goldfish

For some reason the links are dummies, work in progress perhaps?

I don't know what the current G0G recommendation is, but the 1993 Standard recommended 48" for branch lines. MOROP in NEM11 recommend 960mm. Both of which are academic to me, because I use single link couplings and have had no problems at all on ETS 627mm points with anything remotely suitable. I have been running 4-wheel coaches foe several years without a problem. The issues with the Stroudley coaches are caused by the length of the buffers. They are in compression when coupled, even on a straight. So Setrack points might prove to be a problem, for example in a passing loop situation. I wouldn't like to put anybody off getting them though, they do look really good behind a Terrier. Michael

It is a bit of both, the interference is caused by the design, the curves increase the amount of buffer retracted which increases the problem. It could an isolated problem because the buffer housing is part of the body and the bit of chassis the buffer bears against is a separate removable item. So it might be cured by removing the chassis and refitting it. I doubt that it will cause a problem on larger radius curves. Michael

I have found a possible explanation for the buffer lock I reported above on 900mm reverse curves. There is insufficient clearance for the buffers to retract freely, as a result the stem of the buffer bears against the chassis. In some cases this leads to visible slight bending of the stem. As a result the buffers extend at different rates allowing the buffer heads to interlock. This seems to be getting worse over time, possibly as a result of the buffer stems becoming distorted. Having lived with these coaches for a few days I have to say that I am a little under-whelmed, worth the price, but too many minor niggles. I certainly wouldn't be tempted to buy any more. Rather predictably the niggles started on arrival. Both coaches needed the wheels extracting from the brake gear and refitting in the bearings. Perhaps Dapol should label the packaging "Some Assembly Required."

Having had time to further test this pair of Mainline Coaches, I can confirm that, out of the box, they can be pulled around a 2ft radius oval, but buffer lock obviously precludes any reversing or reverse curves. With 900mm radius curves it is possible to run backwards and forwards around an oval without problem. However, it is not possible run through 900mm reverse curves without buffer lock. I do not have access to any larger curves, the Dapol publicity video shows these coaches being pulled around an oval of Peco Setrack. Hopefully this is not the limit of their testing faculties and they have fully tested them through Setrack reverse curves.

Received a Mainline Composite and a Brake Third this morning courtesy of the good folk at Tower Models. My initial impression is that these coaches are superb, although the First Class passengers might be less than impressed with the bench seats. For anybody interested in the potential of using these coaches on tight curves, I can confirm that, out of the box, they can be pulled around a 627mm radius oval. They cannot be pushed around the same oval because the transition from straight to curved track causes buffer lock. They cannot be pulled through reverse curves again because of buffer lock. The alternative draw-bar is too short to overcome this problem, but the couplings are easily accessible so replacing them is not going to be a problem. * After a more critical look, I suspect there is going to be some disappointment in the lack of interior detail, especially in the bare Guards Compartment.

If Rapido want to break into the 0 Gauge market they should upscale their Stirling Single to 7mm. Bound to sell, particularly if they make it compatible with 3ft curves.

And for those feeling lucky ... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234897403095?hash=item36b0f9ecd7

My apologies, I missed this response, and did not mean to single out the the organizers of this particular show for criticism. I simply meant to point out that even the best organized and well run shows can miss things like this. It was particularly noticeable because the rest of the website is a classic example of how these things should be done. Again my apologies I should have phrased my comment more carefully.

The organisers of The Festival of British Railway Modelling 2023 are guilty of only listing the names and scale of the layouts.

Where's the "Green with envy" button?

In the past two of the three running tracks have been 2 or 3 rail. Assuming the same mix of Atlas and Merkor track there is no reason for this to change. NAROGG is well worth a visit for those in the area.

It looks like it is put together with resin parts from 422 modelmaking stuck on a Peco chassis, so not old at all. With such long overhangs it is going to need some pretty wide curves, and reverse curves would be very interesting.

It is a severe curve, even for the 4-wheel trams it is intended for. ETS offer the somewhat contradictory advice: A soft pencil run around the inside of the rails on the curves certainly improves the running.

One often asked question is "What is the smallest radius 0 Gauge curve?" With my tongue very firmly in my cheek, I would suggest that it is 170mm. ETS for Along Classic Lines Pug and Hornby tinplate on ETS tram tracks. It only works going forward, but otherwise seems quite reliable.

I don't have an M1, but the No.30, which I believe uses the same mechanism, has a wheelbase of 2 inches.

I have just stumbled upon this little gem which I don.t believe has featured here before :- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204148709020 The description is certainly worthy of note :-

A B.O.T. Order of 1875 required a standard platform height of 2ft 6in, before that presumably platforms were much lower.

It is a joint commission from ETS by WJVintage and Raylo. https://www.raylo.co.uk/ivatt-class-c1-4-4-2-atlantic-locomotive-4604-p.asp https://www.wjvintage.co.uk/product/gnr-lnrer-ivatt-class-c1-4-4-2-atlantic/

Presumably you removed the coupling rods. Did you replace them back where they came from, and in the same orientation?

Is the problem there when traveling forwards and backwards? Have you checked the quartering? On tight curves the connecting rods can cause derailments by restricting the play on the leading wheels.

Tower models have updated their listing:-

Quote from the Dapol Digest : https://digest.Dapol.co.uk/forum/o-gauge-models/locomotives/stroudley-a1-a1x/386-6-new-terriers-for-2016 Anecdotally they will traverse R1 (3ft) curves, but I cannot confirm this.

It can work. The glue does not have to be electrically conductive provided you have good metal to metal contact, but I wouldn't recommend it.

An interesting contest when you consider that the Duke of York was the Prince of Wales grandfather, in real life and arguably in model form. According to Roland Fuller's The Basset Lowke Story negotiations between Basset Lowke and Godfrey Phillips, the manufacturers of B.D.V. Cigarettes, for the manufacture of The Duke of York began in 1926. Which gives a rather poignant twist to the connection.