Darth Vader

It's always a bad day when a new announcemnt is made and it's no what you had hoped for. But to be fair Heljan are moving towards DMU production - have they not announded 5 first generation DMU's. 4 of the railbuses and a parcels DMU. There was also the plan to do the Blue Pullman before Bachmann spoilt the party. To me this points to Heljan doing more DMU's in the future. It just becomes a waiting game. Can be frustrating.

Sixties Diesel & Electric Days Remembered vol 2 - pages 45 & 52 have full page colour photo's

Hi Peter Great meeting yesterday, even if it was raining. Lots to see and plenty of good company. The layouts coming along nicely I got a photo of the nuke train. The terrace houses are starting to get windows as well. Thanks for the great hospitality PS thanks for the tip about uploading photos.

I may have missed this in the thread, but has anyone fitted kadee's to baby deltic, if so are the NEM pockets at the correct height?

Not sure how I should respond to this. I just asked a question about the photo that you used, I did not say your methods were wrong. I had not come across a frontal photo of the model and only asked in case you had, so that you could refer me to the source so that I could see a frontal view. Having thought about this, it appears that I focused on the word you used “Assume”. I interpreted this as a “best guess”, hence my use of the word arbitrary. Then when a wagon drawing was quoted in context of a locomotive, again misinterpretation on my part. If we had had this conversation face to face the outcome would be totally different. The trouble with this medium is it is so one dimensional. Subject to the interpretation of the reader, without reference to other clues such as tone of voice or visual clues, (also on my part too quick to post a response before thinking it through). My main thrust in all of this was to say that comparing photos and taking measurements came be somewhat subjective depending on ones viewpoint or experience. Until someone can get hold of an actual model to measure it, the view taken will be subject to the persons perception of the photograph. Some have stated that the head code box is the wrong size and I understand that you were trying to prove/disprove this. Pete apologies for any misunderstanding between us, it was not my intention to upset you. At least we both agree that we like what we see in the photo.

Don't understand to reference to me being offended. I still stand by the use of the word "Arbitary" Both of our observations are arbitary (personal whim). Whether we take wagon "drawing dimensions" and apply them to a photograph of a model locomotive or casually state that the model looks fine in the photo. Until we have on in our hot little hands and can run a ruler over the model itself we will not no for sure. Even when we have the model in the flesh, theire is no actual prototype to make comparisons. We only have photos and drawings. Question? The photgraph of the model that you used to make youe calculations, was it a full frontal shot or a three quarter view.

There seems to be an issue with this statement the word - "Assuming". Doesn't this just make the rest of the calculation arbitrary. In the photo's of the model that I have seen, it looks fine to me. Then I have nothing to compare it with to make a judgement. Until I see it in the flesh, it will be difficult to really tell if there are errors. Mass production of models will always throw up the odd millimetre discrepancy. On most layouts a model will be viewed from at least a scale 100 feet. Try looking at a prototype locomotive from a 100 feet away and making a comparison between the two. It really gets down to the individual and whether or not they are happy enough with the model to consider purchasing it.

I'm not sue what motor is fitted, but it does have two motors, the link below takes you to the web site. Australian Garratt

There is a ready to run Garratt for a New South Wales Government Railways AD60 available in Australia. This comes as three separate pieces. If Heljan go down the same path it should not be too difficult to have a mounting arrangement that will allow the model to negotiate fairly tight curves and also accomodate those of us who have more generous curves on our layouts. But it is probably too early to speculate about this sort of thing. As for not selecting the LNER one, makes commercial sense to do the LMS one as there is more varaition and the chance of multiple sales.

Hi Jeff The new layout is looking very good, can't wait to get a look at it next time you host a meeting. PS many thanks for the work you did on my sound loco. Runs and sounds great. Cheers Manfred

Page 102 of the 2011 Hornby catalogue lists the BR version as being maroon.