steve1023

Brian - I have just been looking through your thread. Amazing modelling. I have a couple of quick questions - sometime back I was considering getting a class 33 as a side project but didn't proceed past the thinking stage - how easy are these to make for a beginner? - your class 33/1 has resown the seed in my mind, also there was an article in one of the modelling magazines about constructing a JLTRT class 37 (i think it was finished in large logo IIRC) maybe in the last 2 years - I don't suppose anybody knows which magazine/month/year it was in do they? Also sorry for the minor hijack.... Steve

Diesels in Wessex - Ian Allen - Page 16 - A unit at Eastleigh - hard to see unit number but book believes its 1103 in plain green, no V as a 3 car unit. You probably read it on these pages somewhere. Same book as above - page 17 has unit 1115 running as a 2 car unit at Ropley with the V - picture dated 03/11/63. Steve

Just out of interest - why have posts been deleted from this thread - I'm not talking about the ones moved to the supply gremlins thread, but I made a post (didn't break any forum rules as far as I know) on Saturday about purchasing a unit in Gaugemaster and now its gone? Regards Steve

I agree, it's a fantastic looking layout. More pictures please. Steve

Hey Guys. Would these still have been in use in the SR in the period 1966 - 1969, specifically the Central or SouthWestern divisions and if so what would they have been used for and what would represent the correct livery for this period? Thanks in advance. Steve

Hi Paul. Hope you don't mind but what where the small issues on the sample you saw? Steve

Hey Guys - Since the thread has been unlocked I thought I would add my own recent experiences with my 2nd VEP. Having sent the original one back to Liverpool in October with its faults and obtaining a refund I have still been wanting a VEP so it was in January when Gaugemaster were selling them at a sale price of £120 (same price as Hattons) I asked the salesman about any issues on the VEP to be told they had had no issues at all. So I took the plunge and made a purchase - got home and took my 2nd blue VEP out of its box and put it on the track and watched my new VEP trundle along quite happily - I was over the moon - a working VEP........then it reached the first curve and promptly de-railed, and then it de-railed on every curve after that too. Pack up said VEP to be returned to Gaugemaster, except on the day I was intending to go to Gaugemaster work sent me on a couple of deliveries in Margate - one on the same estate as Hornby, so I left my VEP with them to see if they could sort it out & they did. It was returned a week later and it does now run as you would expect it too - no stuttering or slowing down on curves and no derailments. The attached work note said the bogies were adjusted and springs replaced - can't tell you any more than that other than it works. Incidently regarding the price I notice that Hattons have increased the price they are selling the VEPs at from £120 to £139. I had been keeping an eye on getting a 2nd unit to use as a donor for making a 4TC. Regards Steve

I also agree with several of the above posts. After my 4VEP issues my confidence in Hornby took a hit and I was very disappointed, however 2 or so months later I am tempted to re-try the VEP and have thought about re-purchasing a blue one to try my luck but I am very cautious. I have been happy with all my other Hornby stuff - slightly tempted by the B1 - handsome looking model with some gresley stock for it to haul. Steve

I returned my VEP because of an electrical problem in one of the driving cars (no lights & I didn't want to risk invalidating the warranty seeing if I could fix the problem) fully expecting to be sent a replacement unit, however on Saturday morning I got a call - because of the lack of lights the unit was to be sent back to Hornby and was basically given the choice of a new unit or a unexpectidly a refund - so I took the refund. I then managed to source locally a brand new Bachmann plain green 2EPB which surprised me because I thought they where all gone and purchased that instead - I had held off buying the EPB because the VEP is local to me and the EPB isn't. So now I have no VEP and a 2EPB that has replaced it. Upon reflection I feel very lucky yet also disappointed not to have my VEP, disappointed because after all the VEP is one of the trains that served my local station and I had spent the last 20 months looking forward to receiving it and I really do want a Hornby VEP but I don't want to spend £140 for a brand new train that doesn't go round 2nd radius curves and now I have a 2EPB to go with my CEP and they run like a dream.....but they don't have the same nostalgia value that the VEP holds for me, lucky because I don't feel like I am out of pocket by £140 and the VEPs replacement does go round my 2nd radius curves. I do feel in areas that Hornby have tried to cut corners with the VEP - the poor motor which compared to the Bachmann offering is sooooo budget, the poor cosmetics - the solid 1st class partition and the front gangway which is the same moulding as the gangways used throughout the model - the benefit is (maybe) an attempt by Hornby to produce a close coupled unit but on the front end that gangway moulding is not right. TBH the cosmetics don't bother me that much but the horrible motor does & right now (as I have already posted) I am hoping that if we ever get a 4CIG or 4TC it is made by Bachmann and not Hornby. In the meantime if Hornby replace that old horrible motor for something modern like the Bachmann CEPs & EPBs I well definately come back for some VEPs but if they dont I will reluctantly not bother. In the meantime pre-order for the Belle is cancelled. Please Hornby sort out the issues so I can spend more money on your VEPs. Steve

My intial enthusiasm for my all blue 4VEP has cooled (a lot). I was initially very pleased apart from having slight damage to one coach (Hattons sorted this for me). However I will admit my time was limited so had only run-in the motor coach by itself at the time & in fairness it was very smooth. However t'other half was then in hospital for a while so didn't get a chance until last sunday to run my 4VEP - and it was poor. I don't currently have a set-up model railway so I laid a circle of 2nd radius track and to my horror the unit couldn't get round the circle unless it was going constantly fast - slowish would see the unit effectively 'stall' for want of a better word. I also discovered that the other driving car which wasn't damaged doesn't have any working lights...... I then ran my 4CEP - wow - the difference is unbelievable, especially for a model that retails cheaper than the VEP. I really wanted this to work for Hornby & I was very enthusiastic, however right now the experience has left me thinking I hope Bachmann are watching and preparing a 4CIG (please). Steve

With regards to liveries: Orange cantrail stripe noticed and reported in (I think) REX modeller. On the 4VEG variant you could have three versions of this livery. Initially the 2nd class accomodation was marked with a red stripe, but it was decided that that was too confusing what with the buffet cars being red, so they were then changed to light green and finally prior to re-conversion back to VEP they returned to rail blue and had the brandings removed but retained the extra luggage racks and retained their 79xx numbering. Regards Steve

I think 76275 received its shoebeam when it was reformed into one of the short lived 6 REP sets (1903??). Following the disbanding/withdrawal of the 6 REPs it then went into 3169 to indeed replace one of the DTC which was written off. Just an idea but if I got a surplus Bachmann Mk1 TSO and maybe one of the many 4 VEPS that appear not be overly popular, cut the ends off the MK1 and removed the cab and first seating bay off one of the VEP driving cars I think i've got myself a TC driving trailer. Yes - VEPs allocated to Fratton, Wimbledon & Bournemouth and definately seen on the SWML.

Just read this thread with interest and cant really add much to it but to say thanks for all the info provided - I do have a soft spot especially on the SR units in this livery (modelzone Bachmann 2 EPB ordered and waiting). Just to add to the list I have a reprint of the 1968 Ian Allan ABC which has a picture of ER EMU set 264 in BSYP and WR DMMU set 402 also in BSYP with a white cab roof. Regards Steve

My VEP has arrived today & I have to say I'm really pleased with it. Bottom line is despite the flaws mentioned here (all valid) it does capture the look of the VEP. Mine has arrived from Liverpool with a broken grab-rail so will have to source a replacement but other than that - really pleased. The worst part having now got the unit in the flesh is the solid partion for the 1st class section - I'm not even bothered about the length of the gangway connection that I posted about on the page 13 of this thread. One further comment to make regarding the front of the unit is that apart from the already mentioned errors with the gangway connection when I look directly at the front of the unit I see a decent representation and recognisable front end of a 4 VEP and this includes the shape of the cab windows which look spot on for me. I have already considered getting a second unit to make an 8-car but will wait for that & I really would like an early Bournemouth line unit - may have to contact Hornby and pester them for that. Once again really pleased. Steve

The side-on images show the gangway connection on the VEP is way too large - a comparison is this side-on view of a 4TC http://www.flickr.com/photos/leeayling/5507220140/ - different class of unit but same front end. I'm considering replacing the gangway with the MJT one - I'll decide when my VEP arrives. Steve

The reason the door looks like its further out on the photo of 1399 is because part of the gangway has been removed - it does however show perfectly that the door is not flush with the cab 'face'.

Thanks Adrian.

Hi. Could somebody advise of the running numbers and destinations of Hornby class 101 (Ref R2698) in blue/grey livery. I have been trying internet searches but without any luck. If anybody can help...... Many thanks Steve

Guys - Hornby customer services have confirmed to me by e-mail that they are producing both pre & post refurb units. Happy days. Steve

Fully agree with the above post. I don't think they will be available this year. On a seperate note I e-mailed Hornby Customer services 2 weeks ago regarding which models are to be released. Still awaiting a reply, but they do say allow 28 days for a reply. Steve

Hi. Sorry - but can you clarify by what you mean by original unit. I took your comments to mean the original livery with blue/small yellow fronts or do you mean original as in pre-refurbishment. I thought Hornby's plan was to release one unit in original form (i.e - pre refurbishment in blue/full yellow fronts) and one unit in NSE post refurbishment. I don't know the delivery date of the very first VEP but I assume they would would have had testing before introduction so would have been seen alongside the very last WC/MN etc. Even if it was only a couple of months thats good enough for me to run VEPs and steamers alongside each other. Steve

I'm quite disappointed by the news that Hornby won't be doing an original unit. I would have thought there would be a greater demand for an original unit to sit alongside Hornby's WC/MN & BoB rather than a unit in blue with full yellow ends. Steve

Another benefit of having a Hastings unit would be the possibility to create a tadpole unit using the 2EPB driving trailer.

I'm quite pleased with this development, especially as the one I ordered is still going to be produced and at a cheaper price aswell. I don't have any experience of any Dapol stuff, but the Bachmann stuff I have is truly good and hopefully the 2H will follow on from the 4CEP, although to be honest I'm not certain we'll see it 2011. Steve