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Hello, Yes I agree we're on dangerous off-topic grounds. I see your point about some of the water companies but for every Thames Water there are thousands of successful companies based on the capitalist/shareholder model, we only take notice of the disasters. At the end of the day, companies require investment to exist and grow and that money comes from shareholders who reasonably want a return on their cash. Going back on topic, are the ROSCOs a major problem ? I must admit I don't know too much about them but I often see complaints that leasing costs/terms can be very high for outdated rolling stock and also there are sidings full of decent stock lying idle that have been prematurely replaced presumably at a high cost. I understand that the ROSCOs cannot be nationalised due to their ownership structures, the same applies to the freight companies apparently. I would have have thought that these 2 railway functions would have been a higher priority to nationalise/rationalise than the passenger TOCs ? Dave Dave

Hello, I've never understand why people have problems with shareholders (which may include your pension scheme) making money as without them there'd be no investment or jobs anyway. Looking at the plan (and assuming I understand it) the plans are almost exactly the same as the present government is working towards. I believe that the ROSCOs and freight companies will remain in private hands ? I thought that the ROSCOs were the main thing that needed reform due to leasing costs etc. It does appear that we haven't learnt the lessons of the past that when the railways are dependent on government spending they will inevitably go to the end of the queue. For instance I don't believe the developments carried out by Chiltern (with private money), eg the Oxford link, redoubling of Bicester-Anyho, introduction of extra rolling stock would have occurred in public hands. I suppose I'm a bit cynical but the plan looks to me to be virtually identical to the present trajectory but it will allow the left wing media to have "Railways Renationalised" headlines which will appeal to Labour's potential voters. Dave

Hello, I found this in the Hattons database. The con. rods are yellow but it could just be a chassis swap ? https://www.hattons.co.uk/71194/graham_farish_1008farish_class_08_shunter_08834_in_railfreight_distribution_livery/stockdetail

Hello, I don't know whether any other members of RMWEB subscribe to Popbitch but the exhibition was referred to as "Glastonbury for train sets" in relation to the visit by Hugh Grant. Apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere but I thought it was amusing ! Dave

Hello, In the book "The Great Western Railway Gas Turbines - A Myth Exposed" there's at least a couple of photographs that appear to show MK1s in the formation of trains hauled by 18100 including a shot of "The Bristolian" in April 1952 so a few MK1s would be OK. Dave

Hello, I'm planning to fit a HM7000 decoder too but does anyone know what the rating of the built in speaker is (4 or 8 ohm) please ? I haven't unpacked mine yet so not sure it's in the supplied documentation. Thanks, Dave

Good point and I presume that Hattons had amortised the tooling costs whereas Accurascale have only just acquired the tools. It's still a good price when compared elsewhere. Dave

Although the loco's come with a 15% price increase.

Hello, The moulded handrails for me. The cab handrails are such a significant feature on the 44s compared to class 45/46s that the wire ones would stick out like a sore thumb ! Dave

Hello, Glad you got the problem sorted. The "tongues" are so easy to bend to create shorts. Sorry my description wasn't clear in the first place. The layout sounds very impressive. Dave

Mick, Yes, sorry didn't describe it too well. Sorry that's not the issue, a photograph would be useful if you can get one. Also just in case I was too misleading, I meant the upper 2 tongues (horizontal) that rub on the plate and look a bit like a snakes tongue should be bent away from the male post not the tongues (vertical) that contact the pin. Dave

Hello, I did mention the Chiltern MK3s to Simon Kohler at Warley exhibition when Hornby seemed to be releasing MK3s in every possible livery but he didn't seem interested. I don't think he was aware that there was a set with the original slam doors still running at the time which I assume didn't need any special tooling to produce. Dave

Hello, I've seen similar issues when the tongues on the loco/tender coupling have been bent slightly and touch the centre pin (if you see what I mean). I would check by slightly bending the tongues away from the pin, it doesn't take much for them to come into contact. Dave

Hello, I know these things are subjective, but there's no way that the Hornby Standard 4MT, Rebuilt Scot, Adams Radial, class 71, and King are inferior to the competition, they are actually much superior in my opinion. I would also suggest that the Hornby Lion is better detailed in the chassis region than the Rapido model which basically has a solid block and the Hornby Terrier has better build quality than the Dapol/Rails equivalent. The Austerity and 14xx have been staples of the range for more than 20 years and have appeared with regularity throughout that period so I don't think they are really spoilers either. Dave

Hello, I seem to remember reading an accident report on a freight train derailment (somewhere north of Rugby I think on the GC) that, ironically, it was the introduction of CWR that was at least partially responsible for the increase in wagon derailments in the '60s. Jointed rail apparently provided a "jolt" that prevented the oscillations you describe building up. Dave

Hello, It's based on the former Lima model so no doubt is based on a continental prototype. It doesn't look very British at all, especially the runner. Dave

Hello, I believe it's the cover to the radiator for cooling the turbine lubricating oil. I seem to remember that Hornby said they would make it "poseable" but obviously didn't. Dave

Hello, I wonder if the brake van is necessary since the MK2e will be fitted with air brakes only and the MK1 may be vacuum braked only ? In that case the train will be running as partially fitted ? Dave

Hello, Just to say Replica produced sets of the long frame MK1 suburbans in green and maroon/crimson, I think they may still be available as kits (in the sense of clip together parts). Dave

David, Thanks for all the superb pictures and for taking the time to post them, this topic is always my first port of call when I look at RMWEB ! Apologies if this has been mentioned before, but if the photograph in JVol4051 is taken from the GN viaduct then the junction in the picture is actually Bennerley Junction which existed until relatively recently and was latterly the junction for an opencast loading plant but was originally the junction for the line to Nottingham via Watnall. Ilkeston Junction is a mile or so further south. Again, thanks for all the great pictures and hope this information is useful. Dave

The Brighton Belle is a Wrenn creation not Hornby Dublo, perhaps confusing it with the suburban EMU ? Dave

Hello, Marylebone was the last London terminus (I think !) to be resignalled in 1990/1, that must be up there with the last major stations to have mechanical signalling I suppose. Dave

Hello, I remember as a very young child being very impressed with the detail and printing on a Mainline blue/grey MK1 RB from the early '80s when compared to the Hornby coaches I owned. I think that Mainline, and to a slightly lesser degree Airfix, were the "game changers". It took Hornby 20+ years and a move to China to catch up to their standards I think. Dave

Hello Thanks for the reply and Information. I thought it might have been something like that for PW staff etc but I've not seen anything like it before. Thanks Dave

Hello, Great photo's as ever, thanks for all your effort in providing us all with such great shots. Out of interest, what's the light blue coloured box for on the pole in C1964 for, does anyone know please ? Dave