AndyG

I noticed the same with the Oxford Adams Radial. From cold the loco needs a lot of power, both light engine and with a load, from a Gaugemaster D to get running, but speeds up significantly after running for a few minutes. This occurs with all three of my Radials. I don't have an issue with it, and am simply curious as to the reason why, as none of my Hornby, Bachmann or DJ/Hattons models exhibit this behaviour.

My R3531 is a beautifully smooth runner-and here comes the 'but'. From a cold start it runs almost silently, but after a few minutes a gear-grinding/whining noise develops and gradually grows in volume, eventually becoming unbearable. This happens when running in either direction, but appears to be quite random; sometimes I can get through a running session with no issues, and sometimes the noise develops when running forward but not in reverse, and vice versa. I should add that the running quality is not affected, and I pair the loco with the pull-push set. Can I also add that I'm hesitant to start fiddling around inside with all the separately added parts needing to be removed and replaced. As of now the M7 makes an attractive ornament in my cabinet, and deserves better... Thanks for any suggestions.

Thanks, I'll be interested to find out what on earth this is.

I do hope it isn't rot. I returned an M7 to Olivia's which had arrived with a warped running plate.

I have R3531 (30129), a lovely model, smooth running and reliable, and which I run with the Hornby pull-push set. However it has a strange issue; from cold, and run bunker first, it has a whining/grinding noise which doesn't affect the running quality, and which gradually fades to silence after being run for 5-10 minutes. Occasionally this also happens when running chimney first, but less frequently. I hesitate to be taking the thing apart to see what might be going on (I have no idea what to look for anyway!), so can anyone suggest what it might be? I thought it might be poor gear meshing, but as it seems to disappear with running I'm a bit baffled... Thanks.

Try 'The Big Four In Colour, 1935-50' (ISBN 1 899816 08 9), for examples of how different film (remember that?) emulsions represented colours. Little wonder that it's so difficult to replicate pre-grouping and pre-nationalisation liveries with no original examples remaining for analysis. I still prefer 35mm for accurate colour rendition over the infinitely tweakable digital alternative. There again as previously mentioned we still have to bear in mind differing colour temperatures during the course of a day, with the blue end of the spectrum more prominent in the morning, and red toward late afternoon, all of which will affect our perception of colour. Then there's aerial perspective to consider...

How is this done? I haven't attempted any weathering at all, as yet, but I'm intrigued as to how paint spraying delicate steam loco valve gear, etc, is done without everything sticking together.

I'm another who has had great service from Kernow. Both my 02 and E4 arrived well packed and quickly. I even called to thank them for their service; something of a rarity these days and something Kernow should be proud of. I'll most certainly shop with them again-something I definitely won't be doing with a well-known, small, Sheffield retailer...

Thanks; I didn't actually check what material the frame was made of. Perhaps being told that 'it has been in the display cabinet for a while' should have thrown up a warning signal. Has the shop's cabinet been in full sun, I wonder? Could that have distorted the plastic?

I have R4746 and R4747. Both run freely with no issues at all over Setrack, with no derailments, either pushed or pulled, including over pointwork, although it did take some lubrication and plenty of running to get them really loose. My Oxford Adams Radials pull them happily; my 02 will pull one but struggles a bit with both.

Most disappointing. Today I'm having to return a Hornby M7 (R2504) bought used (presumably, because it wasn't mentioned on the retailer's website), because the entire running plate from the tanks forward is distorted, bending downwards, to the point where the splasher is showing daylight from separation from the running plate. The buffer beam is also canted to one side. What a shame on an otherwise perfectly running model. There was also an unidentifiable bit lying in the bottom of the box, broken off from somewhere or other. Has anyone else experienced this problem with their M7?

I promise I will as soon as the rivet counting stops. Deal?

Anything but yet another bloody pacific! Yes they're big and impressive but look frankly ridiculous on the average layout where your prototypical 12 coach train won't fit. The only pacific which doesn't look daft is a Bulleid with one or two on on the Withered Arm.

On such a small model are you really going to notice a possible millimetre or two's 'discrepancy' on your loco which is already running on, presumably, 7" underscale OO track which is absolutely not correct but apparently perfectly acceptable?

After some trepidation I ordered from Kernow, yesterday, the 02 in late BR (30225) which arrived today! I'm delighted to report that it ran perfectly out of the box in both directions over Setrack 2nd radius track and insulfrog points, with not a hint of the binding on curves, derailing or hesitancy which has been reported both here and elsewhere. Happy Christmas Dave and thanks for producing such a charming model, and I look forward to many more offerings of the less than mainstream and predictable locos and stock.

Duplicate

I've had a couple of these and found them to be frustrating runners; better bunker-first running seems to be a trait in these models, as I also discovered. Someone suggested it's to do with the way the rear wheels are sprung and offered a fix. If I could only remember where I read it! This is such a popular model for smaller layouts, especially the ubiquitous GWR BLT, that I reckon it's long past time for Hornby to seriously think about tooling-up for a new example. A decent autocoach wouldn't go amiss either-the old Airfix one is looking very tired these days.

Fabulous! I had no idea there was a kit of an example of Emmett's extraordinary imagination available. If you don't already have it I recommend 'The Early Morning Milk Train', a lovely collection of his work. I love the shed. All best, Andy

Excellent. My pathway to my current layout status follows yours pretty much exactly. Inglenooks are a lot of fun to operate and mine (still in the planning stage) is similar to yours, although I have the luxury of an 'L' shaped 11', giving me a decent run from my fiddle-yard to the puzzle area itself. Operating I envisage something like this; a main-line loco (Class 15 or 20) brings in the freight. The train engine runs onto an isolated section where the wagons are uncoupled. An 03 or 08 then detaches the wagons and shunts them into a siding, releasing the train engine which then goes off-site for servicing, enabling the shunter to shunt the puzzle. My layout is narrow (only 13" maximum), so any buildings will be low-relief industrial. I also intend to operate a twice-daily single coach workmen's train into a short platform. This will be my Standard Class 3MT tank; I'm modelling the BR green era around 1965-ish. I like the idea of using Kadee couplings-they're so much neater than even the small tension-locks, but I have fashioned a spade-like shunting pole which levers-up the couplings for relatively speedy operation. At the moment I'm considering the classic 5-3-3 arrangement of wagon accomodation for the puzzle but I have enough room to expand this somewhat. I like your idea of a layout within a cabinet but I can foresee a couple of potential issues-the inevitable occasional derailment, irritating reflections in the glass front and track cleaning and maintenance. If it were mine I'd consider a sort of 'TV' front. Nice project. Have fun and keep us posted as to developements. Cheers.