Ian Hargrave

A great spirit persists on this thread...and it is full of optimism...a civilised debate and exchange of views and experiences.

Otherwise known as a 'krokodil'.How about a Trix twin motor job then?

Going off on a slight deviation here...there seem to be quite a high number of returns with this model. You wonder what happens to them.Last month,Olivia's Trains put quite a few Heljan 'returns' on e bay....sold as seen. Watch this space.....says I with tongue in cheek. They can't all end up on the skip,can they?

Running in one direction only is a symptom of a lighting failure with Heljan locos.I suffered this with my first Hymek

I want one! Fabulous stuff !

That is a cracking shot,Larry.A reminder that you have other talents than your obvious ones.

I am so pleased to hear the good news.I realise it has cost you sleepless nights.All's well that ends well.Your faith is justified.

Nothing...but nothing deters voracious,permanently feeding pigeons. There are but two deadly exterminators.....fox and kestrel.The former now a rare visitor to chez nous ( The last one seen...and disposed of.....a corpse,last October). We think they are victims of two cold winters. A kestrel flew in yesterday,complete with unidentified kill,regrettably non pigeon,in its talons. More being seen now,as land use locally has changed due to the new,ever increasing National Forest,part of which is but a field's distance away.Once saw one make a 'hit' on a pigeon on the lawn.....awesome explosion of feathers !

An experience from 2011.Fancied a meal in Den Gyldene Freden...owned by the committee that awards the Nobel Prize for literature..smart cellar restaurant in Gamla Stan in Stockholm. Great meal. .great atmosphere,full of smart people.Three courses ,plus a pint of Swedish steam beer (lovely...even to a guy from Burton on Trent) and a bottle of Cotes du.Rhone. And the bill......equivalent of (then) £220. Highly enjoyable...would not have missed it...but not inexpensive.

A coffee and cake in Sweden.....shed loads .......Sweden is lovely but expensive.In Stockholm,Gamla Stan...the old town is unmissable,as is a trip to the Wasa ..the retrieved royal galleon....get there early to avoid queues.Cash machines are ok in Petersburg..A tip for a slice of the real Russia....visit the bookshop at the top end of the Nevsky Prospekt.Petersburg is gorgeous.

Lovely seeing these posts and glad you are all happy.With regard to the"weathering",just consider that you didn't pay extra for it.So,no bones broken there.

I just love that word "investment"

Explain its "unexpected" appearance by declaring the 101 is in fact theBG "support coach" & that Hattons had to deliver it in another package as it is an "abnormal load" by current Royal Mail regulations.

Old Chinese saying ..." Better to go round twice with small trolley than fall in head first if vertically disadvantaged by large variety"

For a rest cure,try the Bachmann 2014 releases thread........oops!

The nation holds its breath...

Go for it!!

Buy a Stihl pressure washer..that'll take care of the smell.......the bin as well,I imagine.

This is a perennial problem with factory weathering,which to be honest,doesn't have a good track record.I had feared that this might happen.Never mind...it provides a base for more effective weathering.if you don't want to do it yourself,there are lots of skilled folk around who will do a really effective job.You are still getting something none of us thought we'd ever see...at a bargain price.Talking of which,in contrast,there has been much controversy....don't I know it !...over the cost of the Bachmann NRM Locomotion Models Ivatt Atlantic C1. All in all Hattons have pulled off quite a coup. Enjoy.

I can vouch for that ,Bob......I'm still carrying the scars of the hangover after my trip to Shildon.Which,incidentally,I thoroughly enjoyed...quite an experience and a first for me.Now that the BG show is reaching its ( hopefully) spectacular finale.....I wish all of you the joy of this stunning model. I'm heavily into Atlantics.......

Looks as if you're in good company.

"Wish you luck as I wave you goodbye......"etc.etc.Bridegroom nerves the night before the wedding ?

I think it missed the lion & wheel era...so 'British Railways ' it is...62822...the last of the line.If unsure PM Sandra at Locomotion Models.She will confirm with Brian Greenwood. Glad to hear you are ordering....please enjoy.

More probably the adrenalin-fuelled run from Shildon to Durham later....