Right Away

As far as I can see from web searches, previous releases of the Maunsell N class from Bachmann were not exactly free from problems; derailing tenders, chimneys back to front and decoder installation issues etc.

Do any members know if these issues have been addressed in the latest releases of this locomotive.

Thanks in anticipation.

If memory serves me right, even after events like Lewisham, the Southern management were preferring to concentrate their budget in the upgrading of signalling.

Try Isopropyl Alcohol on either a spare piece of modelling plastic or the underside of a wagon body (where it won't show) and check if it leaves any marks.

I've always used it on my track and every wheel on my railway without any bother; I'm pretty sure I would have noticed if anything went wrong.

Gently does it.

Do any of our esteemed members recall when AWS was brought into service on the various sections of the Southern Region.

There are many photographic records of steam locomotives so fitted from around 1960 but I would be interested to know when the system actually went "live" over the various SR routes.

I can recall my late father, who was a Motorman at Brighton, mentioning many years ago that initial trials revealed an undesirable interaction with the conductor rail; did this delay the implementation of AWS on electrified lines.

As an aside, which EMU types were NEVER equipped with AWS. I'm thinking perhaps anything pre-EP stock.

Oh dear, what have I started!

At least I'm not alone in my musings over this strange headcode.

Unfortuntrly price increases are a fact of life and inevitable.

In the meantime certain older models which are showing their age regarding detail still command relatively high prices for what is essentially just a renumbering.

What I do find disconcerting is that in the distant future the number of customers who experienced the steam age will naturally fall which could have an undesirable reduction in interest in the older eras with which we are currently quite lavishly served by the manufactures. This in turn might result in reduced production runs combined with a corresponding increase in price for those models that are produced. Hopefully, we're a long way from that.

I should have stressed that the provision of cylinder drain pipes would not suit tight curves, my sharpest being a minimum of 48", which present no problems.

I'm sure this has must have been raised before - but here goes!

I had been putting off doing something which had been bothering me for some time, namely the lack of cylinder drain pipes on the Hornby original Bullied Light Pacifics.

Rather than use the proprietary etched versions which are available, I decided to make my own using 0.45mm nickel silver rod obtained from the excellent Nairnshire Modelling Supplies.

Clamp 3 lengths of 0.45m rod together onto a small piece of plywood, gently clean up with a fibreglass pen and place solder on small sections (2cm) along the rods, leaving sections unsoldered. This will provide ample material for fabricating the pipes for two locomotives. Working from a well exposed photograph, and correlating dimensions from the model, the rods were formed to represent the cylinder drain pipes which were then painted copper. Drill two 0.5mm holes in the cylinders, a touch of superglue and you're done.

A further task would be to fit the operating rod in front of the cylinder - but I'm probably getting dangerously close to the old "rivet issue".

Please see attached pics for comparison.

Hope this was of some use.

I came across an issue a while back when fitting an 8pin Lenz decoder in the tender of a Hornby 700 class 0-6-0. It might be of help to others. The decoder and wiring harness was preventing the refitting of the tender body without undue pressure. To make more space I decided to remove one of the three metal weights in the tender body. However, caution is then required when tightening the weights' fixing screws; without the thickness of the removed weight the screws could pierce and protrude through the tender top. Fortunately, I had noticed this and no damage ensued, but it could be easily overlooked in the course of the "chipping" procedure, necessitating an unexpected visit to Eastleigh!

Thanks guys for that.

With reference to the SR Brighton express stock, I'm forced to stay "off topic"

The 6Pul units (the Pullman car was a Composite), together with their 6Pan sisters rank most highly in my appreciation of what an electric multiple unit should look like. Clean, uncluttered cab fronts wth no power or lighting jumpers presented an almost sleek appearance. The power jumper receptacle was used only to connect a "trolley jumper" in the depots. (If coupled to a "Nelson" the latter's power jumper was not to be used as there were no power jumper line fuses on the 6 car stock).

Personally I think the motor coaches are another example of those items which escaped the attention of the preservation movement. "Anybody have space for a 59 ton monster in their back garden?".

I would question the viability of an RTR version of a Brighton 6-car Main Liner being produced. The tooling would not be too much of an issue as Hornby have the basics already with the various Maunsell coaches just requiring slight modifications; motorcoach underframes being virtually identical to those of the 5Bel. I think the problem would be the sheer length of the unit being marketed as a "Train Pack" it would have to include all 6 vehicles and be prohibitively expensive.

We can only dream!

I am interested to learn of which types of locomotive hauled "loose" Pullman Cars were used by the Southern Region of BR during the 50's and 60's. Would any of you knowledgeable folk be able to shed some light on the subject. The workings to which I refer would include Western and Eastern Section boat trains and services to the Kent Coast.

Would there always have been a Kitchen car in the consist?

Did Pantry vehicles have the facility to provide food/snacks without a Kitchen car bring present?

Which classification of vehicle (1st or 2nd/3rd) would have been used as a general rule in trains with just one Pullman?

Thanks also SRman for your assistance in the choice of RC409.

Thanks bigherb. The Humbrol RC409 Malachite is a close enough match for my eyes.

I've attached some photos of the repaint. Just need to fix a screw coupling, main reservoir and train pipe hoses.

The NEM socket is rather prominent but I'm reluctant to remove it; might tone it down a bit.

Thank you guys for all this info; very helpful.

I'll be working from a photograph of No.2639 taken in 1963 (see pic). The colour's a bit "off" but it does show the First Class cantrail stripe whilst retaining an all-green cab front and whistle.

I am intending to remove the yellow warning panels on one of my 2HAL units.

Does any member know of an acrylic green paint which very closely matches the hue and sheen of that used by Hornby for the BR era units. I am not wishing to respray the whole cab front, only cover up the yellow. Some track dirt, lightly misted afterwards could disguise any slight discrepancy.

In addition, I would like to source some chime whistles (as fitted by Hornby to the SR versions) to replace the horns. I've checked Peter's Spares who stock various loco whistles the smallest of which are far too large. Anybody know of a supplier before I get out the brass rod!

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

My information mentions that the Merchant Navy nameplate backgrounds were red in SR and early BR days; around 1952 it was decided to use black, some reverting to red in the late '50s. Apologies, not very conclusive I'm afraid.

If you are fastidious about timelines, remember 21 was one of the first to have its tender modified, in 1952.

You could try Iwata Superlube for airbrushes.

No further wisdom on this, but there are some choice pics there! The top one of Ash Junction is rather nice, and seems to show very early Maunsell stock. And does 31631 really feature in two pics taken on different days w different stock?

Hello Olddudders

I just snapped the pictures from my books with the phone camera. The photo with the "U" seen hauling two vans and a BR 3-Set near Gomshall was apparently taken in August '62 and that departing North Camp was take a month later.

Thanks for replies, fellas.

Because the headcode discs + lamp centre of buffer beam cannot be verified in official documentation I'm pondering the idea that it might have been some local arrangement; it would hardly be erroneous as there are many photographs showing it. I have attached some low quality photos for reference - hope that doesn't infringe any copyright.

INSTRUCTIONS - BEWARE!

Some of the information provided in documentation supplied with new models can be misleading to the extent that damage could result. The sheet supplied with my recently purchased Hornby unmodified West Country shows the tender body removal process (following screw removal) in reverse. New bodies are by their very nature sometimes quite stiff to separate from their chassis - being instructed to prise away in the wrong direction is not helpful! One of my WC Rebuilds nearly lost its tender handbrake as there is no prior warning of its vulnerability when removing the body.

It would be extremely helpful if the manufactures provided additional cautionary information on their instruction sheets where necessary.

 

Information for decoder fitting is also scant or non existent. The available space in tank engines especially is such that it would be useful to know in advance the physical size of decoder which can be accommodated.

Following the "fun and games" I had in trying to cram an 8 pin decoder in an M7 I hard wired a Lens Silver Mini. When it came to my "H" class tank I did not hesitate to do the same; remove the 8 pin socket and you've plenty of room. Doubtless it invalidates the warrantee but if you check all's well with the running on DC beforehand there should be no problem.

 

Apologies if I've rambled on a bit - just getting used to the site.

Some of the information provided in documentation supplied with new models can be misleading to the extent that damage could result. The sheet supplied with my recently purchased Hornby unmodified West Country shows the tender body removal process (following screw removal) in reverse. New bodies are by their very nature sometimes quite stiff to separate from their chassis - being instructed to prise away in the wrong direction is not helpful! One of my WC Rebuilds nearly lost its tender handbrake as there is no prior warning of its vulnerability when removing the body.

It would be extremely helpful if the manufactures provided additional cautionary information on their instruction sheets where necessary.

Information for decoder fitting is also scent or non existent. The available space in tank engines especially is such that it would be useful to know in advance the physical size of decoder which can be accommodated.

Following the "fun and games" I had in trying to cram an 8 pin decoder in an M7 I hard wired a Lens Silver Mini. When it came to my "H" class tank I did not hesitate to do the same; remove the 8 pin socket and you've plenty of room. Doubtless it invalidates the warrantee but if you check all's well with the running on DC beforehand there should be no problem.

Apologies if I've rambled on a bit - just getting used to the site.

Hi

I would be extremely grateful if any of our learned members might answer a a query I have regarding a headcode which I have seen in photographs of some, BUT NOT ALL trains working between Reading (Southern) and Redhill. The headcode carried is the normal disc over each buffer but a lamp is also carried on the centre lamp iron. What is the meaning of the lamp; is it an erstwhile tail lamp from a previous working?

Thanks in anticipation.