johnpeter3

Which retailer was it out of interest, please?

Updated images at http://www.Hornby.com/uk-en/virgin-east-coast-train-pack.htmlshow the train pack with 91 + DVT + two coaches. However the 91 now has the livery corrected (no black mid-body) but the coaches appear grey not off-white as per the prototype.

There's no mounting bracket but I used a piece of thin metal tube bent round to create a loop attached to the bufferbeam so that the dragging loco's coupling can engage with that.

The Grand Central 180s go to Crofton for maintenance I think when on Bradford diagrams, and Heaton for Sunderland diagrams.

I'd echo the call for these to be released in OO as well! I would have at least four. I've an unmade Bratchell unpainted kit which I've never got round to doing. Anyone wanting a nice Regional Railways/Metro red one from Yorkshire but modelling the ECML - here is a good excuse to get one - 321903 at Kings Cross! I think there had been problems with either the HSTs or the 225s and all of them had been withdrawn from service - the 321s were pressed in to service as shuttle trains between Leeds and London! http://mark5812.smugmug.com/UKpicturesclassorder/Class-321/i-9XttFBL/A

I hope it's not a new mark 3 - I've just bought a rake or two! It would be good to have some with better couplings and more weight so they stay on the track though.

The 89 may be Heljan territory as it is a one-off which is their speciality. Didn't it have bogies like the 58 as well which they already have tooled?

Odd really that they just have that announcement as text, and the private owner wagons with text and pictures!

I'd had trouble with my various HSTs and Mk3s derailing - the solution seems to have been to remove the dummy buckeye coupler on the power cars and fit the shortened flexible Dapol-fit couplings into the existing fittings on the Mk3 bogie (R8099 - http://www.Hornby.com/coupling-assembly-pack.html, available from retailers). I'd prefer close coupling but a set that runs reliably without derailing is my main aim. As for the Eastern Region mk3s with lights, I'm tempted to remove the lights altogether from my set. A plea to Hornby - if you're doing more coaches with lighting, please use longer light bars to cover at least all of the passenger area. JP

That sounds like they have misunderstood the query to relate to their N gauge products.

The newly released Western Region TGS and buffet have smoked glazing but no lights. The Eastern Region ones have smoked glazing and do have lights. The buffet car in mine has fewer LEDs fitted in the kitchen/serving area.

I wonder whether Bachmann's statement was quite right? At the time, this news item was published saying that the loco was exclusively available via the NRM. http://www.Bachmann.co.uk/pr1.php?id=302 mremag reported at the time that the model was to be exclusive to the NRM for three years, which hasn't quite elapsed. If I had bought one I would be quite annoyed at it being sold either in a pack or separated for either better value or much less money. It puts into question the exclusivity and premium pricing. Locomotion Models then say on its homepage " The MIDLAND COMPOUND is still in stock so don't delay - if you haven't got yours yet don't leave it too long as, like those above, it will soon be sold out!" and further down the page " NRM Exclusive Edition - MIDLAND COMPOUND 1000" Johnpeter3

Hattons have updated their website to say that these are not expected until April 2015. More time to save up!

Hi all I've had both problems with my new style 56s this week. Sometimes the wiper pickups become bent so the folded area contacts the wheel surface. This can be remedied by increasing the fold out of the way. More common is a squeaky/grating noise from either the drive shafts or the worm drive under the bogie retaining clip. Heavy oiling has reduced the noise but I wonder if some kind of white grease would be better given it is metal to plastic? Kind regards johnpeter3