brushman47544

They might all run away and never come back. Then what would work the branch? BR Standard tanks?

…and rain and bad light…

As The stationmaster said no use speculating, but as a general rule a large container ship coming to Europe is likely to dock in Southampton or Felixstowe and potentially after a call on the other side of the Channel such as in Antwerp or Rotterdam.

We’ve not seen a mix of locomotive types. Do the Panniers and Prairies not get on?

The long line of highly visible rivets along the bottom of the 45 make it look a bit wider to me - they are disguised under the weathering on the 46 so make you think that loco is narrower.

The leading Class 108 in J5305 from yesterday is interesting. Both vehicles look ex-works but one has apparently been refurbished (white/blue) and the other (plain blue) not.

As long as “mum” has been seen in church first and the children have gone to Sunday School it should be alright.

Very happy with my 25324 and would buy another - a 25/1 this time - if what I wanted was available to order, but since it’s not yet I will get a Bachmann 25057 and will then see how they compare to base any further orders on. I certainly wouldn’t cancel an SLW order for a version I want just because I would have to wait a bit longer. They’re too good for that.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know why the last batch (lot 30636) were 1 ton heavier? Presumably nothing to do with the bogies as they were fitted with Commonwealths just like the lot before 30628, which was also built by Pressed Steel.

There were two steps in the downgrading of Mk2F FOs to second class. First in 1985/86, a batch were simply downgraded to SO with no internal changes, numbered in the 64xx series. Some of these were later converted into catering and sleeper reception coaches, with the remainder converted in 1990 to what were known in some quarters as “crackers” with a high density TSO layout including airline seats, numbered 6800 up. So as downgraded FOs with first class interiors they are limited to the late 80s.

This is the version that I want so I can also run it dragged by a Western after having failed! And no, using D423 as a starting point won't do.

These new coaches will have been in development much longer than the decision to fit passengers to existing/upgraded Mk1s so passengers were not yet envisaged when the production slots were booked.

A couple of items of interest, but disappointed there are no more Bulleid coaches in BR(S) green and that there are still no green 47s with Sercks. Looking at their current approach though, it seems Bachmann needs to produce several liveries at one go and they may not think other liveries will sell at this time. Shame.

Very pleased to see that 25057 is now also to be produced unweathered. 25155 could also be of interest as it was a WR loco for a while. I don’t think I missed it in the two videos (Bachmann and HM), have we been told why the buffer are shiny rather than painted black? Was 25155 painted up for a special working at some point?

An SC numbered Maroon RB (as always an E numbered one is out first - no thank you) will be headed my way since it should be a better match with the other Bachmann Maroon Mk1s, but I think I will stick with the Hornby BR(S) green RB as that runs with Hornby’s Maunsell and Bulleid coaches. Will be interested to see Bachmann’s green though as it doesn’t look the same as the latest BR(S) green on Bulleid set 69 which we were told would be their new version of the colour to be used on all coaches. Was that new colour not well received? I think it’s quite accurate. Looks like it will be next year though before blue/grey RBR and BSO(T)s, which I do want, are available.