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  

At lease we are getting coloured seats, all I have noticed from others is Grey & Black. Got a 170 with brown.  And thats in a Scotrail one. Probably not brown on the real ones.

 

Happy Christmas and a Good New Year from REALTRACK.  All the best Arran & Charlie

 

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

The front lighting is sorted and now is spot on, probably the only UK model with correct daytime running (1 X Left Hand Bright White & 1 X Right Hand Dull White).

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.

Think I'll be getting one of these! Minor point - it's not usual to see a Pacer doing York-Leeds - that route is almost always 158s, usually the York-Blackpool North services.

 

The Harrogate Loop services are announced and on the screens as York-Burley Park (to discourage people from using them to get to Leeds, as it takes over twice as long as the main route, and the trains are usually full at peak times as it is). I don't think I've ever actually checked to see what the destination boards on the Pacers usually display when on the loop, but I will do in the next few days!

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

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!

 

Talking of convincing arguments, I really can't ignore the screaming contradiction in those two passages...if they're selling that well, why wouldnt they do further models?

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I appreciate this is a very long thread but - as ever in such cases - I do have to wonder if the more recent entrants have fully digested its earlier content

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.

All I will say now is that I think the comment "this is turning into a VEP is poo" is wholly unnecesary, rather infantile and most importantly, simply not true.

 

Overall I think "we" on the unhappy side of the spectrum have been remarkably restrained in our responses.

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...

 

just an observation, isn't it an interesting part of human nature that we always assume we are personally in the majority ........

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!

Todays 144 Fleet News!

 

All Serco-Abellio refurbished units will have new corperate image 'Blue' seating, a bicycle position replacing the disabled area in the DMSL (Toilet) car,

All yellow internal handrails repainted in Grey and happy smiling staff.

 

I am certain Northern can achieve some of these modifications, but maybe not all!

 

This means the 'Arriva Red' seating is no more! They seemed ok to me! Why they don't fit better seating into the Manchester based 142's is a mystery rather than swapping good seats for good seats.

 

Looks like another version we can do.

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!

Looks very impressive, might have to stretch to 2 rather than 1.

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

For those who are interested, the finalised liveries & Set numbers are as follows:

 

Subject: News Up-Date from REALTRACK models

 

Running samples of our Class 144 are on test in China, these TS1 samples will be arriving in the uk shortly.

 

Due to customer demand at the shows we have been adjusting our plans on the 144, the liveries & models have been slightly amended.

 

The 'ALL NEW' 144 will become available hopefully during February 2012, possibly sooner!

 

The first four models will be:

 

144-111: Class 144 Two Car DMU Northern Abelio Night Blue (New Northern Rail livery April 2011) with running numbers 144008 or 144012

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

How about a 185 Charlie?

 

Rob

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

I'd definatley be interested in purchasing one, the model sounds simply fantastic, with far more additional details than my current models have, inpaticular i'd definatley be interested in 144-112 Class 144 in Standard Pre 2011 Northern Livery. I probably wouldn't purchase a 3 car as I struggle with 3 car 158's at the moment, although the coaches are smaller than a standard 158 coach IIRC?

All I need now is a Northern 150, and i'm sorted!