davidsmith_uk

Southern railway building card kits here, enough to build a complete station complex: A Model Railway

Surprised that two Locomotion still in Sainsburys, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke this morning (I'm not going back). I thought it looked too small for 00 gauge, endorsed by some comments seen here after I returned. It's all black so, ideal for a painting project, though the model does not interest me and I left it there. Difficult to say which model I bought is my favourite. Mostly Southern that I purchased and they are all about the same standard (good enough for me). I enjoyed motorising and super detailing the Bulleid. The others in my set require more intense modification I think - maybe one day. Shame its finished. I enjoyed reading comments here too. The series brought out the 'hunter-gatherer' instinct in my as I searched for the illusive stock in the shops. Someone asked if the Hatchett 'Your Model Railway Village' is still running. Answer Yes. (An article I wrote for it appeared in issue 8.

I'd be interested to read your How To... on motorising the LN.

Yippee! Got an LN from Sainsburys, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke. I arrived as the shelves were being stacked and got it before it hit the shelf. Their allocation is only two units. One left, which I am lead to believe by the shelf stacker will be sold quickly. Asda Basingstoke usually sell GBL as well. Manufacture and finish quality is very good. Nice to see window glass fitted and the cab is detailed including separately applied regulator wheel(?). Tie rods are left off from the brake levers so lends itself for a some super detailing. Coal representation is very poor, as usual. This is my final purchase from the series, unless they extend it. I bought the Mallard (since sold), Bulleid, Schools, T9. N, Black 5 and LN and motorised the Bulleid, which was shown on page 92.

Been to Asda and Sainsburys. Assistants were in the process of stocking magazine shelves. No sign of GBL so enquired and was told they had not seen GBL for the shelves today. What's going on?

My K's kit built Q1 is looking old and naive and could do with an updated body and tender. With the end of the GBL series in sight I wish they had released the Q1 (an unusual looking loco but probably too ugly for the masses). A project to motorise a GBL version would have been enjoyable. At least there is the Nelson due soon to keep me occupied.

With talk of bent footplates and wonky cabs I had no interest in rushing out to find the N, especially as I have the Bachmann original. I was in Sainsburys Basingstoke (Hatch Warren) today and saw only one on the shelf. Had a close look and was pleased to see the cab was fitted square on a straight footplate. Just a bit of glossy glue overspill where cab joins the footplate that is only visible in directional light. Clearly this one is from a later batch where greater care in assembly was applied. Overall the model looked fine and the mould line along the top is very feint. Shame GBL omitted the front steps. Yes, I came away with it.

Here's mine: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/3d-printers/8111855/

DIY 3D print start up and running costs are soon recovered when you consider all manner of items that can be made, especially replacement parts for appliances etc. that would otherwise require purchase of a new appliance/machine. But the process does require a degree of engineering skill that may be beyond some people, though not the capable modellers here perhaps.

Link is here for anyone fitting the current Hornby chassis http://amodelrailway.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/gbl-bulleid-bob.html.

According to Wikipedia the class only worked the central section of BR(S). Southern modelling fans might bear this in mind if their SR interest is elsewhere in the region. (Is Wikipedia right?)

Don't know about the old Hornby chassis but the new one needs a bit more work on the GBL body and chassis to fit. The body seems narrower than the Hornby. See here: http://amodelrailway.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/gbl-bob-part-4.html

One T9 on the shelf at Asda Basingstoke with a coupling rod half hanging off. Enquired if any more in stock and advised NO. (at 9.30am!) So, I bought this last one. Feeling pleased that I had at least got one I next went on to Sainsburys for the weekly shop and found two on the shelf there in perfect condition! I had not seen any previous GBL on sale there for months. I dithered but, refrained from buying those. The coupling rod was easy to reposition in its holding boss once the loco was removed from the plinth and chassis unscrewed. There is nothing else wrong with the manufactured assembly or finish of the one I bought. The coal moulding design is the most unrealistic I have ever seen and should be reworked, perhaps with a layer of coal chips on top. Other than that it is a very nice static model. I would be interested to read about how to motorise it if anyone attempts it.

One HST in Andover, Hampshire Sainsbury's supermarket this morning, if anyone wants it. Assembly looks good but paintwork appalling, especially the front which has variation in depth of yellow and much bleeding between colours.

I'm one of the silent majority(?) who has followed this thread from the beginning and collected some of the GBL models. Only now have I joined the forum so that I can show you my own work motorising and detailing one of the earlier releases since some of the regular contributors here have urged us to do this. First I have to say how much I appreciate your contributions to this topic, either with your modelling tips, historical information or sources of modelling materials. It has helped me very much in my endeavours. The model I decided to upgrade has not received much publicity here. In fact, I believe there has only been one other posting showing an upgrade. (Back on Page 64 by darrel). OK, to stop beating about the bush it is the Southern Battle of Britain. I think it is fair to say the raw GBL model received more criticism than praise here and I'm reminded of The Weathering Man's review "GBL release is really a total non-starter due to distorted dimensions that totally ruin, in particular but not only, the frontal aspect of the locomotive and will be next to impossible to correct". Well, after studying the obvious faults I found the front end was much easier than expected to remodel and get very close to the correct dimensions, providing we choose to model a locomotive that does not have the lower side valance. The entire story of 'how I did it' is published on my Blog (the other blogging service). Not sure if I can give a link here but I dare say you will find it. The GBL BoB loco was re-liveried as BR(S) West Country 34040 Crewkerne, early crest and fitted with a Hornby motorised chassis. 'Why I did it' is interesting because my first motivation was cost (apart from the fact I am an avid BR(S) modeller). I could not resist the favourable price of the GBL offering believing motorising it would be cheaper than a r.t.r. model. Overall, the cost has been a bit below the average price of a second hand r.t.r. Considering the work and time required for conversion, it cannot be a recommended approach for casual modellers. But, what price can you put on the creative process and sheer pleasure of turning a second rate model into something to be proud of? Here it is.