S.A.C Martin

Sorry to be a bit slow to the party. However the second GNR loco picture doesn't show 62822 but another of the class with the number ending 85. Fascinating detail difference, with no smokebox number present but otherwise identical to how 62822 was from 1948 up to her withdrawal and before her tender was swapped for her last few runs.

It could be - I used Humbrol no.20 as a good match for my A4 wheel sets, as below.

I think you're basing this on the idea that all part works must be badly done…? If done to a decent moulded standard where things are the correct dimensions and shapes, I think we'd be surprised at the reaction from modellers. Dimensions and shapes being the areas most critically talked about on any model. Having done some research for a group looking at producing a one off model, costs of tooling can be reduced by putting several models or their components into minimal dies. It becomes more economic to design several models sharing certain components too. Costs can be further reduced by plastic types, short life tooling as opposed longer life toolings and by reducing the number of separate parts for fitting together. On the other hand, turn it into a knock down kit and suddenly you remove the assembly stage altogether. Makes it a bit easier to consider a wagon or coach part work. I am not suggesting it would be a big time thing or even mainstream with the public. However I feel there's scope for a gap in the market for products aimed at modellers predominantly. The acid test is making sure the modeller's checklist is done within an inch of its life. Accurate shape and dimensions? Check. Metal wheel sets? Check. NEM close coupling pockets? Check. Making it possible for P4/EM modellers to modify? Check if applicable on the model. Honestly, it's probably more possible and less costly than half the new products which have flooded to market recently.

I suspect we are not thinking along similar lines. I am postulating something more limited in number and specialist for modellers in a similar vein.

There is obviously the demand from modellers for cheap body shells and rolling stock to modify for their own purposes. If you can make something perhaps aimed at the modeller and anyone with an interest in model railways (as has pretty much happened with GBL let's face it) then something profitable could be made. The partwork idea has merit but as with everything, it's a balancing act and would have to be planned carefully.

It is not difficult to change the back to backs on your own with a gauger, surely? That's not something I would send back for a refund. Easily sorted within five minutes. Try DCCconcepts. No affiliation, but have heard good things from others.

I am really loving seeing the conversions being done at the moment. The A3 in particular above is rather smart and I like the ideas for the Compound too. I think there's got to be scope for a similar series aimed specifically at modellers to fill in gaps in loco and rolling stock respectively. The Hachette Mk1 springs to mind as a decent example.

Now that is gorgeous.

I'd be a yes but I just can't fathom why Hornby haven't just stuck their finger out and had the headline models made and sold ahead of their dross. Did the model railway world need or want the Railroad Bagnall ahead of the P2? They've just not planned ahead well and been found wanting on product. Amazing that we could be so positive about Hornby five years ago, to go a situation where their very existence is potentially under threat. I don't want Hornby to go under but it's not been the fault of the modeller, collector or the family and kids train set sector - purely and simply Hornby have got themselves into this mess. They need desirable product in numbers to sell, and fast, to get out of it.

Absolutely stunned and totally gutted. Tetley's when it appeared in Model Rail the first time was when I took up the hobby, and it amongst others inspired me. The sight of the NRM's Deltic pounding the rails over a viaduct he made, amongst buildings he made in scenery he made - inspirational. We've lost a lot of good ones the last few years and it never gets any easier to hear. My sincere condolences to his friends and family. I'll raise a glass to him later when I go back to working on my layout this evening.

But Colin, they've previously been pilloried for the small initial batches the last few years - retailers and consumers alike. I don't fathom Hornby's strategy on this one, especially when it's backfired previously.

Initial batch? Why not the whole batch? Am I missing the point somewhere? Why on earth would you only make a portion of an order with more to follow if it's been in the manufacturing stage for the last two years? So then more disappointment for people who've ordered with retailers as full allocations are not given out. If ever there was a way to put people off buying Hornby products, it was this - have they learned nothing from the last five years?

Nope, Thompson man I'm afraid! I said that on the basis that the majority of the models have been/are copies of existing models in many ways.

It's a shame they didn't do an apple green B1, to be frank. If based on the Hornby model they would have sold a bomb...

How did I miss that we won 4-0 in the League cup last night...?! We're on our way to Wembley... (too soon?)

You've caught me Tony! The one in the distance is indeed cotton wool, on a wire armature. It was carefully position in the chimney of one of my N2s. I used a fog machine to create the smoky haze in and around the shed to give an illusion of distance to the end of the yard and the buildings behind.

Instead of digitally manipulated smoke, what about real smoke? Gimmick, unrealistic, or adding something to the scene? I don't pretend that my example is good (it fundamentally is not!) but it serves to illustrate the sort of effect I mean.

I agree, this is an upgrade, but it does make mixing and matching wheels a trifle more difficult. That said, the thing which makes mixing and matching even more difficult is the change in the size of thread of the coupling rod pins and that on the centre driving wheel crankpin. You can't swap them over between the Railroad Pacifics, and they are also not compatible with the older super detail ones. You therefore need to make sure the coupling rods, valve gear and driving wheels are all from the same batch or design period before swapping them onto a chassis block. It's a right headache in some respects! The three pole motor in the Railroad A4 models is not the same as the Scalextric-a-like in the Railroad Scotsman (which, coupled with a flywheel, is a rather effective and smooth operator) and is dismal in my opinion. Stutters at all speeds. Five pole motors will be fitted in due course to both my Mallard and Silver Fox models.

Sorry, let me clarify - old sets will go into old and new chassis, the latest centre driving wheel sets can only go into the latest Railroad models. Crazy!

Hornby's lack of consistency in applying brass bearings to models never fails to amaze me. So, on the left, a set of A3/A4 driving wheel sets suitable for the super detail models (these are apple green and spare from an A3 set but are the same bar colour as those on the A4 models) and on the right, a set of the Railroad drivers which are the same in the new Railroad Scotsman and the Railroad A4s. Note the EXTRA brass bearing…! Which means older sets will go in, but newer centre driving wheel sets can't be put into old chassis.

I will certainly try this evening - will charge the camera up now. I think the centre driving wheel set omits the bearing but I will check.

I'm going to check for you today once I've done all the other odd jobs, but from memory I think the bearing is a different shape (or they've removed one - can't remember which way round it is).

I wouldn't hold your breath Keith. That would make it a neat year between the BRM review of the main range P2 model and its actual release…!

It's almost identical, but the centre driving wheel set appears to be slightly different in the brass bearing setup to the super detail models. What this means is, you can drop in the new driving wheels onto an older chassis, and older wheel sets onto the new chassis, but only the outer driving wheels. Which is something of a strange design change given the Railroad Scotsman - the new one is closer to the super detail models in a number of ways including allowing any of the previous loco drive driving wheels to be dropped in. I had actually fitted an A4 body shell to the Railroad chassis before now, but the problem was obvious with the new type of valve gear: However it would have been a simple upgrade to the valve gear to get round that one, the A4 cylinder block fits perfectly as did everything else. It is a shame in some respects that Hornby didn't just upgrade their Railroad A4 to this chassis as it runs very nicely (even with pickups on only the six driving wheels).

Same old Charlton, can't hold onto a lead…sigh...