Flyingscotsmanfan

My Easterner Set arrived via DPD this morning, I’ve only had a chance to have a quick look at it… but my goodness is it exquisite! This scale seems to remove my doubts about smaller scales, I was put off N Gauge because if the steam roller wheels and overscale valve gear pins etc, while it still isn’t scale size on these it’s not as noticeable. I’m in love with how these models look and I hope the running qualities are as excellent when I can get a chance to set it up. One small gripe is that the set doesn’t come with a trackmat so I need to think of a way to set it up while not on the carpet. Not owning a table big enough as I live in flat means I might just have to set it up at the club Monday. All in all I’m rather impressed by TT:120.

As you are doing the class 28 in N gauge perhaps you could do it in OO too as it’s near enough impossible to find a helijan example these days and it doesn’t look like they’ll be doing a re run anytime soon

Loving the 3 links. Do these come with the model?if not are they easy to fit? as I find that fitting 3 links to locos can be a bit of a pain sometimes.

I don’t suppose you have any pictures of the connection please? I’m looking at doing the same thing and would like to see your version before I order bits

I was hoping these would be announced at some point… I’ve preordered one of each of the LNER liveried ones.

It’s now up on UKTV Play for those who have missed it. I’m watching it now

Does anyone know when it will appear on UKTV Play? Because ironically Monday night is club night and I missed it. It isn’t on there as of yet.

I received my J27 yesterday as a birthday present to myself next week. I’m very happy with it, and as I use 3 link couplings it’s a nice touch to add them in the box, my only criticisms is with these 3link couplings… there is no way to fit them into the hole proved into the plastic hook! I also think that the hook should be made from metal as well, even for people who don’t use 3 links it would look much better. I think that this model is a really nice one and the only things I will have to do is to paint a touch of black paint on the axle ends. I may have to invest in a J26 when they come out as well.

Have you considered doing a version of the cowcatchers without the hole for the tension locks for those of us who use 3 links instead?

Just out of interest, how are the J15 Colne Valley Cabs and tender cabs coming along?

I’ve just subscribed to the premium subscription. For that you get a platform 9 3/4 diorama to put it in

Thank you to everyone who has liked my build. The kit only took a couple of hours to put together. It practically built itself as that how good the kit is. There was a bit of flash on some of the sprues but for the most part the mouldings were crisp. I can’t wait to get started on the painting into LNER unlined teak. it was such a joy to build I’m already contemplating buying another one in the future.

Mine arrived this morning and by this afternoon...

Excellent news! I have just emailed you to order.

Cambrian do sell the LNER Diamond Bogies as a separate kit, I use them in place of parkside ones as they are one piece moulding and don’t fall apart easily. Maybe you could try replacing them?

I know this seems like a stupid question but are you using top hat brass bearings and what wheels are you using?

Jesse, Thank you for taking the time to talk to me yesterday, it was nice to finally meet you. Cheers Paul

I am indeed there tomorrow Jesse, I shall make more of an effort to find you

I’ve been looking out for you all day to let myself known to you I just can’t seem to see you anywhere Jesse

Not just for myself but hopefully for a lot of other Ex-Great Eastern modellers, I hope we get a few different varieties of the J69. Plenty of different variants covering a lot of British Railway history.

Then I must be in the minority! At 34 years of age I can see a lot of potential in even the most moth eaten of models. I have over the past few years have picked up kit built wagons cheaply from Ellis Clark Trains ( other traders are available) at a few of the bigger shows, often they have damaged brake gear or are fitted with unusual couplings. I buy them, strip them, replace any couplings with three link couplings (if not already fitted), repair any damage ( usually having to scratch build missing gear from plastic strip), paint, transfer and varnish. The attached picture shows my workbench of organised chaos. All but three of these box vans are rescue kits, the rest having been built by me from new PECO Parkside kits. Why do I rescue these kits? Because I can get them cheap and I know I can do them justice, I get immense pleasure from seeing something battered returned to its former glory or in most cases better than they’ve ever been.

I used Bachmann Pannier tank chassis under my two, this was before the Hornby J50 had even been announced, to be honest as I live with 00 gauge as a compromise I’m quite happy to live with the wheel spacing differences too. These are pictures of the second one I did

I purchased one of the LNER ones last weekend from John Dutfield’s, Ken, who is one of the shop directors, told me that they checked its running before purchase and told me that is runs extremely well. He wasn’t wrong, such smooth operation and crawling speed straight from the box. It has a nice weight to it and the printing is nicely done. I can’t find fault with it! An extremely beautiful model by Oxford, even the enclosed cab looks the part. The only things I will change on it, due to personal preference, is take off the NEM couplers and pockets, fit screw links and paint the wheels to the very edge of the rims. This model does indeed fill me with confidence in Oxford Rail and hopefully they’ll consider other Great Eastern models in the future... T26/E4 would certainly not go amiss *wink wink nudge nudge say no more sir*

I have used three link and screw link couplings for years, I have standardised on the over scale smiths hooks and links and for screw links I have used Markits screw coupler and smiths hooks. To uncouple and couple up I have a uncoupling hook attached to a torch, this I picked up from Ally Pally one year. As with anything, with enough practise, I find it fairly easy and the benefit of shunting anywhere on the layout makes up for the extra work of fitting the couplings.

Looking good Scott. Don’t forget that the club is on Tuesday this week due to the bank holiday