sirwilliamfrs

Well done Cavalex! Would'nt it be great if those who are interested in this development of Class 91/Mk 4s refrained from pointless speculation and uninformed criticism until full details are released? Then perhaps helpful and constructive comments to the manufacturers may be welcome. SWFRS.

"But I'm pretty sure the LMS built at least one corridor tender for a Coronation." There were no corridor tenders built specifically for the Pacifics but the LMS had one as part of the Mobile Test Plant as detailed here:- http://www.traintesting.com/MTU.htm

Never seen that before! As to 87101, it never carried EWS livery, no Class 87 ever did. https://www.hattons.co.uk/175959/Lima_L204809_HR01_Class_87_Electric_87017_Iron_Duke_in_EWS_livery_Pre_owned_repainted_renumbere/StockDetail.aspx

87101 in BR Blue

Regarding re-tooling the A1/A3 I think that other than the running plate being straightened the other major problem is the very front of the bogie. Both the A3 (and A4) need a NEM pocket but the worst detraction from the appearance is the guard irons. All locos have a double set but after the early-mid 50s the outer set were removed on all locos presenting a much tidier front end. The splash plates over the axleboxes were removed at the same time. I have modified a loco (60049) to this later arrangement and it looks much better as a result. All the Hornby models of the later BR A3s and A4s have always looked odd to me without this simple modification which could be achieved by the manufacturer very easily with a small tooling adjustment.

For the record only 46257 carried a BR number from new. It was photographed in Crewe Works before entering service as M6257 but this had been changed when it entered service.

A fairly easy new model to produce would be P2 2002 Earl Marischal, most of the tooling is the same as 2001. The differences are that 2002 was fitted with an extra set of smoke deflectors, Walschaerts valve gear and several smaller detail differences and by all accounts was a better loco than 2001.

The air-blast circuit breaker is enclosed within the dome-ended fitting in the centre of the roof with the horizontal insulator. Compressed air is piped to it from within the locomotive. The two cranked bars are manually operated safety earthing straps for the supply bus-bar from the pantograph and the output bus-bar from the air-blast breaker to the transformer inside the body. Hope this helps. SWFRS

Good photo of 87101's roof detail here: https://railphotoprints.uk/p118298982/hB3C14CE#hb3c14ce and here! http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/60204-class-87-roof-photos-wanted/

Quote; " It reminded me of the guy on a new car thread who would never, ever consider buying a Skoda because they had one of those accelerator pedals that was hinged at the bottom, not on a stalk from the top. And that was the deal-breaker for him - his red line, beyond which he Would Not Go. There's nowt so queer as folk. And I include me in that sweeping generalisation. Though am willing to change my mind if appropriate evidence is presented..." Well we'll all be able to buy a Skoda next year when Bachmann bring out the Class 90!

Just a small point but any A3s running after about 1953-4 had only the smaller set of front guard irons on the front bogie and no axlebox protector plates. This can be remedied very easily by undoing the screw above the guard-iron plate and removing it. I have also cut about 3mm off the front of the bogie casting to just ahead of the small remaining guard-irons, smoothed and painted the front of the bogie which then gives a more prototypical appearance. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/302726406194752799/

Could the "ear to the ground" clue refer to something under the ground? Like the LT Underground or the Channel Tunnel Velaro?

As far as is known, 6232 carried LMS Crimson Lake livery with deflectors from Feb 1945 - May 1948. 6233 was the only other, from Aug 1946 - Oct 1947. Information from "LMS Locomotive Profiles", published by Wild Swan, 2008.

Hornby's original website photo and Hattons website show 46235 with correct nameplates and crest.

I guess sooner or later someone with the skills is going to convert a 68 to an 88. The bodyshell may be able to be modified but the biggest problem would be the livery, any one up for it?

The cabling was on both 46256 & 46257 when they were fitted with electric lighting, both carried it from late 1948 until late 1959 when it was removed. The electric lighting does not seem to have been used much in later years as there are many photos of both locos carrying conventional headlamps as well. They looked better without it!. In answer to "britannia" both locos only carried the yellow stripe for a few weeks from August 1964, as did the rest of the class survivors.

6233 had deflectors fitted in August 1946, with no hand-holds. It had the hand-holds fitted sometime between 1946 and October 1947. The foot hold cut-outs at the bottom of the deflectors seem to have been added in January 1956. information from text and photos in "6233 Duchess Of Sutherland" by Brell Ewart & Brian Radford published by PRCLT 2002. 46232 seems to have been the only other of the class to carry smoke deflectors while in LMS crimson lake livery, from 1945 to 1948.

Liveries are very subjective, I remember when a teenage spotter in the 1960s to me there was nothing better than BR maroon just like my Hornby City of London (I still have it). As I got older and learned more about railways I realised that the Duchesses had many liveries over time for such a small class. The real essence is in the design, they are just such a perfect loco in their final form, whatever the livery. I have a soft spot for 46229 having driven it on the ELR in September 1997, no other class of loco would do! All I am sure of is that I do not like streamlined Duchesses and I was really sorry to see 6229 re-streamlined. By the way A4s never did anything for me either, much preferring an A3 with German deflectors, as I say the whole thing is subjective. Needless to say acquiring the latest Hornby 46229 & 46256 was a must!

Although this topic is about RTR steam locos it must be noted that the Hornby Class 60 was when introduced and still is, one of the best ever RTR diesel models. The new Duchesses are excellent too. The rebuilt MN was probably ahead of it's time when introduced and still looks good with the minor modifications along the way. The Class 50 has cab window shape issues and under scale wheels but was well received at first and I believe the Class 56 is underrated, accurate in most respects apart from the strangely sunken roof fan grilles. I am, as a collector, mostly very impressed by the detail on current models from all manufacturers and find the sometimes heated criticisms occasionally mildly amusing.

Samson & Goliath.

60097(2751) Humorist was fitted with A1 type deflectors in 1947, which it carried until withdrawn in 1963. The first A3 to carry German-type deflectors was 60049 Galtee More in October 1960. All A3s were fitted with double chimneys but some were withdrawn having never had the German-type deflectors fitted. These were: 60035/38/55/58/60/64/68/69/72/74/75/76/79/81/86/93/95/98/101/102/104. Peter Townend, Shed Master at 34A (Kings Cross) is credited with suggesting the German deflectors after a visit to Germany circa 1958/9.

Just record a blowlamp and amplify it, that would do for 18100 & GT3 as well!

Lord Nelson, 46257, Princess - Hornby. 58100, Class 91 & Mk 4s, 47901, 60539 Bronzino (double chimney, standard boiler) - Bachmann. (Predictions!)

Quoting adb 968008, "However I am proactively looking for an older 46252 City of Lichfield in BR lined black, given how good Duchess of Hamilton looks in the same livery". 46252 is City of Leicester, City of Lichfield is 46250.

87027 Wolf of Badenoch was the loco involved in an accident with a Class 142 at Winsford. There are several photos on the internet of it's repair at Crewe and in service afterwards.