trevor7598

My two TMC exclusive banana vans. I thought I would have weathered before dispatch. I asked TMC not to weather the labels as these would be freshly pasted onto an already grimy van.

Their packaging is so good maybe the film is not really required.

Should have done just that!

Take care when unpacking your vans! I had a problem with the 2nd van I unpacked. The clear film around the vans have an adhesive strip, this was particularly difficult to open on this van only, the other two vans were fine in this respect. The upshot of this is the van slipped out of my hands and hit the floor ( they don't bounce ). The underframe is badly damaged with bits broken off. I'm not blaming Accurascale, the clumsiness was all mine, but do take care unpeeling the clear film if you find a stubborn piece like mine! I am delighted with the two remaining vans, they are a work of art.

I've just had notification from Derails that my banana vans are on their way.

Both slate panels even survived long term neglect!

On the subject of slate chalk panels, the panel on Birdcage 3363 is a solid piece of slate 3/8 " thick. Image taken during restoration.

I think we should call them Huge Box!

Both Hornby and Bachmann have yet to produce a crimson and cream MK 1 3set ( BSK/CK/BSK ) for the Southern Region, complete with set no. on the brake ends. There is the opportunity to sell three coaches there.

Like in that video review my Torquay Manor won't crawl at an almost imperceptible slow speed, so I can only give a score of 99.99 out of a 100. What a magnificent model.

I don't know the Manors in intimate detail, so what we see in the above comparison may be correct. The obvious difference between the two is the driving wheel size and spacing.

My Torquay Manor in full sunshine. Superb in every respect. As was the service from Derails.

Looking back it's a great shame that when Mainline and Airfix started producing models rather than toy trains, the track gauge wasn't altered to something more accurate back then. How things have moved on since then ( except for the track gauge ). Keep up the good work Accurascale.

My retailer has requested full payment for my Torquay Manor, and say it is due in 14 days time, so they are not far away!

I was put off purchasing Bachmann's V2 after reading ( and hearing ) of the troublesome loco to tender coupling. Owning two Bachmann N moguls with their derailing tenders, I don't want to go there again. Also my eye is always drawn to the plug in smokebox door and the subsequent join around the smoke box.