Chamby

Tony, The speedometer drive issue also applies to the A3 and A4. I would also add to your list some of the awful design features that Hornby seem to be so fond of, such as double-pivot pony trucks and flangeless trailing bogie wheels that increase the risk of shorting and just look wrong on curves. Diesels suffer similar problems- Hornby’s Class 50 for instance has flimsy cables connecting body and chassis that simply snap if you forget to remove them before separating the two parts. I had a brand new Hornby A3 that blew a chip because the soldering was so poor underneath the socket, that it immediately shorted out. DCC ready? It was certainly not. I routinely test all sockets now with a meter, before inserting chips. The prize for the most ridiculous add-on parts has to go to Dapol for the roof panel handles on their Class 52 Western. There are so many, so small and impossible to hold in tweezers without them pinging across the room, I just don’t bother to even try and fit them any more. As for sandpipes, They are all too often more trouble than they are worth. I would gladly sacrifice some of this excess fidelity for improved robustness and running qualities. Some things just don’t scale down well...

Yes, but if you are using Relco’s or similar devices, the chip gets fried (so it won’t then work).

Absolutely brilliant... a facepalm from the driver as he realises he forgot to put lamps on, and his locomotive still carries those awful tension-lock couplings. Sometimes it is good to not take ourselves too seriously! Some very nice modelling skills in evidence, for sure. Phil

If Bachmann thought there was good mileage in producing an A3 then they would have done it by now. I suggest that Hattons are the manufacturer more likely to spoil Hornby’s monopoly, if their O gauge model is well received. Rather than produce a ‘me too’ A3, I would much rather Bachmann focussed on getting on top of their existing new product back catalogue.... which is what they are doing this year.

Hi Tony, Having been through a learning experience with point rodding, you are now in a different place and maybe in time you will come to view point rodding as essential as locomotive lamps, in portraying a chosen location accurately. Does that invalidate LB as a fine model in its pre-rodded state? Not a jot. It’s just at an earlier state in its development. Other modellers have still to make that sort of transition with regard to tension lock couplings, locomotive lamps, signal box names, etc. etc. I think of myself here, not all that long ago! They are not so far down their learning curve as you, perhaps. Does that invalidate their modelling efforts? Not a jot. I have a good friend who is very happy with his growing ‘train set’. He knows that it is far from prototypical, but gets a huge amount of pleasure out of it, as do those who visit the wonderland in his train shed. It’s not for me, but each to his own... as long as people are honest about their creations. Phil.

I like the platform shots, Tony. They are easy to relate to, as I guess we’ve all spent a lot of time standing in a similar place. One suggestion for improvement, and its about the photography rather than the modelling per se. It relates to the view under the bridge arches... do you put some white card there to hide the curves & gubbins beyond the scenic section? Painting the card, even fuzzily, to represent something beyond, would be relatively straightforward and help create the perception of far distance. A similar comment might presumably apply to views in the other direction, under the girder bridge? Phil.

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Tony, this looks just like the merry-go-round trains that I used to see in the East Midlands in the seventies and early eighties, though I have no idea of the location. The wagons were indeed referred to as HAA after TOPS was introduced. Distinguishing between classes 44, 45 and 46 can be tricky sometimes, but I suspect this one is probably a class 45, given the split centre headcode: but Clive is probably more knowledgeable than myself in this regard. The crest above the nameplate indicates it is probably one of the class named after a regiment? Phil

I have used Bachmann’s 1950’s train crew... code 36-407. You get two seated drivers in that set, though the blue needs to be a darker shade. More recently, I have started using Modelu figures, they do seated diesel drivers. OO scale ones are £3 each, really nicely detailed and much more lifelike than the Bachmann ones, but they do need painting. Their steam loco crews are also excellent, many different figures available.

I currently have nine. Six of them have been renumbered/renamed to become Leicester Central or Neasden shedded loco’s in 1949 condition, either in Apple green BRITISH RAILWAYS or express blue livery, using Gay Crusader Or Book Law as the green donor, and the recently released Scotsman as the blue donor. Tenders swopped around as appropriate, and Book Law derivatives are converted to RHD... just need to convert their cab side cutouts to the small version now.

A copy ordered here too. Has anyone tried the DCC Concepts working point rodding? I haven’t seen it ‘in the flesh’ yet, but am anticipating that it might (of necessity) be somewhat over scale. Though the prospect of having additional things move when a turnout is thrown does appeal... the existing point motor throw could be used to activate the rodding from the ‘wrong end’, rather than having the additional complexity of working rodding originating from the box.

What was the common practice for point and signal control where a section of curved track was involved? This is probably a more common need on scale down models rather than 12 inches to the foot... I recall seeing wire used for signal control, is there such a thing as curved rodding?

I noticed... nice one, Andy! Phil

I assume that you’ve heard the local saying, that we also get sunshine in liquid form down here!

RMWeb announced a new Gold membership level this week. It costs about £50 a year, and gives you subscription to the digital magazine and some other bits and pieces. There’s a thread about it, started by Andy, that has triggered some debate and mixed reactions. Gold members are identified by a medallion below their avatar, you may have noticed a few have already appeared in this thread.

Without, at the moment. I subscribe to the old fashioned print version of BRM, though I await with interest re: the hinted-at future ‘gold’ developments for dinosaurs like me...

That is a top post, Sir! Exactly why I indulge myself in RMweb....

I feel likewise (though I don’t have a full set of old BRM’s). I also dont don’t wear a big gold medallion in real life.... very seventies retro.... I grew out of that stuff! Phil

....or Carlisle! The discussion about point rodding does highlight the balancing act between size, level of detail, and time commitment for the average modeller. Phil

I look at it this way.... Membership of RMweb is free to all of us. As a member, you can now pay some money and get some other stuff, and a shiny medallion underneath your avatar, if you want to. So whilst all else remains equal, there should be no need for anyone to feel intimidated by a bit of showy bling on other users posts. But if you like bling, then go for It!

Its the compulsive de-clutterer in me, Andy.... not wishing to create a load of extra work for you. I thought it might possibly be a ‘quick fix’ and clean things up a bit? Phil

Andy, If you are using the space beneath our icons to distinguish between members, gold members and moderators, what does the word ‘Member’ and the two dots under our username signify? Is it not a bit of unnecessary duplication, and an inconsistent one at that? Phil

I was hoping to make this year my inaugural SWAG, but unfortunately it clashes with the Helston & Falmouth club’s exhibition, at which I am rostered to operate a club layout. I hope the Taunton event goes well... maybe next year.

Yes this may work, but I decided against it because I didn’t want to risk damaging the turnouts, especially with them already laid. I played safe and gave each cut section of rail at least three chairs to both support it, and keep it ‘true’ re: alignment. Remember that you will still have to solder new droppers to the cut sections of rail, wiring them into the frog. A short section of rail held in place by just one plastic chair would be very prone to movement, when exposed to the heat of a soldering iron! Phil

It’s a little bit of hand wringing, some mild sarcasm, a lot of playful banter (Oh so tame compared to what goes on in our club) with a few genuine questions mixed in. Business as usual, then...