Jub45565

Crazy track is not light rail. It's code 80, which is heavy even by modern day preserved main line narrow gauge. Code 40 is about right for lightish track (original Welsh Highland, A shiver, etc), but would mean building ones own. Bits are available from several sources. Agreed otherwise, photos of prototypes are invaluable to prevent modelling a model.

They will be 'involved' as it says. Just because the product will appear on the other side of the world doesn't mean the designers won't need to tweak things to help production. No mention is made of travel - which would incentivise some & put others off, if it is available.

I had an enjoyable day out at the Calne exhibition today, managed not to spend too much but had a good look at some good layouts on show, and interesting techniques. Last week I got the delivery of my turned wood turntable well, which has been well worth the wait! Since this photo, I have enlarged the cutout in the board for it to sit in, and now need to sort some blocks and mounting points to sit it at the right height. Then the rail will need fitting. This I am forming to shape with my jim crow fingers to save the chairs having to hold it under tension. I have also got my Arduino out, wired up the stepper motor to it, and got some code online to run it. The code does microstep it, and it moves very smoothly. I have added in some control functions to work with the switches I intend to use. As I am planning to have an actual locking bar (solenoid driven) to save the need for the driven mechanism to hold the turntable dead still, I will need to drive an output for that from the Arduino (no doubt via a FET) and sort the code out to check whether the locking bar has been released before moving the turntable. but so far so good...

Hmm. The 'facts' are based on past products. You are entitled to compare the old Bachmann model against others already on the market, and while you can assume certain things regarding future products I think we should have open minds and see what Bachmann come up with. It will be interesting to see what Bachmann make of these - they will have to be a good step forward from their old models to make the retooling worthwhile. That leaves scope for being better than current, but not up to the standard of one twice the price. That might leave a market for both. Or Bachmann could go the whole hog and get to a level which gets no critisism and leaves no room for a higher priced model to succeed. I'm not saying they will achieve that - some of the higher priced design had bespoke sound recordings and a sound box designed to work with it. Will Bachmann reach this?

I have a slowly gestating Brassmaster easi-chas on one. The detailing kit within the easi-chas includes smoke deflectors, and I won't be using them, so if you're happy with etched ones your more than welcome to them. http://www.brassmasters.co.uk/hornby_lner_a3_4-6-2_easichas.htm Cheers,

Jason, I think the point (or certainly mine at least) is that this thread is about the video linked in the first post, and therefore it would be sensible to watch the video before chipping in. We all miss random bits half way down threads, but if you don't want to watch the video I'm not sure what the point of continuing down the topic was... I often don't bother with video links, but it was interesting so I'm glad I did on this occasion.

If you watch the video (admittedly its half an hour, so can see why you didn't) its blatantly obvious what YesTor is talking about.

I know it won't please everyone, but the Sutherland/Nucast kit is being re-released with a new chassis. AFAIK it will be around in 2018. Edited to clarify - this is both the Fowler & Stanier tanks. Judith Edge is doing a Fowler too.

Blanche's piston valves are an FR modification. On the PQR they had the same setup.

LMS coach roofs would be very useful! The cheapest way to get them seems to be to buy Dapol kits, which seems pretty wasteful.

I got that impression, & it is mainly clear from the type of photo assigned. For example the J72 looks to be new tooling, but the J39 isnt, plus of course the fabled new 158.

Awesome! For 'a bit of green stuff' it's an impressive start. I think the colour blend of the backscene is very good, some bits the image doesn't quite match but I'm sure there is plenty that can be done to blend them together. I look forward to seeing it develop!

Merry Christmas all! While there hasn't been a lot of visible activity noted in this thread lately, there has been a bit behind the scenes & several plans will be swinging into action in early 2018 so I hope your patience will be rewarded!

Merry Christmas to you too Dave (edit, & Fiona & the rest of the Scottish Region)! Does this mean I can get the Great Western study group focussing on important details within Wharfedale too... intriguing

Well I'm sure if I was bothered & had asked I'd gave got my £2.50 back anyway... otherwise, see Phil's response! I appreciate that it isn't always the value that counts - but that works both ways. By being willing it shows actual intent to still want the product when it arrives, rather than internet wishing (or worse, proactive trolling). All rather different to the sorry saga on the other thread.

To be fair, Bill is quite open on his site as to his trading practices. There is a number of deposits taken & number required before any chance of development progression. I had some deposits for 3D printed wheelers some years ago, & when these were shelved although I didn't specifically get my money returned it was automatically deducted from my next order.

Yes I'd heard That, but wouldn't mind a bit of confirmation. I'd like an early green example, but while 32-787 is the most recent it may not be the best starting point!

Hi Andrew, I've also got a set of the drawings from Sir Douglas. They are immensely useful, & I am grateful for him sharing. As always though, it's worth checking with what was actually built (or later modified?). The calling stage for example is drawn with a handrail on the steps, & with longitudinal bracing - but neither of these are present in the photo FW Smith took of it. Also the drawing has longitudinal planking on the top, while the photo shows side-side. Still, the dimensions look good & I expect are accurate - shame my track centres don't quite tie up but it will help make a good representation! The loco shed drawing is also interesting. It certainly isn't the 1892 shed, so is it the original structure from the shed next to the station? Cheers, Pete

I had a lenz 21 pin in my 3F & couldn't get it to work properly at slow speeds even though it did on DC. Swapped it for zimo & hey presto! It seems a common thing with driving certain Bachmann motors. I use Zimo as standard now, just a shame the mx600 range doesn't include a 21 pin option.

I've found someone willing to swap my Scottish one for an English basis - so should be able to crack on in the new year! Thanks for the continued pointers. Interesting to hear that one later got a boiler, though in my timeframe I don't need to worry about that particular detail.

Thanks for the pointers! Just to clarify, I presume that 'correct cab windows' is an improvement from Heljan, rather than replicating a difference between batches of the prototypes? Yes, it is the exhaust port I was looking at. That's good that its one less thing to worry about! I don't know a great deal about the 27s, and while I have the 'profile of 26/7s' book as a good set of reference photos from later in life, there isnt much of the history and development covered. Thanks for the link to the other thread Martyn - though I have already seen that. It is very tempting to do a pair with the corridors connected... mine is for use on the ammonia & oil trains through Wharfedale, which they tended to double head before the 37s took over. I'm yet to find a photo of them on the train, but several references they were used (as far Skipton).

Hi All, I am looking to model a 27 or two from the batch delivered new to Thornaby, without steam heat tanking equipment. Firstly, which ones have Heljan produced? I have seen 5370 in green full yellow ends, and D5377 with full yellow ends and yellow window surrounds. Have they done one as originally delivered, with stripe and small yellow panels? Also, from the photos of the 2 mentioned above, there is a rectangular port on the roof, suspiciously located above where the tanks would be... am I right in thinking that this is the exhaust port? My thinking being, that am I as well starting with D5356 which I happen to have, if there are mods which would be required on a model of one which is based on the right series anyway? Is there much other than the exhaust port, heating tank and tablet catcher recess which is different between them?

I have a 'started' project for a RKB using Comet sides on Bachmann, but its rather low down the to do list for continuation at present unfortunately...

Chivers used to do etched ones - not currently available, but as it is an etch it might be possible to comission a set? Or keep an eye on ebay etc. Searching may be aided by looking for Rheidol though!

Sounds like a good concept! I have an idea... My silly questioning of the rules consists of asking whether the 6" height is from the lowest scenic point (ie ground, stream bed, etc) or including any underground mechanisms? I'm presuming the latter if it needs to be transported in said cake tin?