Hailstone

As a dc dinosaur, and steam to diesel transition modeler have to say that I am seriously underwhelmed with a total lack of new tooling on the steam side. I hoped that after the 8F we would perhaps get an update of the 61xx prairie, king, crab or V2 but they seem to be going all out for the dcc camp. i can only hope that the next announcement in 3 months time will be more exciting. Where are the Thompson coaches in maroon? Disgruntled

I first dipped my toe in N gauge when Graham Farish brought out the 94xx and J69. I bought one of each, a few wagons, a couple of Minitrix MK1's and 3 Ian Kirk wagon kits and an oval of Track to run them on. the J69 had a habit of shedding its coupling rods resulting in me returning it to the stand that I bought it from on the second day of the MRC's Central hall Westminster exhibition. they then tried 4 more which did the same before finding one that made it round an N gauge layout without this happening! I still have both of them and all the wagons (I sold the minitrix coaches in 2004) I then had a break from N gauge railway modelling from 1977 until 2004 (I worked on full size steam locos) when Dapol unveiled its 14xx. I had to have one and its attendant Autotrailer and the following 16 years have been punctuated with more and increasingly accurate models, the 8F being the latest superb release. when Farish upgraded the MK1's to Blue riband standard, I took a deep breath and replaced all of my older ones and it cost me a fair bit, but considering the cost of a single coach now, I am glad that I did it when I did. I agree with the comment that pre ordering is necessary and really has been for some time, but to get the model you want I would imagine for many of us that is not the end of the world. As for kit building, I have built several locos, wagons and even the Gresley full brake (although it was a full year after I bought it that I got brave enough to build it!). along with a few buildings. Finally, from my viewpoint, I believe that N gauge modelers today have a terrific choice of models although I understand that not all of the locos coaches and even wagons we want are, or are likely to become available as RTR, we have come a long long way from the 1970's when poor quality RTR stock and crude kits were all we had. Regards, Alex

Is there any news of these? Regards, Alex

I still have all 3 of them, they currently live on top of my tool cabinet Regards, Alex

My first experience of N gauge was in the early 70's when I bought a 94xx and a couple of Minitrix chocolate and cream coaches and an oval of track, to which was added a J69 when they first came out, bought at the Central hall exhibition in London and which promptly shed its coupling rods when I got it home! I returned to the exhibition the next day and got a replacement after the Farish staff embarsasingly had several failures straight out of the box while testing them on an adjacent layout! wagons were added including 3 kits( by Coopercraft I think) all of which I still have with the exception of the coaches. ater a while I carried on with OO gauge until I got involved with full size steam locos at Didcot and moved into a small flat, get married and have a family which saw all model railway activity cease until 2004 when Dapol brought out their 14xx which got me to dust off the N gauge stock and start again. As for the model I most wanted - the Blue Pullman! it arrived whist I was laid in bed recovering from a broken ankle and so desperate was I to run it that I crawled to the wardrobe, got out the test track and ran it on the bed! Regards, Alex

As a transition era modeler I would hope that a double chimney option will be available as I would like two Regards, Alex

I received an email on the 10th of June from Rails of Sheffield in which they state that the Thompson coaches will be in stock next week, both simulated teak and carmine and cream. I have ordered one of each of the carmine and cream examples Regards, Alex

One has to wonder why it is that the MK1 chocolate and cream RU is still at tba status? it is in essence a re livery and not a new vehicle. Regards, Alex

Personally, I thought you got it right the first time - I always thought it looked awful on locos Regards, Alex

one of each of the BR WR versions for me, a long awaited loco in this scale, every Western layout bigger than a small branch line should have at least one, remember, they did almost everything before the Manors and Granges turned up, and they used wheels amongst other components from time expired 43xx! Regards, Alex

From a stud of over 150 steam and 50 diesel locos, I have only had to send 2 back for faulty running caused by manufacturing faults, and they were both Graham Farish. one was a Peppercorn A1, the other an N class mogul. I count myself lucky, as the 2 or 3 others that had minor defects were easily rectified by myself, others gained from ebay purchases were often a case of bad handling or poor maintenance. as N gauge is that much smaller, clean wheels and track are a MUST for good running. I have been amazed at the state of the wheels and mechanisms of some of the second hand locos that I have "resurrected" from "spares/repair" Regards, Alex

Ordered my two the moment i got the email, looking forward to this.... Regards, Alex

As an aside, here is a photo of me driving KEI (I hope it shows on this post!)

My posts regarding the washout plugs have been based on looking at amny photographs and videos of King George V and King Edward I. please remember that KGV went straight from BR service to preservation, and has not been modified or cut down to run to todays height and width restrictions, and as for the boilers, even in Western region days, Swindon practices were carried on, and the rebuilt boilers would have had the same washout plug sitings as per the original - new outer firebox sides, throat plate and a new inner firebox (to bring the stay sizes back to first size) and front tubeplate to take the new four row Melesco type superheater as used in BR standards. finally there is a weight diagram (page 44) and a great deal of useful photographs in Michael Rutherfords "castles and Kings at work Regards, Alex

I have just ordered 1 from Rails, not a big order I know but every little helps.... Regards, Alex