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Amazing Paint job, that is the 59 livery I am waiting for.

What trade support is there ?

There is a hole in the market for a decent 'County' class 4-6-0 loco

Lots of recycled tooling being thrown out there as Railroad plus.

I cancelled mine at the last minute, but will get a sound one eventually when I am sure the lighting issues are sorted out. I am going to wait to see what Legoman comes up with for this particular 59 before I commit to the Dapol factory fitted sound model. Sad about the grill issue and paint chips, really not good enough when we are now paying big bucks for these models.

I think that this is a sensible move from Heljan. Nobody really knows if TT1:120 will take off. It’s a big risk from Hornby. Given the price of models today in all scales it will not be cheap, and how many people with established stock are going to go through wholesale change? I personally will not be giving TT1:120 a second glance, but good luck to those who embrace it, just hope that you are not buying into a lame duck.

I am in two minds about this show, good mix of layouts/traders, but far too crowded, definitely need a bigger area. I was a bit disappointed with the trade as the majority were selling locos/rolling stock. Needed a few more traders selling tools etc. I could not find either of the things I specifically wanted (and they are not rare or scarce). If I had a gripe there is still a mentality on some layouts that running to a strict time table is the way to go, that is all well and good but when you are stood by a layout for 10 plus minutes with complete inactivity it is not good, especially for young children. Pete Waterman’s layout had several trains running along the tracks every couple of minutes But overall it was good to go to an exhibition again.

With so many excellent models that use Overhead Electrics I am sorely tempted to build overhead electrics into my layout ( dummy of course). Looking at what is on offer it does appear to be a minefield. The Peco starter system looks to have everything you need to get going, but is it the obvious first choice? I have looked at the Scalemodelscenery masts which look nice but they do not appear to have the requisite arms to hold the wires. I am sure there are equally good offerings from abroad as well. I would value some opinions regarding whats on offer and also is there a book/video available that goes through how to build overhead wires? Thanks in advance

Has anyone put a load into these wagons. I tend to make a shallow tray that I drop in with what looks like a full load. I would be interested to see if others have tried different methods.

I would not pay some of the prices quoted, however, the hobby is not for those on limited budgets these days if they want to buy new stuff. Thankfully there is plenty of 2nd hand stuff around that generally sells at cheaper than the newest and is of good quality, plus a healthy dose of weathering covers a multitude of sins. I remember people bemoaning the fact that locos had gone through the £100 barrier; now we are knocking on the door of £400 for a sound fitted latest incarnation of a 47. Good job I can’t stand the bloody things!

It is with great sadness we have to announce that after more than 40 years Banbury and District Model Railway Club will be closing its door for the last time at the end of July 2022. Sadly membership has fallen over the last few years and we cannot sustain the club under current circumstances. We have a substantial collection of books, stock and tools/equipment for disposal that we will catalogue and display on our Facebook site shortly along with contact details. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the club over the years.

It really is a long wait for this model. I have now given up any hope of a Dapol version of the 59 and hope that someone else produces one soon. I do find it galling that these companies do not even update customers on progress (or lack of).

The Answer?.....When its a Cl 31. Having received my R 30026 'Helvelyn' in a nice factory sealed box I got around to checking the model for DCC fitting. Looking at the data sheet it shows four screws to be removed to take the body off. It shows the motor at one end over the bogie?? and a rather basic circuit board. First of, there are no screws to remove the body there are clips, second when I look inside there is a complex circuit board, and a centrally mounted motor, in fact, everything you would expect from an up to date model Scratching my head I look at the enclosed data sheet again and the diagram looks suspiciously like a Cl31and the data sheet bears no resemblance to reality. Although the print on the sheet clearly states it is a Cl60, the diagrams are of a Cl31. Now, it is no bother to me as I simply downloaded the correct sheet, but silly mistakes like this do irk somewhat, and a less experienced modeller may cause costly damage poking around trying to find screw holes at very least. Well done Hornby, Instead of worrying about what others are doing, get the basics right...Beautiful model though.

If this is Hornby's attitude to other manufacturers, they have lost a lot of credibility in the modelling world. It is always healthier when we have lots of manufacturers making different models. Hornby are like the playground bully who will take from others. It is not clever marketing or competition, it is a poor decision by Hornby which has rightly seen a backlash from the modelling world. I hope they have the good grace to withdraw the set and leave the field clear, if not, I hope they get their fingers burned in the courts. I would not buy the Hornby version on principle.

It is all a bit sad really. There are plenty films with trains in them they could have chosen, but they have decided to pick on Rapido. There will be more hot air expelled talking about the legalities rather than the morality of such an action. Hornby's actions are not new, they have a habit of trying to undercut and undermine other manufacturers efforts. I suspect the Rapido version (but do not know) will be of better quality and will appeal to the more discerning modeller, however it is by no means certain that the Hornby version will be of lesser quality. We will have to wait and see, but I am disappointed that they have done this to Rapido, business it may be, but it leaves a sour taste in ones mouth.

I know diddly squat about electronics etc, but I have always wondered why you can get a tiny chip with a huge amount of data on it and plug it into a phone, but a similar system has not been adopted for decoders. I envisage a tiny slot in the bottom of the loco that you just push the chip in. As I said I know nothing about the technial challenges of such a system, but it would make life easy if it could be done.

Have had mine a couple of weeks now and all is well. A little PVA in the battery box cover screw holes keeps it in place. I have exchanged the flimsy plastic whistles for a couple of brass ones and blackened them. All my functions appear to work but in reality I will not use all of them. I am really pleased with this model but am disappointed that a £200 model has quite a few QA issues, niggles they may be but they should not be there on a model costing that much. As i said before the whistles could have been brass from the outset, the holes in the bufferbeam should have been the correct diameter to accomodate the pipes etc, and the battery box problem is quite frankly shoddy workmanship. I would love to order 18100 but will hold back until it is already released then will decide to purchase or not to purchase on the quality of the model.

It was a good show, but the trader/layout ratio was a bit heavily weighted in favour of traders ( my opinion only ). Enjoyable all the same.

Hope the two people who tumbled down the escalator were ok. Well done to the staff for their prompt action

HI Charlie, It is not a complaint, I am more than happy with the sound file, I just wondered if it was possible to make it a bit louder, I have the speakers you recommned fitted. Maybe its time for me to invest in a hearing aid? my wife always says 'theres none so deaf as those who do not want to hear' especially when it comes to washing up!

I want to increase the sound (if possible) on the 18000 gas turbine engine sound. However I am not familiar with the loksound V5 sound decoders. Any help regarding which CVs to change would be appreciated. I know when changing some individual sounds other CVs have to be changed, but for the life of me I cannot remember which ones.

Thats unfortunate reddragon, it always leaves a bitter taste if your model is one of the very few that has a problem. When it is running properly it runs very well, and the sound is superb. I am sure Rails will sort it out for you and you will be enjoying 18000 quite soon.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730585560551150/permalink/3066435196966173/ Hopefully will show some videos of 18000. I have since screwed the fuel tank cover in place!

I have had mine running for extended periods but unfortunately any video file more than a few seconds long will not upload, so you will have to take my word for it. The running qualities of my loco as stated before are very good. I tried to put the buffer beam detail on today and found the holes were too small to locate the pipes etc which snapped with minimal pressure. The front buffer beam now needs cosmetic repair. I managed to get the steps and bars in place but inevitably a whistle broke off (why did they not make brass ones?) I love this model but I would not vote for it if it was it was up for model of the year because IMHO much of the above could have been done in manufacture at no extra cost. It is a great model but not as great as say the Kernow Warship. My opinion only of course but overall I am well satisfied.