sjgardiner

This seemed like the most logical place to post it, but visited Kernow in Guildford yesterday in person for the first time, being an online purchaser obviously from Canada. I have to say, the staff were friendly and helpful. As always, sometimes I think modellers in the UK don’t know how good they have it with stores that are so well stocked. I know I had to fight the urge to buy a lot more than I did to bring home with me. While it could be many years before I’m back shopping in person, it’s nice to see the actual shop while I’m over here on vacation. Cheers Stephen

That’s what the sign says (said sadly)…

Well, as promised Saturday thoughts on my Kernow Steam Rail Motor. It is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Sadly, a life in my display cases mostly awaits it, but it looks and sounds fantastic. A full post on my Blog with more pictures and video is here: https://sjgardiner.wordpress.com/2024/03/09/a-self-propelled-railcar-of-a-different-kind/ A couple of minor notes: - Destination Boards fit. Bewdley fit fine, Bridgnorth seemed to be a different size and not want to fit. A gentle pinch to put just a touch of a bow in it, and it popped into place and held. - To those who seem to have had slide bar issues, there is maybe an audible hint of a tic in the motion, but no sign of any of the alignment issues others seem to have quickly sent theirs back over. Given the distance for me to ship it back, it would have to be pretty bad to actually warrant any complaining. All in all, long story short, I am super happy with my purchase, glad I have one, and glad it looks like Kernow is on the way to a sellout of the first run. Hopefully that means more runs in the future for anyone who missed out. I've never actually physically visited either of Kernow's stores, but I am going to be passing close by Guildford in April and am hoping to stop in and continue to be a customer in person for once at least! Regards, Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON, Canada

Well, my better half paid the postie their $64cdn pound of flesh for taxes and processing of calculating taxes…because of course it arrived on an in-office day when I am out tonight too after work, so it will be hours before I can get home and do my best impersonation of a kid at Christmas tearing into the box to see my SRM!! Trans Atlantic updates to come this weekend! Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON, Canada

Well, they must be plowing their way through the remaining decoder fittings for sound. My end of August 2023 order shipped today (notice of shipping email came in this morning). Now to hope the Royal Mail/Canada Post types manage to get it to me without incident! Glad its shipped now, was actually slightly worried that if it slipped much longer it might arrive in Canada while I’m in the UK after Easter creating mail pickup headaches! Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON, Canada

Not familiar with Zimo decoders and Staco keep alives as they are not common in NA, I found the YouChoos site selling them, which version of the keep alive is this you installed? Will want one for my sound equipped once Kernow gets to my order and it wings its way across the ocean. I need to get on getting my ModelU crew figures painted so I only need to open it up once when I do have it to install the crew and the keep alive. Thanks, Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON, Canada

Modelling question, while I wait on my No85 crossing the Atlantic, I do have the ModelU crew pack in hand waiting to get painted and installed. What colours of uniforms would GWR crews have worn in the 1912-22 era for this paint scheme? I’m assuming white shirts and plain black jackets, but willing to be surprised if it was something else. Cheers, Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON, Canada

Not too worried about the timing, as I gather the DCC Sound ones are getting prepped before shipping, and my order was only placed last fall, so late in the line. What I am curious about is if Kernow is sending emails confirming shipment? Always nice to know when things are moving given the vagaries of international mail some days to be watching for things coming so you can get alarmed if they take too long or go awol! Cheers, Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON, Canada

The pesky challenges of a 4 digit dcc system that works great for North America 4 digit numbering but less so with longer numbers! I wound up going with 3743 and dropped the zero. Given the limited number of locomotives in my layout, that doesn’t clash with any CN or CP number I am likely to use as that number series on both is not a loco I would model. I know think the class 37 won’t negotiate my layout designed for 4 axle first generation diesels and 0-6-0 steam, but I do like to get my larger locos out and my British models and let them at least run and provide an audio backdrop to workbench time! Stephen

Well, my 37043 arrived in Toronto on Wednesday from Rails, collected from the post office after the tax man was paid yesterday, and today started to explore it. It seems, it mostly survived its trip around the world well. One buffer was loose laying in the bubble, and one of the small wire steps that is behind the plow is missing (and tbh I can’t be sure if it was off from when it arrived or if I knocked it off installing the plow and cables). I’ll send an email to Accurascale support about that, hopefully can combine a replacement step with the crew figures when they come into stock. Thus far, I am quite pleased with it in terms of appearance, the sound is fantastic, the large speakers really do make such a difference in how a locomotive sounds. The only problem I’ve had to be honest is I realized I can’t give it the locomotive address I would normally give a 5 digit UK loco of the last 4 digits as I already have a 7043 on my layout! I am also, more than pleasantly surprised at how easy getting the shell off is without damaging detailed hoses and chains beneath the body line. I’ve wrestled with too many locomotives where taking it apart for servicing is a near impossibility, not here. It’s a pleasant change. Looking forward to running it in on the rollers tomorrow and then finding a home for it in the display cases until a suitable diorama for it to be on is completed. Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON

I guess this is a question for @Accurascale Fran or @McC, I see on your site you have BR Era crew figure sets for the Class 37's that appear to be sold out. Do you have any idea when they will be restocked? While I wait on my 37043 winging its way across the Atlantic from Rails, I would like to get the Crew Set for it. I have family visiting the UK at months end and that's the type of item that makes more sense to ship to pickup in the UK than across the Atlantic at postal/package rates. Thanks in advance, Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON

I searched, and saw threads in the past that touched on these, but nothing specific that I could find. I figured the group here might be interested in recent trip reports if anyone is ever thinking of coming over to do any of the isolated lifeline trains in Ontario. I have written up my recent experiences on VIA Rail's Sudbury-White River Trains 185/186 and the RDC's, and on Ontario Northland Railways "Polar Bear Express" from Cochrane to Moosonee. Both are linked below: VIA 185/186 - https://sjgardiner.wordpress.com/2023/05/14/via-rail-train-185-186-sudbury-white-river-trip-report-may-6-7-2023/ ONR Polar Bear Express - https://sjgardiner.wordpress.com/2023/05/14/ontario-northland-railway-may-8-2023-trip-report-polar-bear-express-cochrane-moosonee-cochrane/ Happy to try and answer any questions anyone does have about doing these two trips. Cheers, Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON

I'll just settle for it continuing to slip so I can pay off the current large credit card bill from the trip I just took rather than having to find money for the locomotive right now. I know at least two are headed Toronto direction once they do arrive as myself and a friend both have 37043 on order! Stephen

The Manor is not in service, and if the Budd coach was the first or last coach in the train, which judging by the closed blinds it was, it’s also not in service. All trains using the 1955 CPR Budd cars or HEP coaches are currently required to have a buffer car at either end of the occupied consist because of concerns of metal fatigue in the frames of the old cars. Eric Gagnon has been blogging about it, this post contains the Hatch Engineering Report summary and links to his earlier posting on the issue: http://tracksidetreasure.blogspot.com/2022/11/the-report-that-hatched-buffer-cars.html?m=1 It has meant you get weird looks like this early December consist on Number 1: There is both a barrier car and a deadheading park behind the in service park car. Because of the buffer, it’s easier to just move deadheads behind the train instead of at the front as normal, this is the same as during covid restrictions when the dome cars were closed. Saves splitting the train and having to cut power if deadheads are on the tail. I have not yet heard any results from the testing at the National Research Council in Ottawa about when repairs required to eliminate buffers have been identified and then of course, if VIA can actually afford to make the repairs. Regards, Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON

I’ve seen lots of chatter in the main Class 37 thread, but unless I am really really blind, none of the teaser images and delivery updates have said anything about the Scottish ones? I have a Loch Lomond on order and am quite looking forward to it, as it will push me into finally building a proper Scottish diorama/mini layout of some sort. Any update from Accurascale specifically on this part of the run would no doubt be appreciated by more than just me! Cheers Stephen

Quite possibly. I had the same when I opened mine in Canada today after picking it up from the post office. Haven’t had a chance to put it on the test track, or even pull out the ugly coupler at the front, but had to get it out and at least take a quick couple of pictures! EDIT: Wrote a quick blog post with a couple of brief testing videos. Will need to run in properly over the weekend before figuring out which display case she is going in. Early returns are I am very happy! https://sjgardiner.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/something-blue-and-beautiful-and-completely-not-for-the-layout/ Cheers, Stephen

And it makes a quite nice model too with the application of some time, aftermarket parts and modelling skill. https://sjgardiner.wordpress.com/2017/01/29/talyllyn-photo-gallery/ To get back to the topic, in a sense, I am quite truly enjoying the spectator sport of people on here in this thread and the Hornby Announcements one eating themselves alive over what the two companies are up to. This is great sport, long may it continue to provide entertainment (since there is a 0% chance I will be ordering any Titfield Thunderbolt/Lion/14xx/whatever everyone seems to think Rapido and Hornby are fighting about). I am constantly amazed that people can get this wound up about our hobby. Stephen

Well, I originally ordered fairly quick after they announced, changed to a sound equipped in August, and it was charged today on the 31st, not sure the shipping in order of receipt applies for internationals since we were delayed for the uk Christmas rush. That said, I am excited for what will likely be my first new arrival of 2022 despite the garbage international mail can be still these days, and the delays from Canadian Border Services deciding if they are going to tax it or not! Cheers, Stephen

I love the look of the new site, and my account and pre orders all seem to have properly populated, but I do have one question I didn’t see asked unless I missed it, the wishlist. It appears wishlists from the old site didn’t migrate, not a big deal, but I can’t seem to find a button to add items to a new wishlist when I am on product pages. Maybe I am missing it, for reference for the developers at the moment I have been on safari on an iPad (iOS), haven’t tried from the laptop and another browser, not sure if it’s a global issue with wishlists on the site or tied to the device I’m using. Good luck finding and sorting out all the kinks with the transition, that’s not easy so hopefully it hasn’t been too bad for the Rails team. Stephen

Was trying to figure out the best place to put this, but I recently made my first purchase from Kernow. Was very happy with how well packed it was, arrived safe and sound across the Atlantic to me in Toronto. Always nervy moments whenever I shop from a new to me store for international shipping on how good a job they do packing and posting. Just felt it was worth noting for other international shoppers out there. Cheers, Stephen

Hahaha, yes, it does feel inevitable that I will order one. Thanks for the clarification. I will no doubt place my pre order in the near future! Thanks for responding. Stephen

Quick question so I understand, as I've been trying to convince myself to not order this since you announced it! We place an order, it charges, and then you manually refund and charge for real when it comes in? I only ask that with exchange rates that probably means a few dollars change between the first and second charges. I don't expect it to be enough for me to care, i just wanted to understand for sure how your pre-order system is working. Every time you post CAD's is pushes me more towards another purchase I don't need but kinda want anyways! Thanks Stephen

FWIW I got the email about my order and payment today. It appears from my online banking the payment has gone through, so they are still clearly working their way through the orders. Stephen

Having not been on RMWeb in a few days, I hadn't seen they were arriving. I checked my bank account and Hornby Account, it still shows as a pre-order to have payment taken on the Hornby site. I will update whenever it changes or I get something from them indicating a charge/shipment. I'm having it shipped to family in the UK as their overseas shipping was heinous, and I'll either have a bunch of things bundled with my Aunt for one parcel to Canada, or wait until my mom is able to go home again to see her mom whenever the days of Covid are over. Stephen

I haven't been checking forums much of late, just too much going on and its slipped off my to do list, so I very nearly missed this. So much for my efforts to not spend money frivolously, however this is a good cause and a heartwarming one to have watched Captain Moore raise funds for the NHS. My family is almost all in the UK, so I've been watching closely how things are there as much as I am here at home. He's a true inspiration and I am happy to put some money to the NHS and add this model to my collection. Stephen