Matabiau

Is there not a means to use a backlit LCD or other display for the route code indicator? That could be commandable via DCC. Amazon Kindles use technology that fix the display without needing a permanent current to maintain the image, surely similar technology could be applied if it exists in the correct size?

I agree, continental manufacturers have to account for customers who have working overhead systems running DC, not uncommon over here, as well as the more recent DCC systems. Very few of your (UK) customers have live overhead systems so there is little point creating a functionality in the hope that people will start putting knitting up. The magnetic switch could have many other uses, such as switching tail lights on and off. I was trying to raise the point that a visible or hard to access mechanical switch shouldn't be a constraint when there is a more discrete solution.

Dave, Not that I am suggesting you should impliment this but I have an LS Models SNCF BB electric locomotive with electrical pick up either from the pantograph or from both rails. To switch between sources you simply pass a magnet over part of the loco's roof. As such you don't need to remove the loco from the track and there is no unsighlty switch, a neat solution to the problem.

BEWARE!! Mr Bachmann is watching you. Following my post asking for directions by public transport he contacted me by email to advise me to take the metro to Bury from whence my ticket would be valid on the early trains to Heywood. You have been advised (Thank you Mr Bachmann)

Thanks for the info, it appears the 162/163 starts outside my hotel and stops at the ELR Heywood station.

Thanks, the event is at Heywood as apparently there is lots of free parking there, fine if you have a car!

I have booked my place on the Bachmann Collectors club annual day out on the East Lancashire Railway next September. A first for me as not living in the UK it isn't that easy. I have never been on the ELR so I thought it would be a good opportunity to take a tour. I shall also try to get in a trip around the Cumbria Coast Line to make a weekend of it. Does anyone know the best way to get to the ELR Heywood station by public transport from central Manchester as I won't have a car?! Thanks

I had two PC1s! Check which is the false PC2 (the one with the sound chip in it), get in touch with Locomotion Models and she will send out a replacement with the correct body along with a prepaid return label to send the wrong one back. You should be able to reuse the packaging the replacement was sent out in. All very quickly dealt with.

Has anyone suffered from bowing bodysides? My replacement PC-2 has arrived and the bodyside is not flush with the base near the front of the vehicle, I can push it into place but it won't stay there. The body appears warped. Is there a simple cure to this?

A few photos of Kings Lynn in action easily hauling a rake of four Bachmann Mk2 coaches up my steep inclines.

It's certainly as effective as my Benny Hill album for upsetting small furry animals and other sensitive souls. I shall have to dig out the ear plugs for future running sessions.

I have spoken to Locomotion this afternoon but there was no-one there dealing with models, they won't be in until Tuesday as you say. It is bank holiday here on Thursday which leaves a short window! At least I have had it running and can confirm it makes a lot of noise but does negotiate all of the obstacles on my layout including a tunnel, rock faces and bends close to walls. I have had to stop playing with it now as the neighbours will start complaining about the racket.

Thank you for your suggestion. I have connected both power cars back-to back accross a single articulated bogie and they both work in this formation. This suggests a connection problem somewhere within the trailer cars then.

Thank you for your suggestion. Looking inside from the articulated bogie end I can see a DCC chip in one and nothing in the other. All of this does not explain why the false PC1 does not move when coupled to the rest of the train, nor do the headlights come on. I think there may be more to this than just an incorrect body shell.

I have finally received my new toy only to discover I have two PC1s and no PC2! One could argue I have won on this affair compared to the pour soul with two PC2s and no PC1. Given mine is supposed to be sound fitted is there any way of identifying which is the correct PC1?

Perhaps they have nearly sold out. It is an attractive choice of model.

I would expect they are selling quickly, at first at least. It doesn't mean that they are going to sell out quickly. They tend to say "last few remaining" if it really is about to sell out. As for Olivias, they may have bought a couple through Bachmann's Collectors' Club as members and are simply reselling them. (pure speculation on my part). After several months Bachmann have been known use their bigger retailers to shift the last few of slower selling models such as the Railfreight 85. I don't think we are there yet though with the Patriot. I bought one, a nice model in a transition livery and not too difficult to install a DCC decoder.

I finally got through to Locomotion today on the telephone. Apparently there was a problem with my order as they computer thought I hadn't paid the balance! This was cleared up straight away and the model should have been dispatched today. Thank you to all at Locomotion. I had to pay the balance by telephone as the website listed just about every country other than France in the payment section. I suspect this is why the computer was unaware of the balance having been paid. Good job I called!

I have just received an email to tell me online ordering is open for both 320 and 321 with a special price reduction for early pre-orders. Unfortunately the website falls down at the payment stage as it doesn't seel to like French postcodes containing only numbers! Hopefully this will be fixed soon so that I may place my preorder as I am very much looking forward to this model.

I am still awaiting mine and I did pay the balance in November last year. I am getting decidedly worried. I have tried contacting Locomotion but no reply.

Has anyone received their model with an additional centre car? I gather these are going to be the last to be sent out and as mine is one of these I was wondering if I am the only one missing out on APT-E fun at the moment!

I have emailed Locomotion too asking for delivery details and tracking number as the courier companies don't leave delivery notes here. I have had items returned to the UK before because I was unaware of a parcel waiting for me to collect nor where to collect it from!

It could be a little tricky as the Fowler is N gauge and the Sealink Mks are OO gauge!

It's a pity we don't have a "drool" button to choose froom!

I had trouble late last year with ordering this. Dapol took my details but nothing arrived, nor was any payment taken. I rang a couple of times to find out what was going on only to be assured that it had been dispatched and I should receive it imminently. After a further few calls I was told that I had ordered the DCC fitted version which hadn't arrived yet! Dapol seem very disorganized as a retail set-up, and given the state of some of the class 73s I have received, on the manufaturing front too. That said I have two which I am pleased with and have been able to build a third out of the best bits of some others.