Crompton Power

Hi folks, Has anyone else compared the shades of orange on the SPTE liveried class 156 and Revolution Trains class 320? Dapol’s take is darker than Revolutions. I would say the 320 is closest to what I remember, interested to hear others thoughts on this. I have messaged Dapol but have yet to hear anything back. Cheers, Keith.

Totally agree with the last few comments. Similar to Scott B I pondered over a way of fixing the livery error, but too much work to try to match the blue, a full repaint would probably be in order. My pre-order has also been cancelled, shame as I was looking forward to these. Keith.

The latest issue of MLI Plus (October-November 21) has 7 pages devoted to Caroline through the years, some great photos in the article. cheers, Keith.

Thanks for the info Ben. Order about to be placed!! Keith.

An excellent choice of wagon, thanks Ben & Mike. Quick question about the Yellow Mullet's being offered. The pair that are not British Steel branded, the one without bolsters, does it come with bolsters to add ourselved? To me it looks like an incorrectly branded PARR?? Thanks, Keith.

Received my copy this morning after phoning Key yesterday! I’ve only had a quick flick through it, but it looks really good, looking forward to vol 3!! Keith.

Here's a single VGA with the Ford vans, again can't see if there are any Cartics on the train. This shot has the most interest for me, I can run my Arbel's with Cartic's!! Best start saving!! Keith.

Found a picture with Cargowaggon twins on the Ford train, unfortunately we can't tell if there were any Cartics on the train as well. Keith.

Glad to see that you are having some success with the DGs and that 29 looks great!

Hi David, I started off with having a latch on all couplings but soon realised that having a latch on the coupling with the loop was not required as the coupling that hooked up to it didn't have a loop itself so there was no need for the latch. You have to keep your stock all the same way round but you will be doing that if only have one loop per wagon. Yep I've never soldered the loop together, never come across that from those I know who also use DGs. The loops can pop out in the stock box but it's easy to put them back into the little holes. Soldering wise, no real trick, just take my time tin both parts and then a quick dab to join them. You can form the loop and dropper in one piece from the steel wire as Pete points out, I have heard that the loop could become magnetised over time, not sure if that would be an issue? Cheers, Keith.

Hi David, Yes I have also seen that somewhere. I cut down the base plate to make it a finger the same width as the inside of the pocket. Then I pack it in with strips of plasticard. A few pictures to hopefully show what I’m trying to explain. The Pannier is the old style coupling with a spring. Base plate was slimmed down to fit the size of the opening where the coupling and spring would fit, plasticard added to fix in place then chassis and body reunited. Hope this helps. Keith.

Hi, I did what you are doing about 15 or so years ago. I couldn't get those with the etched loops to work reliably, getting them to couple up was an issue, especially the MBDs. Sounds like you have managed to succeed where I didn't!! I persevered with DG's, they work well but need to be handled gently to avoid any knocks to the couplings especially in stock boxes traveling to and from shows. Though a quick bend back into place usually has them back in service again! To avoid completely making the fitting of DGs irreversible I have cut the base plate to fit in the coupling pockets on locos, both the older style and NEM pockets. Persevere with the DG's they will be worth it in the end. Keith.

I also use DGs, you may be already doing this, but I thought I would share anyway. Now my 92 is still to arrive so I'm yet to handle one to see but with the newer NEM fitted stock I trim down the DG baseplate so that it fits into the NEM pocket, I then pack the DG in the pocket with some plasticard so it becomes a tight fit but also removable should you want to put the standard coupling back in. Regards, Keith.

I certainly agree with jonas, runs really well and looks correct in my eyes. Again I couldn’t put my finger on it, I even dug out the 31 I resprayed into RF Grey many years back for a comparison. I didn’t appreciate that the cab windows on the old version were too small, for its day it was a welcome addition from Farish. Regards, Keith.