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On 13/03/2024 at 19:32, Silver Sidelines said:

Fifteen Up!

 

I feel I need to share this video link:

 

 

 

I made this video to confirm the haulage capacity of the model.  It is rather good.  The shots have been carefully selected to show a smooth start.  On other occasions the model will jump into life, something that Accurascale appear to be not willing to know about.

 

Cheers Ray

 

Fifteen Up! by Longsheds, on Flickr

How does this compare to, for example, a 'latest specification' Hornby Castle or King?

Al.

At the moment, nothing I own 'monsters' that Hattons' Patriot, from super-slow crawling with wagons (Hornby 60 is its equal), through hauling capacity (perhaps that 60 is close, as is the Hornby 56, not the CavAlex I've found), the A/Scale 37 is definitely close, but that 66 has the edge.

A lower geared 66 with that weight will be an absolute monster!!  I'm assuming the running gear will be up to it, as A/Scale locomotives do seem to have thought this one out.

I must be good - at least until 'Evening Star' is fully run in - a month should do that, off and on.

I had a similar problem with my streamlined Coronation locomotives when Hornby brought out the 'correct' coaches, with their drag, particularly the Kitchen cars - poor brake and lighting pickup wiper alignment.  I broke a couple of plastic gears before fitting metal ones.

Al.

This is said to be a significantly modified, updated and uprated version of the 'flawed but superb' Hattons H4-66.

My Freightliner 'Patriot' weighs 740g DCC ready (DC operation).

I would guesstimate 'running light' she can probably touch about 120mph scale speed, yet can crawl as well as anything I own - loaded (significantly) she still runs way over 100mph scale - 12x Bachmann HHA bogie wagons each with loads.

The A/Scale model details state overall box weight is 900g, locomotive being 800g - heavier or just an 'approx.'?

They also state a 'scale speed of over 75mph' - as in reasonably, but just over, not hugely like the Hattons' one.

Is the gearing the same as the old Hattons' model, or has it been lowered as implied?

If this is true, does this mean the A/Scale model will have an even greater haulage capacity than the Hatton's 66?  This could be quite an 'interesting dual' for somebody!!

Al.

Looking forward to receiving my 'Evening Star' more than ever - patience is a virtue they say .... erm, OK!

I've my H4-66 Hattons' Freightliner 'Patriot' on the rails at the moment, which had some 'obvious wobble'.  I know this has been resolved in the A/S reiteration - Dapol got it right with the 59 anyway - reasons are obvious and resolution likewise.

I located the worst A/B's, removed, opened out the bogie surround hole, and more-carefully replaced and glued / aligned the A/B's.

She's back to being the 'favourite' she always was, still running superbly and near 'wobble free'.  Curiously there's still something going over points, but this may be through the uneven nature between rails / frogs, etc.

If the A/S is an improvement on this, it'll be quite an amazing model locomotive!!

Al.

WOW!!

The quality of the new locomotives coming onto the market is incredible!

They all look fantastic, but for me they must all function perfectly as well.

Another well known, well-established manufacturer has regularly produced excellent looking models, but their quality control has been questionable the last decade.  Let's hope new manufacturers take this on board.

Al.

My 37 stays on the tracks, on standby, and is often 'called up'.

One criticism only - looks too clean!!

Al.

I recently posted how I was able to 'crawl' a CavAlex 56 on DC operation around my layout (~12' x 5') whilst hauling 14x Bachmann TEA bogie wagons 'plus a few extras' without changing the power setting.

I then started seeing which locomotive could 'really crawl' smoothly.

I didn't want to push the 56 any further, harmless or not, she's still new!!

I replaced with a 'super detailed' Hornby EWS class 60.  This was admittedly over a short distance - I don't have the patience to follow at this speed!!

This is really impressive, so the bar's already been set pretty high by that Hornby 60!!

I 'counted' 20 seconds between one full sleeper (sleeper plus gap).

I tried a Hornby SD 56, but that's too highly geared.

A H4-66 (Hattons 66) performed at least as impressively.

Al.

Thanks for the information.

It managed to 'crawl' at '25 or less' all the way around my track - perhaps 12' x 4' - took around 5-6' !!

Al.

Just found out, by accident that the 56 is the most superb 'crawler' when hauling.  I had mine hooked up to 14x Bachmann bogie TEA tankers + 3x 4-wheeled, whilst trying to figure out how to detail a Dapol Western I'd recently 'won' on a certain auction site.

I just 'pinged the undercab steps on the Western trying to dry test the fitting whilst the 56 was running. 

Amazingly I'd managed to follow the 'falling sounds' of the steps and saw them, so slowed the 56, thought I'd stopped her, but I hadn't.  At Gaugemaster 'D' DC running '22' it was still crawling, perhaps 1 sleeper per second and smoothly!!

Despite the heavy flywheels, which impede very slow running at times I find, this was absolutely superb.  I left her and found she continued, at this speed, without issue for another 2 minutes before I retrieved the steps, and preferred to increase power so as not to overload the motor - very impressive!!

Al.

The Class 66 was due to arrive 'end of Q1' aka late March, but is now delayed, arriving in another 6 weeks' time.

The 31 'batch 1' was due to arrive after the 66, but with the 66 delayed until nearly mid Q2, is the 31 B1 similarly delayed, or will it even be in the same container - it was slated for Q2, and still mentioned as such on the A/S website.

Thanks,

Al.

Ah, but you say you find the whisker .... how do we know?

Just playing.

Seems like a nice and flexible option for these antennae.

Al.

I think we'd better be careful here, both with the mention of if we own a cat - I don't - and the practicalities of their whiskers!!

I'm imagining several cats getting their heads stuck in railings through incomplete whiskers!!

Al.

There seems to be an interest in GWR steam locomotives, when not looking at the many 'industrial' tank engines.  How about a County 4-6-0?  It would be nice to see a high-quality model of this.

I've previously mentioned an interest in:

ex LMS 8F 2-8-0.   True, Hornby have re-introduced their quite reasonable model, but ....

ex LMS Jubilee - many variants.   Bachmann's is nice, but old now, and the really interesting variants are of the even older tooling.

ex LMS Parallel Royal Scot.   Bachmann's is old now.  This would be a superb addition for the enthusiast.

OK, I'm an early member of the 'please bring out an Accurascale BR Class 40' - still waiting ... !!

Other diesels could be the West Country based hydraulics - 35 Hymek, 42/43 Warship and 52 Western.  All 3 of these have a disproportionately large following.  Accurascale variants could be pretty interesting!!

Al.

Said to have been produced to fill in for other 'failing' Type 5 (former classification, but higher power) locomotives, to fill a need for better reliability / higher availability ...

26 years' operation is not too shabby.

What kind of mileage is on the 66's now?  With them being 'reliable' it must be pretty substantial by now!!

Al.

1 hour ago, rob D2 said:

Dammit, they look a bit saucy.

im going to have to make up some excuse of a layout to put some on !

Your layout, your rules - simples!!  ☺️

A very fair and correct response from 97 403 - thank you.

We all have our 'off moments', both pushing some people's buttons and perhaps being more inconsiderate and impatient than they should on a forum.

Operational fans is a nice 'standard feature' to consider on these larger locomotives, but it's still not 100% clear which or how. 

Does it simply relate to 'DCC selectable' or can it be actuated whilst running on DC only?

The 'dip switch option' does seem to be the way forwards - presumably to limit 'spaghetti' inside an already complicated model.

Al.

I was going to say a careful pin drive drill and wire, but toothbrush bristle is a good choice - flexible too.

Could dye it rather than paint it?

Al,

2 hours ago, Phil Bullock said:

Yes hoping we will have them for Winchcombe! 

Does that mean they're arriving about the same time as the 66's?

There was mention on that thread there would be a few more weeks before they arrived.

Thanks,

Al.

I read the last post and was wondering how on earth a model could be 7.5" shorter - but Google and Wiki put me right.  The LMS Garratt was 7.5" longer than the U1, which I admit surprised me!

At least the U1 was 30 tons heavier!!  Both fascinating models.

Al.

That was quite a fair question to ask, and thanks for the reply!

I suppose my poor garage will be in a similar situation - finding an appropriate space for storage!

Next will be what length of train I can realistically run on my own layout - won't remotely approach scale operation, but could be fun!!

Al.

Has the body removal 'issue' of the H66 been resolved?

This was one of the 2 major issues of the H66.

• 1 was the rotating axle boxes issue - the video looks great, and Dapol had no problems with their 59.
• The other was the high probability of 'collateral damage' any time the body needed to be removed - steps, etc.

Thanks,

Al.

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

🙂   🤩😍😍🤩    😀

As I said in a previous post ..... no, I won't!!

There's obviously been some excellent progress - I've lifted out my old H66 in anticipation, still running very well (with the odd little wobble .. !!).

Al.

I'm hoping to be a 'proud recipient' of one of these, when they're finally available.

I'm currently busy looking for extra squirrels to help me!  Don't want to miss out.

Al.

1 hour ago, ERIC ALLTORQUE said:

I hope you were not coached to say that........:)

Well DPD have just text to say there a delay,they will get here at some point,

Looks like we might even turn out to be cool if this lad keeps up

 

This was much better, and entertaining than I had expected.

Alisha came across as a very pleasant person - no reason why not, but no element of 'chip on shoulder' or anything - really good video.

Thanks for sharing.

Al.