SamThomas

40 minutes ago, WM183 said:

So you did! My apologies.

Reading is hard. Whoops.

No need to apologise - I was a little abrupt TBH.

10 hours ago, WM183 said:

Yes, except many UK retailers no longer ship to the EU.

If you re-read my comment you will see that I was referring to EU to UK only.

On 30/04/2021 at 08:27, WM183 said:

and for those in the UK modelling continental railroads, yet more barriers which may also prove impossible.

 

No problem at all - just order from a UK retailer, pay a little more than MSL and relax knowing the importers/manufactires will have already done the admin'.

6 hours ago, WM183 said:

Sam: I will try to only get the K suffixed fleischmann wagons then, or the nice Brawa ones! They're nice, but seem worth it.

 

There are some Fleischmann wagons that have the correct buffer spacing that don't have NEM pockets - IIRC, the wide spacing buffer wagons also tend to have metal chassis.

I have a set of these Roco coaches which already have factory fitted lights (with bulbs).

Running DCC some of the bulbs have failed so I need to replace them - while the coaches are apart I'll retrofit LED strips & "stay alives", also, I may as well fit some passengers.

The problem is getting into them - I've tried springing the coach sides out but don't want to use too much force - does anyone know for certain how to gain access please ?

K suffex denotes close coupling & NEM pockets.

The wide buffer spacing was typical of models produced at the time.

Some locomotives also "sat" higher too.

"Old" Flesichmann (with the 3-pole motor) will run forever with no more attention required than an occasional oil/clean & carbon brushes.

"Old" Roco - either a good one or a bad one, running wise.

"Old" Piko - avoid locomotives - some rolling stock good but it depended on what factory made it (East German was a sort of co-operative).

New Piko is generally good - however, IMHO the differences between Hobby, Expert & such do not always make sense.

Brawa is nice but delicate, not very good on replacements parts.

Hornby Rivarossi/Jouef/Lima is good - some of the last products from this group before Hornby are also good.

Spares for Fleischmann/Roco & Piko are pretty good for models under 10 years old.

Some of the smaller manufactures produce some nice (& sometimes rare) models, such as LS Models, Acme, Hobbytrade.

Comments based on my own experience.

The FLM 4460's are very, very different - I have both versions.

The early one (as shown in the box) is, AFAIK a model of the experimental unit & was available with extra coaches.

The later one tilts & the bogie design totally different.

The ICE-2 bogies may be a closer fit.

Hope this helps.

I've been a lifetime railway modeller from the "oval of track on the living room carpet" days to the present.

Currently running HO European Fleischmann, Roco, Trix, Piko (post Unification) & some Liliput (Bachmann). All DCC using a Roco Z21 Black) with a couple of Lenz Boosters. Decoders are mostly Lenz (my "go to", with a few ESU & a couple of Zimo.

Hope to learn a lot more and possibly contribute any experience I have.

Sam.