Mike Harvey

Daryle, by any chance do you know what the future is for the N scale range?

For the EFE range the first 3 digits represent the shape/type and the last two are an ascending sequential series broadly in order of release. So the higher the last two digits, the more recent is the model. These are the numbers for the original and improved versions, excluding the 4 prototypes RM1/2/5 and CRL4 and the single decker. EFE 315xx RM (old version 156xx) old 178xx/179xx RM open top 317xx. RMC (old version 256xx) 318xx RMA 319xx RML (old version 255xx) 321xx RMF 331xx RMC open top (platform doors) 385xx RMC open top 362xx RMA with trailer 389xx RCL Bachmann 423xx RML

There is a message on another board on RMWeb to say that most of the R Parker 00 range has been taken over by John Day Models (Daryle Tonye) and will be absorbed into the John Day range gradually.

There are some anglers O rings which come out at 3.7mm diameter, with a 1mm cross-section. Probably suits the Cortina better.

Getting inside bearing wheelsets to roll requires a combination of design, material choice, testing and manufacture to the required tolerances. Every HotWheels model car has inside bearing axles albeit usually with wheels free to revolve on the axle. I can think of at least two continental N gauge manufacturers who have failed spectacularly with getting pinpoint axles to revolve freely - LSModels on their French stainless steel stock and Belgian Railtour/couchette stock, and Piko with their first generation SNCF Corail open stock. Piko made replacement bogies available, and LSModels just ignored the issue.

These might help the appearance, but probably still too big. https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/dm17600.html

I think one of the things that exaggerates the problems is the use of rubber tyres with the wrong profile. Often too square for more modern vehicles. Not really an excuse in N where the wheels are a moulding including the tyre.

Mid 2020 according to this report. https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=46623.0

Also make sure the drive bogies are fully clipped in to place so the gears mesh cleanly.

Can anyone confirm that not all of the GN fleet had the large vents when new? I seem to remember the second half of the fleet having smaller vents from delivery. That would make it easier for RevolutioN to cover the original blue/grey livery for them.

I lived at Welwyn Garden City when the 313s were introduced. I was aware of the larger roof vents on the earliest members of the fleet, which could even be seen from viewing on the platform. Someone will know which numbers had/have the much larger vents. Back in 1977 I made a static 313 from three MTk Mk 2 coach kits reusing the sides with chamfered ends, and inset doorways, floor and gangway ends suitably reshaped.The sides were plasticard and the ends were a built up plasticard set up with a clear base shaped to fit the MTK chamfered end. Wish I knew where it went. In 1977 I started in French N and have stayed with it for 42 years, though I have a lot of modern UK stuff too now largely inspired by RevolutioN’s model choices.

The 00 thread is here. The embedded link throws up a two axle timber wagon image. And ironically the title does not mention 00 gauge. :-)

The space saving characteristics of N come to the fore, because iin N we do run MUs in multiple, so multiple purchases make sense. Class 66s haul long trains which need multiple wagons. And RevolutioN offer multiple running numbers from the start.

I fitted Dapol’s new NEM working Scharfenberg couplers to a Farish Class 350. These couple and uncouple easily and in the dark under the gangway could pass for Dellners. Not a good operating proposition on tight curves because the 350 does not have kinematic close couplers, so the coupled cars have the equivalent of a long bar coupler from bogie centre to bogie centre. A similar technical arrangement to the Dapol couplers would work fine for the Class 320/321s Tightlocks. They couple and uncouple with very gentle pressure, and the Revolution units will have close couplers.

About the only use I have found for Shapeways Versatile Plastic is the chassis adaptor for my motorised Oxford Diecast New Routemasters where the resilience of the material allows it to snap into place without damage. I think this is what NTrain use. Probably not a big issue if the body is being treated to a vinyl overlay like some of the EMUs, but less useful for a bus body where the final livery is going to be painted. I think the Titan B15 is going to be a challenge to complete with a good finish.

I would like to think that some of the issues raised relate purely to the EP being undecorated. The sequence and process of adding colour will change perception of the relationships between the various sections, as well as changing their actual size and shape on the model. The main problem for me is the size of the lighting nacelles. Hopefully the Bachmann experts with sort out what is needed.

Oxford's new Globe magazine shows 40 new items being released this week - 11 in 1/148 (4 from new tooling), 4 in 1/43, and the rest in 1/76 (1 new tooling, and 1 dealer special). End of September/beginning October will see the announcement of the first batch of new items for 2020.

The non-magnetic ones are ref: NEMCOUP A simple web search found them in stock at several retailers.

I have these two rather nice Tomica Isuzu Minx models - 1/64 I think.

That van is 1/76 not N. Easy mistake to make. :-)

Just under a year from announcement to arrival is an impressive timescale, accepting that Sonic Models were already well on with the wagon when it was first announced. Well done to RevolutioN and the Sonic team.

Good question. It only ever sat on a length of straight track in my office, but I seem to remember the inner bogie pivots were on pivoting subframes. I am sure someone will still have access to one.

There was an H0 scale model of the French wagon produced for one of the industry partners involved in nuclear transport (NTL). From memory the one that used to sit in my office was a trade gift from Bombardier.

On the positive side Oxford have 8 out of the 10 in the 1/76 range, plus the HB Viva which was replaced at the beginning of the decade. Only the Hillman Avenger is totally missing. A similar performance for all post war decades in 1/76 would be a major achievement. Seeing them in 1/148 scale would be a longshot in my opinion.

Pity the Citroen H is 1/87.. Being a resident of Dover in the 1940s to 1970s I was very familiar with the H and its other dustbin colleague the 2CV fourgonette. Every cross channel ferry had one or both, though when dispersed to the hinterland and beyond that certainly made them a rare beast. From what I recall they were popular with the wine trade and antiques traders so might not have got far beyond London or Brighton.