REALTRACK models announce Class 143 and Class 144

[tombothegreat]

Is there any hint of a possible release date for the Class 143 in FGW livery yet?
Sorry if this has already been covered.
It literally astonishes me the complete ballsup that is going on with FGW liveried trains across all the model companies atm.
It's one of the most widely used in the South and South West.

Bachmann have released several versions of the 158 in Regional Railways livery not to mention the 150. Yet nothing in FGW livery apart from the 43 in FGW and the crappy 142 in FGW that Hornby did.

Bachmann are meant to be doing a 150/2 yet they have no idea of the release date and have been waiting what feels like a age for a update on this venture.

Please let me know chaps if you have ANY info on FGW liveried trains in 00.
 

Regards,



 

[charliepetty]

Is there any hint of a possible release date for the Class 143 in FGW livery yet?

Sorry if this has already been covered.

It literally astonishes me the complete ballsup that is going on with FGW liveried trains across all the model companies atm.

It's one of the most widely used in the South and South West.

 

Bachmann have released several versions of the 158 in Regional Railways livery not to mention the 150. Yet nothing in FGW livery apart from the 43 in FGW and the crappy 142 in FGW that Hornby did.

 

Bachmann are meant to be doing a 150/2 yet they have no idea of the release date and have been waiting what feels like a age for a update on this venture.

 

Please let me know chaps if you have ANY info on FGW liveried trains in 00.

 

Regards,

 

 

 

 

Because the 144 has been running somewhat late this has put the 143 back about 9 months, no promises as yet as we are swamped with getting out the 144s.

They will turn up though! Honest..   Charlie

[charliepetty]

I did a bit of testing with my 144 to see if it could operate in multiple with any of my other DMU's. Results showed it didn't like my Bachmann 150 as it is much slower than the 144, so was being dragged along. The 153 however was much more suitable for the 144, with them running at roughly the same speed throughout. So at least now I'll be able to run multi-unit combinations

 

 

 

One thing I have noticed is that due to the very close coupling on the unit, it doesn't like set-track point cross-overs, it much prefers streamline sets!

The size or wheels and the gear ratio effects the running speed, we decided scale speeds rather than a bodyshell full of motor & electronics.  Were we right???????

[tombothegreat]

Because the 144 has been running somewhat late this has put the 143 back about 9 months, no promises as yet as we are swamped with getting out the 144s.

They will turn up though! Honest..   Charlie

Delayed for 9 months from what month? 9 months from now or another month?

[BR(S)]

A very detailed look at the 144 now available here: http://s374444733.websitehome.co.uk/class-144/index.htm

[quattroman41]

Any news on which is No 1 pin on the decoder socket yet ?

[96701]

I've installed mine with the orange and red wires nearest the cab with grey and black nearest the gangway. At least the directional lights work with it that way round, but not the other.

[charliepetty]

A very detailed look at the 144 now available here: http://s374444733.websitehome.co.uk/class-144/index.htm

Brilliant feature for those requiring an upgrade, bit confused why you would do all this work then put a 142 sound decoder in?

 

PPS We have some spare springs available!!!   Charlie

[charliepetty]

Any news on which is No 1 pin on the decoder socket yet ?

Doing three tomorrow so I will let you know!    Charlie

[BR(S)]

Brilliant feature for those requiring an upgrade, bit confused why you would do all this work then put a 142 sound decoder in?

 

PPS We have some spare springs available!!!   Charlie

 

Not my website, I just use it for hints and tips!

[quattroman41]

I've installed mine with the orange and red wires nearest the cab with grey and black nearest the gangway. At least the directional lights work with it that way round, but not the other.

Following this post I fitted mine as above and confirm the directional lights work correctly.

[charliepetty]

Following this post I fitted mine as above and confirm the directional lights work correctly.

How difficult did you find the DCC fitting!    Charlie

[quattroman41]

How difficult did you find the DCC fitting!    Charlie

Hi Charlie

To be honest this was this most difficult chip fitting I have done up to now.  Although difficult is probably not the best word.  It is probably that the one that has required the most care in order not to break off any of the individually fitted parts.  I managed to break off what is possibly a suspension damper detail adajcent to the wheels.  Also a half internal bulkhead and a seat fell out as the outer shell was lifted clear.  As did a bulkhead glazing unit.  Possibly not all my fault.  All have been refitted with solvent glue.  The outer shell was 'stuck' at the cab end to the chassis in way of the light pipes and was awkward to release.  Strangely the lighting bar was easily removed and not glued to the bulkhead as reported by the Duxford Oracle.  Unfortunately I also had a mangled spring on the wheel unit but a replacement was quickly supplied by post by your goodself.   I needed to super glue the new spring to its plastic spigot to stop it falling off on re-assembly.  All the others where already glued on.   Care had to be taken on re-assembly to ensure the wheel unit bases were horizontal or the springs would not fit into their alloted holes.  The base unit, seating unit and outer shell snap back together easily.   My thanks to contributors to RMWEB on this topic.  I would try chipping again if I were to buy another 144.  I have learnt a lot.

Alan       

[charliepetty]

Hi Charlie

To be honest this was this most difficult chip fitting I have done up to now.  Although difficult is probably not the best word.  It is probably that the one that has required the most care in order not to break off any of the individually fitted parts.  I managed to break off what is possibly a suspension damper detail adajcent to the wheels.  Also a half internal bulkhead and a seat fell out as the outer shell was lifted clear.  As did a bulkhead glazing unit.  Possibly not all my fault.  All have been refitted with solvent glue.  The outer shell was 'stuck' at the cab end to the chassis in way of the light pipes and was awkward to release.  Strangely the lighting bar was easily removed and not glued to the bulkhead as reported by the Duxford Oracle.  Unfortunately I also had a mangled spring on the wheel unit but a replacement was quickly supplied by post by your goodself.   I needed to super glue the new spring to its plastic spigot to stop it falling off on re-assembly.  All the others where already glued on.   Care had to be taken on re-assembly to ensure the wheel unit bases were horizontal or the springs would not fit into their alloted holes.  The base unit, seating unit and outer shell snap back together easily.   My thanks to contributors to RMWEB on this topic.  I would try chipping again if I were to buy another 144.  I have learnt a lot.

Alan       

That's the problem, to make a good model people demand detail, the 144 has over 140 separate detailing components (Hornbys 142 has 2) That means you have 140+ to drop off!!!   The lighting strip is a tight fit into the clip on the rear end, some have been glued in the factory as they were slack and would have dropped out in transit, this is a catch 22 problem, loose lighting means people return them, glued in lighting strip makes DCC Fitting more difficult!  Cannot win here me thinks. 

 

Getting the body off is quite easy (After doing 100+) The rear end clips off easy, then using 2 X 2mm thick Lolipop Sticks (or similar) place them between the bodyshell and the chassis, just under the driver cab window/front door area, then 'off she comes'. The lighting bars for the front lights stick out about 1mm and these cause the bodyshell to stick, the lollipop sticks solve this issue.

 

I have 3 X DCC Chips to fit on Monday, should take about 1 hour.

 

Charlie

Edited November 3, 2013 by charliepetty

[Tase]

I have 3 X DCC Chips to fit on Monday, should take about 1 hour. 

Charlie

I've got a DCC fitted one on order...hopefully it's one of mine Charlie! Edited November 3, 2013 by Tase

[james-htfc]

Picked up my model from the Post Office on Monday and have to say I'm extremely impressed.

For £110 I'll definitely be getting a partner for it! No other modern image DMU comes close! Sitting it next to Hornby's 142 makes you wonder how they get away with an RRP of £100 - Insane!

The attention to detail on the 144 is exceptional and the model captures the look and feel of the prototype down to a tee. The internal lighting is the best I've seen and the livery application is spot on.

The one thing that I would have liked to see was a sturdier box - it seems quite flimsy especially compared to the quality feel of the FLA low-liner boxes.

It's a shame that a 3-car version won't be making an appearance, but a 142 will do just fine! 

Excellent work A&C, from a very happy Northerner!

[rembrow]

As Arran and Charlie regularly review these posts, I wonder if the could advise when they expect to distribute the 144s to their retail customers. I've preordered an Arriva red/silver metro liveried one from Scograil of Ipswich, Suffolk, but they don't know when they are likely to receive their orders. Scograil sell other Realtrack and C Rail products. I would order direct, as I have before with DC Kits products, however I like to support my local model shop, who are a family run business and very helpful.

[The Black Hat]

Got my 144s today having had to go and collect the parcel from the post office in town... a handy way of sneaking them into the house when its possible!

 

First impressions are the 144s are a brilliant model and far outstrip the level of detail and accuracy of diesel units thus far. This really is a moment and step change when the unit section has its Merchant Navy moment like steam engines did about ten years or so ago. Its not to say that units to this point have not been all bad. Bachmann have made new models of first generation type units a virtual monopoly for them and have previously made good models of the likes of the turbostar, and class 158, but these now need updating to the standard of the 144, a massive block in the 150 hasnt helped them. Hornby by their part have made the class 153, but others of the former Lima range and others like the 142, even if well presented are now inaccurate and crude by comparrison.

 

Finally, a second generation unit is produced to the standard of the steam, diesel and electric engines and rolling stock on the market. The attention to detail is brilliant, with the printing fine and livery application accurate. Colours seem to be very close to the prototype. Seats even look great too!

 

The box is a little lightwieght but to be honest is sturdy enough. The packaging would be strong enough to take a dent or two. What Im more impressed with is how the packaging has cut down the endless opening and parts of boxes. The sleves and outside box do the job well enough without further packaging and boxing around engines. Im happy with it.

 

First impressions are of a great model. Just needing the sound chips now so that they can be fitted and the two I have used on the layout...

[Matabiau]

Two class 144s have just crossed the channel and have had their first run around my circuit in Toulouse.  I can only reiterate what others have said here regarding the standard of these trains. A big thank you to Charlie and Arran for bringing us these beauties.

 

DCC installation wasn't as difficult as I had expected. The bodies unclip fairly easily with the aid of a piece of thin card slid between the bandy and the chassis. The hardest part is lifting the body clear of the lighting conduits in the cab which are wider than the rest of the chassis. The metal interior was a little harder to prize away from its retaining clips but with patience and persuasion it came clear without any damage to the many fragile detail parts on the chassis.

 

The DCC socket is easily accessible and I had no difficulty installing a Hornby R8249 decoder. I can confirm that pin number 1 (orange lead) is on the end of the socket closer to the cab. 

 

Of my two 144s, the Northern one runs perfectly, quietly, no shaking or swaying and manages without any problem the gradients on my layout. The Metro one is not quite so good, it slows noticeably on the corners and has a habit of derailing on a particular danger spot on my layout, only with the trailer car leading. Most of these problems seem related to the axle box being skew so the wheels are never perfectly in line with the rail. When I have the courage to take the train apart again I will try and improve the alignment.

 

I look forward to the 143 appearing in the not too distant future to add to my fleet. My Hornby 142s have now gone into hiding in shame!

 

 

 

 

 

[birdseyecircus]

I have fitted a Bachmann decoder to mine. As already mentioned the body comes away fairly easy. The metal base proving a bit difficult to separate from the plastic chassis base. I knocked off a couple of seats whilst doing so. In hindsight a couple of recess groves to enable a better finger nail grip may have improved things.

 

The model runs great and is fantastic. Taking the body off etc really shows how much work was involved in this.

 

Paul

[arran]

I have fitted a Bachmann decoder to mine. As already mentioned the body comes away fairly easy. The metal base proving a bit difficult to separate from the plastic chassis base. I knocked off a couple of seats whilst doing so. In hindsight a couple of recess groves to enable a better finger nail grip may have improved things.

 

The model runs great and is fantastic. Taking the body off etc really shows how much work was involved in this.

 

Paul

HI Paul

 

The best way to separate the cast floor from the plastic chassis is to push a scalpel blade into the clips and twist, that works for me and ive done quite a few now.

 

Regards Arran

[eastwestdivide]

First one to add a Movember moustache to the model?

Someone's photographed a real one already: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98899934@N06/10744550213/in/pool-666994@N20/

[The Black Hat]

Got my 144s today having had to go and collect the parcel from the post office in town... a handy way of sneaking them into the house when its possible!

 

First impressions are the 144s are a brilliant model and far outstrip the level of detail and accuracy of diesel units thus far. This really is a moment and step change when the unit section has its Merchant Navy moment like steam engines did about ten years or so ago. Its not to say that units to this point have not been all bad. Bachmann have made new models of first generation type units a virtual monopoly for them and have previously made good models of the likes of the turbostar, and class 158, but these now need updating to the standard of the 144, a massive block in the 150 hasnt helped them. Hornby by their part have made the class 153, but others of the former Lima range and others like the 142, even if well presented are now inaccurate and crude by comparrison.

 

Finally, a second generation unit is produced to the standard of the steam, diesel and electric engines and rolling stock on the market. The attention to detail is brilliant, with the printing fine and livery application accurate. Colours seem to be very close to the prototype. Seats even look great too!

 

The box is a little lightwieght but to be honest is sturdy enough. The packaging would be strong enough to take a dent or two. What Im more impressed with is how the packaging has cut down the endless opening and parts of boxes. The sleves and outside box do the job well enough without further packaging and boxing around engines. Im happy with it.

 

First impressions are of a great model. Just needing the sound chips now so that they can be fitted and the two I have used on the layout...

 

Some further observations on the model, as the last ones were made in the run up to a Cubs sleep over!

 

Im really impressed with the accuracy and the attention to detail. I love how Charlie, Arran and the team have used creative thinking to get the most out of the model. The seats are good and the model uses the space wisely under the seats to give an impression of depth when all the motor, housing and everything else is under there. It will mean cutting the legs off some passengers to go into the compartment but it will mean more detail in the end.

 

The detail below the main passenger compartment is what makes this model stand out. Every single component is in place and it makes other engines such as the Hornby 142, 156 and Bachmann 158 crude in this regard. It will be interesting to see if the Bachmann team notice this and add it to their forthcoming new class 158. Details and printing here is some of the best Ive seen and attention to detail shows dividens around things such as door buttons, no smoking signs (on models that should have them) and instructions for opperation on the chassis.

 

One of the best steps forward is the connection between the two cars. At first looking at this I was anxious about using it often thinking it might bend or get damaged. Fact is that it fits well together and will soon be copied by someone else as it allows so much to happen on the model. The close coupling between the two cars again adds more demension to the realism of it all as the corridor connection between the two should remain tight. Changing the coupling on the ends of the units gives them a more realistic look. The coupling supplied is good enough to look accurate, but the tension coupling shown will have a rather bigger gap between this and another unit. Im not sure what else they could have done, but a more specialist coupling might be something the few wanting to close the gap want. Not everyone will run this unit with another, so the solution adopted will Im sure please most.

 

You can talk about how accurate and detailed the model is made for hours, the roof with the pods again is another area I could mention. However, this in turn leads to something more of an issue. Given the attention to detail and its accuracy overall, Im sure all the dimensions are accurate on the class 144. But standing it alongside other models, it does look small. THe Hornby 67 and Bachmann 66 seem to tower over it, the Hornby 142 is the same size more or less although the roof pod would take its height higher. Despite this, using pictures from the 'net, I do believe that the unit is right and that when you compare its height to areas on a 66, or the 142 the dimensions are accurate. Obviously some models might be out by 0.1 but its made me realise whether I noticed how these real 144s are built and compare height wise to the other units around. I have a photo of my own of a 144 and 142 coupled together and the pair look accurate alongside each other here. Even though, it does give the impression that compared with other models, its smaller by comparrison.

 

Right now, Im thinking the sound chips for the two I have are now the highest priority and when fitted I'll be taking them to a freinds layout for the run in and test as mine is packed up. Still think this should be in the running for model of the year...

[charliepetty]

Warley this weekend, see you all there. Spent the last 4 weeks individually testing 'EVERY' Class 144 to eliminate any minor issues that my crop up, trade supplies are going out within the next 3 weeks all being well.

 

Over 50% of production now sold. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

 

See you at the NEC. Arran & Charlie

[Fenman]

Spent the last 4 weeks individually testing 'EVERY' Class 144 to eliminate any minor issues that my crop up...

 

That's very impressive.

 

I don't suppose, out of interest, that you'll tell us the % failure rate? Elsewhere, some posters are suggesting 10% is commonly accepted.

 

Paul