flockandroll

Right, intend to order the Micro-Mark Truck Tuner (aka Ed's Tool) from Wizard Models.for £16;50 (plus postage?) tomorrow. Will let you know how I get on. Thank you for your help, Flocky

So there appear to be 3 or 4 options for tools: 1) Bob Paynes RTR Wagon Drill tool from Alan Gibson which is sold out...but may perhaps still be obtained. 2) Micro-Mark Truck Tuner (aka Ed's Tool) from Wizard Models.for £16;50 (plus postage?) and recommended by above by JZ and steve1 Fixed length, cuts at one end. 3) DCC Concepts DCF-BR2 Bearing Reamer Pack https://www.dccconcepts.com/product/bearing-reamers-set-of-two/, well reviewed in a popular magazine, Fixed, cuts at both ends.. £10 to £12 plus postage 4) Tool made by TTTE of this parish http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/111164-knowle-wagon-works/&do=findComment&comment=2306724 that "allows easy and accurate fitment of any 2mm brass bearing in RTR stock. Due to its design it is suitable for OO, EM and P4 gauges." Adjustable, cuts from one end.. £12 plus £1;50 postage. [edtited 22.5.17 to add "TTTE is a.k.a. Knowle Wagon Works, see post 25 below"] Does anyone have experience of using more than one of these? I am conscious that some (all) of these tools are designed to insert or adjust a brass bearing, whereas what we want to do is insert metal pin point axles directly into plastic.

When/if I progress to code 75 track then the Lima wheels will be replaced, probably on the parcels stock and sell the passenger stock (if not too sentimental). Yes, the alangibsonworkshop.com website says "Bob Paynes RTR Wagon Drill - SOLD OUT" probably more expensive than £16.50 also.

And thank you steve 1 for the pictures and endorsement.

Thank you all. I think I will try try the Micro-Mark Truck Tuner (aka Ed's Tool) from Wizard Models. As I've splashed out on wheels, it will have to wait until pay day at the end of the month. I drive through Barton upon Humber most days but looks like it has to be bought by post. Yes, from what I have read on rmweb there are no over-reaching "official" 00 "standards", just various groups and manufacturers working to their own standards. I went for Bachmann wheels in view of their Mainline 'heritage'. To replace the Hornby wheels guess I will use Hornby metal wheels. Don't know if I will ever be more 'fine scale'. Have just managed to get an oval test track of new Peco set track (4th radius) on a temporary table top. My Rule No. 2 is that is has to work without needing a 'finger from above' or thumping the board to get it to move. So metal wheels are needed. At the moment I'm not buying any new rolling stock, just hoping to start modelling with what I've got. Those are the type on the brake van and it seems on the wagons too. I actually thought that too. But the fit is currently so tight compared to the weight, that if pushed the wheels skid rather than turn. That sounds a good idea. I'm surprised that in this age of digital control there is not a brake van with operating brakes.

Second time poster needing some advice please... I want to replace the wheels on my Mainline brake van. From reading this 2011 post http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/39562-mainline-and-airfix-wagons-replacement-wheels/ I expected replacement Bachmann wagon wheels to drop straight in, but they don't. The plastic Palitoy originals have rounded ends on the axles, the metal Bachmann wheels have points and the axle is about 1mm longer. They will fit in, but hardly turn and push the axle boxes outward. So is it best to... A) use a file to carefully round off the axle points B) attempt to use a small drill bit to deepen the holes in the axle boxes C) as B but add axle bushes D) use a different type of metal wheel E) something else I've not thought off This is a practice for replacing all plastic wheels on my rolling stock (most of which will be Mainlline) so any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

gwrrob the link you posted is not working, but I think you were pointing me to GW archives I have just been looking at. Thanks. Pleased it confirmed I can actually tell the difference between elbow and Castle type steam pipes in the few photos I was looking at.

Ok I now know that Princesses Mary, Victoria, Alice, Charlotte, Margaret, Augusta and Eugenie all received elbow type steam pipes. But how many received BR livery? There is a photo of 4020 Knight Commander with G crest W on the tender in March 1951. Is there more to it than that? Always best to have at least one photo l know. Cheers

Please does anyone know if Hornby's British Monarch can be simply renamed and renumbered to represent one of the Princesses running at anytime in BR days? For instance somewhere on this huge thread I Think there was a link to a list of which steam pipes were fitted to which engine when. Thanks