atom3624

What are owners' thoughts on everyone's favourite YT contributor's comments and criticisms wrt the 2 Manors available? As an independent observer - I own neither - I actually found it very informative. Comments on the motor were interesting as well. Al.

There was mention earlier of no retooling of the Bachmann Standard Class 5, but more recent models seem to run considerably better. I've had that with a Jubilee - fortunately one I spent a lot of time renumbering and remodelling into Bahamas - superb runner, and doesn't heat up quickly at more than half power like others do. I think they spent some time reviewing their motors. This happened with the Peppercorn A1's didn't it? Al.

I often wonder how much effort people put into sizing the coal load pieces before placement. I try to imagine the poor fireman lifting some of the probably-20kg chunks some have in their tenders! Al.

Standard 5 would be nice - sort of replaced the Black 5's. Nice locomotive. Hornby's 8F looks great but can't pull a skin off a pudding .... my Black 5's haul more with ease. Al.

Well that's certainly got us all guessing!! 6 Steamies on the go - WOW! Class 40's had steam heating didn't they, being early diesels? .... Al.

Mentioned previously, won't mention again after this but more thought for 'servicing access' should be made - by all manufacturers. Accurascale are one of the most proactive, so it could start here. Wheels - easy removal, clean, replacement without damage. Bogie bushes - easy access - 'little dab' before that squeak starts. Motors - easy access, possibly from underneath - locomotive tanks for diesels for example - for lubrication and / or removal / replacement. Al.

If it's of my youth, in Liverpool, but close to a power station, then 'as a nipper' it was Black 5's and 8F's, and as a teenager 25's and 40's. The 25 is more than covered. The 40 has one option, and one possible on the horizon. ... It would be nice. Steamies have a separate thread. Al.

I would reply directly to the original thread title, and say, 'Yes, most definitely, Accurascale support does work'. I had my issues with the Deltic. We had a discussion and a good understanding was made. Al.

A 47 of the standard of the 37 would be brilliant, 'though I've already got 3 Bachmann 47's .... !! I'm still holding out for 37's 'big bro'' (extra 2 wheels per bogie I mean). Al.

Just taking a look at everyone's favourite model railway critic's video review of Loch Lomond. Question: Sam mentions the difficulty in removing the bogie frames, and having to remove the chain. Is that really necessary? Can both sides' clips be freed and the frame rotated over to the chain side, keeping the chain in place? Al.

Yeah !!! CLASS 40 !!

Must be a total of 4 or 5 hours' circulating on the rails now, and 37 043 has been faultless - job done. Al.

Going from 'More model ideas' to 'More modelling ideas', I have a question, and suggestion. I only run DC myself, and like the 'hidden removable rooves' of the big diesels and electrics, but .... just how necessary is it - how often will you be changing chips during a locomotives' operational lifetime? On the flip side, I leave locomotives running for perhaps a couple of hours at a time, and frequently find myself wanting to put a touch of oil on bronze bushes, etc., which are still relatively speaking hidden and hard to locate. I believe more thought / consideration should be given to 'lubrication access'. An example could be we see many experienced modellers changing / detailing noses on 37's and 40's within other threads - could these be mounted in a similar fashion to the rooves for bogie bush access, and the fuel tanks removable for the motor, to permit this 'lubrication access' without fathing around risking breakage of fine detail parts? Al.

Realised I made 'a convenient mistake'. I didn't use the QR code link, which probably gives a much better explanation, for fitting the detail, and with the buffer beam removed didn't see how / where to affix 'the corner end', so made a hole in the buffer beam as high possible not to interfere with replacing onto the chassis - then saw the mount point on the body! It does mean I can remove / replace the body easily without fathing around - the mount pegs within the mouldings are not like those in, say the Hornby 50, which can be removed / replaced many times. If these jumper cables had a more substantial peg / mount point then removal / replacing could be made easier. Al.

Agreed with the holes, I had my trusty pin driver at the ready. Loch Lomond happily flooded the track for an hour without incident - all is well. One thing I found on arrival was 2 of the corner stirrups were wobbly, still in place, so knowing these may get gently clobbered I immediately super-glued them in place. Since fitting the detailing, and the 'coupling permitted' snow plough, I had to mildly adjust the plough to avoid the stirrups, but still move smoothly - it is possible. All's good and looks miles better with the detailing in place. Al.

Had some interesting moments fitting the detailing - to one end only, so far. Plan is to see how much can be fitted to the coupled end, albeit angled if necessary. Once glued into place they stay OK, but there were a couple which ... erm ... pinged!! Trying to locate into the holes, some sockets folded back, so I gripped harder, then folded back, then harder again and ... PING!! My garage isn't the cleanest and tidiest - OK, it's probably one of the worst! Amazingly I found the jumper cable - orange socket each end, but after I started fitting the 2nd one into the 'missing' place ... all was going well, then the same problem and BIG ping!! I thought no chance with that one, but at least I found the original!! Then I found that one! Moving the locomotive around, to check clearances, I heard a rattle, then felt something fall onto my foot - 'What was that?' I thought - none of the pipes, etc., would have felt like that ... The glazing had come out of one end!! How? Why? I suppose obvious, not attached adequately but highly unusual! I've had the body off now - necessary to replace the glazing, which was easy enough. I've used a touch of 'Glue'n'Glaze' at the top - of both screens in case the other's the same - should clear hence why I used it, but unusual. Al.

Trying to remember how to be patient! I've started to prepare for fitting the detailing parts to 37 043. I decided it'd be easier to remove the buffer beams and attach that way - just taking care with the coupling mechanism - think I'll tape it up. I noticed one end had one of the 4 tiny retaining screws missing - I'll never find that if it's fallen off ... !! No big deal. Al.

How about an A/S grade 42/43 Warship? Could consider the favourite 52, but the Heljan one runs well, the Dapol one quite well detailed. I still stand by my 'steamie' suggestions - Parallel Scot, Jubilee and perhaps a Decapod. Al.

There was obviously no Fat Controller on the Western Region lines - mentioned earlier, but totally agree, most photos of the 50's shows them at very best in need of a good clean .... were they that short of motive power they could maintain them other than mechanically? Al.

Bump - anyone? - already discussed? Thanks, Al.

No noticeable change, no. Al.

Understood there are no external switches, but is there a DC-operated-only dip switch setting to permit illumination of the dashboard, cab lights, interior body lighting? I believe these are all available to those operating DCC / digital locomotive running, so I'm assuming the circuitry / leds are present in the DCC-ready locomotive, as mine is? Al.

Joking aside wrt the name, but that Loch Lomond I received can be moved slightly side-to-side, with perhaps an overall angle of 5' - this I presume is the movement to permit smooth articulation on slightly undulating track / free movement of the bogies on curves. I've been able to leave LL a total of 3 hours on the tracks without any derailments - excellent performance. (There were rest periods and power was less than half power.) Al.

Now that 'the flood' has arrived home, it's gently circulating with 9 very free-rolling LMS coaches. Those who have one, or more will understand, but it's like a ghost moving around, it's so silent. It's like a mobile anechoic chamber!! Al.

Desk has been flooded! Loch Lomond has arrived! Looks great! Al.