4-0DM 1786 'Courage' by MikeG, on Flickr Or with a bit more weather protection: (John Stein on Flickr)

Are both left/right channels on the USB-RCA adaptor working? If you play music back via it and listen via the PC do you get both channels? Audacity is a great tool - I've never had any problems with it, even for basic recording. Have you set the preferences to record stereo audio from the correct source? Alternatively, try Windows 11's Sound Recorder app. Steven B

Why would a Mk3a Sleeper need a barrier coach? I'd assumed they were all fitted with buffers and standard coach drop-head buckeye couplings?

Assuming the water crane/column is gravity fed, then the bottom of the tank has to be above the top of the highest point of the water crane otherwise it won't work. Steven B.

Nice to see the Guy Fowkes one has been shrunk and available on its own! Any chance of Valentine & Taylor Wines & Spirits livery being served as a half measure too? Steven B

I think I've convinced myself to get a green SYE (D2 Helvellyn), but what I really want is a late condition 45/1... Steven B.

Any chance of some vans and opens in plain colours with basic tare/weight lettering and numbers? Peco's own brown and grey are nice but a bit of a limited colour palette. Steven B.

I've voted - assuming Snowdon railway stock would be done to 009 and I'd be able to run it on my N Gauge track. A 1:148 Ivor would be modelling heaven! I think I could make an exception for a OO gauge version but it would have t come with DCC sound. I'm still waiting to vote for Cycloped complete with animated horse. Steven B.

You may be able to remove the N and E lettering leaving you with a plain grey wagon that can go at the end of your rake. If you decide to go down the route of a repaint, the body is held onto the chassis with a couple of clips, one either side of the body, both located between the hopper chutes. Steven B