grahame

Not really because you haven't explained why it is cheaper looking than a hex nut (which I understand also doesn't represent a prototype crankpin) unless it's perhaps because IMO you wanted to unnecessarily denigrate the Dapol model. But probably best to leave it there, unanswered, before the thread gets out of hand. G.

I notice from a pic of the new Farish B1 in issue #149 of Model Rail it appears to have a cross head screw, a slotted screw and hex nuts on the motion - all on a £105 model; how cheap looking (or perhaps good value by having three different fastener heads for the price of one) But at least the wheels look a bit better, by being black and having what appears to be a thinner rim, than the Dapol one pictured above it, although I presume the Dapol version will be blackened when finished. G.

Just hold them over a lit gas ring on your hob - they'll shrivel up to almost nothing Just joshing, but seriously this is some seriously high class modelling work in the little scale. Keep it up - both the modelling and the updates. G.

Thanks for the update - it was superb. Really good modelling, interesting insight and fantastic execution. Keep it up - both the modelling and the updates. G.

Don't need to read it again. But again, on what basis do you judge and think and can justify that it is cheap looking? G.

Incorrect comments like that shows you just how wrong you can be ....... and about most things. I know Colin at Bachmann better than George at Dapol. G.

Whether it is neater and less obtrusive is basically subjective and a personal opinion as I can accept that you think that (although I think both are just as bad and both could be improved) but what makes you think the screw is particularly "cheap" (presumable for screws in general as well as an alternative to a bolt). Do you have information about the costs? IMO it just makes you sound excessively and unnecessarilly negative about Dapol. G.

Yep, beit screws on Dapol or hex nuts on Farish, the coupling rod joints/fasteners on N gauge steam stock is very poor and could do with a significant step improvement in that area. G.

I've never had a bad Dapol class 73 runner and I've got dozens of them. They all run superbly well; certainly a lot better than all the kettles I have. G.

Oford DieCast and R Parker have probably got the old Jags covered but more modern cars is more problematic in N gauge. See this thread; http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/19070-the-need-for-modern-road-vehicles-in-n-gauge/ G.

I don't think the performance 'gap' is particularly closing, although kettle performance has improved, N gauge in general has been significantly "on the up" over the recent years. It's just that as kettles get better so too do D&E locos. They've also been getting better with developments like flywheels and axle bearing cup pick ups. The running out of the box of models like the Dapol class 58 and Farish class 24 is superb. However, I'm hoping that the performance of the Dapol Brit will be another step improvement; it appears to have been designed and engineered with that in mind - there, that's got this thread back on track. G.

It's the SR allocated one with white headcode discs. I've got quite a collection of kettles (although none run as well as a modern two bogie D&E loco), some overseas diesels (mainly American and Austrian) and plenty of non-South London BR stock. I'm an N gauge enthusiast and modeller first and foremost so owning decent models is a pleasure. I don't use and offer any of those daft and restricting not my era, region, or favourite colour excuses. If I like it, I buy it, although I'd still like to see more suitable BR/SR stock particularly NSE units become available. B) G.

I've read quite a few other reports of poor running with this loco. Some have required the pick-ups to be corrected so it appears to be, at least partially, an assembly issue. I don't think mine is a 'lemon'; it runs better now having fiddled with it, bent things, oiled it and run it in. But it's not perfect and certainly doesn't have peerless performance, as you suggest your one does. It's not as good out the box, or once run-in, as a modern diesel loco - I've learnt to accept that N gauge kettles do not run as well as N gauge D&E locos. G.

I can't agree with that. Although it is a nice model that captures the look well the performance of my 3MT Tank is poor. G.

I understand that the specially commissioned 'Golden Arrow' version ones from Osborns will be the first. Probably best to keep your eye on them. G.

Modelling effort has been taking a back seat as I've been attending hospital three times a weeks for a course of UVB treatment and as I prepare for my annual jaunt to Australia for the month October. Nonetheless, I've undertaken a little work on some projects such as a planned Gatwick Express set where I've now got sufficient mk2 coaches and have painted the seating inserts and started cutting the end recess for the waist level jumper cables. And I've been working on N'spirations3 which is hoped to go for printing when I return from Aus. I've also taken delivery of a set of Maruka 1:150 construction vehicles whch are rather nice. Included are two container reach stackers, 3 bulldozers, 3 concrete mixer lorries, 2 road/rail crawler boom cranes and 2 container artics. They include separate handrails and wing mirrors that need to be fitted. I don't need the all of them so will probably sell the ones not required but the reach stackers are needed for a container depot project that has been bubbling along with a few people for some time now. Here's some pics of some of them; G.

Great stuff. It's really quite inventive modelling. I'm thouroughly enjoying this thread - and it's regularity. Keep it up. G.

Yep, Atlas is based on American prototype track with their very closely spaced sleepers and to 1:160 scale - and it looks it. Peco track is more generic with regards to sleeper spacing and as a sop to the Continental and American markets consequently is also closer to 1:160 scale making the sleepers shorter and closer spaced than British prototype track and British N gauge 1:148 scale - but not as close together as scale American practice. EasiTrac is probably the closest you'll get to N gauge scale British track sleeper spacing and size, but Peco can, with proper deep balasting and careful weathering, look like and represent British track quite well. G.

I have some small plastic kit build Daleks that measure 25mm high which is around 1:60 scale - which makes them a little larger than OO/4mm but fairly close. I got them on ebay a few years ago - you may be able to find some more for sale; G.

Cheers, they certainly look better than the cast white metal ones I used. G.

Whose are the dummy point motors - they look good? A word of advise about the AWS ramps; ensure they are fittted as low as possible as the dropper on rapido couplers can catch on them if they droop just a little. G.

I'm very impressed with the speed of your modelling. With regards to centre white lines I think you'll find that the length of the dashes vary depending on road circumstance. They seem to increase in length with increasing danger/hazards such as at bends and where drivers should take more care. Check out a copy of the highway code - rule 127 in particular. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070306 http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_070563.pdf G.

This thread continues to inspire. Superb attention to detail and great modelling - it's already looking atmospheric and is N gauge to boot. Great stuff. G.

Presumably though, the mitigating factors regarding that comment are; (a) that it only applies to the initial batch (and for two of the models) and that there will be further batches produced, and (b ) the quantity that the retailers/traders have ordered isn't just limited to those pre-ordered by customers and that they will have ordered sufficient to stock their shelves and meet expected through the door demand. G.

It looks very nice indeed - just like a real steam loco unlike most of the old Farish range. One thing is that it doesn't appear to have the spring electrical connections between loco and tender as with the Ixion manor and that I understood was part of the spec, not thats bad as I thought they looked a bit incongruous. The big issue is will it be available for purchase at TINGS - or at least the specially commissioned version from Osborns? G.