Adrock

Do Bachman provide information on the artwork for example have they said what shed code the BR lined green 4MT will carry? Thanks.

Thanks Paul - yes, this is perfect and a huge help as I start my planning process!

Hi Paul, I have just started to design my own layout and so wondered if I could ask you some questions re measurements please? I have 16ft by 8.5ft, so not quite as wide as yours, but I’m only going for two scenic runs. Would you be able to confirm (mainlines only) how high off the floor the lowest section of mainline is please, and how highly the highest section is? Also, what is your steepest gradient for the climb between the two heights? Thanks!

Looks great that...is that a Bachmann Collett 3,000 gal tender by any chance? ive finished my tender connection modifications - still to test run on the track, but measurements are all spot on with the original and the blacks are a superb match.

I can confirm it is the pickups that cause the tender to not free-run. As part of my tender conversion, I have just taken the pick ups out and it runs freely like a wagon. Pics here are before (following strip-down) and after, with removed pickups and a hole cut out for the Bachmann Collett goods drawbar.

Nope, actually £18 as a discount was auto applied once in the basket.

The black treatment really takes this to another level and makes it look closer to a Bachmann engine. How have you done the wheels and buffers, masked or used a brush by hand? Would you kindly let me know what paint you have used too please, as it looks a good match for the wheel centres... thanks

I had been watching the spares list on DCC for a few weeks, and once they became available I purchased a 3500 gal tender in BR black. Just £18 plus delivery for a fully painted and running model, I think that’s pretty reasonable. Idea is to use it behind a Bachmann Collett Goods, as Bachmann haven’t done that loco/tender configuration in pristine BR black. The black is a very close match to the finish of the loco, so I have just taken it apart with a view to adapting the chassis to enable it to connect over the loco’s draw hook. Anyone else done anything similar or have any thoughts on the tender modifications? Will post some pictures later.

I was just coming on to ask about what the consensus is then on the running qualities, as it seems that a few people have definitely reported having good runners. I think, from memory, the DCC-fitted ones seem to be performing better. I cant recall a DC owner posting that they had a perfect runner, but happy to be corrected. I am debating what to do, whether to return and see if I get a good 'un, or just stick.

R.e. the crawling properties, I know one or two have commented how well theirs crawl; they generally seem to be DCC versions. I wonder if the fitting of a DCC chip will change and improve the running on DC? I have previously used DCC, but when I returned to DC I noticed whilst doing like by like comparisons (chip in and chip out on DC) most engines ran slightly differently between the two modes. And the general trend was that they ran better on DC with the chip in there! Obviously hugely depends on the engine and chip configuration, but this was what I found in most of my particular cases. Does anyone have the equipment and set up to test this hypothesis on the 43xx?

Performance here looks great. I’ve just watched the Sams trains review and, as a few others pointed out, I think the performance of mine is more aligned with his. So, thinking this through, how did yours run on DC before chipping? I wonder if DCC settings have improved the situation? Also, have you got an ability to measure the b2b’s to see if they are the same as Sam quoted in his review? Either way, I wonder if I consider returning and requesting a replacement, to see if that runs any better. Maybe mine and Sam’s were of a few within the batch that aren’t running as well as they should...

It looks like it won’t be too long until the spares are loaded onto the DCC website. At least then we will get an idea of what is available and the price.

Video available here. I am changing the regulator slightly a couple of times - this wasn’t just on a single setting.

Running quality: Have finally had chance to put a small temporary circuit of test track down on the garage floor (carpeted). Running seems pretty smooth and quiet to me on DC using a Gaugemaster controller. There is maybe a perceptible tight spot when crawling at the slowest speed - however, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with pickup of current because providing a bit more juice picks the engine up. I never had to prod it once. I really was testing this at very slow crawling speed, as a few people in the thread seemed most interested in this. What I cant say for sure is how my Bachmann engines respond at similar crawling speeds on the same testbed set up. I have taken some videos - will upload them if size permits. Note...videos are too big, I’ll try and find a way to compress them over next few days. I ran light engine, both directions, and I added the Aberystwyth portion of the CCE for haulage tests (four x Bachmann mk1s, weight removed in three of them; Hornby Roco style close couplers). Seemed to handle this load without a problem. I looked for and couldn't detect any "opening" of the tender drawbar connection - there was probably more opening of the mk 1 coach cams under their own weight of the coaches. Paint finish: As mentioned by a few others, there is real sheen to the boiler that makes this look metallic. See pictures for comparison with Bachmann engines (all others are Bachmann). Lighting is natural but there is a little glare from the window into the cabinet as you can see.

Bumping this in case anyone has

Very interesting read out on the colour. When I stood my BR version next to the Bachmann 43xx (from 1999), I think the BR green looks slightly "yellower" on the Dapol mogul...and i think more accurate. I will try and compare with some of my newer Bachmann BR green locos in natural daylight tomorrow e.g. the Standard 3MT tank and a recent 4575. The finish is superb. The thing I do really like on Bachmann locos (certainly say the last 15 years) is the way the wheel rims are treated - they always seem to have a black paint on them that gives them an "in service" look rather than the spokes appearing to be of a different material to the rim as on many models. The Dapol doesn't seem to have that effect, but I am sure it can be achieved with a suitable sized brush.

I’ve just sat down and read the excellent owners manual. It’s a comprehensive and easy to understand booklet of 20 pages, more detailed than the folded A4 that one is normally accustomed to. What is very interesting is the spare parts list. It looks to be the case that you can order 4 different smoke box doors, and different buffer styles for starters. And even a complete tender body and chassis. If so I think this would be groundbreaking on a brand new mainstream model? There are etched cab side number plates in the accessories pack too. The tender coupling looks pretty neat, and is on a cam so that the gap is extended when negotiating curves. Again, a big leap over the Mainline/Bachmann 43xx's fixed drawhook. I am highly impressed, the Manor will certainly be worth the wait if it is delivered to the same specification and standard of finish.

I hope to test run on analogue control this evening so will report back then. 7310 I had read would be a Croes Newydd allocated loco, but I don't think I recall seeing any artwork defining what the shed code would be. The plate carried is 84J, (the shed changed code to 89B on 10/09/1960 according to the BR Database). So, it's effectively in pre- September 1960 condition.

Mine has just arrived. What an absolute beauty! Bachmann version for comparison too.

Your Waverley looks fantastic there - what configuration of Mk1s is the formation made up of? Was it only an 8 coach working in your time period? Continuing to follow with great interest - I really look forward to your updates!

I can’t believe I have missed this masterpiece until now. This is an area that I feel I know well, as my Aunty lives on Anglesey so with countless family holidays spent (and continuing to be spent) there. I’ve driven up and down the A55 quite a lot and you have captured the scenery to an absolute T - it’s scale is also really highlighted well by your N gauge modelling. I really love the rail and road viaducts. I haven’t read through the whole thread so I’m not sure what period you are modelling but I assume the road viaduct is bi-directional and therefore pre-dates conversion into the eastbound dual carriageway of the A55?

Station throat looks very realistic, even more amazing based on the fact that you’ve used (only?) proprietary points? It is correct to say that you paint the track and then it fix down, so that the painted tracks are the ones that are “done” and the rest is still to be done?

Thanks. That’s very positive news as that’s the length I’m looking at too. Really looking forward to seeing this develop.

So this is why the updates on Hills of the North have slowed down is it?!! This looks like another cracker - I too am quite interested in the dimensions as whilst we have an internal double garage, I’m hoping to only take up half of it... What sort of length trains will be able to be run, both in terms of looking right on the scenic sections and being able to handle the gradients? Thanks.

Great to see another update, I’m checking every day at the moment for the latest instalment! One question on your restoration, are you doing anything specifically to clean the rails in order to get good electrical continuity and reliable running for the future? If so, what method are you using? Thanks.