Vacuum

Quite so. With apologies for amateurish photo setting.

Ditto.

I am struck by the fact that there appear to have been no new posts on this thread for nearly six years. Does this mean, as I assume to be the case, that most buyers of this excellent model can find nothing about which to complain? I know there were moans from some quarters about the model's haulage ability but I don't think these were entirely justified.

I'm not trying to engage in Dapol bashing but I think I can see another dimensional error in the Dapol model which AFAIK has not been mentioned before. It seems to me that the rear section of the rear extension to the main part of the cab roof is too narrow. In other words where that extension curves to return to the main part of the cab roof it does so too early. Compare the overhead views in the photos attached to 46444's post of the 13th. August. It is also evident from AYMod''s very recently posted side view photos. A/S appear to have profiles and dimensions spot on.

Making my dentist redundant exceeded even my expectations! Presumably the accessory packs will now contain dental drills, descalers etc. In which part of the loco. will these plug? Colin

The prototype doesn't look as accurate as the model.

I may be getting feeble but I can't see any evidence of a tilt of the cab towards the boiler - and I am usually the first to bellyache about distortions etc. Put a half decent motor in this model, Fran, and you will be leaving AS's competitors floundering in its wake. Colin

This threatens to be the benchmark of benchmarks for an OO gauge steam loco but still plenty of scope for trip ups such as the quality of the motor and paintwork. I'm confident Accurascale will not disappoint us in these respects however. If nothing else these photos confirm my impression that the downward slope of the top of the firebox of the Dapol model is too pronounced (lights blue touch paper and retires).

Agreed but Accurascale appear to be indicating a quantum leap forwards in realism and reliability of their models. The Hornby King is a very nice model but let down by poor paintwork. The Castle suffers not only from the same problem but also distortion problems with the running plate (as do other of their models) and large ejector pipe. These are perfectly avoidable and unacceptable QC problems and I would have purchased several more examples of the Castle if they had been corrected. The Castle was introduced about ten years ago and the King about five years ago and are possibly no longer state of the art. If Accurascale were to produce versions of these locos to the standard promised by the Manor I wouldn't be surprised if they sold by the bucketload.

Hardly surprising Fran. We now look forward to the Castle and the King - kindly get on with it!!! Colin

Fran, You certainly didn't come over as rude and I'm sorry if I gave the impression I was offended as I certainly wasn't - I was just joking! Anyway I would always prefer that people call a spade a bleeding shovel! It is far better to have frank and honest responses to one's questions unlike evasive ones which I have received in the past from others. Don't work too hard! Best, Colin

Fran, Many thanks for your prompt and honest (if blunt!) response to my enquiry. Clearly one will have to ensure that the pump spindle is in its most forward position before attempting removal of the body from the chassis. I have been following your company's progress on this website for several months now and have to say that I have become increasingly impressed with its efforts, in particular its willingness to engage with its punters. Although not a diesel man I have been amazed at the quality of the samples of the Deltic and class 37 locos. I was praying Accurascale would start manufacturing steam loco models and the fact that not only has it done so but has now selected the Manor as its first venture has caused all my Christmases to come at once! The company saw a gap in the market (albeit an obvious one), quietly got on with its preparations and did not panic when one of its competitors announced a similar project. Having seen the photos of the tooling produced so far I can well see why there was no need for panic. Put a half decent motor in and slap a nice coat of paint on this model and I wouldn't be surprised if it is voted as one of the best, if not the best, rtr 4mm steam loco ever produced. Keep up the good work! Colin (absolutely no connection with Accurascale)

Fran, Can you please say how the body of the vacuum pump will be attached to the loco? If it is attached to the bottom of the running plate isn't there a danger that the pump spindle could be bent or otherwise damaged when the loco. body is separated from the chassis (as I presume of course is intended to be possible)? Some years ago I had a model of a GW loco. with such a vacuum pump mounting arrangement (I can't now recall the manufacturer) and it was very difficult to separate body from chassis without bending the spindle. I am not sure how other manufacturers now deal with installation of the same type of vacuum pump on their models. Thanks. Colin

To me there is clearly a downward slope of the running plate backwards from underneath the "W" of the GWR insignia in the first photo. The section of the plate immediately behind the cab should be parallel with the rearmost section immediately in front of the cab but does not appear to be. You are quite right to mention the possibility of optical distortions but given Hornby's record with this issue on other models (and I am thinking particularly of the Castle) I fear they have messed it up again. Why don't they make the running plate out of metal, like Bachmann?

Is it just me or do these photos show that this model also suffers from running plate distortion?