robertcwp

I'm hoping Hornby will do this stock in maroon with the extra doors, like this: E1733-4E_YorkCW_28-9-63 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr

I know, but a few wagons on Retford were found to be significantly out of alignment such you could see that the axles were not parallel and they were prone to derailing. Minor imperfections don't matter in EM and compensation is not really needed. Another problem which affects RTR as well as kit-built stock is back-to-backs being out, but that is more easily sorted. I went through the whole cement train on Retford last weekend. It was prone to derailing but having given it a service, it seems fine now. Wheels accumulate dirt and that causes drag and can lead to derailments. I have spent countless hours over the last few years cleaning carriage and wagon wheels.

Some current RTR models are far from robust. Think of the issues with the new Hornby BR Standard 2MT for example. Others are disappointing in other respects, eg the awful attempt at BR green on the Hornby A2/2 and A2/3, plus some quality issues. However, they do have some advantages over kits, especially for the 00 modeller, which most of those who model in 4mm scale are. RTR engines are better at negotiating tighter curves (eg the annoyingly sharp Peco double slip) and they mostly come ready for DCC and sound, if the owner wants it. My main layout is old-fashioned DC and I don't see the appeal of sound but any new layout of mine will be DCC only. They are also generally built 'square' although some can be wobbly runners. For most modellers, power is not really an issue as they won't be running scale length trains. Even RTR locos can often handle long trains with some additional weight, even if formed mostly of heavy metal kit-built carriages. Here is an example of what modern RTR can do - this is a Hornby 'Commonwealth of Australia' on the Elizabethan stock (10 out of 11 are metal kits) on Retford. It was a test run - hence no lamps or headboards. Sandra converted the engine to EM and added extra weight but it retains its Hornby mechanism. The main appeal of kits will probably be for those types not covered RTR, of which there are still many in the steam era. For rolling stock, there are very significant RTR gaps, such as decent GWR, LMS or LNER catering cars and various non-passenger types, as well as huge gaps such as Gresley end-door stock. Kits have some appeal here but lots of modellers seem not to care too much whether their trains are as prototypical as their engines. For wagons, kits cover many types not available RTR. However, even plastic kits can cause problems if not built 'square'. This is an issue that has manifested itself on Retford, where most of the troublesome wagons are kit-built ones that won't sit with all four wheels on the track at once. Most have now been weeded out and exiled to the back of the goods yard.

Thanks, I have far too many carriages anyway!

They should be worth a look!

I agree. The York show was excellent. Sorry I didn’t get to say hello during the day.

Full brake with deep upper crimson band - this one has the valances - also note the Thompson open on the right with the upper crimson band too: 60154_Doncaster_early-1950s by Robert Carroll, on Flickr No upper crimson band on this BG, which is one without the valances: 55217_ThorntonJct_22-4-57 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Brakes without the upper crimson band: 60911_Rickmansworth_1-11-57 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr V2 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr 60048_ChalonersWhin_4-8-57 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr This is a 3-compartment one: 60151_York_24-3-57 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Some other stock with the band: 61558 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr E1106E_Craigentinny_12-4-54 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Leading one here is SC13834E: 68929_Harringay_1953 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr

The first run of Bachmann Mark 2a stock had a very dark blue and a more grey shade of Rail Grey. I put one of the second run of Bachmann Mark 2a stock, a Bachmann 2f and an Accurascale 2b together yesterday and I agree that the livery match is pretty good.

The full brake was simply a swap for Gibson wheels. On the others that I have done for Retford (over 20), I bent the metal in slightly, clipped off the brake shoes and put Gibson or old Romford wheels in.

I saw that I was mentioned in the accompanying leaflet. Thanks for that. I tried to find the instructions for dismantling and changing couplings on the website but failed. Apologies if this has already been mentioned. I worked out how to do it. I decided not to change the couplings but dismantling is still necessary to put the curtains in first class. I may be a heretic but I don't go in for lights. Also, I have a DC layout and carriages with lighting bridge section breaks, which is a real pain. I found I had some old Romford 12mm diameter wheels, which fit the Accurascale bogies and mean that axle is insulated from both wheels so the carriage is electrically dead. I don't have enough for my planned 2c fleet so will probably order some Gibson wheels, but will do some tests first. I tried Bachmann wheels but they are too loose in the bogies as the pinpoints are a different shape. Overall the 2b stock looks very good. The livery doesn't match my Bachmann 2a stock but that is probably more to do with Bachmann's colours (I have the early release of that stock). However, I found the livery is a pretty good match for the most recent run of Hornby Mark 1 blue/grey buffet cars. Hornby magnetic couplings seem to fit OK and unlike the Accurascale ones they are not handed. One thing I would change is the shiny roofs. A much more matt finish would be better.

The early ones had blue asbestos insulation - hence their early demise. I also very much doubt if any made it into NSE livery.

Comparison between Heljan D1960 and new Bachmann 47 435. IMG_0589am by Robert Carroll, on Flickr IMG_0590am by Robert Carroll, on Flickr

That looks very impressive and 35 fiddleyard lines are clearly well used. What are the overall dimensions, please?

Completely pointless. The new bogies take a standard 26mm axle and the brake blocks don't foul EM wheels, as I found out today when converting the BG that is heading for Retford.

The new BG has 8' wheelbase bogies, ie different ones from the other Bachmann Thompson stock. My first three arrived today.

I recall a female ex-colleague of mine (and mother of two) telling me about how, when she was a child, she had asked for a train set for Christmas and was told something along the lines "girls don't do that sort of thing". I wonder how many other girls were steered away from the hobby by such gender stereotyping as it might now be called.

Also not a mum but let’s not forget my good friend Sandra Orpen. A highly skilled modeller in EM - she is building a model of Andover Junction - who also saved Retford from oblivion after Roy Jackson passed away.

And the distants for the route into the up goods/slow (which was it?) by Babworth box do appear to be fixed. 63785_Retford_6-64_crop by Robert Carroll, on Flickr

On the subject of the view from just north of the Babworth Road bridge, here are some from my collection: 63785_Retford_6-64 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr 108_Babworth_1947 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr 55011_Retford_1D02_19-5-79 by Robert Carroll, on Flickr Unlike in semaphore days, when there were only two tracks under the bridge, even though it was clearly built for four, there are now three tracks.

Bit late I know but I went to the Doncaster show on Saturday and did not notice these banners! I did however know that Warners were taking over the slot at the NEC vacated by the end of the Warley show.

No! The 27 Peaks cover the various time periods that my layout can run it, so there are usually at most 7 or 8 out at once. I have never seen all 27 together.

No takeover, it was set up by Kader around 1990 and has been in their ownership ever since. Checking on Companies House, their first set of accounts in 1990 states that Kader is the ultimate parent. It's been that way ever since.

The issue with D174 onwards (and some below that number) is the different train heating boiler with consequential differences in the roof detail. A better choice still would have been to include the trapezoidal grille, which they have the tooling for as I have a 46 that I renumbered as D138 which has the grille. I think it came as D188.

Yes. 46045. [SC-1037] by Jamerail, on Flickr Also, being one of the higher-numbered ones, it should have a different train heating boiler with consequential differences in the roof detail, which Bachmann's now rather dated tooling does not cover. However, in preservation, it has regained the steps and a headcode: 46045 by mrrushman, on Flickr

To put it another way, it highlights that some of their recent models have been priced too high for the market. If you pitch the price too high, you can end up with less revenue and profit than with a lower price. It's a tricky one to judge, especially in the current economic conditions. It's welcome all the same.