Paul_sterling

I think its safe to say if the gear train to the front axle was removed, the rods would be getting changed to a better fitting type. Paul.

I would presume it better to fit replacement rods with tighter tolerances if they were to substitute for the gearing as drive between the two axles, too much slogger might allow the wheels to get out of line when crank pin, wheel bosses and rods all align. If that was done, and drive still tight, it could only be alignment, tightness in the remaining gears, or quartering that could be at fault. Cheers, Paul.

I think someone on this thread did the work as well, and did see an improvement. I think you would have to really go to town on the mechanism though, and remove everything that isn't required, not to mention lap the remaining gear-train in as much as possible. I've often wondered if it is in fact the quartering of the gears that are causing the problem on this model, leading to incompatibility with coupling rods. Paul.

Id be interested to see if, given the recent introduction of the Rapdio Stirling Single Wheeler, if anyone revisits building a 14/48/58xx chassis with all axle drive? Could even use a system where the rear driver and the trailed axle are geared together, but the front driver is powered by the rods............? Paul.

In the great scheme of things a relatively minor change compared to new tooling though. Over to you Hornby.............

I'm really surprised no one has re-done the Saint Class yet, as both Hornby and Bachmann have each covered the classes derived from it. Perhaps the New Build/rebuild might trigger some inspiration. Paul.

The draft on the gears is actually more likely a design issue. If as moulded, it can be fitted either way round, it is not as it is known "poke oke" design. Sometimes QC becomes an issue because of design detail, sometimes the other way round. But believe me from experience, seldom is it one or the other, they are quite intrinsically linked. Paul.

It is possible, but highly unlikely, that they have been limited in the shape availability by tooling, though i'm very doubtful of that. Paul.

I've been eagerly awaiting the 24/1 as well. I'm still surprised at just how long it has taken thus far. Admittedly, I think they announced it very early into the project, and Heljan may be a fair way down the line with the 25/3 already. I also agree that its fairly likely that the Heljan 25/3 will hit the shelves first, even before the Bachmann 24/1. I'm surprised none of them (including, correct me if i'm wrong, SLW) are doing a 25/0? Paul.

It would be easier than James May's railway to Bideford, less people to steal the track! It could be done through the service tunnel perhaps? P.

Yeah I am cursing myself now for waiting, still i'll catch on in the second batch I hope, Paul.

Sorry, just conveying across my experience in a similar industry. In the case of model railways, we have the situation of their being a manufacturer (who makes the physical product on behalf of Hornby), Hornby (who own the intellectual property of the drawings, design etc, and do all of the soft side of the project, then the retailer (who sell the product and sometimes commission products), and then us. Paul.

Manufacturers will build to a drawing, and specification, if the part is not to print, then the fault is with them. however if the part is to print, and still fails, it is down to the design and validation or failing to specify a print which is fit for purpose. So even if the locomotives are derailing, breaking etc, it is possible that those who made it, are doing what is being asked of them and the specification is in fact wrong. I must say mind, both of the Duchess' I bought have been fine thus far. Swings and roundabouts.

Thank you for my part its having something in place torun in locomotives whilst the layout is still under rebuild/construction. cheers.Paul.

Can I ask, what make is the rolling road you've used there? Thanks, Paul.

Absolutely, I've lost track of how many years i've been waiting for Bachmann to finish the class 24/1! Paul.

Now based on this lovely little loco, could Hattons consider a J27, pretty please.....................Dave...................? Paul.

Well chaps, I've cracked, and ordered Bluebell, i'm impressed with the pics, and the glowing reviews thus far, so hope it comes good! Paul.

That looks really impressive, and even the livery does look pretty good, considerably better than previous Hornby BR green. and if the pictures don't show it as well as it is in the flesh, then that is even better, thanks! Paul.

I think it might have been mentioned in an earlier post in this thread, sorry i've not attempted to look it up, just a little short of time, but thought i'd try and point you in the right direction at least. Paul.

Oooo, you beat me to that one! MSN's Google bashers go into Meltdown!

I've thought for a while that Hornby's BR green is unconvincing and washed out. Bachmann do seem to have nailed it quite well in my opinion. Paul.

Looks fantastic, we've been blessed with 6" or so, with worse where it has drifted, so shy of doing a homage to "Snowdrift at Bleath Gill" I don't think the trains will be going outdoors! Paul.

I totally agree. My friend and I have been lifelong model railway enthusiasts. About 10 maybe 15 years ago, under pressure from a neighbour who complained about TV interference, he sold up, and discovered drink, tattoos and women. He came back into the hobby around 5 years ago, and started from scratch with DCC, now admittedly he often tears up his railway layout and starts again, but for him, the control aspect of DCC and the facility for DCC sound is most appealing. I on the other hand, have never left the hobby, and have always stuck by DC, as I had too many trains to economically switch over to DCC, particularly ones which would require modification to fit a DCC decoder. I guess I could sell a few to fund conversion of the rest/chip purchases, but I'm just not that bothered to go to DCC, my wiring is rudimentary, but evolving, so I manage without it, but I can fully understand the advantages of its operation, just as I could the adverts for Zero 1 when I looked back at old Railway Modeller magazines as a child. Perhaps my desire to recreate the past in my railway and other hobbies (Tractors and Stationary Engines) highlights a psychological aversion towards modern technology? haha. .......and perhaps an underlying laziness to research the different DCC decoders (as to my mind there are a bewildering range) as to which suits me best, and also the work to rewire the older locos. Swings and roundabouts............. Paul.

Maybe what we need is rather than sound speakers in the loco's, proximity sensors instead, as well as the DCC chip to provide locomotive type recognition, and a digital surround sound system plumbed up in and around the layout to provide top quality sound? Paul.