Typeapproval

I know my opinion counts for very little, however I must confess to being entirely 'Underwhelmed' by the majority of the Hornby Range and the 2024 releases do nothing to increase my interest. A return to toy trains (the Beatles, various 0-4-0s etc.) is interesting. unfortunately the price/cost hardly reflects their worth. For some time I have thought how, sadly the once magnificent brand (and not just them!) has changed. I recently came across a Hornby SR brake van that had a totally invisible interior! The cost in both development time and construction must have reflected in the retail price (unknown to me) and was in truth totally pointless! As I have suggested elsewhere on this site, perhaps if manufactures produced "Models" and "Super detail Models" that way all "Collectors and Modellers" could be served. The quality of Hornby "Railroad" range is pretty good all things considered (My first Loco was a Triang Princess which compared to the HD Tank of many colours was pretty good) and for those who actually want to see a train running on a model railway (or even just a circle of track on the table) quite acceptable. I'm afraid I'm old enough to remember the release of Triang TT models and the fanfare that accompanied it. I have an uncomfortable feeling the latest Hornby "TT 120" might be an attempt to save the brand (Hornby) and equally is doomed to failure. Yes in comparison to the all singing all dancing electronics of today the LIMA pancake motors were a little rough, but via specialist dealers (Peters Spares etc.) parts are still available. Try getting a replacement motor for a two year old, out of the catalogue, loco today! Is complication necessarily better? Is detail that is invisible really necessary? The "Graham Farish" OO Pullman's with clearly visible tables etc. were a big step from Rovex 'Shorties' but invisible interiors to guards vans?

So Sad, From the adds in the Railway modeller when I was much younger I've considered the deals by Hattons worth a second look. In later life I've had very happy contact with them. As others have said how nice to talk to a real person without having to 'Press 1-2-3' before I got there. Very best wishes to all the employees and management.

Hi, My ambition is to actually achieve something! Unfortunately I have my own "Road to Hell" plenty of good intentions but little real progress. The need for Procrastination has to be reduced to an absolute minimum! I remember once coming across a description (Probably by Mr Freezer) of the "armchair modeller"! Sadly it fitted like a glove! I'm running out of excuses, I have the time! I have the rolling stock etc.! Very little need for expenditure (after 'Collecting' for all these years) Just the impetus is lacking. Sadly I allow minor bumps in the road to become reasons to "Pause for Thought"! (back to the armchair). Good luck to all for 2024, May you all arrive in December and say "That was a Good year". Regards David.

Hi, thanks for that. I rather thought that was probably the case, I remember many cases of 'Same item, Different paint job!" Any Idea when that was made? I thought that "Badge Engineering" died out with Wrenn! I've been away from Railway Modelling for a while. Lima kit wasn't all bad, they produced some models that though less than perfect (far from) were a change from the usual. The Crab was one my buddy who was into LMS stuff enthused about and the J50. When I look at the latest model its easy to see the huge improvement (and Price) that has happened. The Triang SR EMU was one model I admired, the latest stuff is in a different category. Amazing how technology has allowed things to move forward. Regards David.

Hi, as a newcomer to the world of things "Sarf of the Thames" I have enjoyed reading the older posts on the "Southern Railway Group". Whilst idling on a well known site, (Looking for entirely East of England stuff, Sorry!) I came across a "LIMA SR horse box" Having read that over the years there has been a shortage of SR rolling stock, I wondered if this was a representative offering or one of the items available in all the colours of the companies? I remember Graham Farish producing some very nice wagons, which were marked as any one of the 'Big Four' and BR. I have recently discovered some printed rolling stock for the GER (All praise to the manufacturer) and wondered if a similar industry was occurring for Southern modellers? David.

Hi, I'd like to add my good wishes to all. As Legend says "Another year of enjoyment from RMWeb"! I have very much enjoyed the exchanges and information. Many thanks and hope the next twelve months are at least as good. Kind regards David.

Hi, I think the last few posts are really the sort of area I was talking about. YT-1300 is obviously a happy person in their modelling, as is CKPR. I visit many areas on RMWEB, there are a few where very specific areas are discussed, (Sadly most are several meters over my head) As I have repeated, I don't wish to spoil anyones fun! I think my ambition is "Middle of the Road Modelling". I have read (I refuse to say where) a contributor saying that as the new XYZ has an incorrect number of rivets on the tender "I shan't waste my money!" We (unless we are extremely fortunate) all have to decide where our hard earned is going to end up. If that person was so disappointed that he withheld his purchase, entirely their choice! Perhaps he is one of the people mentioned in one of the posts for whom detail accuracy is the primary reason for making decisions I wish them well. As somebody who buys a model to use on a layout where the super detail is all but invisible, as Hroth has said "Passing Time" changes the 'View' of things. I appreciate the skill of the model makers skill, sadly I don't have a drive to experience it for myself. I dare to suggest manufacturers could produce detailed models and "Super Detail" models at a premium price. They would benefit from the reduced production costs of the 'Detailed' models and the increased markup on the 'Super Detail'. I have removed the batteries from my hearing aids! I suspect the increased decibels of anger from many will probably rattle the windows across the nation! Hornby had a stab with "Railroad" but unfortunately used the idea to try to (in my opinion!) fob off old stock. My radical idea is far from that! I shall observe the outpouring of anger and decide if its even worth re-entering the debate. David.

Co-op own brand Crackers ! DRY! the only way to eat them! I don't think I will offend Gilbert if I say that's not really what many think of as a 'Model Railway'! I'm pleased that the simplicity of running "Trains" round the track is enjoyable. I don't believe that my opinion should reduce the pleasure. If we look at some of the pioneers of what we now call "Railway Modelling" whose idea was to cover every inch with track completely ignoring anything other than the trains, No buildings, tunnels etc. would we say they had any less pleasure than some of the super detailed miniature landscapes I've been privileged to see at exhibitions over the years. The model often quoted as being the "First Model Railway", 'The Madder Valley', was never going to be honestly described as a "Scale Model"! The sheer mixture of stock if nothing else would preclude that. But I find it hard to think anyone but the most hardened "Rivet Counter" would argue it was less than amazing considering the materials available, the situation at the time of construction etc. I think my memories of the great "Railway of the Month" in RM, (Buckingham, Lydney, Charford etc.) suggest that we have moved considerably in the supply of RTR stock, When Hornby introduced "Barnstaple" the great majority of us were delighted. it wasn't perfect, but it looked the business. When I read that the cab window on 'XYZ' is 1mm too short (3 scale inches in OO) I wonder if the complainant has actually stood back and watched it run past pulling a train. As I said the motor in my Triang Princess was decidedly iffy! however it was and still is available as a replacement part, I have recently read of much more up to date locos relegated to the shelf or even the bin as the all singing all dancing motor has failed and is "NO LONGER AVAILABLE"! Perhaps the issue of reliability and life time and indeed the supply of spare parts is something the majority of customers are unconcerned about. We are after all in a throw away world. In my career in the motor industry, I argued many times with 'Wizz Kid' designers that making things more complex was unnecessary! A simple wire from a pressure switch directly to the brake lights worked just as well as by taking it to an electronic control box. it just used less components. I fear the belief that making it more complex makes it better is very common. Yes in the perfect world nobody would ever get anything wrong, with all the modern equipment from scanning to automated production, it is in theory the case that every item would be perfect. Yes when the manufacturer gets it wrong it is right to criticise (But Constructively) and point out the error. My initial reason for this post is not to denigrate anyones honestly held opinion, I suggest that the issue is as simple as those who want something as good as possible for an affordable price that will act as intended, and those for whom this level is not good enough. David.

Hi, Sorry if I've put a cat in the bird cage! I'm very much a "Cream Cracker" person, that and the occasional 'Rich Tea"!

Hi, As a now retired, to use the phrase that fronted the "Railway Modeller" magazine for many years "The Average Enthusiast" I'm hoping to find a section in this esteemed site, where I don't feel like a second-class citizen as my interest is in having 'Acceptable' models to run on my model layout. I have frequently come across people who "Collect" models with no intention of ever opening the box! If that's their thing (Not Mine) good luck. I should point out this is not restricted to models, I attended a Motorcycle Show a while ago, I admired a pristine BSA, when I asked the owner how it went? He looked incredulous! then explained there were no internals to the Engine! his interest was taking it to shows, for it to be admired🤔. I understand that we all have our own interest and my personal choice is not necessarily that of many others. When my father gave me my first layout (not a train set!) the locomotive was a Triang Princess, the detail was in the 1950s amazing! there was an interior to the cab! Ok it had moulded handrails! but it looked like the loco it represented. The motor however definitely left a lot to be desired! Since then the manufacturers have made huge steps forward. I honestly believe the models of today are fantastic. However the amazing underfloor detail is completely invisible as the train moves around the layout. The fantastic detail of the printing on the manufacturers plate on the chassis of the coal wagon is completely unreadable at three feet, as I watch it roll slowly past. I accept the Hornby 4 and 6 wheel coaches weren't exact scale models, the same being true of Hattons Genesis offering, but as a person who's skills are lacking they fill a need. Perhaps a small amount of gratitude instead of persistent criticism, might encourage development. I am not suggesting that we should revert to the bad old days of the Hornby Dublo N7 tank, in the liveries of all four companies, but to be quite as critical as some members of RMweb are of manufacturers is in my opinion over the top. I'm not proposing that we humbly accept any output from the big boys of the trade! Glaring errors either accidental or otherwise, should be raised but I do believe the balance has to be appropriate. From a purely selfish point of view, if manufactures reduced the amount of time nit picking, maybe they could introduce more diverse stock. The forthcoming release of the J69 will fill the wishes of many, there are plenty of items that appear on wish lists for years that would be welcomed. I sincerely hope to find others of "The Average Enthusiast" class to discus modelling to my level, I strive to produce models to the best of my ability, I accept that I'm no Peter Denny, but I enjoy what I do. David.

Hi, thanks for that, I guess like most of us north of the Thames, I originally thought all Southern Railway locos were green. Glad I found this forum, very interesting. So from reading the last posting, black locos were a late arrival on Southern rails.

Hi, since I found this Special Interest forum, I have seen many interesting posts. Not an area I really know about as I am an Eastern/Great eastern area guy. I saw information about a LSWR loco the 'G6'. when I looked into the history I came across several photos. My question is probably something already covered elsewhere. Obviously the photos are only black and white. During the "Southern Railway" era were these loco finished in the various greens or were they "Goods Black". The Great Eastern had the famous Blue which was restricted to passenger locos and Black for goods, even within the same class (Y14 (J15)) for example. I wondered if the same situation applied elsewhere.

Thank you for the information. I have been looking through some old holiday photos from the 1950s and 60s and came across a picture of a railwayman walking through Weymouth ahead of a train. unfortunately the image is rather out of focus and I can't make out anything of the loco.

I'm aware of LSWR/GWR at Weymouth, was it a "Joint" line or one with running powers? I remember seeing Southern Region trains going through the streets to the dock.

Hi, I followed the advice from RichardT and have downloaded the publication from the 'RCTS'. Extremely interesting, informative and excellent value for the modest cost. To anyone in a similar position to me, I would strongly suggest investigating the RCTS publications. Regards David.

Wow! I knew someone would be able to point me in the right direction, but the complete story provided by RichardT is well beyond my expectation. Very many thanks. Sadly I don't have access to the publication Richard suggested (RCTS Green Bible vol.1) but I most certainly will be trying to find a copy. The question was prompted by seeing two completely different locomotives. The rather elderly 'Mainline J72' and the 'Accurascale J69'. The former is in Apple Green, marked LNER and numbered 581, the forthcoming Accurascale is marked L&NER numbered 359. I'm not sure the green J72 was a genuine livery, but it has been around some years. The Great Northern mainline from Kings Cross was literally at the bottom of my back garden when I was a child. By then the locos were all (as far as I can remember) carrying British railways five digit numbers, most had the first emblem or the full wording "British Railways" (in most cases all but obscured by filth) with a livery which I can best describe as Khaki! There were exceptions, I vividly remember standing on the platform at Harringay West as a north bound "Streak" in the blue with black and white stripe livery flew past! Regards David

I'm hoping that someone can tell me when the "And" was dropped from the numbering on L&NER locomotives. As I read it the rebranding of locos from the constituent companies (GCR, NE, GER etc.) started fairly quickly after the grouping. Initially some locos were rebranded with the 'and' between the "L" "N" (L&NER) but fairly soon became simply "LNER". Any information as to the actual start date of the initial rebranding, (which must have caused some resentment in the previously independent companies.) and the subsequent decision to delete the 'And' would be very gratefully received. Also the start of renumbering by adding a prefix? Again I would guess it was resisted as an imposition by a "Foreign" organisation. Regards David.

Hello Just received my W&U tramcar from Rapido, Excelent secure packaging, Well presented in its box, which includes am "Owners Manual" containing useful information about the Model. All in all worth the wait and cost. Regards David.

Hi Paul, Never have too many Middy fans. I see like our friend "Bungus" your planning the later years, after some serious thought of doing the same I did opt to head back in time. The period leading upto the Great War (1910 - 1914) has always been an interest of mine. (I need to confess to being a military modeller in addition to my model railways. I previously had a "Moving Diorama" of the trench railway of 1917, using the Bachmann equipment appropriate to the case). As I said earlier, in my world following the MSLRs financial problems, it was agreed the GER would run the "Needham Branch" from the off. To that end, The Genesis coaches are looking good, I have two E22 locos in blue and though not regularly seen on MSLR metals, a S56 from Accurascale on order. On a "Well known auction site" I have spied some 3D GER wagons very reasonably priced, which with a little effort I believe can dress up rather well. I'm very disappointed that Hornby are unlikely ever to produce a Y14 version of their J15. Perhaps one day I shall have the courage to attempt to butcher one to backdate it. I have seen some brilliant conversions so I know its possible its just my lack of skill that disturbs me. My problem at the moment is life keeps getting in the way of my hobby. I fear it will be a while before I'm far enough forward to be "Photo ready" but I live in hope🤔 Carry on rewardless, Regards David.

Sound like a Foxy Job! If it can keep below the eye line of Dr B!. About time the Middy got some coverage, I doubt it will over take the GWR branch lines but it has scope to entertain. Kind regards David.

Bad news! He dosent take cards or PayPal. Bank transfer only! I might try alternative plan "B" or just 'Look big!' My mum said there would be days like this! Regards David.

Oh dear, I was afraid of that! Thanks for the information. I feel an Email coming on! Regards David.

Hi, initially I thought I was ploughing a lone furrow, Its reassuring to see another. The roof: I carefully filed off 90% of the resin after removing the finials. Then overlaid using 'Slaters' corrugated plastic sheet and a ridge of 'Evergreen' angle. The illustrations in either of the books show the roof panels simply butted together so no "dividers" are required. I discovered that my wife's Silicon glue worked best on the two dissimilar materials (She a crafter) of Resin and Plastic sheet. The Bargeboards are fabricated from plastic strip. The Grey is easily reproduced using 'Hycote' Grey Primer. I have adapted the track plan from "Thaxted" station. As my location is fictitious (The Village of "Akenfield" only existed in the book of the same name) I had no qualms about it not being a copy of any of the MSLR stations. Of course by 1950 the line was almost totally the preserve of the J15 and the Hornby model is pretty good. Coaching stock is more problematic. Plenty of good RTR freight wagons available though. I hope this helps. Regards David.

Hi, Sadly I only just read the previous posts about problems with Deliveries by Modelmaster dating back to July 2021. I have been waiting some time for and order (Placed 03/10/23) which I now have concerns about. Please can I ask wether anyone else is in my situation? I have refrained from contacting MODELMASTER JACKSON EVANS, I am always disposed to believe the best of people and still have hopes of receiving my order. There's a request for patience on the logon page which initially sounded reasonable. Unfortunately I am now having doubts. Any information to either reassure or depress me welcome. Regards David.

Hi, Not strictly a "Problem", however as this seems to be a location to get expert advice on the Hornby J15 I thought it worth asking. I have two J15s, One, the LNER 'Low roof' and a early/first logo BR. My query is wether I am just unlucky or if its a known "characteristic" of the model? On both models the 'Right hand Cab Footstep' has fallen off. I appreciate it is easy to refit it, I'm just curious🤔 Regards David. PS. For many years I worked in the motor industry. No manufacturer ever has "Faults" with their vehicles! Only "Design Characteristics"🤫.