Wright writes.....

[Barry O]

When you move a steam loco out of the paint shop, fire it up and move it under power it gets dirty.. My memories of steam locos in the 1960s was.. filth.. West Hartlepool did not have cleaners and why clean a Q6, a WD or a J27?

 

A "professional" weathered this Duchess

 

 

took a lot to tidy it up.. now on Carlisle

 

Sometimes you need a bit of weathering to cover bits up.

 

A loco painted by Larry Goddard

 

 

It had seen a bit of work  (so there were a number of chip marks etc) so it was fully weathered then cleaned back to show how it would look when shed cleaned.. and yes the LMR did clean locos.. especially Duchesses. Larry was not happy about what had been done.. (he would have probably liked to repair the paintwork but had stopped painting and lining locos by then)

 

Using an excellent colour photo or two made it easier to weather..

 

 

The most noticeable thing on any loco are, as @Tony Wrightsays, getting the wheels and motion to look "right".This is an early weathering job, more recent ones use a slightly different technique.

 

Baz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2020 by Barry O
spellung

[Tony Wright]

22 minutes ago, Beechnut said:

I harvested this image from Facebook and thought it might add to the weathering debate.

Doncaster 1964

 

 

Great shot!

 

I'm fortunate to own a model of 60114, built by Tony Geary. 

 

 

It's in a similar state to the prototype picture.

 

I also built 60114 from a DJH kit.

 

 

I built it for Leander on here. Ian Rathbone painted it, but in the clean condition the loco was in when it ran on a railtour (to Blackpool?). 

 

It came back to me to be sold-on, which I did.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

[Tony Wright]

The 'Retford' V2 is now finished.................

 

 

Though you can't immediately tell, it's now in EM Gauge. 

 

Since Little Bytham has over a dozen other V2s now, I think this one can be loaned (I've still got the OO frames, of course).

 

So, the work of three blokes - John Houlden, Roy Jackson and me..........................

 

I look forward to seeing it buzz around Retford. 

[Beechnut]

24 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Great shot!

 

I'm fortunate to own a model of 60114, built by Tony Geary. 

 

 

It's in a similar state to the prototype picture.

 

I also built 60114 from a DJH kit.

 

 

I built it for Leander on here. Ian Rathbone painted it, but in the clean condition the loco was in when it ran on a railtour (to Blackpool?). 

 

It came back to me to be sold-on, which I did.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

Had it lost it’s electric lighting by 1964?
 

Brendan

[Bill Matters]

On 16/12/2020 at 19:19, Tony Teague said:

If I may add something more modest in terms of 2020 achievements; as Tony knows, loco building is not my forte or comfort area, but during the year my layout has made progress and I have built at least 16 wagon kits, painted and weathered these & more:

 

 

I have also scratch built a new parish church:

 

 

and finished my Control Panel which has been in building for at least 4 years!

 

 

Happy Christmas to all Wright's Write readers!

 

Tony

 

 

 

 

Could you say where you sourced the coloured tips for the toggle switches. My usual source has stopped selling them and I cannot see anyone selling them in packs of one colour. Thanks

[43078shildoncountydurham]

Push me the the right direction, just having a go at em gauging a Hornby K1, but have lost the pony anybody else other than Hornby do them?

 

Thanks you lot and I wish each and everyone a Happy Christmas, take care all.

 

Craig

[Chuffer Davies]

4 minutes ago, 43078shildoncountydurham said:

Push me the the right direction, just having a go at em gauging a Hornby K1, but have lost the pony anybody else other than Hornby do them?

 

Thanks you lot and I wish each and everyone a Happy Christmas, take care all.

 

Craig

Try this:

https://www.petersspares.com/Hornby-x6978-k1-pony-truck.ir

Frank

[grahame]

50 minutes ago, Barry O said:

When you move a steam loco out of the paint shop, fire it up and move it under power it gets dirty.. My memories of steam locos in the 1960s was.. filth..

 

 

 

@Tony WrightrighWririghthWrighWrighth

 

And, of course, there's all the muck and dirt that comes out of steam loco funnels that got on everything including on other locos and stock. My memories were all the soot and grime everywhere and being told not to lean out of the windows otherwise you'd get smuts in the eye.

 

 

Edited December 18, 2020 by grahame

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, Beechnut said:

Had it lost it’s electric lighting by 1964?
 

Brendan

Good evening Brendan,

 

I think 60114 retained it to withdrawal.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

1 hour ago, 43078shildoncountydurham said:

Push me the the right direction, just having a go at em gauging a Hornby K1, but have lost the pony anybody else other than Hornby do them?

 

Thanks you lot and I wish each and everyone a Happy Christmas, take care all.

 

Craig

Comet makes a suitable pony truck, Craig

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Beechnut]

5 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

Good evening Brendan,

 

I think 60114 retained it to withdrawal.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Hello Tony

 

So the light to the smokebox top was removed/lowered to comply with OHLE regs, got it.

It is an interesting image and in surprisingly good external condition for the year. I did wonder if it was about to be used, or just come off a railtour, which of course would explain the photo.

 

Cheers

 

Brendan

[Steamport Southport]

9 hours ago, LNER4479 said:

... to which (re turn of the century) I would add the tallow effect whereby the polishing of the paintwork was undertaken in a carefully manicured way such that there was a repeated pattern. Some plate camera pictures of that era, showing the proud late Victorian traincrew standing by 'their' loco thus treated are incredible. Oh for a colour camera in those days!

 

Of course, it'd be splattered with oil and muck at the end of the day and they'd have to do it all again!

 

Yes. I think some of the railways allocated a crew to the locomotive so it was "theirs" and making sure it was clean and basic maintenance was their responsibility. 

 

One or two in the NRM still have the drivers name written in the cab. Gladstone definitely still has. A couple of examples here.

 

http://thebrightonbranchofaslef.yolasite.com/dedicated-locos-and-men.php

 

 

Jason

[Tony Teague]

2 hours ago, Bill Matters said:

Could you say where you sourced the coloured tips for the toggle switches. My usual source has stopped selling them and I cannot see anyone selling them in packs of one colour. Thanks

 

Have a look here:

https://www.railroomelectronics.co.uk/Switches/Miniature-Toggle-Switch-Covers/Page1.aspx

Tony

[Mike 84C]

Sorry about my incorrect spelling of the incorrect word to describe the brown finish on the cylinders, frames and wheels of 73068 but we all seem to understand where I was coming from.

[Chas Levin]

8 hours ago, MikeParkin65 said:

Happily purchase will not be compulsory

It is rather steep Mike, but I was very pleased to see the announcement as it suggests that the Bachmann release is going ahead (hopefully at a lower price) and in these generally uncertain times I couldn't help wondering ... Usual story for me: lots of other locos to build that are so much less likely as RTR releases, so I'll be buying one, especially after Tony's review

[Chamby]

1 hour ago, Chas Levin said:

It is rather steep Mike, but I was very pleased to see the announcement as it suggests that the Bachmann release is going ahead (hopefully at a lower price) and in these generally uncertain times I couldn't help wondering ... Usual story for me: lots of other locos to build that are so much less likely as RTR releases, so I'll be buying one, especially after Tony's review

 

It begs the question, how far will manufacturers be able to push prices before enough of the potential market says ‘no!’   I’ll buy one as well, but then wait to see if the price subsequently drops to clear unsold stock.

[St Enodoc]

7 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Though you can't immediately tell, it's now in EM Gauge. 

Interesting...

[john new]

7 hours ago, Chamby said:

 

It begs the question, how far will manufacturers be able to push prices before enough of the potential market says ‘no!’   I’ll buy one as well, but then wait to see if the price subsequently drops to clear unsold stock.

 

It has already occurred for me, not a blanket no but as the budget available for hobbies is finite definitely a reduction in numbers of items bought which are new, possibly more for second hand when shows restart and undoubtedly retention of my older items rather than an upgrade to a new item.

[mullie]

One of my reasons for going over EM was the rising price  of new locos, often beyond my budget.  A new set of wheels,  chassis and detailing parts can be spread across a period of time so making it affordable and giving me something enjoyable to do. Today it is tidying up some pcb track, check railing a harbour scene and planning point rodding.

 

I am enjoying going back over old models  I own and making them better. Some of them date back over 20 years such as my Bachmann J39, some go back even further to my teenage years. 

 

Of course being EM they are worth even less money but my daughters won't want Dad's trains. 

 

Martyn

[Paul Cram]

It certainly puts the Mike Trice version into the bargain category especially for P4 modellers.

[Tony Wright]

10 hours ago, Chas Levin said:

It is rather steep Mike, but I was very pleased to see the announcement as it suggests that the Bachmann release is going ahead (hopefully at a lower price) and in these generally uncertain times I couldn't help wondering ... Usual story for me: lots of other locos to build that are so much less likely as RTR releases, so I'll be buying one, especially after Tony's review

Good morning Chas,

 

Though I don't know for a fact, I assume these V2s will be limited editions (?). 

 

What's interesting (at least to me) is that 60800 in BR green represents the loco in preservation only. It has worksplates on the cabsides and tows a low frontplate tender. In general service, in BR green the cabside 'plates were missing and it towed a high frontplate tender with small front cut-outs.

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Jol Wilkinson]

11 hours ago, Chas Levin said:

It is rather steep Mike, but I was very pleased to see the announcement as it suggests that the Bachmann release is going ahead (hopefully at a lower price) and in these generally uncertain times I couldn't help wondering ... Usual story for me: lots of other locos to build that are so much less likely as RTR releases, so I'll be buying one, especially after Tony's review

Compared to the recently announced Locomotion LNWR inside cylinder 2-4-0 at a RRP of £220, it doesn't seem too bad, especially as it is already discounted by the online retailers.

 

The Bachmann MR /SDJR/BR 0-4-4T thread elsewhere on RMweb would also seem to show that their is no shortage of demand for the new, detailed, RTR models, with some people buying multiples, especially in different liveries and specifications.

 

Those suppliers at most risk at present are potentially the kits and bits suppliers. The loss of shows and exhibitions which is usually where they can sell products and introduce  new items, so keeping in touch with their customers,  has undoubtedly been a problem. However a reasonable web presence has helped keep sales going for most. They have probably also suffered more in getting supplies during the pandemic from UK suppliers that the RTR manufacturers have experienced importing from China.

[rowanj]

What would be  the price of an equivalent quality kit (assuming there was one) of a V2 with wheels, motor, painting, lining, name/number plates and any other ancillaries needed to get it to the same quality as the new Bachmann version? If we are talking a DJH motor combo and Markits wheels, there's £150 or more just for starters. Puts a £230 RRP, which will surely be discounted, into some sort of perspective.

 

I don't deny £230 is not a trivial sum for a toy train, but at least it's a purchase which folk can choose to take or leave - despite some posts to the contrary, they may WANT it but they don't NEED it

Edited December 19, 2020 by rowanj

[Northmoor]

These prices won't affect the modeller market while there are still enough collectors to buy them.

 

We've discussed on this thread before that the growth has been in collectors and not in building of model railways to run them on.  That's why manufacturers issue so many versions and offer limited editions, which have greater rarity value.  Hopefully some of these collectors, one day, get the urge to build a layout to display or even run their locomotives on, but I suspect a significant minority are bought by people whose primary enjoyment of anything, is to know its' cash value.

[gr.king]

Those decorated samples of the V2 that have bright finish on the rods and wheel rims seem to show up rather deep, broad wheel rims with rough flanges (cast?) and broad section rods with an ugly screw head in the return crank. The bolt /rivet detail in the bodies seems rather "emphatic" too. Will the production versions be any better?

Fortunately, I don't feel any need to decide whether to "pre-order" when I don't really know what I would get. I already have the V2s that I want.