ndeluck

Very nice to see the "human" side of LB, Tony. Thanks for the pictures of a day in the life. Your "1:1" shots toward the M&GNR exemplify you and your team's attention to detail. Just earlier this month I bought myself a complete and unassembled Craftsman LNER C12 (with Alan Gibson wheels and crankpins) with the intention of dipping my toe into etched kit-building after constructing some plastic rolling stock kits. Though it's been a few weeks now (having been stalled for a couple due to getting married!) and in its current state I feel confident enough to share my progress. The running board and chassis frames, being the first to construct, took the most egregious abuse and haphazard construction but are now sitting acceptably as close to square as I can manage (and I will need to invest in a proper chassis jig). Now that they seem adequate to my eye and measurements, the rest feels to be coming a little easier. The valances were the most frustrating- and I pose this question to anyone reading, how do you all cope with such a joint? I couldn't figure it out until I quit for an evening and next just threw in the rear buffer beam hoping the mangled brass would sit flush, gently bending and coaxing it along to the next tack. The underneath of the running board is a terrible state- it will need intensive cleaning before painting. Here she sits with chassis nearly complete (constructing the brake rigging is a choice yet to be made- unsure of how to approach with the instructions making little sense to me specifically fitting the blocks to the hangers). Which brings me to another question which I have searched for but haven't gotten sufficient answers. The Alan Gibson wheels and crank pin nuts, how do you secure them? I have a bottle of Loctite 242 at the ready, but will this work for the drivers as well as the nuts? The RH rear driver slips and fouls running due to being so loose.

Regarding newbies and younger folk (both demographics I can just barely claim) not attempting kits, I believe the apprehension to kit building is the young modeler not having the space, tools or knowledge of both tools and technique needed to approach such a task. A year ago I would have never considered the need of a chassis jig or needing reamers, broaches, a temp-controlled iron, back-to-back gauges, scribe etc... At least, in retrospect, that's what contributed to my nervousness with the idea of kits. Fortune found me a career in the trades, so I have built a knowledge of tools and techniques that a lot of younger modelers wouldn't particularly engage with outside the hobby (presuming). Truthfully I've only just built a few plastic kits and assembled a white metal K's Y8, but now feel confident to approach a full-fat brass kit. However, my space is limited and I realize it may be a slow burn. Even though I now believe to have the knowledge of skills to attempt a build, I also think consuming as much of others' experience as possible is essential as well. Though nothing will aid more than giving it a go, as has been said, the simple task of amassing tools and knowledge (and confidence) is as big a task to the newbie as committing to the build itself. Books have aided tremendously as well!

Evening Tony, Referencing photos of 60134, as well as other A1's including Tornado, I assume this is what you meant as far as painting the strip below the rainstrips? I'd looked through the original box the A1 came in, and swore all I saw were the brake rigging and drain cocks as far as supplied detail fittings went. Didn't think to check the detail pack cavity in case there might be more, but of course there was. Here she is with almost everything fitted. Just need to lob off that NEM pocket extruding from the bogie. "Wiggly" bits might come later, though your methods for that produce great results. Thank you for the input Tony, I view this as my big first step into "real" railway modeling and I am very proud of it. All the best, Nick

Yesterday I received pressfix transfers from HMRS, so 60147's identity swap (save for shed allocation) to 60134 could be complete. This is the very first locomotive I've attempted both re-naming and re-numbering and I think (hope) it turned out half-decent. The RH cabside numbers appear slightly askew, but I can live with that or may address it later.

Thank you for the story Tony. Who'd have thought a manufacturer would think a review as an attempt to sully sales? All in jest, of course. I'd seen others mention issues with the motors of the original batch but initially thought the Mashima motor in my North Eastern was a customer install. Interesting to learn Bachmann might have probably been responsible! Peppercorn A1/A2's have begun to be (yet) another fixation for locomotives I'd like to have multiple examples of, and, I'd also like to ask your recommendations for literature on them? Thanks again, Nick

Today I received some name and numberplates from Fox Transfers to alter the identity of a Bachmann Peppercorn A1 no. 60147 North Eastern, which I very recently acquired, to 60134 Foxhunter. Upon acquiring the A1, I learnt subsequently that they suffered motor and springing issues in their initial batches which I believe North Eastern was a part of. I've made it a habit to immediately open up secondhand locos and inspect them for maintenance, as I suspected this model would need to remedy its prescribed issues. Need for maintenance? Yes! Re-motoring? I don't suppose I should! I've never encountered a Mashima motor in a model before, but am thoroughly pleased!

Very sad news, I recognize their pedigree in the UK as a multi-generational flag of our hobby; and as a customer abroad it is doubly so. Thoughts with the owners and staff as they plan their next moves. I got truly into the hobby in 2018 after dreaming for almost my whole life of having my own models of locos I admired. When I found Hattons that year, I discovered just how simple their purchasing and shipping was to me here in the US- much to the detriment of my wallet. Hattons have essentially accompanied my entire modeling life up until now, and I know the same is true for many others. Will be hard to say goodbye, and to find equally as competent service for us abroad. So for now, I've placed my tentatively final order as a goodbye to some good years of outstanding service.

I'm no Mr. Wright but would you mind demonstrating the disassembly of Bachmann cranks for those of us who have no experience with the modern chassis toolings? I've run into issues with a few of my own and am, rightly so, a bit nervous about how to approach!

Hi all, I recently acquired a newer-tooled Bachmann Jubilee and am having an issue with the center driver crank pin. The one with the flat-head bit. I noticed it was very tightly on and was affecting running, I took a flat head driver to it and managed to strip it- picture provided for clarity. Now, the wheels turn much better but now the eccentric linkage is not spinning, free of the wheel's motion. It droops there sort of sadly. How do I fix this? If needed I can provide a video of its behavior. Any help is appreciated as I would very much love to see this loco run properly.

No. 5045 made it safely, despite the shipping box being smashed in at two corners! Wow. What a handsome loco, props to Sonic for a wonderful first product in OO. Popped on the rollers after pictures and it runs beautifully. Footplate seems the tiniest bit off true in spots but I find it negligible and only noticeable if I'm looking for it. Lining is very good, though I will have to agree the badging does seem a bit washed out but again that's negligible. I'm trying to research on what locos/what designation this livery carried but not finding much. Anyone have info or a source I could use to learn more?

deleted. wrong thread

Not to slight Rails, ultimately it was dispatched- and just this morning arrived in the States with the only previous status from RM reading at Northampton still- and should be here soon. I've yet to lose a parcel even in the midst of all the troubles our couriers have endured so in the end I am patient and grateful! I'll end my input on the ship-to-shore process there, hopefully other intl. customers receive good news soon also. Very excited for my LNER black with white banding example to arrive since the consensus looks like a resounding excellent for this loco!

Having the same experience you are, very well could be our A5's are traveling together! I've done the same refreshing, looks like when I close out the tab and enter RM's website fresh with the tracking number it consistently shows status at Northampton. Could be a bug on RM's part. However as an international preorder I'm not entirely happy with Rails' footwork on this one. Having to hound them for a tracking number and taking a few weeks to dispatch was mildly irritating. Understandable as they process domestic orders first, but still irritating. Good news is that it's on its way. Though I don't think I'll be rushing to preorder anything too soon with them, at least until RM's situation improves.

No kidding, I had a turnaround of one day as my personal best from Hattons to the USA. Exceptional service. Ordered on Sunday night, dispatched Monday, arrived Tuesday. They are yet to disappoint

Was there any mention of delay due to the circumstances with Royal Mail?