Chamby

A tender drive in itself shouldn’t be a problem with hand-built track, of course. It will be the wheel profiles that were used at the time tender drives were in vogue, that causes the problem. Re-wheeling them to more modern, or finescale profiles would solve things.

Which does prompt the question, why produce that particular one? Surely, given the recent discussion about people’s reluctance to customise their models, the unlined tender flare would have wider appeal. Or is it an indication that the collector market is more valuable, where a more decorative version May have greater appeal? Edited to add: on a separate point, I notice that Oxford Rail have announced that they are producing a RTR J27 this year. An unexpected choice, though it was long lived so will have seen several liveries. Phil

deleted - duplicated post

Bachmann did a model of 4358 (code 31-831) in green with an early BR totem that had similar lining to the tender flare, but having flicked through a number of reference books I too can’t find any photo’s showing this in practice, even on the larger more prestigious locomotives. At best, it would seem to be a very unusual version.

Two years on from the last post in this thread, and things haven’t changed that much, it would seem. I have recently purchased and installed a Cobalt Alpha system on my own layout. I use a Gaugemaster Prodigy wireless DCC controller with an additional wired handset set up as cab 2. I purchased two Alpha Central units and the associated Prodigy connectors, it was described as simply like adding another cab for accessories. Like others, I ended up having to add an alpha box to get it to work, and also elected to get the alpha power unit to increase the system to 5 amps. Having separate control of the accessories has improved the user-friendliness of DCC no end. One of the appeals of the DCC concepts approach for me, was the high-end look and feel of the units, in their slim, smart looking cases that look like they should assemble together into a harmonious unit. Some do, but annoyingly others don’t, notably the alpha box and alpha power units have too many cables in the way to fir snugly beside each other. The bulk Ines and location of the connecting cables definitely could have been thought through better. I am also in the process of adding an alpha mimic board as a visual aide to the layout plan and to display point settings. This is a really nice system that goes together well and can be used with any make of control system. I found an unusual size of drillbit - 6.8mm - available from B&Q was best for fitting the LEDs into the panel. I would summarise the DCC concepts way of doing things as being well made stuff that mostly looks good, but is rather ‘bitty’ to assemble. Too many extra bits and pieces that complicate assembly and push the price up, when they could so easily have integrated much of it together. Also, with alpha central having 12 pairs of buttons, and alpha mimic also coming in blocks for 12 switches, you need to think in multiples of 12 accessories when assembling your system. If you need 13 accessory control switches, for example, it lacks the flexibility...

I have come to the conclusion that the inherent value of my rolling stock is rather less than I paid for it, whether I fiddle about with it or not. Trading stuff in would typically give you between 25-35% of its retail price, even relatively new stuff. If you regard your RTR stuff as only having its second hand value, the psychological barrier to modifying it is so much easier to overcome. When I buy RTR stuff, with the odd, very rare exception, I would be a muppet if I ever saw it as a financial investment. It is an investment in my model railway hobby, the value of which I regard as being personal rather than monetary. So, if I want to modify RTR products to improve the character of my personal model railway, it is an easy choice. If it means that its resale value diminishes by 10 or even 20%, it is no big deal. I’ll probably be dead when most of it comes to be sold on, anyway! Phil.

I fully agree that lamps front and rear is the lesser of two evils. Especially if the lamps are weathered sonewhat so that the double lamping (?) is less obvious at first glance. Shiny white Springside lamps with over-scale handles are best avoided in this application, I suggest! Phil

One exceptional model trumps several ordinary ones every time for me - heart will rule over head for me! It looks like it will be a real stand-out model that will draw the eye on any layout, even if simply parked in a siding. Phil.

Tony, this explains a bit about what probably went on through the Facebook forum: Wikipedia: In Internet slang, a troll is a person who starts quarrels or upsets people on the Internet to distract and sow discord by posting inflammatory and digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses and normalizing tangential discussion, whether for the troll's amusement or a specific gain. BBC: Trolling is a phenomenon that has swept across websites in recent years. Online forums, Facebook pages and newspaper comment forms are bombarded with insults, provocations or threats. Supporters argue it's about humour, mischief and freedom of speech. But for many the ferocity and personal nature of the abuse verges on hate speech. Urban Dictionary: Trolling on-line forums as described above is actually analogous to the fishing technique of “trolling”, where colorful baits and lures are pulled behind a slow moving boat, often with multiple fishing lines covering a large bodies of water, such as a large lake or the ocean. The trolling lures attract unsuspecting fish, intriguing them with the way they move through the water, thus enticing these foolish fish to “take the bait”. Not unlike unsuspecting internet victims, once hooked, the fish are reeled in for the catch before they realize they have been duped by the Troll/Fisherman So the strongly worded comments may not actually have been about your article at all - just an opportunity to troll... Steve Flints observations will be a truer representation of feedback within the hobby, I suggest. Phil

Since we’re into showing our Enterprises, here’s mine, in 1949 condition. A straightforward modification of Hornby’s current R3518 ‘Gay Crusader’, renumbered and relettered. There are so many versions of Hornby’s A3 available, this one comes close as she’s already in Apple green with a single chimney, Streamlined dome and right hand drive, but the tender has been swopped with another model to give her the correct high-sided non-corridor type. Weathering, working lamps, coal and crew to follow... plus a sound chip is planned when Locoman releases his A3 chip. I think this illustrates the point well about simple detailing of RTR models being able to give you a pretty good representation of a prototype, well within the capabilities of most people. Enterprise was the last A3 to receive her British Railways 60000 series number, by a clear three months, in October 1949 at the time she was repainted into express blue. I’m not exactly sure how long she kept the LNER lettering on her tender, it is most likely she ran with BRITISH RAILWAYS lettering for most of her time in Apple Green post nationalisation, but I can’t be sure... does anyone have a dated photo that can confirm this or otherwise? Phil

That’s nicely laid trackwork you have there, Jesse!

The other thing that we have to factor in, in defence of the RTR brigade, is the fact that so few model shops and exhibitions promote the kit building side of our hobby (other than perhaps plastic kits). It has become very much a niche (rather than elite) pursuit, in part because it is now so inaccessible compared to the availability of RTR models - you really have to know where to go and hunt the stuff down from relatively obscure specialist suppliers. And that’s before you get into the skills side of things, given that metalwork has long fallen out of the National curriculum (was it ever in it?). We’ve covered this before earlier in this thread, but it remains very relevant in the context of your article. I think kit building your own stuff will remain a niche activity because of this. If it is seen as elitist, this is probably because it is perceived as unattainable by the average enthusiast, the barriers to entry are high when starting out from a naive position. Thankfully, it is not because the kit builders are endowed with a massive superiority complex! Phil

I agree with you wholeheartedly!

Tony, have you read the threads currently running elsewhere on this forum regarding Bachmann and Hornby’s announcements of their 2019 releases? I don’t know if you would be amused or horrified... probably a bit of both! It reveals a very different approach to this thread, with what appears to be a total dependency upon choices made by the manufacturers. The frustrations inherent in this approach to railway modelling are all too clear to see.

No offence was intended, Clive. I have always seen the pedantic banter on this thread as part of its character... petty or otherwise. I hope that hasn’t changed? As for modelling ‘creativity’, my current activities under the baseboards are unlikely to be of interest to the readers of this particular thread. There is much that we do that doesn’t lend itself to posting here, but is creative modelling nonetheless. Edit: double quote.

Clive, we surely encounter much pedantry about driving trains as well... but let’s not go there this morning! Phil.

. My point is: There is a perfectly good English alternative that says exactly the same thing. Plain English is now widely recognised as being the preferred practice when publishing.

“Pet hates” in English.

For me, the Bachmann situation is simple. I like their stuff, they just need to get it off the web pages and onto the retailers shelves!

I think Nottingham Victoria would make a stunning model. The size of the excavation, with the tunnel entry at each end sets natural boundaries that would focus all the attention on this classic ‘cathedral of steam’. Opening up one side of the pit, and one half of each roof span would enable good viewing of the majority of the station. The challenge of course is that it would be a huge undertaking of architectural modelling, and the enormous variety of GC, GN and cross country services would require an equally vast stock inventory. But it would be ideal as a large club looking for an epic project, and if done well it would create unique and hugely popular exhibition centrepiece. Phil.

Sad face.

About a year ago I finally had enough of Windows ans switched to Apple Mac for my everyday computing requirements and have never looked back. Swopping my stuff over to the new desktop was the usual pain but after just 24 hours I found I had settled in with the Apple way of doing things and was using it intuitively. MS office for Mac works perfectly well, if anything it is more stable than when running on windows! Being able to work on the computer within10 seconds of switching it on makes a big difference, and the 27 inch retina screen is simply amazing to use. I have kept my old PC running Windows 7 for my hobby specific applications such as Lokprogrammer and templot, it now sits in my hobby room rather than the home office, with the rolling road and lokprogrammer permanently set up. Happy days...

Re: LNER coach roof colours, I think I have read somewhere that they were outshopped in white lead until WW2, thereafter grey. Similarly, the east coast Pullman stock. However the Thompson coaches released by Bachmann last year have white roofs, which would suggest otherwise. Whatever, as Tony suggests, the white discoloured quickly with soot, so weathered grey is a safe bet! Phil.

I suggest there is a law that sometimes comes into effect with model railways: the level of viewer enjoyment of a model railway is inversely proportional to the level of operator engagement. The more preoccupied the operators become with intricate manoeuvres, the less action there is going on for Joe Public. Not always true, but often the case! Phil.

I like this layout of a prototypical location... And I like this other layout of a fictional location... But which is best? FIIIIGHT! (With apologies to Harry Hill). At one time I had two cars, an executive German-built saloon car and a Land Rover Defender. The executive saloon was beautifully designed, quiet and did everything I asked of it faultlessly, I could drive it for several hours and get out at the end of my journey without any discomfort. The Land Rover was much more ‘agricultural’ (as the motoring magazines liked to say) but it was SO much fun to drive in comparison. The German car was so damn good, any character had been designed out of it. The Landy had it in spades. But which was best? They both were, in their own way. Phil.