atom3624

Modelu crew now painted and inserted into my 56. Al.

Don't forget - not our problem, agreed - a certain other 'provider' has disappeared off the supplier front recently. For one part this would have been a pleasant surprise for Rails I've no doubt, but has probably given a sudden increase in orders and responsibilities / commitments they weren't anticipating - possibly. I've used them a lot since I reappeared on the model railway scene, after a 30-year hiatus, and invariably have had excellent and fair service from them. Al.

Are Cavalex sold on 'modern image', or is there a steam option? TT120 is possibly a market to look into. Alternatively, how about increasing people's interest in OO9? With the increased accuracy / detailing of recently produced locomotives and rolling stock, modellers may be looking more closely on reality / what would railways have done here / there / wherever, and perhaps there's an option for OO9? Just a thought. Al.

Just couldn't resist!! I tried! One of my first diesels 55 years ago was a Hornby Class 31, 'serviced' more often than a Formula 1 car if I remember!! Most of the time I got it right as well! When A/S mentioned they'd be supplying newly tooled ones, I just had to get one. I've held off for various reasons, then found them selling out. I've just caught one at Colletts, so there's another reiteration of an old favourite coming to the stables!! Al.

Having received a 56, currently circulating as I write, I'm waiting for my 60, with increasing impatience!! Very curious to see just how much extra detailing it will have cf. the still excellent Hornby model. Al.

I've several of the Hornby 'super detail' locomotives, and have encountered various 'issues'. One even kept shedding / breaking wires at nearly every solder point and needed virtually all resoldering. Light contacts are one known problem, but can either be 'realigned' or simply replaced by 'hard wiring' or sockets. I love the fans working and haven't encountered the 'poor running problems' some complain about, so where possible, mine have the fans working. I also like the opening doors - permits additional 'yard options / poses'. Having said all of that, the CavAlex 56 is just in another league - super smooth and a very strong performer and that detailing is as all have said, fantastic - I'm loving the 'see through roof vents' as well. With all of those superb details, nothing has fallen off, and handling is not considered 'an option' but something which can be done with confidence. Removal / replacement of the body is also just so easy as well. Al.

Yippee!! Be very careful of any adjustments, you'll probably know, but it's obvious anyway - those screws are tiny and fragile. I have found with the Hornby plastic-centred wheels that I can 'gently force' the spigot (??) to the angle I require - very slight change required only. I tried it once with a Bachmann Jubilee, before I realised the wheel was all metal - one replacement wheel set later .... my fault!! B.R. 60700 W1 has been a recent addition for me, early logo. The Walschaerts return crank is perfectly centred!! No valve movement at all!! The way out I found, as the crank was so 'elbows out' was to partially flatten it, to ensure it's enough 'off centre' and hey presto, the valvegear's moving. I'm leaving alone now! Al.

Thanks for the - typically - fast reply and update. 66 approx. during March, and following the above, then Deltics in June, which also implies 50's in August!! Excellent news and thank you. Al.

Does this mean the Deltic will arrive before, after or around the same time as the Sheds? Getting close now, for both of them .... YIPPEE !!! Al.

Nice relatively tight gap between locomotive and tender too. I would say it's the weathering effect of the heat in the boiler fading the locomotive green slightly, if anyone asked!! Is there any way you can better-centre the speedo? If they're plastic-centred wheels, I have done this on several locomotives - a pet peev of mine! Al.

Just came across this video - quite interesting (might have been posted in this thread earlier on, but I've not seen it if it was): Al.

There was mention earlier on of a video of somebody with a DC-only 56 with fans working. Has anybody running DC only got their fan(s) working? Al.

That's a very good, and very critical point - could even push off the rails I suppose in extreme circumstances, so a fine balance may be required on occasion, thus good illumination was essential. Al.

Possibly inner blinds, like A/S did for their 92? Al.

Quite interesting and I hadn't noticed before that Bertha's main lamp has a fairly substantial cant downwards - I thought it was more parallel to the rails than that. Al.

Wow, this thread has taken off!! I fed the word 'floating' in my initial comments a few pages back, to ensure those who do understand could - as stated above that there's minimal weight on the non-powered axle, effectively meaning the stability is there, but also there's a higher axle load on those which are powered than if she were all wheel drive, so traction should be excellent, which it is. Look, each to their own. If the thought of axles powered in 1:1 are not powered disturbs, then so be it - their money, their model. For me, I like looking at models close up, but will probably never see that the centres are not powered. The model is absolutely superb. Fit, finish, detail, paint joins are fantastic and finish even more so. My 56 is a keeper for me and I'm looking forwards to the 60 coming out. Al.

The H66 IS ~700g or more if I remember correctly - heavy! State the obvious, a powerhouse like the 'Shed' should have good performance all-round, as Hattons had succeeded in doing. This should include traction and pulling power. Al.

Is the A/S uprated H66 still going to be built using depleted Uranium? H66 came in at 2nd to your own Class 55 Deltic! Al.

It is .... 254mm !! Mine just arrived this morning. Al.

Is the Class 60 going to be the A1A - A1A format as per the Class 56? Al.

Showing my ignorance here, can somebody point me in the right direction of colours for the Modelu CavAlex 56 90's locomotive crew please? I've a 56 070 winging it's way to me, and have just ordered the crew. Looking quickly at Google, the classic-uniformed Bachmann ones look to be bearably acceptable as well - I've a few of these who can fill in in the meantime. Another question - sorry. Which is the #1 end please? I seem to be seeing more people putting the fan end as #1, is this correct? Thanks, Al.

Understood and agreed. I thought he meant the outermost carriage box, not the CavAlex. I understand now the 'twin pack' is clearer to me. I'm sure 'certain arrangements' can be made between seller and purchaser if considered necessary. Al.

When boxes have been way too big - presume you mean the outer carriage box - I trim them down to 'more reasonably sized' whilst still permitting room for protective packaging as well - just a suggestion. Al.

Try SCX 1/32 slot cars' method - works well but might not with 10x the weight. Al.

Should have a starring role in 'a real version' of Thomas the Tank Engine' - modern equivalent of Class 42 'Diesel 10'!! (Anyone not familiar, current 'latest cartoon' versions are no longer made for 5 - 100 years olds, but 1 - 4 year olds - really an insult to a genuine institution ... rant over!) Al.