Crepello

Have you tried fitting Dapol couplings? I'm anxious that the 31's NEM pockets won't accept them.

The Maunsells have got a rave review in the latest 'BRM' and the corridor connectors have a particular mention as being impressive. It looks like Dapol have winners here.

Class 31s now slipped to March/April as at 4 March.

Since my experiments above (post 399), I've installed half-magnets in my goods yard and on the main line, so I can introduce the concept of shunting to Eastbury Loops. A word of warning though--it's seriously addictive and I've identified several more locos and wagons to fit with Easi-Shunts. Thankfully Hatton's (no connection) have them all on their site under 'Spares'. They're such a great product so I'm wondering why Dapol haven't brought out a OO range too.

Website update today--City of London now 'in stock'.

True, but the chassis from the Fairburn will presumably be used, maybe with some small differences. I reckon we should watch for an EP shortly.

Once I tested this installation, I found that trains running over the magnet (as if on the main line) would split. After applying a thin coat of Evo-stik Impact and sprinkling with Woodland Scenics fine ballast, I found the magnet's power was slightly reduced and the splitting didn't occur; the shunting was still good. Above post edited to amend 3 to 4 sleepers needing removing--apologies for the error.

A2s now showing June/July so the wallet can take a breather! Standard 4MT tank locos now have date shown--October/November. Still no date for 'City Of London'.

After a frustrating time attempting to get the Dapol SHORT Easi-shunts to work with rare-earth magnets (the LONG ones worked reasonably), I've tried the Dapol magnets; I cut 7 sleepers away with a slitting disc (on the slowest speed to avoid a meltdown) and placed the magnet in position. Result--success! I then cut the magnet in half, resting on a piece of wood, again with the slitting disc and snapping it when a decent groove had been made. The couplers still work, plus you then have 2 magnets for the price of 1 and only 4 sleepers need removing. The appearance isn't bad either, but I'll experiment with a layer of ballast on and around the magnet to see the effect before installing in the goods yard.

A2/3s would be great but wouldn't it be more logical for Bachmann to develop from their A2 tooling?

At least it's woken up the N-gaugers on here!

Yes I have! 33030 (BR blue) on way from Hatton's (e-mail today).

It seems Duchess ''City of London'' is delayed so the next release may be the A2s--all showing Jan/Feb.

Again Hornby--will Arnold be doing the J50 in N-gauge?

Pics of actual 4Fs on site now, despite showing OO models when you go into steam loco listing.

Today's update shows the A2s still as Dec/Jan; maybe they've been flown back to China?

Great pics acg--I do like those carflats. Surely these would make a fairly easy one for Farish on existing Mark 1 tooling?

Hi Chaps and Chapesses, I've started a new thread for the CCTs so can we keep this thread for its original purpose--to alert members to changes in the Farish site. You know it makes sense!

Hatton's have e-mailed saying mine are on their way!

I 've just posted a big thank you to Bachmann (on the Model Shop Guide thread) for supplying me with a spare buffer to replace the missing one on my D8000. I did have horrible thoughts of having to get a replacement body from somewhere!

Very quiet in N-gauge on here recently; I suspect this is the lull before the storm! I'm hoping the new Farish models don't arrive at the same time as Dapol's latest Britannias and 27s, or I'll have to try the lottery!

I wouldn't think the prototypes' walkways were painted with any sort of paint which would make them slippery for maintenance staff, so probably never blue. Anyway, a coat of dust covered this area very quickly so brown is the most accurate colour!

Covhop production samples on site now. Remember these will have the new close-coupling NEMs as per the clayhoods.

Merchant Navies now May/June!

They look rather good. Just a pity there's not a plain green one yet ; it seems Bachmann often go for one-offs (also with the green, crestless 47) rather than the bog-standards which I prefer.