Modelrail

I can confirm that 'Maunsell' will carry our revised choice of green - that is the darker shade, not the malachite shown in the Model Rail advertisement. We don't have a livery sample in the revised colour, hence the unchanged advertisement. (CJL)

The USATC ones came separately, three weeks before any of the others and they are not necessarily arriving in number order due to the number of loadings/unloadings they've undoubtedly had. Kernow is not Amazon - it's a shop operation with limited staff and limited storage space. They will get the models out as quickly as they can. (CJL)

Our research indicated that they were black in USATC condition. These were, after all, American-owned and operated locomotives, so any spec would have come from the US, not Britain. (CJL)

They wouldn't have known what a buffer beam was! It's a front pilot and would automatically be painted black - or left as bare timber if that was how it started. (CJL)

Please note that details and a link to the website are under the Model Rail heading in the media section. To avoid having to monitor two threads I'm updating the Model Rail thread but not this one. (CJL)

Try this one:

Very definitely unlined black. (CJL)

Here's the factory-weathered 30071, with its front platform fitted. An alternative raised platform is included. (CJL)

Excellent. Having now diagnosed the problem with mine, I've had it successfully hauling ten bogie coaches. In real life that load would have had Radials double-headed. Briefly, the model runs fine on my home layout (Peco code 83, facing and trailing points, one reverse curve, no curved points). had it hauling 6 bogies no problem. On the MR test track it doesn't like the curved turnout. Somehow, the rear truck play allows the square boss to slip out of the slot in the bunker floor and it then rubs against the bunker floor, lifting the rear driving wheels just enough to lose adhesion. The rear truck movement is not smooth and the clearance seems tight in places. I won't be taking it to bits to cure the problem as it runs fine on my home layout which is where its going to live. Goes to show that our test track does its job, though, and finds the faults. Anyone who has a similar problem will need to either tweak their track or take a file to the rear truck to make it operate smoothly. (CJL)

It runs faultlessly at home on my code 83 Peco track (one reverse curve, facing and trailing points but no curved points). Had six coaches behind it including three Hornby Pullmans and it's as good as any Hornby loco I've had (and they are generally pretty good). However, it's well below par on the office test track, which is designed to sort the 'men from the boys'. Particularly puzzling as the test track is laid with mainly Hornby track. Investigation is ongoing but at present I'm not happy with the 'clunky' pivoting of the rear truck and the performance (or lack of it) over one curved turnout. I plan to take it to T4U at lunchtime, to see how it runs on their shop test track. Even when they manufactured at Margate, Hornby never checked anything before it came out for review. They were taken straight off the production line and mailed. On one occasion I received a 75ton breakdown crane (16 axles) without a single wheelset in it! I had to pillage a cupboard-full of wagons to find enough axles for it! (CJL)

The Mansell coaches were introduced to accompany the Arthurs and T9s. It isn't practical to produce a new batch every time a loco is produced, otherwise the shops will be swamped with unsold coaches, since not everyone wants a new set of coaches with every loco. There are other issues with the Adams, more significant than a lack of coaches to go with it. (CJL)

One of my grandchildren had a little set with Thomas 'figures' in it for Christmas. One of the figures was a USA-shaped tank loco with purple boiler and pink tanks. I hope we have the right shade of pink on ours! (CJL)

One appeared on E-bay about 3 years ago. However, it turned out to be a Roco one that had been Anglicized! (CJL)

Give Kernow a call on 01209 613984. However, MR-103 is showing as sold out. (CJL)

'USA' TANKS DOCKING SOON! Bachmann has advised us that 'USA' 0-6-0Ts are due to land at its Barwell HQ, barring any unforeseen issues, on August 3. They will be despatched for onward delivery to Kernow MRC as soon as possible. The first deliveries will be SR No. 68, BR black No. 30069, BR green No. 30064, NCB No. 36 and KWVR No. 72. No dates for the remaining five liveries have been given but as soon as we hear from Bachmann, we'll let you know.