atom3624

Isn't the Dapol A4 a cast / metal body as well? That must weigh a (relative) ton!! Al.

I would be surprised if it is pure Zinc, but should be an alloy. Characteristics: Zinc is a bluish-silver, lustrous metal that tarnishes in moist air, producing a layer of carbonate. It is somewhat brittle at room temperature but malleable above 100 oC. It is a fair conductor of electricity, and burns in air with a bright bluish-green flame producing white clouds of the oxide. Too reactive unless coated. Alloys - including ZAMAK: https://www.belmontmetals.com/product-category/zinc-alloys/ Al.

In my recent 'browsing' I came across something comparing an old Tri-ang 'Winston Churchill' I think at ~400g with a H-D / Wrenn rebuilt Bulleid weighing in at ~700g ... 400-450g is typical for Hornby large pacifics, 450-550g typical for Bachmann I find. I think we're looking for that 'win, win' scenario, whereby we have maximum available performance in every aspect - which would include current consumption nowadays. Surely, in increasing weight, we will require more powerful motors at some point, so all may need a rethink in their power supplies, or even locomotive requirements. For reference, in the last 8 months, I had a Bachmann Class 70, which is a really nice model, but with no room for additional weights, weighed in at a paltry 440g - thus would run out of traction pretty early cf. my then Bachmann 66 weighing in at 600g+, with a little additional Pb. Then everything went pear-shaped when I received my Dapol 68 - super smooth, more-than fast enough, and weighing in at 695g!! Prototypical loads are definitely possible without breaking a sweat. I sold the Class 70 as I knew it would annoy me!! Al.

I must admit, from that video, the casting and painting look very crisp - in the photos I had seen, they looked very 'Hornby Dublo' - fantastic at the time, but that's moved on. I'll take back much of what I inferred, but I still believe there's probably a better 'relief' with a good / clever modern plastic moulding. Al.

Glad you got hold of a Brutus - fantastic locomotive. You'll be thinking you'll need 5 sets of coaches just to do Brutus justice - it is POWERFUL!! I had it pulling 25 coaches without a problem just recently! (Just an 'I wonder' moment - could have added at least another 5 but that was impressive enough.) Al.

If that's the reason the shell looked old, tbh, for that money, they can keep it!! Not enough detail, nor fine enough relief, as is expected nowadays. Fran's Deltic's looking MILES better, and here's hoping. Al.

There you go, the Bushmills option then ... and with an 'e' of course. Al.

PLEASE !!! YES !!! It'll be cheaper to produce - virtually no linkages!! Al.

Fran, if the Dapol - sorry to name drop - ultra special version is the Black Label .... What would that make an all-singing-and-dancing Accurascale .... Guinness? Sorry, had to!! Al.

Are there any pink coloured glasses being worn here? Sounds credible, yet fantastic .... or .... Is that just what the 'Deltic' is / was .... FANTASTIC!! Al.

I just looked it up and found the price ..... erm ..... no!! Al.

Imagine if the 4 fans get up to some speed .... If it's not matched that well, there could be some interesting 'beats' !! Al.

I think space will be at a bit of a premium with this model, in view of all of the additional details .... It would be interesting to see possible 'considerations' .... Al.

Again, thanks for the insight. It is fascinating, and hugely different from 'just turning a knob' as some may imply! Another 4 months to go and counting ..... perhaps? !! Al.

All sounding very good. Thanks for the update Fran. Quite a story! Maintaining >100 mph with a single motor - that was pushing it a bit surely - obviously got away with it!! Al.

Wife isn't going to batter me until after Christmas - great!! Another New Year in relative peace!! Accurascale 55, Mk5 Coaches, Class 59, Class 66 coming ... so it's the 66 first then .... In view of the relative similarities - apart from the doors - was the Hattons' delay with the 66 related to the new delay on the 59? Al.

I would like to believe that, but that 100 mph operating maximum 'anywhere straight' has been etched in my memory since I first set eyes on one .... years ago. Just did a little 'Googling' .... and .... OK, all I can say is WOW!! Fran, you've got to make this thing perform, and VERY WELL INDEED!!! http://www.delticsounds.com/deltichowfast.html Al.

It's all gone very quiet on this thread!! Delivery Day's starting to get quite close now isn't it - October still the 'D-Day'? Al.

Rotating fans would be great - but 4 of them? 4 motors? 2 motors linked with gears? It would be very nice 'though - I love 'extra details' - opening doors, glowing instrument dials, driver in #1 end, etc ... Main thing is that it must perform well - decent weight, SUPER smooth low speed, scale load pulling and maximum speeds - Deltic was no slouch! Al.

Come on, an animated driver would be great!! OK, let's leave it to Bachmann. Al.

I like the straight / horizontal driveshafts - that will help will slow speed / smooth running. Al.

I'm just looking forwards to receiving my locomotive once it arrives. As had been mentioned earlier, doubtless Hattons themselves will provide an 'Unveiling' thread to present the new locomotive. Yes, I've ordered a 'Patriot' - fancied a 66 in Freightliner 'Powerhaul' livery, and a nameplate always looks a bit 'more special'. Al.

Pig grunting noise is a bit harsh - it's one thing I like about them, more a 'lubricated guttural rumble'. I was brought up with Black 5's going over the local railway bridge across the main road, to become Class 40's for years, and years .... basically until I moved out .... !! 40 has got to be my general purpose diesel favourite, or equal with the 47, which replaced them 'on the bridge' - there's a nearby power station, presumably coal fired, and it also seemed to be a route to the Liverpool container terminal, so I remember loads of container trains going over ... Al.

Shouldn't there be 2? Anyone see the Deltic being 'moved' last night - some tight squeezes there!! Fantastic beast of a locomotive and can't wait to see the AccuraScale one .... Q2 2020 still? Al.

I reckon it's about time Bachmann start going to etched (see-through) grilles, working fans and opening doors. Perhaps even have the driver bobbing up-and-down, like some items I've had for my lads in the last 10 years .... OK, I'm going a little 'overboard' - and should be left there as well - name's not Bob ... It looks a great model, and I'm glad there's continued development of an already excellent locomotive. The small antennae look more robust than my 37 - fairly recent, older model - Ben Cruachan. What surprises me is the 37's popularity, not just as a model, but in real life - it's active longevity has been quite astounding in view of others which have fallen by the wayside. Al.