Class 85

[RBE]

Yes it's the nature of the hobby these days. You do have more of a window to buy through these days than in days of old where models were available to buy for years. There is always the second hand market though, even if it's no longer the bargain buying arena it used to be.

[Guest spet0114]

Then, when all else fails, look on the Olivia 's Trains website....

[Removed a/c]

Then, when all else fails, look on the Olivia 's Trains website....

and pay almost double ! Yikes

Edited August 19, 2016 by thebritfarmer

[Clydebridge]

Like a few others I purchased one recently and I'm glad I did, only regret not purchasing a couple. It's a fantastic loco and the detailing is excellent as many have mentioned the pantograph is a work of art in it's own. Bachmann has set the benchmark in Electric traction with this model. 

 

Only thing I could improve on after looking at the prototype was the lack of an air pipe and the ventilation grill on the compressor ( I think that's what it is) in the equipment cubicle.

A bit of copper wire and a rummage in my surplus decals box provided a suitable waterslide transfer that was an unused air ventilator decal from the Revell 1/24th London Routemaster kit of all things!

The same could easily be made in a graphics program and printed onto waterslide paper. 

 

I used a pin vice drill to make two small locating holes for the pipework with 90° angles at each end one slightly longer and the other to allow easy fitting and a slight bend in the pipe as per prototype then glued in place.

Looking forward to more Electrics in the not too distant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DJM Dave]

Like a few others I purchased one recently and I'm glad I did, only regret not purchasing a couple. It's a fantastic loco and the detailing is excellent as many have mentioned the pantograph is a work of art in it's own. Bachmann has set the benchmark in Electric traction with this model. 

 

Only thing I could improve on after looking at the prototype was the lack of an air pipe and the ventilation grill on the compressor ( I think that's what it is) in the equipment cubicle.

A bit of copper wire and a rummage in my surplus decals box provided a suitable waterslide transfer that was an unused air ventilator decal from the Revell 1/24th London Routemaster kit of all things!

The same could easily be made in a graphics program and printed onto waterslide paper. 

 

I used a pin vice drill to make two small locating holes for the pipework with 90° angles at each end one slightly longer and the other to allow easy fitting and a slight bend in the pipe as per prototype then glued in place.

Looking forward to more Electrics in the not too distant.

Must admit I'm rather taken by the BR Blue one, and your mods are simple but lovely.

Cheers

Dave

[Blobrick]

Gents l have a hopefully quick question

 

I wish to add a further AL5 to my collection, and fancy 31-676, the electric blue version without the small yellow warning panels. However this model is the loco as built and as such has two pans. Can anyone tell me when these locos lost their second pan?

 

Fingers crossed

 

Bob C

[rodent279]

They lost the 2nd pan when they were dual braked, in the early 70's. I'd say by about 1973 they'd all have one pan.

Cheers N

[298]

They lost the 2nd pan when they were dual braked, in the early 70's. I'd say by about 1973 they'd all have one pan.

Cheers N

If not a little earlier, if you look through the AC photos thread there are locos missing their second pan but have yet to receive additional air tanks.

[Blobrick]

If not a little earlier, if you look through the AC photos thread there are locos missing their second pan but have yet to receive additional air tanks.

 

 

Hi 298 I ve been doing just that and trawling through the web. I ve found twin pan SYWP and twin pan no SYWP in traffic around mid 1965. So it looks like l can justify a 31-676, however finding one could be very difficult, unless some one has one lurking in a cupboard some where? Good home waiting. 

 

It would be nice if Mr Bachmann were to release the twin pan version with SYWP as well, hint hint Mr B !

 

Bob C

[leopardml2341]

Hi 298 I ve been doing just that and trawling through the web. I ve found twin pan SYWP and twin pan no SYWP in traffic around mid 1965. So it looks like l can justify a 31-676, however finding one could be very difficult, unless some one has one lurking in a cupboard some where? Good home waiting. 

 

It would be nice if Mr Bachmann were to release the twin pan version with SYWP as well, hint hint Mr B !

 

Bob C

Might be able to help you there - PM me?

[Blobrick]

Might be able to help you there - PM me?

 

 

Hi Andy, just sent you a PM

 

Bob C

[royaloak]

Waited and waited to get a TOPS version looks like they are now sold out

Why wait so long?

Trying to get one at a real 'bargain' price were we?

[royaloak]

Well thanks for those words of wisdom ! 

He isnt wrong though is he?

[leopardml2341]

Hindsight is the only thing without risk

[Titan]

Trying to get one at a real 'bargain' price were we?

 

Doubt it. You could get them for £55 at one point and if that is not cheap enough then they never will be.

[rembrow]

Can anyone help with the spec for the last 85 released by Bachmann, 31-679  E3095, in relation to number of pantographs. It is in original 'electric' blue livery with syp, and represention of cast E numbers and lion and wheel. The Bachmann site shows it fitted with twin pantographs, yet some retailers who have produced their own photos, show it with a single pantograph. Can anyone confirm the situation with pantographs

[Blobrick]

Can anyone help with the spec for the last 85 released by Bachmann, 31-679  E3095, in relation to number of pantographs. It is in original 'electric' blue livery with syp, and represention of cast E numbers and lion and wheel. The Bachmann site shows it fitted with twin pantographs, yet some retailers who have produced their own photos, show it with a single pantograph. Can anyone confirm the situation with pantographs

 

Hi Rembrow

 

I have just picked one of these versions up at my local model shop, here in Derby. I can confirm it is the single pan version. As the 31-676 version is in electric blue with no SYWP but has twin pans, has only been produce in this one livery, l can't help but wonder if a version with SYWP is on the cards?

 

Bob C

[Removed a/c]

Why wait so long?

Trying to get one at a real 'bargain' price were we?

No not at all,  having only been back in the hobby a few years lots to buy and like most have to pick and choose as to what is higher on the "priority list".  So loco sell quicker than other and if you don't jump when they are released then you lose out. I am abroad so don't have the option of local models shops or driving to one. Postage is expensive so I try to do my shopping at a couple of the larger retailers and buy a few items at once. 

 

He isnt wrong though is he?

Not really but as Basil said to Sybil " Can we get you on mastermind, next contestant Sybil Fawlty, specialist subject the bleeding obvious".     

[royaloak]

No not at all,  having only been back in the hobby a few years lots to buy and like most have to pick and choose as to what is higher on the "priority list".  So loco sell quicker than other and if you don't jump when they are released then you lose out. I am abroad so don't have the option of local models shops or driving to one. Postage is expensive so I try to do my shopping at a couple of the larger retailers and buy a few items at once. 

 

Not really but as Basil said to Sybil " Can we get you on mastermind, next contestant Sybil Fawlty, specialist subject the bleeding obvious".     

Fair enough, my post did come across rather more abrupt than I intended so I apologise for that.

 

I have to agree that the number of very nice 'must have' models currently available far outstrip the funds available to purchase them.

Edited August 22, 2016 by royaloak

[Removed a/c]

No problem,  the internet unfortunately has no emotions so it hard to convey ones expression.

 

 

 

Funds are definitely an issue, especially with 3 HST sets to buy 

[Blobrick]

Gents

 

I would like to ask a quick question if l may

 

The last AL5 to enter service, E3095, did so in December 1964. Was she delivered with two pans or one? The Bachmann version of this model has only one pan, and carries Electric Blue livery with SYWP which would suggest that was the condition she entered service. There are two photos of E3095 already in this thread, both taken around 1967 I believe, and in both cases she has only one pan, which suggests if she did enter traffic with two, she lost one quite quickly. 

Can anyone confirm this please?

 

I have already posted this in the AC locos section but think is should really have been here, soz Mr Mod!!

 

Many thanks in advance

 

Bob C

Edited August 23, 2016 by Blobrick

[stovepipe]

There was 10 months between E3095 and the penultimate loco, E3092, entering service (according to BRDatabase). Here is a link to E3092 with no yellow panels and two pantographs in June 1964, four months into service.

 

http://railphotoprints.uk/p292472143/h230cdd9c#h31e53d7b

 

And here is E3095 in April 1966 with yellow panels and one pan. The yellow and white does look to have been newly applied, so perhaps it ran 15 months in original condition? The big gap to the last delivery suggests it may have been used for research or trials.

 

http://www.rail-online.co.uk/p1050452084/h2ef4b4ba#h2ef4b4ba

 

and heres E3090 with 2 pans no yellow in May 1965.

Hi-Res R0123 by Bill Wright, on Flickr

Edited August 23, 2016 by stovepipe

[Blobrick]

There was 10 months between E3095 and the penultimate loco, E3092, entering service (according to BRDatabase). Here is a link to E3092 with no yellow panels and two pantographs in June 1964, four months into service.

 

http://railphotoprints.uk/p292472143/h230cdd9c#h31e53d7b

 

And here is E3095 in April 1966 with yellow panels and one pan. The yellow and white does look to have been newly applied, so perhaps it ran 15 months in original condition? The big gap to the last delivery suggests it may have been used for research or trials.

 

http://www.rail-online.co.uk/p1050452084/h2ef4b4ba#h2ef4b4ba

 

and heres E3090 with 2 pans no yellow in May 1965.

Hi-Res R0123 by Bill Wright, on Flickr

 

 

Hi Stovepipe

 

Thank you so very much for looking this up for me. The period l am working around is Mid 1965 to Mid 1966, so these two photos are spot on. This time frame allows me to have AL5s in Electric Blue, with no SYWP twin pan, Electric Blue with SYWP and twin pan, and thanks to your efforts, Electric Blue with SYWP  & single pan.

 

In addition, with these links, l now have another source of photos to work through as well

 

 

One very happy bunny

 

Bob C

[Clydebridge]

Made a start on building up the weathering layers but not too filthy as these loco's passed through the washer plant regularly getting a healthy dose of Ex Mover in the process. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rail-Online]

Made a start on building up the weathering layers but not too filthy as these loco's passed through the washer plant regularly getting a healthy dose of Ex Mover in the process. 

 

AL5-005-RM.jpg

 

Al5-006-RM.jpg

 

AL5-009-RM.jpg

 

AL5-010.jpg

Nice start but I think the yellow end is still too clean and stark.  The washing plants only really did the sides of the loco. If used on ECS to Stonebridge Park they would be over cleaned but those on freight services seldom saw a washing plant.  Dirt round the front and the extent of reach of the washing brushes is shown nicely here:

 

http://www.rail-online.co.uk/p684479712/h310476cc#h310476cc

 

Don't forget the roof would be filthy.

 

Tony

Edited September 2, 2016 by Rail-Online