Stevelewis

AND it had to travel over the water as well!!!!

Just like to point out that Heljan have produced high quality steam locos in H0 scale for many years, take a look at their website www.Heljan.dk

Would just like to make readers aware that Heljan'S Continental outlline STEAM locos are brilliant ranking with the best of the Continental outline manufacturers, although quite expensive, but you do get what you pay for!

Hi Paul Never thought of that!!!

Dont suppose you have had a reply from Kato yet? I wouldnt Mind a Crocodile or 2 in this scale (Just as a reminder of my Garden Railwaying Days) But obviously not much chance!! Just have to Make do with the GE 4/4 IIIs

In the weeks since the BG first became available (LMS Versions) my loosley connected group of fellow modellers have purchased at the last count approx 16 RTR New locos from Hornby, Bachmann & Heljan only 1 of which was rejected because of problems, if my calculations are correct thats about 6% Now we don't have any idea of how many BGs have been sold so far nor do I think it is probable we ever will, but the number of reprted problems on here do seem to indicate that the proportion of faulty locos may be higher than average. It is a real shame because the situation could make those companies who commision these 'exclusive' models to maybe ' think twice' in the future.

Re the assembly problems etc.........I would think that the BG is not made in the same factory as Heljans 0 Gauge locos? Never had any problems with those over the years.

It makes me wonder if the BG has been produced' down to a price'? there seem to be quite a few reported problems occuring with them on here, perhaps more than have been reported with other recent releases, of course there are possibly a much higher proportion of buyers perfectly satisfied with thei locos. What makes me wonder re the price is the fact that reference to the Heljan Website shows that their H0 steam locos do command much higher prices than the BG

There would be little point in investing in the development of a 'mass market' model which would not traverse what appears to be the industry standard recommended minimum curve of R2 (approx 18") Just as a matter of interest I had some LGB Mallets (European & USA outline) which were upto 900mm long, they were designed to traverse G scale R1 curves which are 600mm (24") radius ( looked a bit silly doing so though!!) luckily my garden lines were built to a more gentle radius

I too am not convinced there will be any further releases, if there were then I dont think they would be 'soon' If you consider previous limited editions released in the last couple or so years, most are still available AND at much reduced prices, for example take a look at the Class 14 Teddy Bear now selling for £69.00 for some variants, The Co-Bo and 10000 etc also are still listed at reduced prices. I just received the last one of a special edition of 1000 from Hattons yesterday ( not an exclusive Hattons release) which was originally just over £100 but reduced to just £69.

Just a couple of quik observations re the C class and another Bachmann 0-6-0 the J11 which may prove helpful to those experiencing Cclass running problems. Both the 2 locs are similar in design EXCEPT for the C class lack of tender pickups. The C class still has cables between loco & tender to accomodate the decoder socket in the tender EVEN IF THE LOCO IS NOT BEING USED DIGITALLY THIS CONNECTION IS STIILL REQUIRED as the decoder socket has to have its blanking plug fitted to allow the motor to receive DC power! We have a small test track incorporating some insulfrog points and it was notable that the C class juddered on these and at low speeds sometimes stopped, whereas the J11 had no problems at any speed, thus indicating that the J11's tender pickups were supplying the power when the loco drivers were on the dead frogs. HOWEVER we noticed something of more significance, the cables linking the loco tender had a tendency to lift the loco up fractionally thus raising the rear loco axle ever so slightly, but enough to interrupt power pickup and cause the juddering effect. Careful repositioning of these cable may help somewhat, but if the loco is to be used on Analogue only, it should be poss to eliminate the tender to loco cables and simply connect the 2 sets of cables withing the loco ( I have not confirmed if this is feasable as I have not removed a C class loco body) Also loosening the keeper plate screws slightly on the loco may also help the situation. Hope this helps. incidentally I know a guy who has both Bachmann 3f & 4 f locos, he says his 4fs get a lot more use than the 3fs, ( the 4fs have tender pickups the 3fs dont!) Pics show the J11 not a C class!!

I can help you there see earlier posts ARCADIARAIL SHAW,, Tim has or had 2 days ago all 3 variants in stock, best to phone not email it is a busy shop. phone nuimber is on www.arcadiarail.co.uk ***NOTE ALSO**** He is CLOSED TUESDAYS and then the shop is closed from JULY 31 for a week for HOLS

Typin' Error!!!!!!!!!!! Doin too things at wonce!!!

Thanks for the info, so I guess a small decoder is required! I have no qualms about fitting decoders I have been doing it since '97! I am actually doing this for a friend who has just bought one at Hattons bargain price and I was thinking of buying one as well!

Interesting posts, one of my MRTC (Gaugemaster) hand helds is behaving in the same way, so presumably it may be the same fault I must get around to contacting gaugemaster.

Re Couplings,, most likely hoop & loop as most NG mnfrs use in 009/H0e but worth noting that the vast majority of 009/H0e have NEM pockets enabling the simple substitution of knuckle couplings (confirming PEO L&B stock has NEM pockets BUT they are a little on the Fragile side when compared to Liliput/Roco ones!) Bachmann (Liliput) even supply Knuckle couplings for alternatiive use on their recent H0e Zillertahl stock

I am just about to order a class 14, which will need to be digitized, I believe that the decoder space is limited can anyone recommend a decoder please>?

This one is heading back to the retailer, something which I find is occuring more frequently these days, If an item does not perform reasonably well initially, I reject it Re decoders , almost 20 years of Digital experience has taught me that price has little to do with decoder performance, its the CV settings that the user implements that matter, I have used many Bachmann "cheap" decoders without any issues, currently I am fitting Hattons even cheaper decoders which perform admirably

Well the plot thickens!!, I did not get to fit a decoder to the loco, It will be heading back to the supplier I am afraid! One of my neighbours came by (also an entusiast and ex ER loco driver) so showing him the C class, he observed that it had a prounced wobble notice more when viewing it head on rather than from the side, surprising really i dont often have Bachmann locos with fauults

Thanks for the confirmation, So Britains \model trains 2014 is incorrect!! I appreciate the rreason for the inter loco trender cabling, I have digitised so many locos recenlty for friends that it all has become a blur, I could have sworn the C class was tender pickup equiped!! I have been giving the C class which arrived today a test on analogue before sticking a decoder in it, and have noticed that it does hesitate noticably on a dead frog & 2 dead frog points, specifically used on my test track ( to test pickups) It will be interseting to see when I have fitted decoder and stay alive it is any improvement I'll be back in 15 mins!

I cannot quite understand Bachmann's recent logic concerning tender pickups, 3f None, 4f has as do D 11 & J11 According to the write up on the C class in 2014 Britains Model Trains the C class Does have tender pickups!

Just received a C class in green, I am sure that the earlier black ones which I decoder fitted for a friend had tender pickups However this one doesnt! Can any one confirm whether or not tender pickups should be present Thanks

A Ffestiniog Double Fairlie was announced by ROCO ( apparently it was to be to 4mm scale ie 00-9 not H0e) not too many years back. Unfortunatley the model was not produced due to lack of interest shown at the time. A retailer I deal with said that he had had some interest shown but would only have had definate orders for 25% of the minimum order of 12.

Should anyone be looking for a Bachmann Wainwright C Class in GREEN SECR livery ARCADIA have a small number in stock as of today 21/7/14 I have just bought one £96.00 Best to phone 01706882900

I have just secured a GREEN Wainwright C class from Arcadiarail Oldham £96.00 Tim has a few more in stock NOW should anyone want one Best to Phone if poss, not email 01706882900