Combe Martin

Refering to post 220, I looked at the 611 on show on the Taunton stand and it had a USB port at the rear so it looked genuine, and I'm guessing was probably the prototype.

I complained to Dapol Dave about this at an exhibition. He said that since my milk tanker was made, they'd changed the flange profile of their wheels (they were a bit 'knife like' as mentioned in post 4 above), and if I emailed my postal address to them they'd send me a replacement wheel set. I did, and the replacement wheels have fixed the problem.

I simply originally asked what it was felt were the shortcomings of the 611, and one mentioned (which is a major difference) is obviously the lack of a large display, unlike the ECoS. Whether that's a shortcoming or not, I'm not sure. Afterall, most DCC systems don't have a large display though I agree that as modellers use of DCC, and it's functionality, increases, then for some users a larger display becomes more desirable. And yes I don't personally like touch screens, (it's too easy to do the wrong thing) but that doesn't mean I'd deny them to others. Is it a shortcoming though ?, or rather a 'nice to have' for some. As for sound I find it very impressive in diesels and have no objection to it so understand the need for functions there, but I was referring to steam where it is less impressive. Whether it will fully catch on in steam models I'm not sure especially given the additional cost (approaching £100 per loco and considering all the objections and complaints about Bachmann's small by comparison price increases on standard locos, it may depend upon how Hornby's TTS develops ) and the difficulty in finding space for sound in tank locos. I feel the jury's out on this one. I do wonder if many modellers will have lots of sound fitted steam locos ! And I didn't say I wasn't interested in Railcom, I asked whether many use it, afterall there isn't much discussion of it and the impression I've had is that at the moment there isn't much demand for it.

Many thanks for all that, and yes I have seen a ECoS (I do go to quite a lot of exhibitions), and whilst I've never used one I have watched them in use a lot. What you've just confirmed for me is that I don't want one. Whilst operation via a touch screen may well be attractive to some, to me it's just like operating my railway via a computer which I have no desire to do, (I spent my working life as a computer professional, and I was very good at it, but it's bad enough having to have a laptop to survive these days, and I deliberately didn't buy a touch screen one !). Equally I don't want to operate a loco wirelessly via my mobile phone either (what happens if my girlfriend rings me up when I'm driving the Pines Express), I'd prefer to keep phone and trains separate, and yes I do have a modern touch screen one, they drive me up the wall because it's too easy to do something I didn't want to do. The other thing about the ECoS is that it gives me the impression of being in the cab of a modern EMU, and as I'm a steam only modeller that's a complete turn off. I accept that it's easy to operate points and signals by touching a track diagram, but I'm quite happy to have my track diagram on the wall with the point/signal numbers written on it, then key them in (you soon remember them), and if you'r using a handheld you need to remember the numbers anyway. . Yes the ECoS has two throttles, but I have a 622 as well (which I can plug in all over my railway) and which I find is very easy to operate with my left hand (I'm right handed but also now use my left a lot because I've arthritis in my right thumb joints), and I can plug in more. As for remembering what functions do what, well I agree it can be handy if you'r a diesel lights/sound modeller, but as sound is both expensive and unimpressive for steam (as well as being almost impossible or a lot of work in a lot of locos) I don't have that need. The only functions I use are for 'half speed' shunting. The 611 does also have software upgrades downloadable by the user. I'm never going to use N gauge so a different power supply isn't a problem, and Railcom ??, well I'm not being sarcastic here but do many people use it ?. I've never found anyone yet that does though I'm sure someone must. The impression I get is that the upgrades that make the 611 don't include Railcom because there was a limit to how much could be afforded initially and the demand wasn't there.

You mention 'shortcomings' of the 611, but given that it has a load of enhancements over the 511, what are you referring to ?

When Braunton was first restored it's brand new 're-bodied type' tender wasn't available so it initially ran with a borrowed Merchant Navy tender. This was one of the longer wheelbase ones (longer than a Light Pacific one) though I don't know it's capacity. It is now pared with it's correct tender.

Hornby have not made the re-bodied tender at all, so you can't accurately model any of the re-built Bullied Light Pacifics that hauled them when running in this state. I believe there were 4 tenders attached to 5 locos. One was used twice. But there may be a greater expert who may correct me here ??

There is another picture of an inspection coach on the S&D. Ivo Peters S&D in the Fifties Vol 2 plates 204 and 205 dated 29.10.58 . Unfortunately it still looks like it's Chocolate and Cream ! It's different though, as it has gangway connections.

I remember it getting a small mention with a picture in Railway Modeller, but that's all as I can recall !

Further to my post no 6 above, the withdrawl date for sets 390-399 was 11.61 with the following exceptions. Set 391 4.58, 392 10.59, 393 7.58 and 398 12.61 , however the David Gould book ... Maunsell's SR steam Passenger Stock ... from Oakwood Press, suggests that these sets had all been transferred away by 11.09.61 In addition to the above, set 446 (same style) could also have been seen on the S&D between 12.09.60 and withdrawl in 4.61 There is also plenty of photographic evidence of the above in the Ivo Peters and other picture books.

You may find one from a retailer at an exhibition (I don't mean a 2nd hand trader). I've seen quite a few that way, though I havn't been to an exhibition for a couple of months.

Further to post no 4 above, none of the Maunsell 3 coach sets (no's 390-399) were used on the S&D after 1961, as they had all been withdrawn by then. The exact dates are listed in the Oakwood Press book (some were before 1961), but I'm away from home at the moment so can't list them right now. Also BR Std 4 tanks never hauled them as they didn't arrive untill 1963, likewise the Stanier 8Fs

The upgrade price quoted above includes both way carriage, i.e. a 511/505 collected from customer and delivered to ZTC and 611 returned from ZTC to customer.

Maybe, but I do wish ex ZTC users would not 'slag off' ZTC as a whole because of the 'sometimes customer service failings' of the previous owner, whoever that may have been. Graham and Pat are not responsible for past problems. To listen to some people on here, anyone would think that ZTC didn't work. It does, and for the majority of users works well. Yes, for historical reasons the 511 fell behind in some features (eg only 8 functions, not a problem for lots of users) but the upgrade to 611 spec will solve that and more if you need it. And as far as decoders go, their Diamond range (255/258) work very well, and in my opinion perform as well as a Lenz Standard but are much smaller.

Its just been reported that Graham and his partner Pat have now today completed their takeover of ZTC. The new company is called Taunton Controls Ltd.

There's half a dozen pictures in the various S&D picture books of an 'intermediate' tender attached to 3206 when it was on the Somerset & Dorset in 1962.

Refering to Post 29 from Kenton, Bachmann's web site used to show a picture of a Wickham type 27 trolley which is what they said they'd produce. When it was there you could click on it and it said it would be produced with a trailer. The pictures have been removed now though, so there's nothing to click on for more information ! Hatton's web site says it's coming with a trailer though.

I assumed the reason for the trailer was to provide 'pick up' over a longer wheelbase.

So far I've found pictures of them on the S&D dated 1962,1963 and 1966 and they're maroon.

Regarding a source of tender tops for the re-bodied tender as attached to Braunton , G and R Wrenn have brand new unpainted ones for sale on Ebay now for £13 plus £3 PP. That's a lot cheaper than the 2nd hand ones also for sale by some sellers. There's even a whole tender going for £75 !

Many thanks for that Andy !

Does anyone know when The Bachmann Wickham Trolley will be available.

I've renumbered quite a few locos, and as with your 'challenge', it's always important to have a picture (pictures) of the original at the date of your modelling period.

Maybe Neil Kinison has run out of money ?, maybe his new wife has persuaded him to retire and start taking it easy ?

Yes I think your right. Having looked at it again, it looks as though it's set further over towards the other side, possibly even beyond the centre line, and there's what looks like a catch on the side to hold the lid down.