Betty's Husband

Thanks. Am so looking forward to both of these 😃.

Thanks for the update Fran. Has the same fate befallen the Manor class as well? Cheers!

If anyone is interested I’ve just been able to buy one on the website. Don’t know if there have been a few cancellations or if they’ve released another batch….

Thanks Philip, what does it say on the website if you’re a collectors club member? Still in stock?

Has this definitely sold out or is it just ‘unavailable’ because I’m not a member? Quite fancy the loco but not going to join the club unless it’s still available….cheers

November 2005. Tempus fugit! I've got a copy if you want it? Wife says I've kept far to many back issues anyway....

This is all fab information everyone, thanks a lot. I'm working on a new plan, and am going to get a specific book or two. Phil - of course its okay to post your idea in this thread, the more ideas the better!

Yeah I know, I guess I just want to play with my trains! Thanks everyone for your input, I think I am going to be a bit more creative and practical with the plan, hopefully one of the OS maps will provide inspiration. Cheers Alex

Thanks David. I've been away from the hobby for so long that I'd forgotten about so many suppliers!

Am I right in thinking that when the Light Pacifics were rebuilt the wheels were kept the same apart from the addition of balance weights on the drivers? Therefore if I purchase the trailing pony assembly for an original form Light pacific (x9000) and use the wheel from that it should be accurate shouldn't it?

Hi, I'm planning a small MPD layout in OO. 2m x 0.45m (6.5ft x 1.5ft) is the space I have to play with and would really appreciate the input of the community as this would be my first proper layout. This plan is heavily based on the Peco locoshed scheme layout. I basically want to practice my modelling skills and have somewhere to show my engines rather than them be in a (albeit very nice) display case all the time. I would like to be able to have a scheme that enables accurate operations, but would really like to include a turntable as pictured. So my main question is: Does this layout even work? And also: Have I got the positions of coal and water stations correct? Where would the ashpits go, and how many? Would each road in the shed have an inspection pit? Many thanks Alex

Hi, I purchased a Hornby rebuilt Battle of Britian loco from eBay. It is in tip top condition but missing the flanged pony wheel to replace the unflanged one attached to the loco. As it is not listed as a spare part I can’t get it as a spare from Hornby or the other usual outlets (Peter’s etc) so was wondering if anyone had a spare lying around? Obviously I will remunerate my saviour for its value plus P&P etc. Many thanks

Sorry to hear you have had some bother with the kings. My 6025 is a truly wonderful runner, although I have had a couple of locos (not kings) from big H that have required remedial action prior to running well. It just seems very hit and miss - although in your case surely beyond the balance or probability.

Better still, don't deplete it and keep the U235 and it will form the basis for the next generation of live steam models. Just add water....

Some S/H prices are daft, but there are good deals to be had. I certainly don't understand their algorithm for second hand pricing though. Whatever A/B means I have been able to pick up King Henry III (A/B) for an excellent price. That's crimbo sorted then. Maybe it means absolute bargain??

Really daft question but on a lot of their descriptions of stock on t'internet it ends with A/B. What does A/B mean?

46231 Duchess of Atholl is in BR blue. Not an Ivatt one. Sorry

British Railway Liveries 1948-68 by Colin Boocock has a colour picture of a BR blue Duchess. Will check which one tonight.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant ruined in the context of them being rebuilt as A2/2. No desire to argue the relative merits of the P2 vs A2/2 but from a purely aesthetic point they were poles apart. I agree entirely regarding 2003 - 2006, they were the form I meant when I was referring to them being in a fictional br livery as all 6 would have looked like that in br days had they not been rebuilt as somewhat more difficult on the eye locos.

It would be great if a retailer comissioned a limited edition P2 in BR colours as if they had never been ruined!

Apart from the wrong colour paint (didn't know that!) Tynemouth station looks brilliant now. Market/craft/antiques fair runs every Sat and Sun, always good for a mooch about! Anyways, Gilbert I just wanted to say thanks for a super article in Model Rail about coach formations. Very informative! Thanks Al

Can't believe I haven't seen this before. Absolutely superb!

Definitely not Geordie lasses unless Gilbert is modelling mid January, far too many clothes to be going out wearing any other time of year. Also the coach still had all its windows intact......

Got my 5511 back yesterday! Thanks Hornby, ok it took a while but ultimately it's a triumph for customer service. Couldn't imagine having a 6 year old washing machine, car or anything else replaced free of charge due to some manufacturing defect!

Meant to do this ages ago but never got around to it. Anyway here are a few images of my attempts at adding wire and pipe runs on a Bachmann A2. On inspection of the photos I need to touch up the paint work on the wires a bit and I still have to add a works plate but other than that 60528 is finished apart from crew and coal. Please excuse the poor quality pics - it looks better in real life! Rest of the photos are in my Gallery. On a side note I have been shortening the drawbars on some Hornby A3 and A4 models which has made a massive improvement to their appearance. Was gonna set up a workbench for it all but didn't know if there would be any call for it... Edit: Dam I think I have uploaded these wrong. Shouldn't be thumbnailed should they?!