bazza.

Hi Tender, Another suggestion. Have you tried adding weights to the 3 centre cars in a 4 car set or to the non-powered car in a 2 car set. On my 4Cor set the power car weighs 342g and the other coaches weigh 230g each, and on my 6PAN set the power car weighs 312g and the other 5 cars weigh 171 g each. I have also added weights to my Lima/Hornby class 73 which now weighs 393g and most of my wagons now weigh between 80 to 100g each. I have checked the weight of my Bachmann 2EPB, the power car weighs 376g and the driving trailer is a bit light at 150g. When Bachman produce renumbered 2EPB or a 2HAP,I will add more weight to the driving trailers. Whats the weight of the power car and driving trailer on your new Hornby 2BIL Tender ? Regards Bazza

Hi Gwiwer, When I was at Surbition most 4SUB's in the evenings and late mornings carried Royal Mail sacks in the guards van, but sometimes 4 SUB on a morning mail working would arrive loaded with sacks in all four passenger cars. When I was there the seat cushings were not over-turned, these workings were unpopular. Regards Bazza

Hi RFS, I have just received my e-mail telling me that my pre-order for R3162X (DCC fitted) has been changed to a pre-order for R3162AX due in June this year. Like you I would like to know if Hornby are producing another run of this model, will it have the same running number. As my old DCC unit has only 99 locomotive allocations. I use the last two numbers of locomotives or EMU's for my DCC model ID. I hav'nt got 99 locomotives or EMU's, but I was lucky not to have allocated numbers 34 or 90 (NRM 2BIL unit 2090) to a model yet. I know that I can re-number this future model, and I will re-paint the shiny grey roofs, but it seems wrong to have to re-number a brand new model as well. Regards Bazza

Hi Brian, The 2 BIL's were built in four batches. The first batch were built in 1935 (2001-2010) A further three batches of 2 BIL's were built. The second batch were built in 1936 (2011-2048), the third in 1937 (2049-2116), and a final batch in 1938(2117-2152) These last three 2 BIL batches had detail differences to the first batch, including a larger Guards/Luggage area (more space for Hornby's motor bogie), one third class 8 seat compartment replaced with a 4-seat coupe, and a different type of electro-pneumate control gear. The last batch of 2 BIL units numbered 2117-2152 differed to the first three batches of 2 BIL units in having the large Spencer Moulton self contained buffers instead of the original oblong shank buffers originaly fitted to the other units. I don't know if any of the early built 2 BIL's had their original buffers converted to the Spencer Moulton type, I would imagine that someone on this thread should be able to tell you. I like your idea of screw coupling your 2 BIL's together. That is how I couple my 4 COR to my 4 BUF, and when I get one of my Hornby 2 BIL's I was going to screw couple it to my model of a 6 PAN. I don't know if 2 BIL's and 6 PAN's could or did work together , but I have seen a photo of a 4 BUF coupled to a 5 BEL ( both staffed by Pullman ?) Regards Bazza

Hi Brian, Thanks to my question. Depart from where to Bognor Regis! Barnham Junction I hope, as thats what I am modelling, but no ding-ding from a BIL Regards Bazza

Hi John, What wheels do you use to re-gauged the wheel sets on these motor bogies to 18.83mm. Are they Hornby wheel sets re-gauged and turned down to P4 profile. I am using Gibson and Ultrascale P4 wheel sets. For the Brighton Bell trailer coach bogies. Do you need to compensate the wheel sets in the bogies, or was there enough slop in the bearings for the bogies to stay on the track. Regards Bazza

I worked at Surbition station in 1964. On the down line platform 3, because the platform was slighly curved, the sequence for stating a train that platform was. When the colour light starting signal turned green, the platform porter standing half way down the train and in sight of both the driver and guard showed green flag or (green lamp at night) to the guard when all passenger doors were shut, the guard in turn showed a green flag or green light back to the platform porter, who in return showed a green flag or green light to driver to show that it was all clear to depart, the driver normaly acknowledged the green signal from the platform porter with a wave. There was a similar starting sequence from platform 4. This starting sequence was the same for all EMU's that called at this time and for all semi-fast loco hauled trains that stopped at Surbition. There was no ding-ding between guard and driver! Regards Bazza

Hi Brian, Are the BR 2BIL and the NRM 2BIL models the same colour green? As some people thought that the Hornby advertisemnts were showing them in different shades af green livery. Still waiting for my two models to arrive. Regards Bazza

Hi Phil, Won't worry me, I'll just attach a '1' decal to each 1st class door. Regards Bazza

Hi Oldddudders, Me too, just got my e-mail from Hattons. You will get your 2BIL before me though, as my pair of 2Bil's have to wing it to New Zealand. On the subject of Peco con-rail, the code 80 rail that they use, does not look heavy enough in the rail head, even when using code 75 BH rail as the running rails. The conductor rail that the Scalefour society sells, is sold as the correct profile conductor rail available and is sold in 20 x half metre lenghts. Enjoy your new model Bazza

Thank you for you reply Oldddudders, The person that you mentioned, Paul Clark, and the book that he wrote on the Chichester-Midhurst line, was that part of a series published by Middleton Press? In New Zealand if all goes to plan, as usual we will not see the new Hornby 2 BIL models in our model shops for perhaps 6 to 8 weeks after every uk customer has purchased at least one for themseves and one for e-bay. Regards from the sunny south east Bazza

Hi Oldddudders, Just a quick question to you, I am modelling Barnham Junction station in the late 50's to early 60's, and the last bit of information that I am looking for is for any information on the goods shed that was dismantled to build a car park in the early 60's. I belive that that the goods shed was originaly transported from Woodgate to Barnham Junction. Shame about the signal box, should have been left as an historical building. Have you worked at Barnham Junction? Regards Bazza

Hi Colin, You had me fooled! I thought that you were refering to table lamps shades which 2BIL's did'nt have. I've just checked photos of 2 BIL roof details, and the items that you call lamps tops are correctly called conduit boxes which are in turn conected to the lamps holders inside the coach, the pipes on the carrage roofs that carry the electric cables that conect to the lamp fittings, are called electrical conduit. Still a good enough model for me to order two of them from Honby. Now any sensible ideas on how I can convert them to run on P4 ? Bazza