alexl102

18 hours ago, The Johnster said:

This goes to what I consider to be the heart of the matter.  In your case you want a Middleton Colliery liveried wagon because of your affinity with the place, fair enough, but don’t you want a good one? Dapol’s 7-plank minerals are hopeless models (as are Hornby’s).  Both use incorrect generic scale 10’ wheelbase chassis instead of the correct 9’, and stretch the body side panels and doors proportionally to suit, so there is nothing that you can do to work them up into better models.  If you put scale chassis under them, the bodies overhang the buffer beams by 2mm at each end, and attempts cut the side panels to correct size are thwarted by the diagonal strapping, while the skewed proportions of the doors mean that the doorframe will be in the wrong place.  
 

Then, when you come to the chassis, you find 1980s tooling to the standard you’d expect; moulded handbrake levers and overscale detail.  I’ll refrain from commenting on the moulded brakes, which are closer to the correct position than separate items on more detailed and recent models because of the 00 gauge anomaly, but I prefer my brake blocks to align with the wheels rather than visibly clawing at fresh air.  In short, these wagons and 16ton all-steel minerals from the same makers are inferior in scale and detail to 21st century equivalents from Bachmann, Oxford, or Accurascale, and, in the case of the 16tonners, to plastic kit models available from Airfix, later Dapol and now Dapol Kitmaster, that have been around since 1962 when a 10-year-old Johnster had no trouble successfully building them.  
 

So, given that 21st century 7-plankers and 16tonners, and pretty much everything else, are intrinsically better scaled and detailed even before you look underneath, and Oxford’s are pretty competitively priced, I can’t understand why anyone would object to these better models on the grounds that they can’t see much of the detail underneath the wagon.  It isn’t going to be any cheaper if the detail is left off, and brake rodding is pretty visible without turning the wagon over anyway.  Buffer/drawbar spring detail and underfloor planking do not adversely affect the running.  
 

I am no rivet-counter, as anyone who has seen my modelling will testify, but I try my best to get things right.  If I want a model of a prototype badly enough and the only one available is an old tooling that doesn’t meet current standards, I’ll buy it and use it until something better comes along.  But I draw the line at serious scale distortions to accommodate incorrect generic chassis, as well as locos from the 60s without brakes and flangeless centre drivers.  We’ve moved on, and I’ve moved on, and while I have no problem with ‘retro’ layouts that use older stock for it’s own sake, they’re not for me.  There are limits to how far I can suspend disbelief, and until the early years of this century there were a good number of RTR models that exceeded them, and even now some ancient dogs lingering in catalogues.  

I won't even attempt to argue your analysis of the prototypes because I openly admit to having minimal knowledge in that respect. But the thing for me is  - does it look right in a mixed rake of PO wagons? For me, the answer with the Dapol examples is: yes. Not perfect, but for the price point I absolutely won't argue.

I do believe that some modellers vastly overestimate the demand for absolutely perfect detail down to the last rivet. 

I know for a fact that Rapido’s wagons with their super detailed underframes have gone down well with lots of modellers but  for some people it really makes very limited difference. 
 

I’ve pre-ordered a Middleton Colliery 7-plank but only because it represents somewhere I have an affinity with, and I’ve got a gift voucher for a Rapido retailer. If it wasn’t for that, I’d be very happy with my Dapol 5-plank example and wouldn’t have considered spending anything like £30 on a single wagon, no matter how detailed. 
 

To be clear, that’s not me saying Rapido should stop making such detailed wagons, but more backing up Andy’s point that there won’t be a demand for 237 different diagrams of milk tanker with all the tiny differences between them. 

Sorry to ask 'the' question but do we have a potential delivery date for the 2024 RCH wagons? Its not on the progress tracker on their website unless I'm very bad at looking!

Brilliant idea! Can I propose 'Lungwart'? 😄

In all seriousness... please do it @rapidoandy!

Still trying to convince myself to order one of these but something about the colour/liveries just doesn't grab me. Are the photos floating about the final liveries or just the samples?

2 hours ago, BVMR21 said:

Well it is...

Have to remember these were earlier than planned announcements if I remember correctly, so it's not expected to be developed as quickly as say the more recently announced projects which fit the normal announcement schedule.

Thanks for confirming, I suspected as much with regard to the S160. 
 

Just noticed that the MWs aren't even on the delivery schedule on Rapido's website but are still being advertised by some retailers as delivery expected 2024!

Without wishing to sound like I'm being critical, I'm curious to know why Rapido announced these and the S160s when they did, given that they've announced a number of models since which are way much further on in production, and there's been no update on either more or less since they were announced back in August. It doesn't seem to fit with the timing/stage of other recent announceents by them. Had another manufacturer had the same ideas, maybe?

EDIT: Unless my web browser is playing up, the S160 is no longer mentioned on the Rapido website...

For those awaiting the second batch of Hunslets, it would appear it'll be well into 2025 before they appear. Rapido expect delivery to be around 9 months after the order book closes, and the date for that currently isn't set.

I presume this is a combination of finalising liveries and awaiting a factory slot but that's just guesswork! 

On 02/03/2024 at 21:05, Phil Himsworth said:

Mine is a super runner but has developed a bit of a squeak!

 

There's plenty of grease on the axles, and the drivetrain (from what I can see under the keeper plate), so I don't really know where it's coming from. Before I just start poking oil all over everything that moves does anyone know of any likely culprits?

Have a word with the guys at Rapdio, they are helpful!

Cheers Corbs, any chance we'll see livery samples before the order book closes?

I'm surprised we've had no updates on the batch 2 Hunslets since they were announced, aside from tweaking the livery of the wasp-stripe one. Last i heard, the liveries were the sticking point so maybe they're just taking longer than expected?

As an aside, anyone know why they've gone for the plain, 1970s Primrose rather than the fully lined-out 1990s version which I think is a little more iconic for that loco?

Hi,
Sorry to resurrect an old thread.

I recently bought a 2nd hand Heljan Class 05 wihch was reported as being an excellent runner but with one buffer beam loose.

As it happens, it looks like the rear buffer beam and buffers need fully replacing as they're loose and twisted, and the rear beam won't stay on. I am tempted to do both front and back as I'd like to replace the wasp stripes with plain red.

It is an excellent runner - but in the opposite direction to everything else on my layout!

So my first question is - I know I can get a full spare pair of buffer beams from Gaugemaster for a very reasonable cost. How easy is it to assemble the new buffers and buffer beam, for a novice in this area? It seems on my example that it's the spring mechanism in the buffers thats causing them to sit twisted; is this going to be a challenge when assembling the new ones? I'm not madly fussed if the buffers aren't sprung if they'll stay in one position.

Secondly, with regard to the direction of running, is it just as simple as asking my local model shop (who do repairs) to swap two wires over? I run DC so assume its nothing related to a chip.

Thanks!

On 27/01/2024 at 13:09, whart57 said:

This is the sort of thing you expect to see on April 1st. Worrying to have it on social media now.

Why is it worrying? 
 

Rapido UK have, from day 1, been a company that likes to have a bit of fun. They generally make it very clear when they’re having a laugh with us - and this livery was originally clearly marked as a ‘rejected’. But they’ve listened to public opinion and decided to make the model as it’s proven so popular. 

On 08/01/2024 at 11:35, alexl102 said:

I suspect that this particular post may have been partially intended to gauge interest for a potential Ltd Ed model... it's too good to have spent that long designing for no reason!

 

I’m just going to leave this here… 😄

At risk of upsetting someone here... I'm no expert on these but when photos of the first  painted samples were released, quite a lot of people were absolutely panning them - buffers were oversized, liveries inaccurate, various other complaints. Looking at the images now available, have these issues been addressed? They're cute locos but something about them looks off in the photos and I can't put my finger on what!

I suspect that this particular post may have been partially intended to gauge interest for a potential Ltd Ed model... it's too good to have spent that long designing for no reason!

7 hours ago, GeoffBird said:

^We had snow here last week . but I am in Vienna.  What I am waiting for is a Bagnall 0-4-0ST.  No 2704 if possible as that was the loco I learnt to drive/fire on the Middleton.  It was the first to be named "Matthew Murray" on a foggy day in 1969 (most days in Leeds were foggy in those days!).  It was a very good engine, ideal for bringing the two or three loaded wagons up form the BR exchange sidings.  Unfortunately, the Middleton got rid of it as it wasnt built in Leeds. I do have (not very good) b&w photos of the naming ceremony in Balm Yard with Eric Tracey.  Aftzerwards we all troped off the visit the graveyard of MM.

I actually asked about this on another forum. As of last summer the boiler was at  NYMR whilst the rest was under overhaul at a private site which the owner does not want publicly disclosing.

The above has made fascinating reading but I’m afraid mine will be treated as a light railway loco! Rule 1 applies! 
 

@JShow - me too. I’m hoping to get a 2nd batch Hunslet, then holding off for a MW because I think they’ll be a bit more expensive so  time for saving up is needed! 

On 14/11/2023 at 17:57, Ruston said:

What period/years are we talking about them being at Ardsley? I guess they would have worked the line from Wakefield to Dewsbury, via Ossett?

At least 1939 - 60:
http://shedbashuk.blogspot.com/2012/12/ardsley-1958-1963.html

On 11/11/2023 at 16:13, AMJ said:

I spy another loco that has operated at the Middleton in preservation, before @rapidoandy was a member.

 

Might look at an Ardsley based one even though the GNR is a gem to behold.

I haven't had chance to look through the running numbers to see if any of them were Ardsley-based, but your commend suggests that you reside not all that far from me!

On 10/11/2023 at 22:38, Nova Scotian said:

Ooooof, this will be a hard one.

 

No L&YR Class 25 or MSC tank as hoped, so should have been an easy day on the credit card. But I love the J52s - have a treasured Hornby example in GNR green (pure rule 1). These look fantastic. May have to sleep on it.

I could have written this exact post, word-for-word, except for the bit about one in GNR green - I have two in BR Black but much prefer the earlier liveries so considering flogging both to fund one of these!!

Given the recent hint on Rapido's SM accounts about an engine to shunt the SECR stock I think we've been had - maybe the Railway Children reference is actually not anything to do with the 1970 Railway Children and everything to do with the 2000 version, filmed on the Bluebell Railway? In which case the SECR C-Class would be a very strong candidate being the only SECR loco involved in that film.

On 05/10/2023 at 14:31, Wickham Green too said:

Have you got your priorities right - was an additional small human a sensible purchase ??!? 😁

Not saying I've applied for a new job to be able to afford both the human and the OO gauge models but...

On 05/10/2023 at 15:11, JShow said:

The Rapido website, not updated since the announcement a month and a half ago, says the model is in the final design phase. I'll be pleasantly surprised if we see it before 2025. Pure speculation, of course.

 

Congratulations on your impending additional small human.

Interesting, I had assumed mid-24 but that gives me more time.

On 05/10/2023 at 18:00, Jeremy Cumberland said:

Modelu aren't that expensive, surely?

Well, i've got to get the baby scanned and 3D printed haven't I?!!

On 09/10/2023 at 11:30, AMJ said:

@alexl102 you could always do my trick, if you want something place some cash into an account for each of your future models each month.  Only do that if you don't have expensive loans as these are best paid off due to the costs.  Hope that your little person arrives ok.

 

Actually, I've found a similar strategy - if I have a bit of spare cash at the end of the month, I buy a gift voucher for my chosen Rapido retailer. Hoping to stockpile vouchers so that by the time the models I want arrive, I don't really have to fork out any actual cash!

On 27/10/2023 at 16:31, rapidoandy said:

Or an L&Y engine, or the ship canal tank, or the Old Gents Saloon, maybe a dreadnought, or an N2, or a 57xx, or the Manning Wardle that appeared in the TV version, but what about the new film? So many possibilities....

 

Or maybe its just none of them and is just three kids waving at a train?

 

Happy Friday.

On 26/10/2023 at 18:29, David jennings said:

Please can we have a Manchester Ship Canal 0-6-0 Hudswell Clarke tank engine ?

The MSC tanks would
a) fit with Andy's link to Middleton
b) fit with the Railway Children hint (if it is such...)

c) offer two different body styles and multiple liveries for one chassis
d) add a Hudswell Clarke to the Hunslet and Manning Wardle

e) force me to decide between an MSC tank and a MW L-Class, or hope my wife isn't looking at the Credit Card bill.

I am hoping in a couple of years (my wallet can't handle any sooner) Rapido complete the 'Leeds' set with a Hudswell Clarke (either a Wissington-style saddle tank, a PLA-type side tank or even a nice little 0-4-0) and a Kitson S&L 0-6-0ST as per Conway/Caernavon/Colwyn et al

Fingers crossed!