atom3624

I think the magic touch required is patience and persistence in your searches ... It all depends which parts of course. I've been after brake rods for Hornby rebuilt MN's and they've appeared at a sensible price - thanks to Clive of AC Models ... There have been other parts which just aren't appearing anywhere, but just keep looking .. never know!! Glad the buffer turned up - had similar experiences in my garage when 'parts have pinged'. Al.

The only place the Thomson one looks 'wrong', apart from dropping a pair of drivers, is the cylinders are too far back for visual 'balance' IMHO. Otherwise, it's growing on me somehow!! I still prefer 'the original'. Al.

Would they even be 'hand assembled'? Small robots and a production line possibly? Somebody stuffed up the torque setting? Al.

Name and number change perhaps? 2007. Al.

Great selection of 'early production' diesel by Kernow and nice-looking model ... Can't decide which variant I like. Black and silver is the most famous one for me, as a lad reading as many railway books as I could find, but the Royal Scot scheme looks quite nice as well .... Al.

I admit the finish can be impressive on some of the older ones - Cadbury Castle for example - but I much prefer the extra detailing and SUPER-smooth operation of the newtool Castles - very impressive machines, like the real articles. I really hated the horrible plastic-gear-rattly noise of the ringfield motors as well - once warmed up, they seemed to go quite well, but once you run a newtool one alongside there's no contest - for me anyway. Al.

Still not a fan of the name .... I suppose it's a bit of a conversation opener .... then killer - literally!! Al.

I was being polite!! When I received my Virgin 43 power/dummy I'd purchased a few 'shorties' before I knew of 'the dilemma', then soon sold on and purchased the 'correct length'. Al.

For me, I like the TPE livery ... just looks snazzy! Al.

I've lost the plot then!! Flicking to the cricket was quite a distraction!! Al.

It's DCC fitted - which I could keep as, if interested (I'm not - too much £££) run DC with the intention of eventually upgrading, or sell on, but I prefer 'the wait' ... Looking at some of the TPE Class 68 names - they're brilliant - not that 'Brutus' isn't, but 'Destroyer', 'Achilles', 'Centaur', 'Superb', 'Enterprise' to name a few !! There might be 'Black Douglas' within FB, but don't get the name. Al.

Nope!! I've got 6 months to find one 'though!! I'll get there. My own fault - I dithered when I purchased my original DRS 68, which I later sold - nothing wrong, just 'moved on with the intention of' ... getting a TPE, eventually, then ... I'll get there - it's obviously Accurascale's fault for bringing these coaches out ... Dapol need to get on the same hymn sheet. Perhaps their run has been exhausted and even the moulds 'moved on' / destroyed .... surely not!! Al.

I would almost think to the contrary. An enthusiast modeller would probably have a specific time period / era and region to model, so may well avoid 100%, whereas your 'normal, run-of-the-mill' enthusiast who 'loves trains' would find it fascinating to the extent of 'must get that one'. Al.

Just bitten the bullet and pre-ordered a rake of Mk.5's - TPE. Al.

I'd come across that FIA Trains before - so good it's let down by the lamp brackets I reckon!! Dapol Class 68? Totally agree - I had a DRS one a few months ago, which I 'moved on' ... intention was to get a TPE one, but they're like hen's teeth!! For Hornby, I also like the Super Detail Class 56. Al.

I'm very impressed with my EWS 60 - very nice model. Al.

As far as other electric locomotives, I enjoyed my original Tri-ang Class 81, with it's larger diameter knurled wheels, but there's been nothing since then in the proprietary market has there? (R753) How about 'the main line electric locomotive which started it all' on the WCML? Just a thought. There was mention of 50 pints of Guinness prising information out in an earlier thread, and Class 83. Al.

I hope so, sounds reasonable. Al.

It's a while back but a bit of surfing has found these photos. I think it's safe to presume the power / dummy cars are the same lengths, so it's obviously the coaches Upper are the shorties, lower the normal / correct length ones - with red springs. Curiously, both have 8 windows - I think the shorties' ones were ... well ... shorter. Looking at other photos, it's not that obvious. Al.

Loads of DRS options, one TPE option - that's what's strange. Of the 34 Class 68's registered in service - according to Wiki - 12 are DRS, 2 are ScotRail, 6 are Chiltern and 14 are TPE. Al.

Still in original packaging, undisturbed - does that mean any / all bearings and moving metal surfaces will be absolutely bone dry then? To pay 50% on top of the already exaggerated going rate, and then have to pull everything apart through lack of maintenance is sort of a kick in the @#$ls quite on top of that price!! Even if I don't currently have a permanent circuit once I receive anything 'mine' I have to open up and 'have a go' - that's what they're made for isn't it? !! Al.

Just found that post. Someone 'asked the question' regarding OO scale - and none left. Sawyer Models. Just visited his online site and it indicates there is one - renamed but not a name I'm interested in. I'm sure something will materialise - perhaps a re-release by Dapol with another name ... Strange how there are so many DRS ones, and so - relatively - few TPE models. Definitely Silly Season on the TPE Brutus - there's a DCC one for GBP200 on Ebay now - in the description it's DCC fitted, but still 'over the odds. Al.

Don't all 'correct length' Mk 3's have red springs, which the shorties don't? Al.

Just noticed this comment on the Hattons website, specifically for 4D-022-014 Brutus: This item has sold out and we are unfortunately unable to obtain any additional stock of this particular product. Al.

If you look at the actual distribution of 68's. TPE are the biggest hitters by some margin, but you wouldn't believe it looking at the models Dapol have issued. I contacted Dapol who said there might be something ... I know nobody there, but no promises. Just a bit short-sighted of Dapol TBH - particularly in view of the interest, and the names - they're brilliant!! I'm holding off, as the speculators are hitting the 'auction site' now, and prices ONLY for the TPE if/when have soared. Al.