G-BOAF

In reply to my own post, the internal weight (lead???!!!) in the boiler is tapered to fit into the boiler casting. There is a small hole in the boiler barrel inside into which a lug on the weight fits. Tapping it releases the weight so it can drop into the smokebox. Continuing (rather hard) to hit the weight (via a screwdriver placed through the hole) will eventually break off the paint on the boiler casting onto which the smokebox is glued! I now have one free and intact Maunsell chimney Smokebox. Now the hard part, to do it on Brighton without so much dismantling. I might very well cut the smokebox on that one.

Short Question - how does one remove a schools smokebox from the boiler? Background: I've just spent the evening relatively carefully dismantling a Hornby Westminster, to try to remove the smokebox to fit to a Hornby Brighton (to create Stowe - i.e. BR late crest with later (high) cab side window profile - a variation never offered by Hornby). From pictures of various stripped or broken models, it is clear that the plastic smokebox glues onto the front of the boiler casting, e.g. here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186131742993?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749367&toolid=20006&customid=GB_1_186131742993.143190969535~1873891031901-g_CjwKCAjw7oeqBhBwEiwALyHLMxGa3TnFFfBN6WohAlfUdshNCxsim_DFuPIey0soSTgE8ta5zhZNIRoCy-EQAvD_BwE However try as i might I cannot get it to shift. I've resorted to removing the entire boiler/smokebox from the cab/running plate to get better purchase. I'm hoping that not so gently tapping out the weight inside the boiler (yes as well as being cast, there is a separate weight inside it might either shift the smokebox, or at very least shift the door such that I can then get a blade inside the smokebox. Its very strange. My challenge is removing Westminster's smokebox intact. For Brighton I'm resigned to cutting up the smokebox rather than take the boiler off the running plate. At this stage ordinarily I would be tempted just to swap the boiler/smokebox (as one unit) with the cab/running plate, BUT the colour match between Sanda Kan and the subsequent manufacturer is not that great, and would really stick out. So I'm left with the challenge of trying to remove the smokebox which is very very well glued.

finally got round to running in my Reg Railway Leeds Carlisle Class 156 (as opposed to it sitting on my display shelf). Really lovely model, performance is great. Two questions - the bottom end of one of the cab fronts is bowed out a little. Before I start dismantling, any idea what could be causing this - is there any part that could be mis-located that might be pushing the cab front out? Also my one design criticism is that the light spills through the slots for the coupler cams in the vestibule floor. Has anyone come up with a solution that won't interfere with the coupling?

I spoke too soon! on the FINAL LAP of running in (15m fwd, 15m reverse, repeated with loco facing the other direction), the loco stopped dead. would not move in either direction (I think my controller auto-cut out in trying), and front driver lifting off the track very slightly. The second driving wheel was locked solid, clearly very slightly out of quarter. It only does this in reverse, and only when facing in one direction (i.e. coming off a curve in a particular way). Thankfully no damage to rods. Really don't want to exchange as its all but perfect in other ways. Will email Hornby and see if they will send me a replacement set of driving wheels. I could re-quarter myself (done enough times with Castles and Britannias), but am loathed to do so without a spare wheelset in case it all goes very wrong.

Running in nicely now, really one of the best performing models in recent years for me, plus nothing major wrong to warrant sending back for a replacement (which I cannot say for any other manufacturer in recent months). Looking at the wonderful LNER livery and build quality, fine lining around the cab, well proportioned and joined parts, and the smooth operation of the close coupling tender cam (albeit without load at the moment), I can't be the only one wishing Hornby had made a new V2 rather than Bachmann....

Just unboxed my 2007 (break in schedule, plus finally plucked up courage to see what Hornby have produced/what faults need if any, require an exchange). First impressions - WOW Real presence and power that pictures of the real thing also show. Detail is excellent, and build quality generally looks very good. I have a few (negative) comments: I only noticed this because the black running plate edge stood out against a white table cloth the model was sitting on: There is a slight 'discontinuity' in the line of the running plate edge, where the plastic and metal meets, with the right hand metal running plate protruding fractionally right of the plastic (and left recessed fractionally). Upon looking at the boiler, the right side sits a little proud of the 'smokebox' moulding, while the left is flush, so I suspect that there is an issue with the alignment of the two boiler pieces which filters down to the running plate alignment. Looking at retailer pics (Hattons, Olivias) this is a universal problem, but it is VERY hard to notice.! The bottom of the back wall of the tender appears to bow inwards - I don't know if this is physical, or not quite straight lining on the bottom of the rear lined panel. Again looking at pictures online, this seems universal. If its the actual tender body it should be possible to pack out from inside. Very strange. Finally, I have some very slight fuzzy printing to one edge of the front buffer beam, but will live with that given the quality of everything else. Glad to discover the cab running plate and tender running plate (such as they are) are at the same height, despite what pictures on here were suggesting. Very slight bowing downwards towards the rear, I suspect due to interface between the cast running plate at the plastic cab, and not enough clearance being left. Given this problem was apparent on the EP pictures, its not due to the paint, although it IS something that should have been eliminated at that stage. Unfortunately given the body is glued to the running plate, not easy to correct.

No. So much so, that the flanges almost touch eachother. Just like the real thing. So much in fact that I'm almost certainly the driving wheelbase is slightly over scale to allow for the over-scale flanges, which is an understandable compromise

Non-illuminated Mk2fs now RRP of £79.99, which is an increase of £10 on previous price. I've just obtained the last couple of vehicles required for my scratch rake of 8 illuminated vehicles (a nice 2000s era mix of Swallow, unbranded VT and BG RFB), to be augmented by a Mk1 RU(R) and a Gen van to 10 coaches for a railtour. I reckon my average cost per coach with lighting was around £72, including cost of one lit body spare from Bachmann spares plus the lower PCB, and now a residual unlit Scotrail TSO body. For anyone interested, Cheltenham Model Centre have some lit BSOs (VT and Scotrail) for £45, B&G lit BSO for £55, and some unlit TSOs and FOs (Scotrail and VT respectively) for £35. I can't imagine they will ever get this low again, certainly not from future batches. DBSOs (Swallow and Anglia) also for £99.99

One wonders how GWR designs might have evolved had nationalisation not happened.

Out of interest, is it 'mint boxed' or have the manufacturers tested/inspected before dispatch? Normally when I read reviews which highlight imperfections, this is down to it being a review or production 'sample' that is well handled and/or well run in!

Do you mean Amazon or Ebay?

Next batch now in stock. Thank goodness they don't appear to have messed around with the drawbar as was suggested they might (with close coupling monstrosity) They have amended the somewhat extreme changed in angle on the boiler handrail, however I sense have now gone too far the other way, with the handrail on the right hand side now seeming to straight, and even a little to low down. https://www.hattons.co.uk/1136664/hornby_r30133_class_9f_2_10_0_92097_in_br_black_with_late_crest_with_westinghouse_pumps/stockdetail

But a 120 is a 1st gen dmu, a 755 is a 3gen. Its like saying they shouod have produced an ivatt small atlantic instead of a class 91

I think this is the issue, and I hope Rapido are able to go back to their contractors/partners in China and politely slap wrists and get changes. Rapido as a company are excellent, with excellent people who also listen to their fellow enthusiast customer base in terms of feedback. It seems their production in China, or some elements of it have really slipped. This is not good for Rapido nor the customer. I've said it so many times across I think all manufactures, that its all well and good designing and tooling an excellent model, but if the assembly or decoration is poor, or incorrect details fitted, it really detracts. I would rather a perfect model in mechanical and external decoration terms, than notices printed inside sliding shutters. This is what should be happening in terms of QC, but somehow didn't on this batch of models. I do hope Rapdio consider supplying replacement wheelsets for this batch as well. Mine had dust/hair implanted UNDER the tampo printed lining, so this is a failure of QC much earlier than final packaging (i.e. why was this part allowed to go to the print shop?). If its a cost issue, I'm tempted to say these models are *too cheap*. I'm not sure how Accurascale manage their contracts, but there is no retailer discounting at least on recent loco releases, so presumably their wholesale prices are higher. The fact that retailers are able to discount Rapido models makes me wonder if they have potentially cut costs somewhere. I know this is a much smaller model than a Manor, but in terms of number of parts, its probably not that different (aside from wheels and tender), yet it £c45 cheaper based on discount prices. I'm returning mine to my first retailer and have bought elsewhere, which I hope will not have so many (noticeable) decoration defects. The quality is certainly not what it was compared say with a Class 156 I have. I will admit that my Stirling single arrived sans tender buffer, but a spare was supplied (in other respects, including the running plate and decoration) it was perfect so I didn't want to exchange with Locomotion models.

TMC have a further 10% off items in their summer sale by using the code SUMMER at checkout. Just bagged a Rapido Dynamometer car for £93.50 (plus some other items to cross the free postage threshold)!

Finally unboxed my 1501. First impressions no glue, everything pretty much perfect, except for a wonky numberplate (which I figured I would be able to fix). Admiring it on the desk.... then noticed the scratches in the white lining on one side, and the hair/dust particle implanted in the tank side on the other. A few other issues (slight glue smudge on fire iron hook, and a few chipped rivets on rear buffer beam), I could have lived with. Retailer now sold out (obviously), and only has sound fitted models left. Nice as the sound is, I'd rather spend my money one something else right now. What to do. I'm sleeping on it. It would be quicker to source from another retailer than send to Rapido for repair.

And the absense of a whistle shield on 1505

To which one wonders why the GWR didnt just buy some Army surplus as the SR had done, or more closely copy the S100 as the Polish did!? Im guessing there are Heritage Lines around the country who are regularly running their 09s at 25mph. The Bluebell uses theirs on occasional service trains running at line speed.

I can understand that the 94XX were intended to update an otherwise 20+ year old design in the 57XX, but where heavier and therefore not quite as versatile. Why then were then 15XX built? They have the same weight problems, but aside from the outside motion, would appear to have no advantages over the 94XX (with whom they share a boiler). Were they an attempt to Hawksworth to influence the design of a standard BR Shunter? Obviously this never went further, nor did any small Standard Steam locomotive as the Diesel 08 came into being, along with the closure of many small shunting yards.

There is also the question of modelling preserved locos in preserved condition, accurately in terms of detail combinations either available within tooling, or expanding the tooling suite. Arguably 35028 Clan Line has not ever been modelled in its current condition (with modified/enlarged coal space) The sole B12, 8572/61572 has not been modelled by Hornby, despite the potential to offer it as a 'retro triang' edition with special packaging. In terms of Terriers, Hornby have (strangely) not yet chosen to model Terrier 55 Stepney in its preserved condition, despite it basically being Ex-BR condition with LBSCR livery (and very similar to Brighton Works model that was released, except that had an Air Pump). Ditto 72 Fenchurch in her current condition (although I'm not sure if the A1 cosmetics + A1X boiler is possible in the tooling suite).

Except we know Rapido don't use 'bargain suppliers' but have their 'own' factories in China (although from what is hinted at in their vidoes and posts on here, likely in close and exclusive partnership with local owners). Heck they even stated a few years back that they have ability to expand and are looking to partner with other manufacturers to make their models, which of course we saw with Revolution and Realtrack[1]. Therefore Rapido have ultimate QC control on these models, they are not at the whim of subcontractors. [1] Do Rapido only allow contracts with other manufacturers beginning with R??? :-p

All this talk of waggling models is a bit worrying. It means something is out of true with the wheels or the stability of the axles in the bearings. Im almost sure that the waggling referred to here will be more severe than the visially imperceptible movements on the real thing. Will spare wheels sets be available for those of us who want a true running model?

looking at the above review, the tyres/wheel rims still seem rather thin. I know this was flagged up last year and was supposed to be corrected. Will this be correct on the final production samples now being delivered?

Have a slight spec of misprinting on a the red lining of a Bachmann Mk2f Swallow TSO. What is the closest red to intercity swallow lining red? Railmatch204 (Rail Red) specifies its 'early intercity' not Swallow. Is there an alternative colour I can use? Many thanks Alpha Foxtrot

What is an unknown is if the bogie pivot on the BG and the Mk2 (or any later Bachmann coaches) are the same. I tried to put a Mk1 B4 under an Inspection Saloon and the Spigot was a completely different size. I need to try with a set of 4TC bogies (which I have in stock, just not offered up yet). This probably won't help you as the BG is a previous generation of coach. But I would say that in terms of cosmetics, a 4TC (non driving trailer) bogie might be more suitable, assuming it fits, which it may not!