Roy P

Thank you Peter but I am well aware of that. I was in fact responding to Black Hats idea of creating four "extra" P2s with fictional names, numbers and liveries. And why not in light of the "extra" liveries being offered by Hornby on the W1. I am sure there are stranger things in existence on some layouts. One of these days I will finish my DP3......yes I Know!

Nice! So then; there were ten P2s and only six came under Thompson's gaze. The remainder survived to become absolute legends. ;) Actually, I have noticed a few P2s modelled in B R colours over the years and wonder if there would be any takers for "what if" names / liveries direct from Hornby as with the W1.

LTM Shop. Winter sale. Sarah Siddons (two versions) £35 (thirty five) a pop. RP

Thank you Andy. As another without anything yet to attach my chains to, despite a few erroneous emails, this is very reassuring. RP (That's Roy Palfrey just in case anyone has seen my single)

https://Bachmann-collectorsclub.co.uk/products/past-products/oo-scale-private-owner-wagon-set-199.html This wagon was sold as part of a triple pack of PO wagons from the Bachmann Collectors Club in 2009/10 I think. Catalogue number 37-077K. Available occasionally from the usual places. I just hope you weren't looking for a string of them. Regards, RP

The trailer cars are not particularly free running due to the drag of the wiper pickups. A bit of a shame then that Bachmann didn't employ the conductive axle bearings as on the Pullman vehicles. After trying various permutations of motor and trailer, straight and curve, I might conclude that removal of this drag will fix the traction issue without the traction tyres but at the expense of any lighting installation option. The layout will be more or less a straight end to end with a double junction and therefore will be easy for a unit that's able to get around the oval test track. Personally, as there wasn't any intention to add internal lights to the Radley A Stock models, the S stock can also live without it. RP

Hope this is of some help. sometimes things aren't exactly how they appear. I once tried to fix a U.S. outline model with a chassis block live to one polarity and it got the better of me! RP

That is how these models are set up. somewhere in this topic is an explanation. I'll have a look and get back. RP

Replacement axles with traction tyres are supplied with each unit just in case. It has been reported to me that without them the full 8 car struggles a bit on the equivalent of 4th rad curves. I'll look for myself later. RP

The S7 Special train ticket is in the form of a "credit card" with the ticket number matching the certificate number. Mine is #128. Train no.400. Valid from 11:00 to 13:30. Special instructions for access to platform 4 at Moorgate are shown on the timetable. The train will run Moorgate to Amersham then return via Watford Met. I'll have to do a return trip from Watford for a return trip to Watford. I think I'll go via Watford Junction and Euston rather than the Met. It would too long sitting sideways otherwise. See you at Moorgate ("Moorfield entrance on the west (Holland & Barrett) side of the street") the timetable also states that "A sales stall will also be available for our guests" and "Representatves from Bachmann will be on hand to answer your questions throughout the journey RP

S stock model delivered this morning. I hope the news will cheer up an otherwise dull workday. RP

And the mystery location is of course ... Stanmore. RP

The latest Bachmann Times states the Webb Coal Tank is "in the drawing office" as it was in the previous issue (along with the Stanier Mogul, the Brighton Atlantic, Thompson Coaches, SECR Birdcage, Class 158, and Intermodel/Tanktainer.) The "OO Works Report" for Autumn 2015 reveals the class 90, the 450 ,Freightliner FFA/FGA Warflat, 24/1 and 70/8 as being shifted from "Forthcoming Items" to "In the Drawing Office". The Ivatt 2-6-2T upgrade and the Mark 2F coaches have advanced from the drawing office to the tool room. The V1/V3 upgrade is now at the the engineering sample stage. Somewhat curiously, this quarter's edition doesn't show anything "In Production" since the Black LMS Twins, the Class 43 and the SR 10T utility van. The BR/WR Autotrailer ought to be next followed by the 20T Tank. RP

With free postage too (helps a bit) although one doesn't find that out until the payment process is underway. RP

Similar to 579 in the main catalogue. LBSCR Marsh umber I think they call it. Graham Muz posted a picture on his twitter page but I'm not sure about the protocol for linking to such. Twitter.com/search should find it for you RP

Can anyone who attended the Club event at the Gloucester & Warwick confirm the asking price for the new "Birch Grove" E4 club model as it hasn't yet gone live on the club webpage. Thanks in advance, RP

The next edition of the collectors club magazine should be with us shortly with an update of the current status of all models pending. I'll post any news on here unless someone beats me to it. RP

The fitted detail on this model is quite delicate and should be handled with the same caution one might exercise for a steam loco with vulnerable motion parts. Take care with the shoe beams and conduits when lifting it onto the track. So far, so good! RP

Got home from work half expecting to find a Met Bo-Bo but the lad had already taken it round his Nan's (my mum) where the Met line project is based (Not enough space at home) I later found this arrangement on her dining table! Sorry about the low quality phone snap. Justification for John Hampden? The layout on which these things will run (minus the wagons - they just came with the Pannier Tank but plus some other stuff which is still at home) will take some liberties with history with regard to the quadrupling of the Met Line north of Harrow and in fact will move Northwood station a bit to the north and rename it Batchworth Lane. So releasing no. 5 from captivity isn't so much of a stretch. Bring on the S Stock - and the autumn months when I can get some more done on the layout and finishing the part-built Radley A Stock. The lad will add Sarah Siddons to the fleet when it becomes available. I quite like the look of the original METROPOLITAN liveried version. One for the museum (display case) I think. The instruction leaflet shows models numbers amounting to nine variants so they'll get some mileage out of these things even if they're not everyone's cup of rosy. Just a thought but if the pre 1923 Metropolitan Railway is pre-grouping; between 1923 and 1933, is it ungrouping? RP

I suppose it might be felt that to show such models as the J50 and S15 in a more authentic context would need too much Bachmann product from a marketing point of view . RP

Two years ago I posted a picture of my contaminated D5512 (post #432 - this topic) when the problem first became apparent. At the time the valences were drooping slightly as in the picture and following the advice offered I managed to get the body off and save it. The chassis had already failed and a section under one cab fell away. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures but I did notice the thin metal plate that sits on top of the coupling cam arrangement showed much more fatigue than the main block. In fact both these plates crumbled like a biscuit. I haven't done anything else with this model since due to other priorities but the chassis block doesn't appear to have got any worse. I suppose the nature of the contamination may mean that any individual chassis may have fewer "hotspots" than others and perhaps mine didn't have any in the main block but the plates were very bad. It could have been that due to the body going very tight I actually snapped the chassis myself getting the body off. There is clearly a weak point at the step in the frame below the rear of the cab. I do wonder, had I noticed the problem sooner (I don't remove loco bodies for the fun of it) and replaced the plates or removed these and the cam device completely and fixed the NEM box in place, whether the chassis might have survived. I still have the idea that I might give this a try after reattaching the end of the chassis that is basically the cab floor. At this late stage I appreciate the fact my question may be purely academic but does anyone who has dealt with this issue recall what they actually found regarding the relative corrosion level in the cam cover plates and the main chassis block having removed the body from their model before it had self destructed? A bit late now but I wonder how many models may have been saved but for a mod of the coupling cam. Just a bit curious as to whether anyone managed to salvage their models without help from Hornby...no reason why they should have to of course. RP

From http://www.oxfordrail.com/ "Is this a tester product?". "Absolutely not. We started the production of scale locos and associated products 3 to 4 years ago. We used this time to build up our manufacturing capability. We have a 5 year development programme for Oxford Rail. We have developed a strategy, researching the market and identifying products that you want. We have products planned that have previously been produced, but need updating. We have a programme that has identified locomotives, coaches and wagons for future release. We will announce new items throughout 2015. This is not a locomotive - it is a product range". and.. " I am currently working on our next loco and I just love it...." The Oxford Rail Adams Radial tank will clearly not achieve the sales volumes that it might have done had the Hornby alternative not been offered. ​Taking the above quote at face value (and why wouldn't we?) it would be short sighted to think that the grand plan will stand or fall on the success of the first model.Of course, kind reviews of the Radial will help the public's perception of future locos and their wagons need to show that they are a match for Bachmann in quality terms and not just a cheaper option. I seem to recall, hidden somewhere in all that has been written about Oxford Rail, something relating to a rolling programme with quarterly announcements. Oxford Rail still need to get into its stride but it does appear to have more direct control over its manufacturing capability than the more established UK based / British outline companies. Hopefully. in time, this will become apparent with regard to timely output and quality control. Personally I wish them well. Partly because another player keeps the others on their toes and partly because Taff's link to a significant part of Britain's toy manufacturing heritage; Something I'm fascinated by. All that said; a J27 would be nice. We'll see. Interesting times I think. RP

From LTM today Dear Roy, Thank you for ordering the S Stock model Underground train. CONGRATULATIONS! We are pleased to announce you are one of the successful customers to place your order in time to receive a free ticket to our launch of the S Stock model on a special S7 Stock train (the first time this type of train has operated on the Metropolitan main line to Amersham) from Moorgate to Watford and Amersham and return to Moorgate on 26thSeptember 2015. One ticket is issued per full order or per set, so if you have ordered more than one set, you will receive an additional ticket/s. Your order, the special Bachmann certificate, your ticket and final confirmation information sheet will be despatched in one package at the beginning of September via Special Delivery (Royal Mail) so that you receive your order in good time prior to the event. Please note – your special ticket is ONLY valid for the special train journey and is not valid for travel on any other TfL service. RSVP is required by 25 August. If you are unfortunately unable to attend this event then letting us know will give other customers the opportunity to attend. Please email us at exclusives@ltmuseum.co.uk or telephone us on 020 7565 7295. All queries can also be directed to the above contact information. We hope to see you on this special occasion! Yours faithfully Michael Walton Head of Trading I ordered mine about 2 hours after reading Andy Ys post so i would have been a little surprised to have not been in the first 250. It took me that long to get up the floor. Anyway, i'll have to make it down from Watford to get my free trip to ....Watford thence to Amersham, back to Moorgate and then back home to Watford. See you all there RP edit: P.S. Watford vs Crystal Palace is on the 27th (makes things a little easier)

I'm only guessing, but I would imagine that the S Stock model development would have been comparatively straight forward compared to something like the LMS twins which have been difficult for many reasons. Considering the duplication comment, this may be the point he was making. I hope to see more from Bachmann via the NRM and the LTM RP

Be prepared to be carried shoulder high to the front of the train! This raises an interesting point about the familiarity people, especially youngsters have with trains generally and the influence this has on any potential entry into the modelling fraternity. For years people have written letters to the magazines suggesting ways to encourage participation in the hobby but many fall into the trap of thinking it's all down to Thomas and Harry Hogwart. A touch condescending when one remembers how it started for many of us. Models of "trains" familiar to the kids would, I believe have a stronger long term appeal. My lad would have loved an NSE liveried 313 unit when he was a kid and probably still would. Having said that, I am grateful this new Bachmann model is not a toy or even one of those half-baked things that doesn't know if it's a toy or a model. I am fascinated by the Kato range of "Metro" type models and the Japanese approach to model trains and wonder if the UK market would, in the long term embrace such a concept. This is not strictly speaking about the Bachmann S Stock model as such but more echoing the question about what people perceive to be mainstream and whether (or how) it may be subject to change. The popularity of this model may give some small indication. RP