HOTTODDY

I have to say how pleased I am with my dealings with Kernow. I pre-ordered and now received two sets of their gate stock and they and their service are the best I've experienced. It's a shame that not all similar firms treat their customers so well (see my post in this Model shop section). So a BIG thank you to Kernow, keep up the good work. Tod

A friend and I visited the shop today. After a good look round,seeing some good bargains that were on offer, my friend decided to buy a Hornby single chimney Castle. First of all the chap serving us tried to force it into the wrong box and then realising his error, found the correct one. In the process of putting the loco into its correct box, the chimney came off, which dropped onto the floor. After a cursory search, we were told that they didn't have time to continue as a Rep was due any time. I asked for their card, and said we were heading for a pub lunch, I would phone later to see if the chimney had been found. I did phone and got a very curt "no!" Needless to say, neither my friend nor I will visit the shop again. I presume the man and the lady (his wife?) are the owners, who did not inspire any confidence at all. Certainly lacking in good manners and customer service. Everyone has a bad day from time to time, but I won't find out if that was a one off, as I will take my custom elsewhere. Tod

How about the GNSR "subbies" Class R, (LNER G10) 0-4-4 tank or the battery version of the MU that ran on the same Deeside railway to Ballater, based on the Derby lightweight unit, which Bachmann still do. I like the Raven A2 idea, especially with an A1 boiler and 8-wheel tender, but I expect if it could be done then the original boiler and a NE standard 6-wheel tender would be preferred. Happy modelling, keep the faith and carry on dreaming!! Tod

Well now, those "vagabonds and thieves" set about me again!!!! There I was, looking on the "big H" website for a different loco and there it was, only three in stock, so they said. Hmm, shall I, should I? I then made the mistake in telling my two best railway mates, (see above) convincing me that I may never ever get the chance again. So under extreme pressure (hah!), I gave in and now the proud owner of "Osprey", ex-works, very shiny and run in light engine so far. Tonight it goes into traffic with my 8-car Pullman set. And just for the record, I have nine A4s. Two are duplicates, so could be renamed. Nine is an odd number though isn't it? Maybe, perhaps, could I fall foul of temptation yet again?? You never know.......................? Tod

HMRS do all the transfers you are after. Sheets 4 and 4a for lettering for both green and black locos, sheet 5 for lining. These are "Pressfix" type, applied and washed off with water. They used to do "Methfix" type, but I haven't seen them for a few years. Possibly available via the web though. As said above, Modelmaster and Fox do a good selection. I use them all when I need to. Good luck and happy modelling, Tod

My daughter and family live about 5 minutes walk and I try to visit the shop on family visits. I was there a couple of weeks ago. The shop is so full of stock from N to G two people can't pass each other. It's a wonderful Aladdin's cave. If you are still having problems trying to contact them, PM your order to me and I'll get one of my lot to chase them up. They are away for a few days but will be home by the end of this week. Hope that helps. Tod

I suppose I've missed the boat then. I see the big "H" has the set of four still, but I have an A1 and P2 (not from that set), and a hiked price if one surfaces would bend my pension too much! Oh well, never mind, my cobbled together version will have to do, that might pass muster at a 500 foot rule distance at 100 mph!!? Scary stuff for rivet counters, but it has a single chimney,( which I did) in apple green livery, (which I did) and tender drive ( which I left as is, 'cos it works)! 30/40 or so years have passed since I transformed/ hacked(?) Hornby's BR Mallard into Osprey. Putting valences on was tricky, thanks to plasticard. That's the bit not to look closely at! I still have a Silver Fox valenced body, Hornbys first, I think, (1986ish?) that would be more accurate...........I'm getting, er got old, so is it worth the hassle? NAH! Tod

I'm pleased to hear that it is "main range" quality, but Hornby's track (sorry) record of oddities, e.g. A3 ski slope and misaligned handrail knobs on two of their "main range" models, tell me not to presume that other models are high standard. So far I have not had the opportunity to examine one first hand, hence my original question. Thanks for your response. Tod

Any owners of 4494, Osprey from the Gresley collection. How does it compare in detail and performance, Railroad, Design Clever, or all bells and whistles? I have 8 Hornby A4s, 4 tender drive and 4 loco drive and all run superbly on code 100 track. To have one in Apple green would be nice, but they seem rare as hen's teeth. I wont pay silly money if one turns up though. Tod

The E4 and F3 shared many parts:- boiler, the 2-4- part of the running gear etc.. I converted a Stephen Poole E4 to a F3 some years ago.The side tanks, cab and bunker made up with Plasicard. Skinley drawings used to supplement my RCTS green books, to achieve a reasonable model, perhaps not to today's exacting standard, but I'm happy with it. I agree with all the suggestions though. There are many GE locos to chose from. The B12 with the AFCI unit on top, now there's a choice! Tod

Visiting a friend in Scotland I was able to look at hiscopy of the May edition. Just inside there is a set of profile coloured drawings of the J70. I was surprised to see red buffer beams. I always thought they should be black. As I'm 500 miles from my RCTS books to check the livery detail paragraph, would someone kindly check this out for me? I know the loco is in the design stages and plenty of time to correct any details IF they are wrong. Its no a big deal, but I felt I had to ask the question. Apologies If I'm wrong. Tod

I didn't know that D&S produced the J70 in the good old days. I have one of their Y6s and a lovely model it is too. Powered by a Tenshodo spud it's a great runner, but I've never load tested it to stall, but it handles a reasonable load of vans/wagons. I would expect the J70 with 6-wheel coupled chassis and some ballast it should out haul the Y6 and so it should, just like the real thing! Tod

A Ford Prefect E93/93A 1938-53 would be brilliant. My first car was a 1950 version. No heater, vacuum wipers, but still a great car. Tod

And lead versus synthetic base ingredient

Hornby and others have a much wider choice than those two. Just sticking to The GE origin types, the F3/4/5/6 and 7 classes, J 67/8 and 9. The E4 and F3 shared many of their component parts too. There are many more choices I know, but I agree the E4 and N7 would be nice to see. My LNER (lovely green) B12 had its first proper run yesterday evening, though still yet to be detailed, it looked splendid with a rake of teaks in tow! Thank you Hornby, keep up the good work despite my "plastic" getting too much use this year!! Now let me see, 3x blue A4s, 2x black D16/3s 1x Sentinel 1x B12/3 Wagons various from Oxford 3x Pullmans and that's what I can remember!!! Scary isn't it? Happy New year to you all, Tod

What is missing from Hornby are the 12-wheelers, Parlours and Kitchens with full roof ends over the vestibules. Brakes were produced and only one full car (no. 45) for the Bournemouth Belle add-on set. The Great E astern/LNER had lots of them for the Eastern Belle, Yorkshire Pullman and The Queen of Scots Pullman. Many survived into. WW2 and were used as resturant cars, (sold to the LNER) and N.A.A.F.I. catering vehicles. At least two survive to this day. So there is a big hole yet to be filled, PLEASE!!!

Mine too arrived from Derails and I am very impressed with the loco and the service. A note included stated that it had been tested before dispatch! That's the first time I have experienced that. A big thanks to them, I'm really chuffed..........chuff chuff chuff.....................Whoooo Whoooo!!! Tod

Same here, It should arrive on Monday. Exciting stuff!!! Tod

Hear hear!! How refreshing to see such a post. I can understand (and have made adverse comments too) about some of the big QC issues, but the plethora of comments regarding the wheel centres/ flared spokes is IMO relates to about 2% of the whole model PICTURE!! Let's wait until December to evaluate a proper and realistic critique, when we can get our grubby paws on the actual MODEL.Oh and what happened to the 50 foot rule? Happy modelling to you all, Tod

This alignment issue of tender and cab letters/numbers seems to have started with the "Sandringham" B17 a few years ago. After two replacements from a supplier returned and one from Hornby direct, I finally gave up and renamed it "Audley End" and renumbered it, all in a line!!! The black LNER D16 had the same issue, so it does suggest that the locos and tenders are not made and finished together and/or QC don't know what is correct or even care. It is extremely annoying that something so simple is being repeated time and time again. The debacle of the J15 and "700" handrail knobs is another example of either lack of knowledge in their subject and not reading the drawing properly, The A3 ski jump, well, I ask you? Thankfully my A1 " Flying Fox" was made 10 years ago, no alignment, running or footplate issues! I'm so grateful to folk on this and other sites, you save me soooo much money and I'm sure many others take heed of the comments too. What a pity Hornby don't. Do they even care? Doesn't seem like it. They need to see what a small company does to rectify a fault quickly. Oxford's Radial chassis, unpainted handrails, both resolved on the second model. They looked and listened to their customers Come on Hornby, you can do it right if you try a lot harder. Tod

30069 arrived yesterday morning and it ran beautifully straight out of its box. The wait was definitely worth it, only delayed slightly by my card details timing out. Once reactivated with a phone call, it arrived in less than 48 hours. My thanks go to ( in order, I hope):- Model Rail, Bachmann, Chinese factory personnel, the shipping line and Kernow. And finally, not forgetting, my local Postie. Thank you one and all for a splendid team effort. Keep up the good work. Tod

Nice pictures, some I've not seen before, but it was 8868 that I would like to see as a D16/3, all buffed up, red lined,LNER black livery for the Royal duty. I have no evidence of it as such after the war and into BR days, though surviving until October 1957, retaining slide valves, but not the decorative valences. It would be nice if Hornby produced the D16/2 version. What wonderful specimens they would be! Belpare fireboxes, valences and all that lovely lining!! Oh yeah! I have an unmade brass kit, which includes all the parts for both types of firebox. I've had it for years, but it falls into the " too difficult and I don't have the time " box. Maybe there's a possibility of using parts of the kit to convert the present Hornby model? Sods law will apply if I went to all that trouble. As soon as it turns a wheel,Hornby will produce it!!!! Hell's teeth! I just turned 70, can I afford to wait? Volunteers anyone??? Pensioners rates? Free??? Ok, I'm going to bed now. It's been a long day. A lie down in a darkened room is called for. Nite nite everyone.......................................... now if I put the kit under my pillow, I don't suppose the tooth fairy has a soldering iron.................................? Tod

According to my RTCS Part 3C, No.8868 was based at Kings Lynn at the beginning of WW2 maintained in "Royal" condition at about the same time the other two were repainted black for general duties. A photo of it as a D15/2 (Fig. 22) in 1929 shows it in immaculate condition at Cambridge. I would love to see a photo of it as a D16/3, after its rebuild in 1940, at Kings Lynn shed or on its assigned duty. It could be added to my list of projects to vamp up my loco.................ah, one day!! Tod

Sorry folks, I should have looked at the Bachmann pages. There is a lot of info, especially on page 17 of the USTC tank topic Hopefully the implication of them being in a container is hopeful of a very soon appearance! Tod

Is there a realistic delivery date please for orders to be fulfilled? We are trying to be patient, but it does seem to be dragging out a bit. Tod