AustinJames

Hi folks, not being well-versed in the modern image area of UK motive power I figured this would be best to ask here. I recently ordered and received one of the Hornby Class 395 train packs, I believe it's the 2009 set (R2821). Finding the appropriate coaches (R4382 and R4383) to that specific set hasn't been the easiest task, so I'm thinking of picking up the currently available add-on two-pack for the Hornby Visitor Center version of the Javelin. I know that these have different coach numbers, but is there any other significant differences that I can't immediately see from stock product images? I can live with incorrect coach numbers and would re-number them eventually, but I'd like to get that prototypical-length train.

Interestingly, Rails has Victory listed as coming with "Etched works plates fret with all 10 works numbers" which may be old/inaccurate information. I plan on ordering a proper numbered works plates from LRS though for the ROD.

My order from Rails made it to the states, and I am incredibly happy with the model! I'm working on a Scale Scenes dockside boxfile kit for it to shunt on, but for now it happily goes up and down a test track. I recently removed a next18 ESU sound decoder from an Oxford Rail Dean Goods and decided to fit it into the Victory to see how the performance was of both the model and speaker. No complaints about the speaker quality and the model ran very well (despite the chuff rate being very off, a simple CV fix). Would anyone be able to suggest a sound profile for the Victory, perhaps from a vendor that will just sell the sound profile rather than needing to purchase both a decider and profile? I have a Lokprogrammer and can re-blow ESU decoders if necessary. I'm also wondering if I could just get away with the Dean's sound profile or if it would be much too different from Victory's chuff and whistle? My knowledge of the sound differences of UK Outline steam is rather limited. Edit: Just came across the Wheeltappers offering for the Victory, might just bite the bullet for that following the holidays!

Many thanks! As I understand, the LROD or trench railways wouldn't have run with lights/lamps as they would've been too close as a target, but I'm not sure that standard gauge ROD trains ever got that close to the front, at least on a regular basis. There is one photo of an ROD 2-8-0 with a group that has lamps fitted on the top of the smoke box and the corners of the bufferbeam. Although, this particular photo may have been taken before going overseas, but I am unsure. Then there is the book 'Railways and War Before 1918' by Denis Bishop and Keith Davies that has wonderful information and illustrations of rolling stock and locomotives used, both standard and narrow gauge. Some of the standard gauge illustrations there are lamps definitely fitted on the bufferbeam of at least three locomotives. Granted, these are illustrations and the book was published in 1972, but this and the 2-8-0 photo also have me considering that my models may need lamps.

I just received the dispatch email from Rails for the ROD variant, excited to finally have it once it makes the journey to the US!

Hi all, please forgive me if this is the wrong forum and for what may be a very simple question. I've been collecting and running some ROD locomotives in OO as I've become very interested in WWI and the operations of the ROD (and the light railways as well) since the centennial a few years back. I'd like to add lamps to the front of the locomotives as they look rather bare, but I understand that the position of the lamps has significance in relaying what the train is supposed to be. I've seen charts detailing the different lamp positions and what they mean, but I'm wondering if the trains being operated by the Railway Operating Division in France/overseas would have used the same lamp codes or would there be any significant differences? I'm in the US and mostly model 1950s steam in HO so I'm still learning the different operating procedures of railways overseas, but I couldn't find anything about this particular subject. I'd greatly appreciate any information, thank you! James