sp1 Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I have had this on pre-order from Hattons for ages. Now it's arrived I am a little disappointed with the details - I think this my be due to 'design clever'....... I think a few improvements are in order, and would appreciate some help: 1. As you can see from the photo, compared to my Hornby 'Thomas' it looks a little out of gauge - should I regauge it to OO-sf? 2. The wheels look a bit coarse, and they dont have any flanges - I can remember when Lima used to make locos with proper flanges! I am thinking of replacing them with Romfords (so I dont need to worry about the quartering), or should I treat myself to a set of Ultrascales? If I do decide on Ultrascales does anyone have a GW wheel press I could borrow? 3. The dome doesn't look right. From it's colour I think it's Great Western (copper?) in origin. I think I have a solution: I have a NRM Limited Edition 'City of Truro' - I could saw the dome off that and glue it on, or do Dart Castings do something suitable? 4. I don't think the red colour is quite right - should I repaint it with Precision 'Crimson Lake', or would Halfords 'Ford Damask Red' be a better match? 5. If I go for the repaint I am worried about reproducing the very fine lining on this model - I am rubbish with transfers, and the last time I used some from HMRS the glue didn't stick: would I be better getting someone like Ian Rathbone to do the lining for me? 6. I also think I need to do some weathering (this particular model doesn't come with factory applied weathering) - do you apply the Johnsons Klear before or after weathering? 7. When I replace the wheels I also intend to replace the valve gear with something finer - I have a cunning plan! In my pile of kits I have a Martin Finney Garratt - I can pinch the valve gear from that: the rest of the kit wont go to waste as I can melt the leftover bits down in an old saucepan and cast this into ingots to use as ballast weights in other kits - this idea isn't mine: I read about in something written by Tony Wright. 8. Should I replace the motor etc with a Mashima and a High Level Gearbox?, and does Comet produce an etched chassis kit for this model? 9. Does anyone know how to use Templot - I am about to start building my layout, and have already ordered hundreds of bits from C & L to make the track -I'm hoping it will be a good match with the Triang track I already have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium kevinlms Posted August 13, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 13, 2014 James.jpg I have had this on pre-order from Hattons for ages. Now it's arrived I am a little disappointed with the details - I think this my be due to 'design clever'....... James_Thomas.jpg I think a few improvements are in order, and would appreciate some help: 1. As you can see from the photo, compared to my Hornby 'Thomas' it looks a little out of gauge - should I regauge it to OO-sf? 2. The wheels look a bit coarse, and they dont have any flanges - I can remember when Lima used to make locos with proper flanges! I am thinking of replacing them with Romfords (so I dont need to worry about the quartering), or should I treat myself to a set of Ultrascales? If I do decide on Ultrascales does anyone have a GW wheel press I could borrow? 3. The dome doesn't look right. From it's colour I think it's Great Western (copper?) in origin. I think I have a solution: I have a NRM Limited Edition 'City of Truro' - I could saw the dome off that and glue it on, or do Dart Castings do something suitable? 4. I don't think the red colour is quite right - should I repaint it with Precision 'Crimson Lake', or would Halfords 'Ford Damask Red' be a better match? 5. If I go for the repaint I am worried about reproducing the very fine lining on this model - I am rubbish with transfers, and the last time I used some from HMRS the glue didn't stick: would I be better getting someone like Ian Rathbone to do the lining for me? 6. I also think I need to do some weathering (this particular model doesn't come with factory applied weathering) - do you apply the Johnsons Klear before or after weathering? 7. When I replace the wheels I also intend to replace the valve gear with something finer - I have a cunning plan! In my pile of kits I have a Martin Finney Garratt - I can pinch the valve gear from that: the rest of the kit wont go to waste as I can melt the leftover bits down in an old saucepan and cast this into ingots to use as ballast weights in other kits - this idea isn't mine: I read about in something written by Tony Wright. 8. Should I replace the motor etc with a Mashima and a High Level Gearbox?, and does Comet produce an etched chassis kit for this model? 9. Does anyone know how to use Templot - I am about to start building my layout, and have already ordered hundreds of bits from C & L to make the track -I'm hoping it will be a good match with the Triang track I already have. Looking at it, I think the buffers are rather 'under done'. Perhaps some Gauge 1 sprung buffers would do the trick? Mounting could be an issue as getting them to stay at the correct height could be difficult. The supplied coupling is rather inadequate for reverse running. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sp1 Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 Looking at it, I think the buffers are rather 'under done'. Perhaps some Gauge 1 sprung buffers would do the trick? Mounting could be an issue as getting them to stay at the correct height could be difficult. The supplied coupling is rather inadequate for reverse running. Thank you, I had forgotten about the buffers and couplings! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sp1 Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 On post no 17 here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/89105-what-have-you-just-bought/ it has been pointed out that the loco is in fact a 2-6-0 as it has a tender! I think the very close coupling made me miss this - I wonder if it will go round first radius curves? It also makes me wonder whether it would be worthwhile fitting pickups to the tender for improved running? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sp1 Posted August 13, 2014 Author Share Posted August 13, 2014 It's rather lacking a lot of details. Have you noticed? There's no crown on the chimney, the handrails on the boiler, smoke box and cab are missing entirely, as is the whistle. I'm sure you can find the bits'n'bobs here and there and everywhere, but you should at least reclaim some of that cost with the manufacturer! Moreover, somehow I think the model is seriously under-scale, that smoke box and boiler look rather short. Mind, what do I know about kettles these days? It's the 'Railroad' version - I couldn't afford the super-detailed one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classsix T Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Fitting sound to these can be quite tricky, the modules can be found at various Thomas themed events around the country. They basically consist of a miniature figure, incredibly lifelike but underscale. Files usually include a repetitive chuff-chuff and occasionally a far from realistic whistle. Be warned though they appear to be incredibly difficult to turn off, which is dependant on power supply, for best results moderate the ice cream, pop and sweets. A sharp blow to the underside is regarded as extreme to correct a misbehaving module, plus can corrupt the sound files into a continuous wailing. Much to the annoyance of bystanders. HTH,C6T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted August 29, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 29, 2014 You really ought to fit the detail pack - there's no crew for a start, also footplate steps, lamp irons & headlamps and a proper 3 link coupling are all missing. You'd better plunder that Finney Garratt for some safety valves as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfsboy Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I thought you had got a Mason bogie for a minute. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WD0-6-0 Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 There's also something about that smokebox door I can't quite put my finger on Rhys Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAL 'O THE WYND Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Late response - hilarious everyone! I wish I was your child. Hal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sp1 Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 Thanks Hal! Must do a follow up about the layout some time ...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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