KGV

Hi Castle Unfortunately my wife and son won't be able to attend, so its just one for me after all.

For that very reason I would have thought it might be beneficial of Hornby to provide two versions of the all-thirds with different running numbers (e.g. a R4679 and a R4679A), to cater for those ham-fisted modelers like me who are incapable of changing running numbers to the same quality as the manufacturer. But in any event I hope that they recognise this likely event and make manufacture more all-thirds than other types so that there are enough to go round!

My suggestion would be for a GWR saddle tank. Many of these were built prior to the introduction/conversion of pannier tanks, and a few of them even survived into BR days. 1925 and 2007 of the 1901 class were still saddle tanks when they were based at Didcot prior to withdrawal in the early '50s.

We can all but hope that the manufacturers currently tooling up for the new King's really take note of this. I am sure that we all understand that its a tad tricky with the NEM coupling pocket, but some inspirational innovative solution for the bogie could really turn the model from "great" to "outstanding".

Looking at close-up photos it also has windscreen wipers. I can confirm that the original has these as I noticed them when I was at the museum last week. It is the first time that I have noticed these on a steam loco (perhaps I am just not very observant) and presume these were not fitted as built?

As Atlantic No. 40? Now that would be quite courageous of Hornby.

I was just getting round to replacing the bogie wheels on my Lode Star last night, thinking that they would just clip in somehow, but cannot figure out how to do it. I am sure many people on this site have done it ... I have the replacement 10-spoke wheels from Hornby and put them on the axle checking the back-to-back measurement. How to I get the front bogie off the engine to replace them? Many Thanks

I did they same, replacing by Hornby 3-hole wheels, and now they no longer derail even on 2nd radius curves.

5075 arrived today from Hattons. Close inspection does not reveal any real issues, but I have not run her yet. The lining is crisp, the frames are straight and there are no bits loose in the box. The front bogie wheels have 10 spokes. It does have the straighter form of outside steam pipes (see photo on Hattons site), rather than the larger radii steam pipes (shown on the Hornby site). I decided on Wellington rather than Caerphilly for 3 reasons: - I already have 4073, albeit the GMR model which I purchased in 1984 - I could not resist £108 for a new tooled Castle. The cheapest Caerphilly seems to be around £20 more - The new Caerphilly seems to be in "as preserved" condition with fireiron tunnel, and I'd prefer in "as built" condition I am also secretly hoping that once Mr Castle and his esteemed crew have 4079 running again, that Hornby will celebrate with a model of Pendennis Castle --- hopefully in original Garter Crest livery to commemorate its condition in 1925 (when it whipped the Pacifics).

Yes please. I came last year but my wife and little boy would also like to come too this time; so 3 if possible please.

You can buy the Haynes Manual for the Castle on Amazon now. #1 Best Seller for Pictorial Railways Reference! Not as nice as having a signed one by Mr Castle himself though (possibly with authentic oil and grease stains?). Excellent job.

Thanks for the photos. One thing that I have always wondered about these railcars is why do they not have buffers? I believe that they were run together on occasion, and No.22 (as preserved) has buffers. What was the rationale for no buffers?

I was perusing the Dapol site and noticed that they have more details of their models of the railcar here, all scheduled for 3rd Quarter 2015. 4D-011-000 Streamlined Railcar No 7 Choocolate & Cream GWR Monogram 4D-011-001 Streamlined Railcar No 12 Choocolate & Cream GWR Monogram 4D-011-002 Streamlined Railcar BR Lined Choocolate & Cream W10 4D-011-003 Streamlined Railcar BR Lined Carmine & Cream W14 Please note their unique spelling of Chocolate! Maybe it's a special shade for choo-choo's?

I have been dwelling about the Hornby new announcements and the addition of 6000 in "GWR livery". The associated image appears to be in its current condition, but last time I saw it (and current images from NRM) are that it is currently in early BR livery. I was also informed a year ago that 6000 will be finding its way back to STEAM In Swindon in 2015. So, if I put 2 and 2 together; and Hornby are on the ball and know something that we don't; does this mean that 6000 will get a repaint into a GWR livery for its move back to Swindon? If this is the case, then will it be the first time a King has been newly painted in GWR livery since, well, before 1948? I could be completely wrong on this, and probably am reading far too much as to the accuracy or a giveway on Hornby's webpage (especially as they have its year entered service as 1928 instead of 1927), but it would be splendid to see a King in GWR livery again.

I had this issue with a Bachmann Hall. Two of the axle spacers had split in half. I sent a message to the Bachmann Service Dept via their website, who provided sets of axle spacers at £2 per set, with £2 P&P. It took be 30 minutes to fit them, including time to adjust them as I initially managed to have the wheels halved instead of quartered on the first attempt! Oops! I also used a 14.5mm Back to Back gauge from Peters Spares to adjust the spacing, but this is a bit fiddly as the plastic spacers are so fat the gauge does not fit properly. However, I now seem to also have a bent connecting rod, so it is moving like a clockwork crab at the moment. But better than not moving at all? Anyway, if you have cracked axle spacers, get in touch with Bachmann. £2 per set is a lot cheaper than elsewhere and they are the bona-fide part.

Yes, I have. There is the ability to cancel the order, remove items from the order and to change credit card details etc. If you'd like one, you should order now it to "guarantee" getting the one you want.

Fantastic picture, thanks for posting. I think that this captures the essence of what makes these little tank engines so enchanting.

Looking for clues for the livery for the STEAM KGV from the CAD's ... bell, single chimney, modified outside steam pipes. So definitely 6000, but not as originally built (due to the modified steam pipes) and not as preserved (as has it currently a double chimney which was fitted in 1956). Anyone know when 6000 had her steam pipes modified?

When I purchased Lode Star from STEAM back in December I asked what their next model was going to be. I was told they were hoping for it to be King George V to commemorate the return of 6000 to Swindon in 2015. They were insisting on all-new tooling, and "just" had to decide the livery. With the CAD drawing it appears that progress is definitely being made, and perhaps Hornby have several months lead over DJM/Hattons. Anyway, I am hoping for a couple of cracking models. You can't have too many Kings on a layout

I am happy with mine, I have the 42xx and 72xx. They look great hauling a long load of wagons and have a nice slow speed. Question is, do you buy one of the first batch or wait for the slightly upgraded 2014 versions? I decided to buy now as the new batch are around £15 more and there was no new livery (if the upgraded 72xx was to be in G-W-R then I would have waited). Kernow (just a customer, no association) still have some liveries of the 42xx and 5205 in stock; the 72xx is now a bit harder to find.

May I add a request to place the rear buffer beam number on the correct (right-hand) side for the GWR liveried models.

They are available here for £99.50. 13 available at present according to their stock number. No connection, not even a customer, yet.

I agree with Ian. If you want a Star and are worried about the quality issues then go to your local model shop and check that it OK prior to buying. Then, even if after you get home and find something wrong you can still return it without too much hassle. When I went to pick up my Star from STEAM (which is a 100 mile round trip), I went with a list of things to check (Certificate, valve linkages present, no wonky frames, bag of bits); now you may also wish to check for dents and loose parts too ... But if you really want one then buy one, you never know you may get a good 'un.

Yes, Thanks robmcg that is what I was trying to describe. It just seems a little high and obvious as shown in this image (of a forthcoming release) ... along with the spaghetti of wires but I guess nothing can be done about that ... If it could be lowered by a few millimetres then I'd be much happier.

I was fortunate enough to get my Lode Star just in time fro Christmas (Certificate number 558). I travelled to Swindon to pick it up from STEAM on the 23rd and went via Great Western Way through the site of the C&W works. I was heart-broken to see that No. 24 shop (which was between North Star Avenue and the Hawksworth Industrial Estate) has been demolished since I last went that way (many years ago). This was one of my favourite reminders of the works and was the largest remnant of the C&W Works and one of the only surviving works buildings of the 20th century. The site is now a wasteland, which is so familiar for much of the works site for so many years, and now so many of the buildings have gone. So much for the "Works Conservation Area" which was too small and focussed mostly on the pre-1900 buildings. Anyway, I digress ... The Star is superb. It is by far the most expensive model that I have every purchased (by nearly 50%), but I am happy with it. I would not have really noticed the cab handrail; the 12-spoke wheels are a little off putting. The lining, cab and tender detail are great. My only real complaint is that the footplate is too high and about 6mm above the tender floor. Anyone managed to lower theirs?