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Just a thought ... When these locomotives slow down, I presume we're considering a poor contact somewhere - rail, PCB, motor, whatever - do the lights dim at the same time? Al.

I run DC Analogue and use the Gaugemaster model D as well - not noticed with 1 hour's use of my Class 37. Have you set the dip switches - perhaps it's related to this? Al.

Love the U1 idea, or failing that, how about Big Boy? !! A little more sensible, how about a Terrier? Al.

Well 'Splendid' is in name and nature - running brilliantly!! One small 'negative' is it seemed to have lost one of those small handles, except not one of the ones I fitted - it was one of the locomotives which sold without the windscreen corner handles. Positive is that ... I still had loads of spares!! I soon cleaned, pin drove a couple of holes and mounted the replacement within less than 10 minutes! All sorted - running extremely well. Al.

Could they be repainted and made to represent the LNER Coronation coaches - that way you'll have ready-to-go streamlined, modern-appointed coaching stock for SNG? Just a thought!! Al.

That's precisely where 'the set' has been for the last 4 months!! I'll have them circulating for now. Just think what those carriages will look like on the Severn Valley or NYM Railways !! The Mk.5's'll have to go somewhere! Al.

'Splendid return' - indeed it has. As advised by Rails, it now performs perfectly. A quick 'desk test' with a 9V battery does indeed confirm operation in both directions. THANK YOU to both Rails of Sheffield, and to Dapol / DCC Spares. Al.

Well here we are, nearly 4 weeks on .... Rails called yesterday to say 'the manufacturer' has fully repaired the locomotive, and they've just tested her - both directions - and all seems fine. I should receive her tomorrow or Friday - great news and THANK YOU RAILS once again. Al.

Top photo, LHS.

Are we viewing some top secret development models here? Hymeks, 33's, .... and more !! Interesting! Al. 🤔🙃😄

This is an excellent, if unfortunate (for the fireman) photo!! Thanks for sharing. Was this common practice? Would the prime express trains on the East and West coasts have a similar mix, or is this for the 'lower priority' still obviously important services? Al.

A 'Bo-Co' class 28 may be an interesting addition .... Al.

My Heljan 58 is nearly as powerful as my Hornby 56, probably more powerful than my (previous issue) Bachmann 47's - definitely not a poor hauler. Al.

Agreed. 40 a must. 42 would be nice. 81 again would be nice - for me, I had the Tri-ang one in 1974 (and dual power options .... a thought?) Al.

A County would be an interesting alternative, yes. Jubilee is still my firm favourite 'to do' locomotive. Al.

I would love an A/S 47 - can't keep a good man down as they say. There's just such a large choice, variety of styles and 'quality of application' already available, as already stated. Class 81 would definitely be one to consider. Al.

You only need one of these in each room to save at least 30 minutes' lighting bills each evening I reckon !! Al.

Funny coincidence, but I was just thinking this the other day. Each time the new Hornby catalogue came out, there may be perhaps 2 or 3 new additions. We're now anticipating anything up to 10 new additions from all proprietary manufacturers combined every year! Al.

Looking good. Can't wait for mine to arrive. Al.

His was a tad, erm, warped! No mention was made of this that I noticed. Al.

I suppose we don't all have access to a Cathedral in a North Western city to set up a huge layout - 2 or 3 loops are the equivalent of perhaps 20 of mine, or 10-20 minutes' running time - by coincidence. Personally, I have always loved the movement of trains circulating - and I'm not talking about speeds straight out of an animated cartoon, but between 40-65% power setting - locomotive, train, type permitting - whilst I'm either tinkering at the bench, painting, or working out on the gym equipment - that's how I operate, and have since I was 11, 52 years ago! It does show how diverse operators, and applications of this hobby are. Al.

Thank you for your post, and what a superb layout!! I perhaps didn't phrase that appropriately. I totally do agree that a good quality 3-pole can certainly perform well, as can be seen by some of the later Bachmann steam locomotives. My experience of 3- and 5-pole motors on steam locomotive models is mainly with Hornby and Bachmann. I do recognise that most of the Hornby motors generally stay cool and can run for extended periods without getting warm / hot at perhaps 50-55% power settings whereas the (smaller as well) 3-pole Bachmann motors heat up after no more than 10-15 minutes' running. This can be a combination of several factors, I understand. The A/S model is as Hornby, with bushings, which many / most Bachmann steam locomotives do not have (most newer ones have started to I admit as well). I think I'm back to my longevity / reliability / servicing access considerations - simple as. If the motor selection has been tested and considered 'fit for purpose' then there's nothing more to discuss - the model looks superb, and certainly appears to perform more-than adequately, as has been seen by all other A/Scale models. Al.

It was a little too damning, and running light to / off shed it is true, they're never the slowest! However, with load, leaving stations, etc., a moment at relative crawl (not super crawl) is mainly observed, before they start picking up speed. In my teenage years, trainspotting at the end of platforms in Lime Street, Liverpool, I always remember the opposite with the 87's (electric) with the longest trains always took off like the proverbial scalded cat! Al.

One thing Hornby do well, Bachmann less so is to ensure a generally good quality, and 5-pole, large, powerful motor is in their larger steam locomotives. After all of the work to ensure the rest of the locomotive is of the 'normal superb quality' that is Accurascale, going for a small, just-adequate and small dimension, and power 3-pole will be a false economy. I've requested in other posts that easy access and maintenance is assured for those of us who regularly run their models and for extended periods, not just for 'a quick 5 minutes' time'. Al.

I've done a similar thing, for different reasons with different marques. Dapol motors do not support sustained high loads and burn out - had that twice with my 68's. Hornby motors sustain a high load, or some do (Merch / Duch / Royal / Scot / A4 motor) and recover almost without incident. I would give the 'smelly 86' a good strip down, clean and relube - keep away from the brushes / commutator - and see if you can coax her back. You might be lucky. Al.