Farang

Look at the brake activator and those CHAINS. I hope it's not going to be the Deltic all over again.

Thank you, I have now downloaded both sheets. I now have six for this model and they show how the design evolved over the years.

Thank you but neither of these sheets are available on the Hornby website.

Thank you. Sheet 342B (Duchess Class sound locomotive) is for three sound fitted locos, R2782/2894/2989XS. It does not list any other "R" numbers. However, it seems it will cover non-sound locos produced up to 2015. The model from 2017(Princess Coronation Class) onwards is covered by two sheets: 438B (April 2018) and 438D (July2020).

Can you quote the number of the Hornby service sheet as I cannot find it in the list on Hornby's website? This version appears to have been available from 2008 until 2015. The frame on the latest version has an opening forward of the cylinders.

I have just bought Sun Castle from Kernow for £139.99. A good price and it ran straight out of the box, and no loose parts that I could see. I have just ordered W1 60700 from KJB Models for £199.99 post free as I thought this is probably the lowest price I'll see. But knowing my luck............

Walton was a good show - the club spent a lot of money on radio advertising which was not effective. Any event needs to be publicised in all model magazines, club website, social media.

When was the non-streamlined model revised with the rigid pony truck? I think the later models have more detail on the front frames? This would help with identifying models I see at shows.

I notice this model is mentioned in the December Railway Modeller and there are still a handful of kits available. There was an article on its construction in the July 1984 RM which can be viewed on the RM website.

This is Taiwan in 2014.

Here are two photos of GE4041 at Hua Lamphong on 17/3/2557. Look closely.............

Never mind the colours. I understand these carriages are based on the "gate-stock" and there are a number of inaccuracies in the body/underframe dimensions. I wouldn't waste my money. With the amount of prototype information available there is no excuse for manufacturers to produce inaccurate models.

Is this Hornby's death wish? To say this is an ambitious programme of new models would be an understatement. Hornby has difficulty in producing the OO models that it has announced so we might see some of these new items by the end of the decade. Many modellers are already committed in other scales. I'll stick my neck out and predict this new scale will go the same way as TT all those years ago.

And Hornby is going to develop this range alongside OO? Hornby has enough difficulty in getting its OO models produced. How many years before this range becomes available. I believe the original TT died because people were wedded to OO. Is this Hornby's death wish or are they throwing in the towel as the newcomers to the industry produce more and more better OO models?

That being the case then the current GBP/USD exchange rate may add to the misery if manufacturers have not made a forward purchase of currency.

I am open to correction, but I believe at one time the Chinese manufacturers wanted to be paid in USD. Is that still the case or will they also accept GBP and the Euro? China has its own economic problems at the moment.

Here's a different view of Hua Lamphong from the gent's toilet of the Centra Hotel (as it was then named) on 24/12/13. Bang Sue Grand is very much a white elephant as the HS railway is very unlikely to be completed. So far only 50km of line have been completed up near Korat. Rail access would have to continue to Hua Lamphong to access the rail car depot. If the site was redeveloped it would likely be another shopping mall which Bangkok does not need. The SRT is billions of baht in debt. Closure would need relocation of the carriage sidings. There is a connection from the ground level lines up into "Grand" so trains can run through to/from Hua Lamphong. How you would move empty stock in and out is something I suspect the SRT have not "mulled". Stock for the overnight trains is often at the platform for 2+ hours before departure. The "Grand" station is quite impressive, but I don't think much thought was given to operation. The SRT seems to muddle along.

As no one was able to answer my question I tested 21C7. I removed the body and ran it as an 0-6-0. The whirring noise was gone. It was still a bit hesitant at very slow speed, so I oiled it. Using Hornby's suggestion of using a straightened paper clip I found it difficult to oil the driving wheel axles without getting oil on the back of the wheels or the frame. I think removing the axle keeper plate is better. And the brake gear is VERY fragile. No doubt oiling and a period of running-in helps I suspect the body acts as an amplifier for any noises. Moe than that I cannot say.

Free travel on trains for Thai nationals applied only to "ordinary" trains, the slowest. It was introduced by Thaksin when he was P.M. but the government cancelled it a few years ago, Still, two baht for Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue (5p) wasn't bad for 8Km.

I bought 21C7 a year ago and just test ran it for a couple of minutes on a length of straight track. I cannot believe that a gear has split. If it has I shall be very disappointed. Anyway I shall investigate later this week. And the other four locos. I bought Ellerman Lines but returned it as the left hand cab side number was not level. The retailer could not replace it as all their locos were the same.

I have five of these bought new and never used on a layout. I tested all when bought, some more than a year ago, they all ran but some were slightly noisy. As it was long ago I can't really remember how noisy. Anyway I brought them out again. When I turn on the controller they make a pronounced clacking/whirring sound before they start to move which diminishes as the voltage is increased and they move off. (analogue BTW). 21C7 was especially noisy. Have others experienced this? Thought I'd ask before I start taking them apart.

These were the first locos from China 5101-20

lswrpenguin@talktalk.net

I understand that there are 2 or 3 kits still available from the 23 produced. When everything is sold I believe all the patterns/tooling/moulds are going to be destroyed.

Looking at the side view it appears that the cab is tilted forward.