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richierich

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    1980s-1990's BR Sector period in 4mm and 2mm.

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  1. I cannot get JMRI to communicate with a DCC fitted loco on a programming track. The MacBook Pro can see the Sprog on the USB bus. But JMRI doesn’t doesn’t send commands. The version of JMRI is 5.6 so maybe that is the issue ?
  2. A bit of a simple question, after messing about and getting nowhere. I have the following set up:- MacBook Pro (mid 2012) running Mac OS 10.15.7 JMRI Decoder Pro 5.6 SPROG II v3 Is this setup subject to obsolescence issues?
  3. Interesting question. I’d suggest:- Class 37 - the Farish model is ok, good for the time, but not so sure now. Class 50 - The Dapol one just doesn’t do it for me. Class 56 - Dapol got their measurements wrong and used width over handrails, hence it’s a tubby “56”. Also no real distinction between the different builders and batches. Second generation DMUs Class 142 - the Dapol one is okish. A must for any North of England modeller for 1985-2019. Class 143 - just look how popular the EFE model is in 1:76. Class 144 - same comment as above. Also similar underframe to a Class 142. Class 153 - Dapol version of the time was ok, but expectations have moved on. Class 155 - nice extension of the work to model the 153. Class 156 - same comments as the 153. It was good model at the time, but just look at the latest Farish class 158 and the standard that sets. Say no more! Generally I prefer Farish models to Dapol, which just don’t have the accuracy or attention to detail, so personally find they are disappointing although decent running qualities.
  4. To add some balance one of best running locos of any I have is a Hornby R2421 31 110 in BR Civil Engineer dutch. The fan can rotate when it’s at an imperceptible slow speed. The issue from my research is the lubricant Hornby use, which dries out and causes drag. Once mechanism is cleaned, checked and lubricated with decent quality oil, I’ve not had any issues with the belt driven fans. To be even more controversial I quite like opening cab doors. Adds a real touch of realism seeing a loco with the cab door ajar. But that is my personal preference, and others will have theirs.
  5. You can please some of the people some of the time. But you cannot please all of the people all of the time…
  6. Personally I hope there will be more second generation DMUs (Pacer and Sprinters essentially). Maybe Bachmann might tackle the Class 153 (and Class 155) DMU. Over their life they have operated in most parts of the country. The 153 offers lots of liveries. The BREL BT38 / BP38 bogies from the Class 150 are the same, so a cost saving to tool this model and gives consistency between the models. I appreciate Hornby produce the Class 153, which is ok but suffers from selective compression, and lacks the features compare to say the Bachmann 2022 tooled Class 158. Also appreciate Heljan might produce a Class 153 based on their O gauge model. But they also might not too
  7. It’s a shame Farish for the Regional Railways used TOPs numbers from the Phase 2 fleet, which didn’t really operate on the Regional Railways North East routes. These where mainly Phase 1 units. As for the speed I imagine these are gear to represent scale speed which to me personally is good. It would be ideally if a West Yorkshire PTE Metro Train liveried example is produced as Bachmann did in 4mm.
  8. All a bit uninspiring to me personally. The wallet is safe! Those LMS 10001 / 10002 diesels in N I would imagine have limited appeal / market? The old Farish Poole tooling feels a bit like the Hornby Railroad model of using old tooling to maximise profit and extend the value the tooling can offer to the business. It would be nice to see some retooled BR air brakes wagon. But I suspect the cost would be high per model considering the smaller volumes compared to 4mm production runs for probably a similar manufacturing effort.
  9. Driving wheels are 3’ 7” and centre non driven wheels are 3’ 3.5”.
  10. From Accurascale direct they are. Retailers may have stock available after their pre-orders are accounted for.
  11. My hope would be for a Class 153 DMU with a Class 155 to go with it. The Hornby Class 153 suffers from selective compression of the body. It’s shame. Would be nice to see the BP38 / BT38 bogies used from the Class 150 for consistency. Lots of variations possible, they have run in most regions and still run today in Wales, Scotland and the 155s in West / North Yorkshire / Humberside from Hull Botanic Gardens depot. A N gauge sister models would be equally welcome too…
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