Bouncy Bouncy

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!

Two photos of my unit that arrived today. And a video... http://youtu.be/chHIVED8hlQ Overall, fantastic model, superb detailing. Echo the comments above about the squealing on 2nd radius curves and the dummy car being "pushed" along, but this aside it's a very smooth runner! Impressed!

Can't be far away now! How far away is the main batch of 144's Charlie/Arran from delivery?

Have you got a production date yet? Looking very good, can't wait for them to be released

Absolutely, and Realtrack should be commended for adding so much detail into the model, which you wouldn't find on any other RTR manufacturer!

Had to have a look at a 144 yesterday, and although from the outside the seats look purple, closer inspection shows they are actually a pattern, which is predominantly dark blue, and the lilac pin-stripes. When worn they do fade to purple, which I suspect is why we've all been saying purple.

Didn't realise they were specific group standards for the display of headlights, or at least looking around at some TOC's and units, they are a fair few differences! Thanks for letting me know that though, most helpful

I must add that this arrangement is correct for Northern 144's, https://picasaweb.google.com/104319811903610082706/NorthernRailClass144#5697245125569561570, however when you come to do the 143, if you're after light accuracy, the ATW and fGW units typically have both marker lights on, along with the bright drivers light. https://picasaweb.google.com/104319811903610082706/ArrivaTrainsWales#5693906709241016418 http://www.flickr.com/photos/45220772@N06/4802209974/ Looking forward to seeing the finished product, and getting my mitts on it!

Having seen the attention to detail on the Northern 144, I would expect yes would be the answer to all of those questions.

Burley Park (and similary Poppleton) isn't on the Northern destination blinds. On Harrogate loop services they do display "Leeds - York" or "Harrogate" at both ends, the latter being less common. Edit - A few photos too https://picasaweb.google.com/104319811903610082706/NorthernRailClass144#5639904165827078130 https://picasaweb.google.com/104319811903610082706/NorthernRailClass144#5697234530041837922 https://picasaweb.google.com/104319811903610082706/NorthernRailClass144#5693545544737356738 https://picasaweb.google.com/104319811903610082706/NorthernRailClass144#5593683612089051858

Farewell Central Trains 158782... With the recent order for a "special" Northern Rail liveried Class 158 for the City of York model railway, the decision was taken to provide my Central Trains example as part exchange. The youngest of the seven 158 models, it was more an impulse purchase and hasn't seen much operation since it's purchase last year. As it's in Central colours, it therefore made the ideal candidate to be part-exchanged, with a model more relevant to the layout taking it's place. The final day of operation for the 158 was Sunday 18th December 2011, where it traversed a number of lines before being boxed up for posting. A few days previously, I operated a "farewell tour" for the model, aimed at being it's last full day of operation, traversing every section of track on the layout. The final strech, bearing a commemarative headboard. The removal of this unit from traffic does therefore mean that there are not enough units to operate the full service, with 2 units already out of traffic. This yet again provides the chance for loco hauled MK2 stock on some of my routes, whilst others suffer the delights of a single Class 153! Below is the farwell tour video, and also an additional image. [media=''] [/media]

If you're after a 155 Leeds will be your best place, don't pop up in York much now. Mainly Leeds - Man Vic and Selby - Wakefield via Halifax runs!

I visited your stand and ended up buying some containers that I didn't expect to purchase! I did see the Northern 144, and took a fair bit of time to look at it. I was pleased to see it in the flesh, and see that it's exactly how I thought it would be, even with the blue seating inside as per the refurbished sets. The model does look spot on, and I look forward to recieving mine next year

They do look impressive. I had my hand hovering over the order button for a while, but had to refrain!

The negativity that is being expressed in this thread? Afterall, those who shout the loudest are generally those that are heard the most. All I see reading this is that the 4VEP is a horridly inaccurate model "and should be returned". And for the record, i've been watching this thread with interest since the pre-production samples and the measurements, and initial photos where someone sawed the front off a blue 4VEP. It's only now, where the negativity is starting to become unjust, and for someone like Venator who has simply explained his experiences of his model to be shot down with a list of "FACT x, FACY y, FACT z", which can appear very aggressive. I have not yet seen any posts saying what is good about the 4VEP. Just inaccuracies and statements telling people not to buy. By all means, please do proove me wrong, however I have yet to read a remotley complimentary post within this topic that has been accepted by the remainder of the posters in here. I'm going to end this here, as it's clear any contribution I attempt to make is deemed unwanted or unnesseccary, and I'll definatley be thinking twice before questioning negativity on here...

Or maybe because most people who read but don't post on this topic aren't too bothered about errors that they may consider to be relatively minor? I'm not really interested in Southern EMU's but I've looked into the VEP after seeing the great uproar here, and people posting that everyone should return their model as its rubbish, and I can't really see much difference between a real one and the model. If it's THAT bad then surely there would be loads of these models sat idle! Certinally not the case at my local modeller and a few Internet giants where they sold out in a matter of days and have had to re-stock... I find it interesting that all the comments are compared against Bachmanns similar CEP(?), yet not compared against other Hornby models. Especially where you mention traction tyres as such a big issue, yet you find them on most similar length models built by Hornby (Javelin as an example) Granted, everyone is entitled to their opinion and that each individual is after different standards in their models, but to me this thread has sort of turned into a "4VEP is poo" thread, and anyone who disagrees is shouted down for it as just witnessed by Venator! No doubt if Hornby have read this thread bang goes any chance for any more Southern EMU or this era models!

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the internal refresh was being completed when a unit would be out of traffic for exams anyway. Granted the exams don't take too long, but the speed Neville Hill work at it doesn't take them long to outshop a whole unit. I also believe that the 144's gained the new logo as they were refurbished, and wern't repainted, bar the 3 cars of course which gained new logos around the same time and have yet to be completed. But no Charlie, it doesn't make the train arrive with any extra seats at peak rush hour!

IIRC they started this early last year, and have almost finished the whole fleet of 144's. All the 2 cars are done that's for sure! It's not the seat mouldings that have changed, just the seat cover. Some of the 142's are recieving the new seat covers too, the FNW "bus seated" and Merseyrail examples are gaining them slowly, however none of the ex-ATN sets at the moment have been treated.

I also have 66411 and have had a number of issues with it, same as some described above, mainly with points. It dislikes most points, with the bogie derailing a fair bit on points and some curves. The layout has recently been completley re-layed with all new track and it has had a marked improvement to the running, but it's still a problem. Banned from certain parts of the layout and can only run in one direction around one loop! I have 2x Hornby 60's and don't have any issus with these, which is why I have vowed not purchase another 66!

Couldn't agree more. The samples look absolutley fantastic, and can't wait to see the finished product! Not to mention let one loose on my layout to bounce around! Elliott

Sorry for the "stupid question", however with this model, there going to be two variations, or has it not been decided if it will be 008 or 012 yet. Looking forward to the model even more now Elliott

I'd imagine demonstrators as it was announced previously they would be avaliable sometime around 3rd quater 2011?

Set Me On Fire - Pendulum

Now there's something I would definatley like to see! Not to mention a 333! I can dream huh?