Otis JB

Bloomin' splendid Dave, thanks!

£34 for a Bo-Bo?!?! That's less than the RRP for Hornby's ubiquitous 0-4-0s! I am in disbelief...

I believe that Jenny Kirk conducted a Hattons interview about the Genesis project a few months ago where she brought up the potential issue of the middle wheel. The Hattons interviewee replied that they were going to use a pivot mechanism that had already been successfully utilised on some continental HO models, or so I remember. I had actually forgotten about the potential issue of a middle wheel set although I have recently filed down the flange on the middle wheels of my Hornby LMS milk tanker Because of previous issues so I should really take the possibility of poor performance into consideration. That being said- I still want them all! Regards, Otis

For me it honestly depends on when I have the money. I am interested in a number of sets and would like to order each company version in a good number instead of individually ie: probably buying the sets of 4. To be honest though, the Genesis stock isn’t high up my priorities list at the moment with a Hornby W1 and various bits from rails already ordered. I, unlike some others, am not too worried about the availability of these coaches as I think (although I can in no way confirm) that they will have a big enough batch to last a good while. Hopefully they will be continually produced as a standard product also unlike the Andrew Barclay and P class. I think there would be more than enough demand to sustain that production model especially with the steady increase of pre group RTR. Kindest regards, Otis

I live on the island and have seen the gradual restoration of the oldbury that is up and running right now. It really is rather splendid, the stained glass top windows are a particular highlight. I wasn’t actually aware of a second oldbury but I only visit a few times a year so I don’t know the ins and outs of the stock there. Anyway, have fun on your trip! Otis

Oh thank you I wasn't aware of that! If I ever get the time I suppose there is always the option of London Road kits too. The good thing about making kits of LNWR locos is that you don't have to worry too much about intricate painting and lining! Otis

( (A very short!) Part 2) Hello again, seems like just a few seconds since last I saw you! Anyhoo, on with the last bit: To achieve a successful repaint of the pipes, I first had to attempt a very complicated masking that involved pushing, prodding and pulling a bit of foil and some masking tape between the very tight gap between the tube and boiler. The finished result of that looked like this: And some photos of the final piece, sorry the lighting isn't great and yes that is carpet running before you tell me off! - Sometimes I like to have a long run for my stock and as my house is very small the only option is the sitting room. Oh well, hasn't destroyed the globe just yet! : In conclusion I am very, very pleased with myself! It was a fun challenge that really paid off in my opinion; it elevates the model's appearance much more and therefore my enjoyment of it. Let me know what you think. Will you do the same? Have you done the same? Do you think I'm insane for modifying such a pricey object and probably hurting its' retail value or do you think I'm just a little mad for doing so!? Kindest regards, Stay safe, Otis

Hi all, After finally setting enough funds aside, I bought the standard Rocket pack from Kernow last week (all I'll say about the price is: thank goodness it was still at RRP!) I immediately became infatuated with the tiny, spritely little yellow creature, by some miracle, I received a model with no motor issues at all! With just one pair of drivers she managed effortlessly to haul herself and her stock up the gradient that has failed my 2014 NRM Hornby LSWR M7 with a smaller than average train multiple times. However, despite her charm and performance, I was a little confused about some of Hornby's design choices so I, like any modeller foolish/brave enough to attempt customising a model worth more than the Hope Diamond, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Rather in fitting with all these interesting tinkerings from Butler Henderson above, I present you with a post of my exploits: The first 'niggle' I had with the Rocket was its' connection between loco and tender. I found the wires on my example were too long for the gap and made the tender a bit unpredictable when running on certain sections of track due to the pressure they were exerting onto it. You can see in this image how much longer the wires were than the gap they needed to span: So, I set about prodding and bending them into submission which is much harder than you think at this scale, even more so when you consider that they also have a layer of 'binder goop' on them to stop them moving around and possibly undoing their soldered connections. Soon the inevitable happened and a wire came loose but I managed to solder it back though and eventually, I moved the wires into more suitable positions so they were straight where the gap is: Then, I fixed Hornby's bizarre choice of coupling between loco and tender: the pin with slide off drawbar. A number of other engines have this extremely odd arrangement, one that comes to mind is the Bachmann City Class and just like the Rocket, it has wires between it and its' tender that are very delicate and vital for running. These wires also show that the models weren't intended to have easily removable tenders yet their designers make their drawbars very easily removable none the less, putting unnecessary and unwanted strain on those delicate wires when disconnected. Anyway, rant over! - As with my City, I solved this problem by cutting out a small scrap of plasticard and super-gluing it over the end of the pin to stop the drawbar sliding off in future. That looks like this: The next thing I did was again very straightforward and something I do to all my models which is adding a load of real coal. Fake coal is probably my biggest peeve with RTR models behind pre-grouping designs that are only produced in era 3/4/5 guises. Now I understand that the Rocket actually originally burnt coke as she was required to 'consume her own fuel' meaning that she effectively had to be smokeless but as I didn't have any of that I used my usual crushed household coal: Lastly, my most exciting changes to the model: When looking closely at the detail above the firebox I noticed that it was extremely unrealistic and didn't really match the model's other parts that were supposedly meant to be made of the same material in real life. Then after consulting various photos of the Rocket replica I discovered that the parts that are painted a light, plastic-y silver (such as the con rods) are black in reality and the dome and pipes on the side of the boiler are much more of a copper colour than the brass shade that Hornby used. That's probably because they are in fact, copper! I'm not sure why Hornby made these choices, especially as they went to the effort of blackening the metal rims of the wheels but luckily it was an easy fix that just required a steady hand... Repainting is a daunting task on any model, let alone one of this rarity and cost. Thankfully the modelling gods smiled upon me and everything went astonishingly smoothly. I busted out the Phoenix Precision and created a sort of black wash that allowed some of the silver to come through a little. That turned out like this: Next I set about turning brass into copper but as I have run out of file size space, I will continue this in part 2! (PTO)

Thanks for the info Compound and my thoughts too. Hattons really are to be applauded and you cannot complain about what they are doing. You can't have everything either! Speaking of the LNWR, it's a shame that there really aren't any suitable RTR models to go with these new coaches. In my opinion, I find it strange that they were decided to be released in batch 1 as the majority of people who would have use for them, those with LNWR locos ie: kit/scratch built, would presumably already have kit/scratch built coaching stock. If I were Hattons I would've put the LSWR coaches in their place in the project as there are at least 4 RTR models for the period in the market atm. (I'm probably a bit biased situated in former LSW territory though!) Kind regards, Otis

Hi everyone, Firstly I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Hattons on their absolutely fantastic work with these CADs, they really do look the part, however I do have a slight concern about this project... From what I have seen of these CADs, the overall body shape very effectively resembles almost every pre-group company's coaches except those of the GNR. The whole look of these coaches just doesn't resemble what the Northern built to me at all. To illustrate what I mean I will insert some images: Now I am definitely no expert in anything, even less of one in the in and outs of old coaching stock but by no stretch of my imagination do the Genesis vehicles match the real life GN examples. The two styles are clearly too different from one another in my mind, the Northern stock has different windows, roof fittings, end windows and such a contrastingly distinctive shape (one that is shared somewhat by the stock of the LSWR too). I believe the GNR never made anything similar to the Genesis style at all but I am obviously not knowledgeable enough to confirm that, if anyone could that would be much appreciated. I wonder if it would be too difficult at this stage to add in another couple of bodies to the project, this style could also be utilised to create other companies' coaches ie: the LSWR and Metropolitan but alas I assume the ship has sailed? I want to make it clear that am I a huge supporter of this project and can only applaud Hattons for finally stepping up and serving us often neglected 'era 2-ers'. They obviously couldn't incorporate every style of coach into one, especially when there is this much and this sort of variety. I just thought that as they are producing a GNR set in batch 1 I'd share my thoughts and maybe nudge Hattons (or any other manufacturers reading for that matter!) to go the extra step for those of us interested in the GNR. There are of course many models that would be suitable for these and if a coach as obscure as the LSWR gate can be made successfully (and without appearing in pre-group colours that would have arguably been more popular than the SR variants) then maybe these can too. As a side note, I remember Rapido writing in their somewhat short novel of an instruction booklet for the Stirling Single that came out a few years ago that they would possibly make suitable period GNR coaches to go with their beast. Maybe someone could remind them? Anyway, just my thoughts, if anyone has any info or opinion about this so called 'issue' I would be very interested to hear it. Kindest regards, Otis

Thanks Chris!

Have Hattons announced any Caledonian Genesis coaches? I could've sworn they had but I can't find anything on it... Cheers!

The want is strong for a Cardean... Any manufacturers listening? P.S. Hornby if you're here Lion would go very nicely with Rocket... You could do a Titfield Thunderbolt tie-in set too...

I'm sure the Caley will get more models in the years to come, mainly because of its elegant blues and lovely designs... A Cardean would be splendid I agree but I'm not sure who would take it up. Maybe one of the smaller, newer companies like KR? Anyway, while there are many models I'd like more, there aren't many that say "Hornby" more than a pug in my opinion. Regards, Otis

Thanks for the info, Jason. If someone were to do a pug I'm sure an NBR version would be made eventually as the model would need to have the capacity for interchangeable cabs for the Caley-built versions as it is. It would also make sense to tool up for one as Hornby already have an NBR loco in the form of Maude and Oxford make NBR wagons so it would 'have company' so to speak. Additionally, I'm sure its livery would incise many as we've seen with the likes of the GCR D11 and the SECR C. Regards, Otis

Haha will do thanks Julian! Otis

What a fantastic photograph! Otis

Wow I don't remember seeing those before! I suspect that is what you call a 'Marmite livery', I can't decide whether I like it or not, 68095 rather resembles a steam roller to me in those colours. Certainly very interesting, I suspect many would buy a model of something like that as a curiosity piece if nothing else...

Yes that is a good point, I never thought of it like that. Strange though that no other manufacturers 'picked up' Caley models until recently as they have such a huge following. I totally agree with you, I too would much rather have something more 'substantial' but I think as an updated model for Hornby's anniversary there could have been little better. I already have the 'as preserved' 812 on pre-order and will probably get the 'as built' one if it's a different livery. I have a suspicion it will look like this: Can anyone confirm this? Thanks!

Hi all, I'm not sure if it has been mentioned here before but it came to me the other day that Hornby has really missed a trick in not producing a newly-tooled super detailed Caledonian Pug. Like the Rocket, the pugs have been a staple of the range for many years and many people can identify with them, not to mention there are a whole host of liveries and variants spanning from the 1880s to the 1960s - most modellers would be quite pleased! They could of course also produce the famous 'tenders' to go with the models. Here are some images of Caledonia Railworks's digital pugs for the Train Simulator video game; they give a great sense of what the models could/would look like. Also, who knew the Caledonian had a lined black livery? I certainly didn't! Anyhoo: You can see what the pug tenders might look like in the two pictures above: I can understand why it was not done seeing just how much they have already bitten off and I certainly can't complain as it is a fabulous range but I think it would have been a great model to tie into the centenary theme and ethos. Anyway, never say never, I didn't think I'd ever see a super detailed Rocket! Do you agree or disagree? Let me know, I'd love to hear your two cents on it! Cheers, Otis

Thanks a bunch Andy, it will fit with millimetres to spare! Cheers, Otis

Hello everyone, I feel a fool to have tried to ignore this model and restrain myself from purchasing it when it was announced, I just have to get one now. Can anybody let me know if it will fit in a standard OO Picture Pride display cabinet with glass shelves please, alternatively does anybody know whether it's taller than a Hornby A1 as mine just fits in with a centimetre to spare? - It won't dissuade me from getting one if it doesn't fit but I am curious to know especially considering I have a few weeks to wait before I can afford one! Many thanks and kind regards, Otis

Exactly what I've been saying this whole time!

Might I point out that I have only been trying to defend my previous words when you have replied to them. I did not write any of this seeking the hassle of an argument. I am very sorry if I have offended you with my opinion but I would like to state that it is just that. I thought the point of a forum was to share your opinions with others and I don't see why we cannot politely disagree with each other. Additionally, on the point of Jenny Kirk, quoting somebody doesn't mean you agree with them on every matter, if that were true how would any history book or paper about any famous military leader be written!? Maybe I am being too pessimistic and harsh but many others share my assessments of these issues and I only wrote what I did previously to start/reignite a discussion. The lat thin I want to do is to make you feel bad, I would never write anything to intentionally harm, maybe it would be best if we just drew a line under this conversation and walked away respectfully. I for one would rather read people's verdicts on their received models and share mine when I get my terrier than squabble and be negative. Kind regards, Otis

Well I don't want to speak for you if you are happy with your model but Jenny Kirk, someone who is meant to be an impartial reviewer despite being 'friends with Rails', failed to mention the very noticeable design flaw of the gap on top of the cab and the prototypical inaccuracies of the BR version she had. I also don't think that is a way over simplistic judgment of Bachmann either, maybe you have too much loyalty to a brand like so many do in my opinion. I remember seeing a model news video from Mike Wild at Hornby magazine some time ago and despite the fact that it was just meant to be an unbiased, informative video, he admitted that he thought some of Bachmann's latest prices were a mistake and was quite surprised to learn that they weren't.