VXDH92

Overall look is really good, but that pan is still not right at all. Doesn't look right when raised and looks even worse lowered. Thankfully I'm only after the more modern versions, so hopefully when they get there, some of those will have the Brecknell Willis pan (will have to wait and see how they get on with that).

Does look good - and they've modelled the SF panto as well, so looks like both options will be available. That SF pantograph looks really good, if a little odd in the lowered position.

Fantastic new guys, and I second the rallying for a 4mm version (STVA for me). I also would love the cut down single deck STVA variant, but understand your reasons for not opting. Anyway, my cash is safe until 4mm ones come along!

Agreed. Although it's unfortunate that Bachmann haven't been able to fit marker lights into the 20/3, you have to think, there's a lot less space at the nose end of of 20/3 to fit lights behind than a on a class 55. And they may have then decided not to put them on the cab end either so it's the same at either end. Back to this 55 - damn you Accurascale, I might end up ordering one of these too. Even in that off-shade of purple, it still looks A+. Once that is sorted, it's going to be flawless. I hope your quality control turns out to be as excellent as your wagons. I'm under no illusions that a loco is a different kettle of fish and I've just received my first Hattons 66 which is sadly not good (even though it's an amazing model in terms of detail and functions). Goes to show that producing such fine models is not easy.

Could be the RoS Class 89?

They look generally very good. Two improvements i can think of is a removable valance on the DVT with an NEM pocket for a coupling on the front (looks like they are not looking to do this just like their mk3 dvt). And... the windows on the carriage doors look too square to me. Otherwise, looking good (although I'm not an expert on mk4s)!

Getting frustrated by the Virgin Mk3s not appearing. I emailed them back in August I think, and they said they had been delayed because of covid, but were due imminently. Still no sign, and they haven't responded to me when I queried again recently. I guess they will be here eventually, but I will end up buying Hornby ones if it takes too much longer!

Thanks David. Seems to tally with my thoughts. Wish Bachmann would release their IPA double decker in STVA grey - would be great to mix with the new RevolutioN IPAs.

Hi Ben - can you confirm when the red livery was first applied to the STVA car carriers? I can't find any pics of red ones before circa 2006/7, and I'm wondering whether red ones would have been around in 2002/3 (the era that I model). Appreciate you're doing the grey livery too, but I'd like a mixture of the two if the red ones were around at that time. Cheers, Dave.

Thanks for the advice. My issue is actually similar to Martin's comments above - I.e. the decider is unaffected because if I put it in one of my other class 90s, it works fine. It just seems that part of the circuit board has blown or something

Has anybody experienced electrical issues with the Bachmann 90 where it seems bits in the circuitry are going faulty? I've got two class 90s that use the standard Bachmann approved dcc decoder and have never had any issues. However, I'm on (I think) my fifth 90128 dcc sound collectors club loco, and amongst other issues, I'm now experiencing the second or third one where it seems something in the circuitry is blowing as the lighting has gone haywire (some lights not working; others being lit when they shouldn't be). I'm using a signa trak ace 2 controller. Not had any issues with other locos including the aforementioned 90s that are NOT sound versions. Just wondering if I'm alone with this problem? Need to contact Bachmann again, and I think this time I'm just gonna have to get it refunded.

I would guess they will be final, given that the 87 has the same unrealistic blue LEDs. Really does spoil the look a bit, but it does otherwise look good. The new Bachmann 90 is perhaps the only recent loco I can think of that doesn't use bluish LEDs and it looks all the better for it!

Hi Fran, Well done for all the hard work. I'm a smidge disappointed that the single arm pan didn't work out, but appreciate the complexity, plus it's still a great value loco. Love the smoothness of the pan action - much quieter than the Bachmann 90. Sound is really good. Quick question RE pricing - if I want one of the Rails exclusive ones as well, and preorder now, will that price stay the same or do I need to ask Rails that question? All the best.

Hi, thanks for that. Sorry, wrong buffer type- I dont think I've explained very well! I'm after the type fitted to a lot of the freight variants once they had their buffing plates removed. The sort that are on Bachmann's Powehaul Freightliner class 90....

Does anyone know if there are any suppliers who make spare buffers for freightliner class 90s / 86s etc - the sort of narrow stretched rectangular shape? Apologies for the poor description!

I've seen the odd pic of a PFA flat or two as part of the late 90s / early 2000s Enterprise mixed freights. Does anyone know if any of the Accurascale releases are correct for such a train? Obviously it wouldn't be the nuclear versions, and I wouldn't have thought it would be the British Fuels version, but not sure if any of the releases fit the bill? The pics I've seen had unbranded containers, so not sure what they are carrying.

Promising start. Hope the coaches aren't as bowed as they obviously are on the EP. I have some Virgin mk2es and the quality control is poor on them - all bowed (higher in the middles, lower at the ends).

Promising start. Hope the coaches aren't as bowed as they obviously are on the EP. I have some Virgin mk2es and the quality control is poor on them - all bowed (higher in the middles, lower at the ends).

Hi Chris, I've managed it, but it's a pain to do. You need to file a bit off of the top and bottom of the plastic prongs on the couplings that go inside the NEM pocket. I use a cutting disk to gently remove a layer of plastic from the top and bottom. Dave.

Great to see Heljan putting a lot of work into the retooling. I am sadly not convinced by the pantograph, especially in the 'down position where it still sits way too high. Better than the first batch of Heljan 86s, but far from correct IMO. Hopefully when they do Brecknell Willis versions, they will look a bit better

Very impressive, nice job! One tiny detail I've noticed that could perhaps be improved (not that it matters much) - watching the video, the pans in the down position sit too low at the pivot end of the arms (I think). I imagine the down position will be changeable by altering the CV on the DCC chip anyway, so probably not worth worrying about. Great job guys! Really looking forward to seeing the features in action.

Standard Zimo non-sound decoder sold under Bachmann code 36-569...

HELP! I was playing around with the pantograph values and accidentally changed the Down Position Value to 0, without realising the default value is 50. The pan has gone down, now there's no sign of it raising again. No noise from the servo motor or anything! Tried resetting the chip to CV8 Value8 but to no avail. Anyone experienced this? Hoping I haven't inadvertently burned out the servo...

Hi, does anyone have a list of typical Enterprise mixed freight train formations? A pictorial display would be excellent, but words will do. I'm looking specifically at early 2000s if that has much bearing. Cheers!

Has anyone had issues with lights not working on their 87s? Bought an intercity one from Colletts a while back. Went to try it yesterday, and the loco works fine, but none of the lights work (including cab lights) on either DC or DCC. I've taken the body off and compared it to another one I have, and there aren't any visible differences in wiring etc. I can't send back to Hornby at the mo due to the virus, so if anyone has any tips, I'd be very grateful!