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!

8 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Good morning,

 

I don't know whether NORTH EASTERN was in the initial batch of Bachmann A1s, though I think not; because the first batch represented a Doncaster-built example, ABERDONIAN, with snap-head rivets. 60147 is a Darlington-built A1, with flush rivets.

 

Anyway, whether yours was original or not, it's clearly got a Mashima motor, which is what Bachmann had to use because the firm's motors (in the first batch) turned out to be duds. Though I can't swear to this, those original motors appeared rather like Buhler ones (complete with 'B' on their cases - B for Bachmann?). Had they been Buhlers, there would have been no problem. But, there was.

 

I had an original ABERDONIAN for review. It looked good, and appeared to work fine to begin with, until I gave it a thorough test on Stoke Summit. I coupled it up to a 12-car express of some weight (though an easy model-equivalent for a real A1). To begin with, all seemed well, until the loco just slowed down to a crawl and produced (realistic?) smoke! I investigated, and the motor had run hot - very hot. I let it cool, and tried again; in less time than originally, it got even hotter and hardly moved! What could I do? Not mention it in a review? I thought the best course was to get in touch with Bachmann, where I received (to say the least) a 'mixed response'. 'Typical, isn't it, you ask our locos to haul very-heavy trains, when the majority of users don't have big model railways!'. I politely pointed out that a model A1 might (in fact should) be expected to pull a prototypically-equivalent load (that's how I remember them) and some buyers might have big train sets, anyway. There the matter lay, and I was given a new (original) motor, which I fitted. In fairness, that was fine. I was then 'accused' of potentially damaging sales by stating (at shows) that my Bachmann A1 was 'no good'. Did I really have that much influence? All I did was mention the original problems, but there the matter rested. Until it was shown that I was not alone. At one Halifax Show, a mate brought along a Bachmann A1 he'd bought where the firebox (made of plastic) had literally collapsed, because the motor had generated so much heat! 'That's just like mine' stated an observer.

 

The end result (and it's definitely not because of me) was that all the original A1 batch was recalled, to have the motors replaced by Mashimas, and subsequent batches were fitted with these wonderful motors as-built (yours is probably one). I imagine (in fact, I'm sure) Bachmann sorted its own motors out, and they're now fitted to all new Bachmann A1s.

 

And mine? 

 

 

With her replacement (though still original-style) motor, my renumbered/renamed 60158 became 60125, and she then saw active service on Stoke Summit (aren't those grossly over-scale lamps?), not getting hot at all.

 

She now sees service (though not all that often) on Little Bytham.

 

 

 

 

With far better lamps. 

 

Other than renumbering/renaming, other mods included the fitting of wiggly pipes, raising the footplate beneath the cab to nearer-match the soleplate on the tender, replacement etched brass deflectors, replacement bogie wheels, chucking away the spring on one of the driven axles (can't remember which one), packing every bit of space inside with lead and weathering (courtesy of Ian Rathbone). 

 

Just a final thought, and I don't know if Bachmann got this right at source - 60147's tender should have spoked wheels, but not 60124. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

 

 

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.

On 02/01/2024 at 15:32, LNER4479 said:

Easy enough, Tony (for a man of your calibre). Simply remove the return crank and big end of the conn. rod to expose the main crank pin. There's a couple of notches that engage with pips on the inside of the crank pin. With a piercing saw (suggested), carefully saw a new set of notches on the end of the main crank pin - if necessary, dress / deepen with suitable needle file.

 

I've not done it on an A1 per se but have now done quite a few LMS 4-6-0s and it's exactly the same procedure.

 

If the above is unclear, I'll strip one of mine down and take some photos.

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

23 hours ago, jaym481 said:

Interesting - I wonder if any other international shipments have disappeared into the twilight zone of the Northampton parcels hub. I have to say though, that Rails' end was good. Mine was despatched within 3 days of the order (not a preorder) and a tracking number was provided with the notification of shipment.

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!

9 hours ago, jaym481 said:

Royal Mail is causing me a little heartburn. My A5 is on the way (along with some other items from Rails), and tracking is spotty. Sometimes I just get the "we're waiting for it" message that was scanned on the 20th, and sometimes I get the added "it's at Northampton peak Parcel Depot" which was scanned on the 23rd. However, the tracking sometimes shows up only as "waiting for it" even after the Northampton scan has been seen. I've cleared my history for the tracking sit to see if that's part of the issue. In any case, this is in contrast to a parcel from another retailer that was ordered a couple of days after the Rails order. The second parcel enetred the international tracking system and is now showing on the Canada Post tracking as having cleared customs and will be delivered next week.

 

Rails, of course, can't do anything about RM's handling, but the confusion of the recent hack seems to have been cleared some time ago. I would just hate to see the package go adrift - an extremely rare occurrence in my experience.

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

12 minutes ago, Helmdon said:

 

I actually rang them this morning to check the bank details (good job I did as the number has changed since the order in 2021) but slipped in a quick query while on the phone - I don't want to waste their time and wouldn't have rung them just to ask 'when am I getting my train?'

 

I ordered on the day of release of the news during the video, so must have been one of the very first. 

However, although I know that my order is one of the ones that at least one person has received, nothing has yet happened for me - no money taken or anything. 

 

So I've got no idea what their order of priority is, but they are on the case and as long as you're sure the order did go through then I wouldn't worry. 

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

32 minutes ago, Willie Whizz said:

Has everyone on here who pre-ordered received an e-mail, as it appears some people (above) have?  My pre-order is shown on their system, and my e-mail address with them is current, but I've heard nothing as yet.

Likewise,  nothing yet though my bank was charged yesterday. Had this problem with the Caley pre-order too

Noticed the charge this morning- international customers (USA here) might now begin seeing charges appear. 

Very excited for this loco!

Rails have updated the A5 page to read that they are expecting to take delivery on Tuesday the 14th, and with that in mind they are going to begin preemptively processing orders so customers might start to see charges appearing in their accounts.

Hattons seem to note they expect the model to be in stock between January and December '23.. good estimation!

Hi all, Santa brought me a DCC sound Stirling Single this xmas and it was not supplied with a detail pack nor a user manual (obviously bought secondhand). I have reached to Rapido already but just throwing this out there seeing Rapido interact with forum members here and would like to know if anyone has had a similar scenario

$400+ USD for a loco with a thousand toolings... are the Dublo models worth that?

hey all. are there any sound decoders readily available for the 812? got the analog version and was considering upgrading it to DCC sound on my own

10 hours ago, THS92-GWR-NO said:

 

Indeed, I need some nice coaches for my 812s now  

I got very lucky on that colorful auction site and acquired a couple Tri-ang Hornby Caledonian coaches- in very good shape (and a very bargain price). If I'm not mistaken I know they're not exactly prototypical, but I'm only very recently investing into the hobby and anything close to appropriate is more than fine with me. 

Suppose I need to try my hand at kit-building!

Received my as-built yesterday morning, and boy how great it was to finally open that box.
Packaging was stellar, huge plus to Rails for taking such care with these orders.
Can't wait to see what's next for Caledonian locos and stock!

finally my as-built 828 has been dispatched but has been sitting at HWDC for a few days.   we waited 4 years for this so (potentially) a couple weeks more surely won't kill me.

any USA customers have experience ordering with Rails? this is my first time