70E

If anyone is interested (yesterday) in the window of the second hand train shop in the Harris Arcade, Reading there was a Locomotion APTE set £250. Cash buyers can generally negotiate a discount.

I'm working with Steve at Railtec on it. He's looking to produce a numbering set and asked if there should be any other details included. Im not knowledgeable enough on such things hence the request to the forum for any information that can assist in this.

I have an unnumbered BR black version and am looking to commission a pair of numbers for it from Railtec. Can anyone advise on the following? a) would they have been given a shed plate or did they only apply to steam locomotives? b) The Dapol applied livery is very minimal, would there have been other written details applied that Dapol have missed off that could be applied by using transfers? Oil filler, makers plate etc. c) could anyone post some reference pictures? Thanks

I've ordered a renumbering pack from Railtec. I'm renumbering a Bachmann 3MT 82020 and I need to know what size the cabside numbers are as well as the emblems although I'm not changing the emblems but would be good to know for future reference. Would the cabside numbers be 8" or 10" and the emblems would be? Many thanks

I took delivery of a long awaited #1444 a few weeks ago. I ran it in and lightly oiled it as per the instructions on a rolling road but it did not run at all well at slow speed making a strange noise from the motor as Well as lurching on a revolution. I contacted Hatton's and I asked for a replacement as well as for it to be test run before sending. To give them their due they replaced it promptly however they clearly didn't test run it in as requested as the second one did the same thing! So I asked for another replacement on the basis if they could test it and ensure it ran correctly at slow speed as it should do I would be very happy or if they couldn't to refund me. I had an email from Bryan earlier advising of a refund. So unfortunately it would seem they cannot provide one that runs correctly, very disappointing and I should have kept the modified Hornby version I had which I sold previously on eBay.

If anyone is interested there is a second hand with set blue fronts in the window of the military/model railway shop in the Harris Arcade Reading, Berks, just off of station road. It's priced at £400 but as been in the window for some months now but the guy normally knocks 10% for cash and may be willing to reduce it more to get it shifted.

There is the old airfix/Gmr van in green and Michael Martin reproduced it in weathered and non weathered strangely unable find a decent picture on the web of either. He also produced some plank wagons in both oo, o and N gauge

I asked Hatton's just before Christmas if they would be producing an O gauge version which would go well with the Dapol/Lionheart autotrailer. The response was no plans at the moment.

CME&BW Thanks for the advice I'll give it a go.

My insulated van turned up today, very nice but very delicate! I managed to break the bar that goes between both axle boxes (sole bar?) when trying to get the roof on. The roof was a tight fit in the plastic packing so came out seperately. The van walls were slightly bowed in so getting the roof on wasn't easy hence breaking the bar . Easily glued but Ho hum!

My H&P version arrived yesterday from Hattons. Then came the confessional to swmbo , 'how much was that, do you really need it havent you got enough locos already, how many locos still on supposed pre-order' etc etc. Having bought a Dapol O gauge 08 a few weeks a go and confessing about that came the question 'are you changing scale again what scale is it 'N' gauge? No dear its oo 'Are you sure? It looks like N gauge to me, its so small, Your not changing gauge again are you? ' No dear!

I haven't got any other Hornby pre-orders with Rails of Sheffield so don't know but have they the applied the increase to other Hornby products or just the pecketts? I had two on order with them, cancelled one and ordered elsewhere in the hope it won't increase by £10.00 so may still save some money.

R of S don't even do you the courtesy of giving a reason for the £10 price increase just to accept it or cancel the order.

Can anyone tell me what the small black circular piece of plastic is for, found it in a small plastic bag in the packaging. Thanks

Latest edition of model rail 227, liveries of BR bottom of page 8 , picture of green wasp stripe 08 D3473 with black roof and bonnet!

Thanks USA4472, I have emailed Model Rail to clarify which colour variant of their two adverts is actually being produced. Will see what they say

I have a MAUNSELL in departmental green on order, in the model rail magazine advert which I based my order on its for want of a better description a bright 'malachite ' green yet the Kernow/MR shows a dark green which one will be delivered as I may have to have a re-think?

Thank you for the replies. Yes it slips to a stand, there are some curves involved and the coaches do run freely down the incline. I think it may be the curves but I have noticed that when it is stood on a flat surface it rocks/pivots on the rear driving wheels and has a tendency to lift the front driving wheels ever so slightly which may be exacerbated with a load, incline, bad track laying etc etc. If it is that, how best to keep the nose down or just use on the flat!?

Has anyone had any issues with haulage capacity on an incline. My O2 had two maunsells on a barely noticeable incline and stalls. Has anyone taken the body off to see where additional weight can be added ?

And probably worth mentioning again a Lord Nelson class locomotive and some decent Bulleid coaches

Just before Christmas I purchased a bargain Hornby sentinel in Tarmac weathered livery. So I thought I would have a first attempt at re-spraying it and also using laserglaze windows. Hunted around for suitable transfers and railtec came up with the right ones. They were easy to use and did the job perfectly.

Many thanks John

Would Happy Knight convert to Blue Peter? If I renumber and alter the smoke box door handles is that sufficient or are there other detail differences I should be aware of?

just picked up 10L boxes (look the same as really useful type) in Hobbycraft for £7.60p each over £10 in Staples.

Have got two lovely SR ones and two bags of detailing bits. Could someone advise or place a picture showing where the relevant fittings go? Have two Pill box brake vans with similar bags and same scenario Would it be too much trouble for Bachmann to include an illustrated instruction with these fine models.