barrymx5

"So, I suppose the way to decide whether the Oxford Radial is, or is not, powerful compared with the perfectly capable prototype is to hook up 13 Hornby generic 4-wheelers behind it and see." I look forward to seeing the results of your trial. In the meantime I leave it to others to decide whether my post was helpful or not.

My first Radial ( one of the first) did have a problem with the front pony truck derailing. Oxford sent me a new pony truck and spring and this cured the problem.

I have 2 Oxford Radials and both are fine. Not powerful but neither were the prototypes which often ran with only 1 coach behind. I usually run the LSWR 488 with 2 LSWR 56ft PC coaches.

Not long then for my LSWR one then. I suspect that when I receive it I'll be tempted to order a SR mainland version too.

The Gaugemaster aka Piko arrived today. Even with the cleaning pad in the highest position I struggled to find a loco capable of pushing it. Eventually I used my Kernow Bulleid loco, the heaviest I have. Seemed to do the job. I added IPA to the pad.

Anyone tried the Gaugemaster track cleaning wagon? Being Gaugemaster it is probably rebadged from another manufacturer.

Has anyone felt it necessary to fit the traction wheels provided? I was glad to see them in the box because I have a 1:50 incline with second radius curves so feared I would have a problem. One of the reviews suggested there was more traction running bunker first so I tried the 1P with 2 Ratio Midland coaches and it had no issues at all. I then tried the same load chimney first and again it fairly romped up the incline. So for me I will be content to leave the traction tyres in the box as I do not intend torun longer than 2 coach trains on the incline. Part of the incline is in a tunnel and the Locosound 5 whistle is most effective as it enters the tunnel portal. I agree with all the earlier comments on the Prussian blue finish too - just stunning. To say I am pleased with this loco would be an understatement.

I bought mine in 2017 and fitted a Hattons decoder. Simple.

I have just joined the Bachmann Collectors Club in order to put my name down for a Blue SDJR. Additional cost for a not inexpensive model. But I was pleasantly surprised today to receive my Club Wagon. Not quite sure what to make of it. May even sell to put towards cost of 1P. Any views?

I am almost sorry I reopened the discussion !

Another Smartie pants!

As far as I am concerned we have done this one to (after) death. I think angeli prove(s) my point(!) I was unwilling to buy a milk chocolate coloured LSWR brakevan but am happy with the revised plain chocolate colour. Others may of course make a different decision.

That posting suggests to me it is not a Hornby B suffix model. Mine is and was delivered from Gaugemaster last week. Photos below show Hornby model alongside the same brakevan I built and painted several decades back. Colour is almost identical.

Just for completeness it is worth recording that Hornby have at last started producing SR and LSWR brakevans in the darker, probably correct, shade of brown. The revised models bear the B suffix in their model number.

Excellent work. As you may know Hornby have corrected the colour on the Latest B versions. Photo 1. I tried my hand many years ago at scratch building a similar vehicle. Photo 2 I have put the Hornby and hand built together for Photo 3.

Expectations have moved on, at least in West Sussex!

What about the 1P? Bachmann have already shown prototypes

Rumours that Hatton's have been testing a 6 wheel prototype at a secret location in Somerset are being strongly denied.

Renumbering and renaming now completed. I was not happy with my original plan above to keep the original 9 in the number and eventually replaced all 3 numbers. A small amount of adhesive is stubborn and still to be removed (water seems better than IPA which seems to leave a cloudy residue). But generally happy with result.

I am afraid I win the dumbo prize. I called Kernow this pm to order two and found I had 4 already on order ordered over the last 5 years. Good news is that I now have money in their bonus scheme as a regular customer. Anyway one LSWR and one SR should be just the ticket. Hope we don't have to wait too long and that they are indeed the required dark brown.

Thanks Dave Reassuring. Good to hear you are alert to the problem and have a solution. regards Barry

Well thank you for all this splendid information. I have now ordered the R913 tool from Peters Spares and the tyres from eBay with delivery next month. So should be able to get the new tyres on shortly. In the meantime it performs fine on the flat. On the original subject of renumbering, the Ardingly nameplate and transfers arrived yesterday from Fox Transfers. Very speedy and efficient. I fixed the nameplates this afternoon and the numbers 1 and 7 in place of the 02. The 9 of 902 matches. I will clean up the area with IPA tomorrow when the transfers are well fixed and apply some clear varnish. Then it is just renumbering the buffer beam and job done. Goodbye Wellington hello Ardingly!

Thanks for all this helpful info Robert and Pete. I too will order from EBay. A very basic question- how do you remove the connecting rods to fit the new traction tyres? Is it a Hexagonal nut ? regards Barry

Just after I ordered the Ardingly name plate from Fox Transfers this afternoon, I decided to give Wellington a quick run. After 2 minutes it threw a rubber traction tyre. I removed the body and put the tyre back on the wheel but was not feeling confident because there was no elasticity in the rubber. After another 5 minutes running Wellington threw both tyres. Although complete, both tyres seemed to be perished. So I cut them off. Interestingly Wellington had no difficulty with 7 Maunsells on the flat even without traction tyres. But the second radius bend on my 1:50 incline defeated it with anything more than 2 Maunsells. So it looks as if the new Ardingly, when renamed, will largely be avoiding my S&D line with its prototypical 1:50 gradient. No great problem in that the only Schools Class I have photographic evidence of on the S&D was Blundells, and my Hornby model of this loco still has its traction tyres in place. Blundells managed my 1:50 with ease with 5 Maunsells behind. Anyone else have experience of running Schools without traction tyres or of changing them ? Sorry if I have strayed a little from renumbering.

Interesting Otis. No concerns about 6 wheeler running reliability then?