Ian Hargrave

Exactly my position too,Bob. Ian.

I e-mailed Hattons on this very point.They don't know either !!

Thank you...but I'm not counting my chickens quite yet.Must check with the ever-helpful Barwell service dept.

I do run a Hornby sound-fitted rebuilt Bulleid 34040 on DC,not as contollable, admittedly,as it would be onDCC but nonetheless perfectly acceptable and very convincing. At the DEMU Show last year I asked the Kernow chaps whether I could run a 'Thumper' on DC only and was told I could.Hence,I posted the question. I would like to have sound because I think the Class 40 had the most distinctive sound of all diesels. In fact,the sound is its "signature". I think I will contact Barwell on this one.Thanks.

Green Thumb gave ours its first treatment of the year today. Moss apparently a problem with everyone's lawn...hardly surprising.Cwm Honda thus heard for the second time this year on Wed.Just got in ahead of yesterday's deluge. Well worth having it treated.The sun ! Emerging from a long tunnel of gloomy grey. Chatsworth Park like this is a tonic for the spirits after the merciless sogginess of yesterday. Time to graze the Farm Shop,which,perversly,has the best fresh fish counter within a 40 mile radius,considering it really prides itself on its meat products.They too are vey fine. Excellence,however,comes at a premium Considering it's a Friday,not too many punters out in the sun,as if we need convincing that,yes,it has stopped raining and it's safe to leave our caves at last.Just a few walkers.Must be dire underfoot. Won't be tempted until the ground has dried out a bit.

Other than a headache for your bank balance.

This is going to cause a sharp intake of breath and therolling of many pairs of eyes skywards......but can this be operated on DC and if it can what range of sound,if any,could be achieved ?Apologies for my heresy...but I only asked.The sound of a 40 remains in my ears from way back....1959.

I am incurably Gresleyholic,suffer from Maunsell mania and Bulleidimia (self-diagnosis).I am in the early stages of Stanier Syndrome for which I am prescribed a course of the new Robinson's "Pom-Pom 9J" cordial.Dr.Bachmann is "concerned" about my current relapse.

And "Sir Tris..",is now,happily,in my possession.An e bay purchase last Nov.....Nicely weathered!

Thanks,gents,for that information on Garratt wanderings.Now what we really need are early 50's copies of Trains illustrated's "Motive Power Miscellany"...always a mine of up-to-date information on loco workings.I was under the mistaken impression that Washwood Heath was the limit of their operations.One class of engines I never saw....they became extinct when I was 14 or thereabouts.Derby and the Midland mainline were exotic territory for a Valleys boy.Temple Meads and Shrewsbury were the spotting frontiers.

Did they really? More information,please,including sources..Thanks.

The reason you are viewing unfavourable postings about Hornby is that they have had a sudden and catastrophic fall from grace. For over a decade,from the arrival of the Merchant Navy to the delivery of the O1 and B17,they were at the pinnacle of excellence.On a personal level,I am spoiled for choice and could not express any view of their "best" model.From a boy brought up on the crudities of post war Hornby Dublo,every release until quite recently has been like my first Hornby Christmas in 1950...and my first sighting in Selfridges in Oxford Street in that October....only better.

Indeed,a good point.Why should not ANY model,replacement or otherwise,be inspected before despatch to the customer ? Or is this expecting too much ?

You beat me to it,then,Steve...well done !

Yes,I did and it was woeful! Must get round to re motoring....sometime. You've prompted me into doing something about it now. Could you tell me which Mashima and where you sourced it ? Would be grateful.

The Garrett e - bay vulture seems to have had his wings clipped.."no longer available".Good for Hattons!

To which I will add that Heljan are the consistently best runners taken all-round.

Any bets on how long Hattons allow him to keep the images up on line ?

Not at all. Hattons will no doubt be interested in copyright issues....if nothing else.

One has appeared on e-bay selling for £ 249.

Take it like a man.....plead it's a Hornby R 3191 you sent for "repair" under warranty.If that doesn't work,plead temporary insanity under the strain of her prolonged absence.Make a list of the condemned man's last wishes here........ Posted by a fellow traveller in deviousness.....

Reading all of these posts....aren't we all a crew of naughty little boys caught scrimping apples from the tree.....self the worst of all,I add? I just can't choose which one. Quite fancy the LMS one Rob has chosen but all my coal wagons are BR...so it will probably be a wait until May. Wait a minute....that's my birthday !

Will look just as good hauling 20 ( Bank Holiday Toton-Brent) coal wagons) .Bravo,Rob...this one looks the"business',doesn't it ?

Looking forward to your review and assessment soon....congratulations!

They do look tempting.LMS black has an elegant simplicity,doesn't it ? Unfortunately,I have no wagons suitable for that period,so I'll have to wait until May for the 50's versions. It'll be interesting to gain some knowledge of how they perform on a layout,meanwhile...so.I'll egg you on,Steve.