ruggedpeak

I don't think Terriers are anywhere near as important to overall Hornby sales and profits as 66's are to Bachmann. What can Rails do, stop selling Hornby? Plus Hattons are also competing against Woodland Scenics, which Bachmann distribute. Both Hattons and Rails need to bear in mind other retailers are commissioning things from Hornby and/or Bachmann or others without also competing directly with them. It is clear both manufacturers have decided it is time to lay down some markers. Challenging existing manufacturers head on with their existing product ranges is a risky strategy. Note that the likes of Rapido and Revolution have avoided that. And if you get drawn into a battle on a new front (manufacturing) you can take your eye off your core business (retailing). There is no shortage of retailers to step in if Hatton or Rails lose drop the retail ball.

Screw tip is really handy, been trying to prise body off the chassis and worried I'd break it. Doh!

Indeed "Despite the scale and complexity of Merton, Lines Bros. Ltd. continued to acquire companies and premises around Britain and across the channel. They further extended the Unique and Unity Cycle Co factory in 1950, (later renamed Tri-ang Toys (Birmingham) Ltd.), and the following year took 100% of the share capital of Rovex Plastics Limited of Richmond, which was set up in 1946 by Alexander Venetzian and which produced electric train sets, mainly for Marks and Spencers. This was re-named Rovex Scale Models Ltd, and produced the Tri-ang electric model railway system. In 1954 it moved to a new factory in Margate, Kent, and the original Richmond facility was used as an overflow for Merton, housing Lines Bros. (Richmond) Ltd. and producing mainly musical toys, later becoming involved in the development of electronic toys................The following year, in November 1958, they bought Minimodels Ltd., a Havant company founded in 1947 which had introduced its Scalextric racing system in 1957...... The Hornby-Dublo range of train sets, which had been manufactured by Meccano, were consolidated with Tri-ang’s own railway system and sold to Rovex Scale Models, who continued production under the name Tri-ang Hornby Railways at their factory in Margate." https://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/toy-manufacturers/lines-bros-ltd/

Don't know if it helps: "In the late 1920s and 1930s, Merton saw industrial expansion and a siding was laid from the Merton Abbey track into the new Lines Brothers Triang toy factory in Morden Road." http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/t/tooting_junction/ More about Lines and Triang here: https://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/toy-manufacturers/lines-bros-ltd/

Drones really aren't any fun, real killjoys. 20 years ago we'd have been panicking about UFO's and alien invasion, now it just some halfwits who got lucky in the Maplin closing down sale. Where's the conspiracy theory in that

There is when there are drone operators are running around closing the airport and the police and army can't find them. Get all the local shotgun owners spread out in the land around Gatwick with permission to blast anything resembling a drone! Better chance of catching one taking off or landing.

Shooting at a drone is like shooting at a flying bird e.g. pheasant, pigeon, grouse etc. The weapons used by armed police do not generally include a shotgun, which is required to hit an airborne moving target. That and the associated clay pigeon type skills to hit them, which again I don't think armed police are trained in! Get the local farmers and shoots down there, they will soon blast them out of the sky!

"I'm gonna need a bigger brush...."

Ordered 3 Bachmann 37's in last week. 2 have arrived, one runs as sweet as a nut, the other.... Something is too tight, probably gear towers, but I'm not taking it apart as it is brand new. Let's hope no.3 is like the 1st one....

Hi Pete Thanks for the reply and the useful info. My points are insulfrog because one of the objectives of this layout was to use as much of what I had lying around as possible to save money, and I had a lot of ex-train set track. What I did do was solder droppers to all 3 "ends" of each point so there is power coming into the point on each side, the power being switched as to the appropriate direction. This has ensured continuous power to locos traversing them. My wiring and switching is completely manual as I don't "get" electrics and it adds to the operational enjoyment of flicking switches to set the routes. I am not sure if this is the same as what you've done with your electrofrogs, although I didn't isolate the ends of the points which I think is a good point for next time. i did resolve my electrical issue which was down to getting confused by the spaghetti wiring underneath and one section being wired the wrong way through the switch. Being organised is not my thing!! On B2B's, I got a DCC B2B gauge and agree, a lot of loco's are well off on their back to backs. Sorting those out will be a job to get set up for and plough through my loco stock one day. That said the plastic on the check rail as suggested earlier in this thread has overcome the issue.

Wow, it's been 9 months since I last posted. Far too long. A few weeks ago I tackled a minor electrical issue in isolating the extra siding on road 2. As the wiring was configured both lines would be live when the points were set into the new siding as power for each road comes from the fiddle yard. Some re-routing of the wiring and a new switch means locos can now 'pass' each other in the fiddle yard, adding considerable operational flexibility to the layout. Next jobs will be detailing and weathering the scenery, and finding suitable locations for a selection of Eckon signals I picked up cheap at the Southend show last month.

My micro layout is designed to allow 2 car dmu operation and loco plus 1 coach/wagon (eg 67+DVT on a training run). All 3 roads are linked so locos can traverse to any road, or shunt stock. The link is below.

https://www.howtogeek.com/174232/htg-explains-why-is-printer-ink-so-expensive/ Interesting thread. I'm regularly dismantling stuff that is defunct and can't be repaired to minimise what goes to the tip. Excellent source of screws, motors, power supplies, wire, switches, LED's etc. Not reused a motor yet.

Just had the following email reply from Ebay: Hello Anthony, Thank you for writing to eBay regarding the difficulty faced by you while purchasing items with discount voucher. Anthony, I am sorry to hear about the difficulty faced by you while purchasing items with the discount voucher. I contacted our technical team and they have confirmed that there was some issue going on at initial hours of the day; due to which the voucher code was not applied. However; the issue is resolved now and you will be able to purchase items with the voucher code........ Additionally, I would like to inform you that the voucher code can be used twice for your purchase. that means, you can use this voucher code for one more time as per the terms and condition of this offer.

Just used the PINCHME code in a basket and saved £26 on some DRS 37's so it is working Doesn't work with Paypal 0% credit though

Sounds like a glitch. I'd email/tweet them. I've emailed them to enquire as I want to spend quite a bit this weekend.....

This month's is a great issue. Reevy Road West is a great layout enhanced by the excellent photography. The derelict barn feature is also really good and inspiring. Like the new style layout plans with people. The other thing that adds to it is different adverts this month. Given the quantity of ads in all mags, seeing the same basic stuff every month feels like a bit of a waste (I know it pays the bills!). I'd highlight the TMC Xmas discount spread and Fox Transfers. New, interesting adverts adds value to the mag for me. Still toying with buying one of TMC's locos. A challenge to advertisers, keep it interesting with a bit of imagination and flair each month! As above the weblink on p,113 for "Where's my DVD" doesn't work will email Howard.

Just tried mine and it worked fine, not sure what to suggest other than email them.

I definitely don't need one but will have to buy one!

Not great pics as my phone camera isn't good indoors but a good flavour of an excellent layout.

I think there are plenty of 37688 floating about, personally I'll gamble that the price will come down more in the New Year. Most traders had them at Peterborough, with Class 37 Loco Group cheapest - still only £121 on their Ebay store, so no immediate shortage of stock. Not quite the Hattons price but not far off https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-32-392-Class-37-5-37688-Kingmoor-TMD-in-DRS-Compass-livery-BNIB-C37LG/153280221807 and interest free Paypal credit if you want it!

Rehweeled Atlas 66 compared to Bachmann version. As can be seen the Atlas version body is sitting too high on the bogies and there is daylight visible between the bogies and solebar, so next task is to reduce the body height. The bogies are screwed into threads protruding from under the body, so the plan is to reduce those.