Les1952 Posted May 11, 2016 Share Posted May 11, 2016 Les, Very good quality indeed, but I don't know what you regard as cheap, are the ZIMO MX618N18 (non-sound) and MX658N18 (sound) decoders. ESU have a Next 18 LokPilot and I think a LokSound micro Kind regards, Paul I'm a fan of Zimo decoders, but not of their price. ESU I'm not that familiar with. I'm thinking more of a Next18 chip (silent) from Digitrax at their sort of prices. Les Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted May 11, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 11, 2016 I'd be amazed if Bachmann didn't have a version of their own decoder available with the next18 plug by the time this is available in the shops, but I would second Zimo decoders. They work very well with the new coreless motors, and with a bit of tweaking you can get outstanding slow running from them. Those latest photos in this thread also give a much better impression of everything being the correct shape, so I have no idea why in some photos it looks good, and in others it looks a bit out! Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted May 12, 2016 Share Posted May 12, 2016 Those latest photos in this thread also give a much better impression of everything being the correct shape, so I have no idea why in some photos it looks good, and in others it looks a bit out! Photos taken very close to a small subject sometimes get affected by distortion and odd perspectives. The "macro" function on a camera can only do so much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les1952 Posted May 13, 2016 Share Posted May 13, 2016 I'd be amazed if Bachmann didn't have a version of their own decoder available with the next18 plug by the time this is available in the shops, but I would second Zimo decoders. They work very well with the new coreless motors, and with a bit of tweaking you can get outstanding slow running from them. Those latest photos in this thread also give a much better impression of everything being the correct shape, so I have no idea why in some photos it looks good, and in others it looks a bit out! Tom. Sadly my experience with Bachmann chips has been so poor that if there is any alternative available I won't touch them. Les Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 More photos of the latest decorated samples borrowed from the half-yearly announcements thread. Looks pretty good to me. How do people who were concerned about shape issues on the earlier EP samples feel about these shots? 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed-farms Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Looks cracking to me, might have to find an excuse for more than one at this rate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlambert Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 The Castle seems to get better and better with every development (as you'd expect). Of the N gauge locos announced but not yet released this is the one I'm most eager to buy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted August 4, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 4, 2016 It looks better from these angles, the first time we've seen it as such. I think the reduced amount of light coming through between the bogie and the footplate in these shots makes a huge difference. Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Al Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I'm surprised at the slide bars - they have no relief at all, unlike the prototype - seem a bit spartan. I would hope these are just on the decor model and not all of them (anyone know?) - the old Castle had better! Cheers, Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed-farms Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 The Castle seems to get better and better with every development (as you'd expect). Of the N gauge locos announced but not yet released this is the one I'm most eager to buy. You and me both, I am just starting to convert to N Gauge from OO due to space (only got the Night mail set and a Graham Farish open wagon from the Bachmann Collectors CLub so far) but having seen the level of detail in these pics I am totally amazed by what can be done in such a small scale. Is this the first N Gauge model with a cab as detailed as that? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted August 4, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 4, 2016 Having looked closely at the enlarged photo, I am a little disappointed as to the black fill in section under the boiler where there should be a space. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Higgs Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I'm surprised at the slide bars - they have no relief at all, unlike the prototype - seem a bit spartan. I would hope these are just on the decor model and not all of them (anyone know?) - the old Castle had better! Cheers, Alan Slidebars on models are generally just pressed parts and much thinner than the real thing. Same applies to connecting and coupling rods as well Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Higgs Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Having looked closely at the enlarged photo, I am a little disappointed as to the black fill in section under the boiler where there should be a space. The Hornby 4mm model suffers from the same issue. Not sure if this is down to wnating to get some weight in, or whether there are gears concealed inside Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted August 4, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 4, 2016 The Hornby 4mm model suffers from the same issue. Not sure if this is down to wnating to get some weight in, or whether there are gears concealed inside Chris I'm assuming that it's there to hide gears. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Al Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Slidebars on models are generally just pressed parts and much thinner than the real thing. Same applies to connecting and coupling rods as well Chris Maybe, but Farish managed relief on them in 1982 with the first Castle..... Cheers, Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted August 4, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 4, 2016 There seems to be a few more of the "current" Castle models on eBay at the moment. People seem to be trying to get rid of them whilst they have a reasonable resale value. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatloaf Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 The sound fitted one, is it BR or GWR livery? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 The sound fitted one, is it BR or GWR livery? Yes. I believe it is being offered in the current preserved livery which is transitional in being late GWR livery but with "British Railways" on the tender as shown below. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Steve Purves Posted August 5, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 5, 2016 Nope its Great (crest) western livery Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Just had an email from Hattons that the RRP has been withdrawn by Bachmann so they will not honouring previous pre-order prices. Not really surprising as this has been the way for a while now but it leaves me wondering how much this is finally going to cost when it hits the stores. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold TomE Posted August 8, 2016 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted August 8, 2016 I've had a Hatton's e-mail to say the sound fitted Nunney Castle is now expected between February & March 2017. No withdrawal of RRP on that one though, but only being announced earlier in the year I would think they have a better idea of costs now than when the model was originally announced. That said, if the standard version increases in price but the sound fitted version doesn't, it will make the latter seem like even more of a bargain! Tom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Just had an email from Hattons that the RRP has been withdrawn by Bachmann so they will not honouring previous pre-order prices. Not really surprising as this has been the way for a while now but it leaves me wondering how much this is finally going to cost when it hits the stores. Statement from Bachmann Europe Plc The Recommended Retail Price for the Castle Class 4-6-0s remains unaltered. The price for each item remains (as shown on the Farish section of our website) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 How strange. Perhaps Hattons sent out the email in error. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvinley Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 Lovely looking model. I do wish Farish could reduce the size of those pins fastening the rods. The US Bachmann locos have much finer valve gear. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalfytich Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 You and me both, I am just starting to convert to N Gauge from OO due to space (only got the Night mail set and a Graham Farish open wagon from the Bachmann Collectors CLub so far) but having seen the level of detail in these pics I am totally amazed by what can be done in such a small scale. Is this the first N Gauge model with a cab as detailed as that? No. The 4F, Duchess, Schools and Merchant Navy have detailed cabs. Not sure about any others though Dave 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now