Lochinvar

The recent appearance of EP samples created some optimism (here at least) that we might be seeing these in the flesh before too much longer. But more patience is required it seems. Release in Aug/Sept according to the latest update on the Bachmann site. If I've got this right,that would make it about 30 months since announcement. DR

Yes - my "Rodney" (ex-"Drake") has the 5/6 arrangement that you describe. I think that's correct for the SFB examples. DR

I was about to make the same observation myself . Well remembered,MM. Though it's probably fair to say that their sphere of operation would have been very restricted,ie limited to ex-NB lines and yards in the North of the city. DR

Engineering samples of the long-promised CCT/PMV/PLV variants now available to view on the Bachmann home page. A must have,methinks,for any parcels train almost anywhere in the UK in the 50s. Would also be correct as part of passenger consists. DR

Good move,making use of the Hornby gantry. I've almost given up on trying to assemble the equivalent Ratio product. Not only are the girder sections more flimsy than I expected,but getting them secured squarely to the 2 platform sections requires skill that has eluded me so far. The whole thing seems to lack rigidity. DR

As pH has explained above,you need to steer clear of any in the (4)5665 + range for any authentic re-naming of the present Bachmann model. From your point of view,that rules out the warship names,unfortunately. Still plenty of "overseas territory" and some admiral names to choose from,though. Some of us still live in the fond hope that Bachmann might one day treat us to the later long-firebox version. That would then open up a whole new range of options,including the warship names,plus - in appropriate cases - the larger St Rollox cabside numerals and red-backed nameplates. DR

During the mid-late 50s,red backing was very common (if not universal) for those allocated to the Scottish Region (including Kingmoor). And I think I'm right in saying that there was a tendency for it to appear on other examples too (as,indeed, we have seen here) as the Jubes approached the end of their working lives. DR

Yes,Andy,but this whole episode doesn't reflect too well on their QA arrangements. Given their previous rejection of the Portholes ,one would have thought that Bachmann would have taken particular steps to ensure that they were entirely content with the product before this latest lot were despatched to the UK. DR

And just in time for a further price hike? DR

Bachmann website updated today to show 39-460 as " Out of Stock" - implying that,at one stage,they regarded it as having been in stock. Meanwhile,over on the "Rails" site,it still carries that retailer's notoriously-optimistic "Soon" tag. DR

A "packaging issue"?? Sounds a bit odd. Presumably,the Brake 3rd uses exactly the same packaging as the other 57' examples in the Porthole range. DR

Back to ride height. I've today given my CK the full 30 thou treatment,and it now lines up very much better with a Hornby BTK at buffer,solebar and roofline levels. Ditto with a Bachmann Mk1. The downside,of course,is that there is now more wheel exposed above the bogie than I would like,but that can be masked. While we're indebted to Coachmann for suggesting this simple fix,it really ought not to have been necessary. Might Bachmann correct this weakness in due course,I wonder.....perhaps before the inevitable release in BR maroon? DR

But it might be possible to offer what would seem to be potentially loss-making retai l prices if you have the "clout" (usually volume) to have nailled down the right price with your wholeseller. Rails and Hattons might perhaps be in that position viz-a-viz Bachmann. DR

what I intended to say in my earlier fumbled attempt was that I have and have had a number of items on order from Rails on their price guarantee terms,so am fully aware of the 12 month limit. That said I have a fair degree of sympathy with some of the concerns ventilated here. A 12 month limit hardly seems apt in the current era of long lead times between announcement and release.As we have seen it can disadvantage those making early ordering co mmitments. It surely cannot be right that those who have ordered more recently (looks in mirror) should benefit from the original guaranteed price while the early orderers don't. . Rails ought to be looking at this again.But for the future perhaps we should cancel and then immediately re-order any outstanding orders as they approach the 12 month point. We really shouldnt have to adopt tactics like that. DR

Black 5s rare north of Perth? Hardly. Certainly through the 50s,the (as you say) huge 63A allocation,together with the 30 or so examples allocated to 60A,had a virtual monopoly of long-distance passenger and freight traffic on the HML. Ditto,the Far North and Kyle lines. DR

There is an element of subjectivity to all this,Mike,but if we are talking in terms of prototypical fidelity I wouldn't rate either of these 2 as among Margate's best. The rendition of the chimney in particular lets them down. It was widely criticised at the time; indeed, IIRC there's a whole thread on here about the various changes that need to be made to bring them up to scratch. DR

Happy to be proved wrong of course but I very much doubt that they saw use on the Kyle line.They were certainly regulars on the West Highland Extension to Mallaig,Fort William shed having an allocation of 5 (over and above the class prototype 61997). Again,however,I'm not sure that anything on the Extension could be described as "fast". But photographs do often depict then hauling passenger trains with fish vans attached. DR

Yikes! I came across this thread recently and have been reading it with a growing sense of alarm. In the 2 yrs or so since my layout went live I've been treating the loud buzzing referrred to in the OP as a simple indication of incompetent route-setting. But it now looks as if my Power Cab has been at risk. Prompted by this dicussion,I've now established that a coin test produces the buzzing over the whole layout. And now I'm perhaps realising why the emergency stop feature doesn't work. The layout (my first) takes the form of a "Minories"-style terminus. All the trackwork that matters (8 points and a double-slip,all Peco 75 Electrofrog and operated by Seep PM1s) is concentrated on one board, 5'6'' x 1'6". This board is the point of entry for my Power Cab panel. Electrical wiring takes the form of solid-core (ex-mains cable) for the "bus",with 32/0.2 wiring from the panel to a NCE Auto SW and on to the bus. The droppers are 1/0.6,each to a connector immediately below, with 16/0.2 from there to the bus. As a first attempt from someone with zero electrical knowledge/experience,I've been pleasantly surprised at how well it has all worked. But now it appears that I need to fit some protection. Can any of you kind guys or gals help me to understand exactly what I need and,crucially,how it can now be added to the system? Where does it get wired in - between the panel and the Auto SW,or between the Auto SW and the bus?? (There is no mention of any of this,so far as I can see,in the Power Cab manual) david r

Rails of Sheffield - ever the optimists - are still showing them as "SOON". Has Bachmann not imparted the news to their dealers? DR

I've now taken this detailing and change of id as far as I intend for the present,so here's a few shots of my £56 "Drake" in her new guise as 45643 "Rodney". She's shown in the company of class-mate 45574 "India" (formerly the Rails special "G&E Islands"). Seeing these 2 side by side has made me realise that the green livery on "Rodney" is darker and glossier (and therefore even less prototypical-looking) than on "India". Perhaps one day I'll summon the courage to try a bit of toning down! DR PS: sorry,folks,my good intentions have just been defeated by the 2MB limit.

The "Clans" - the 68A/12A examples,that is - put in reasonably frequent appearances on the Glenfarg route,being used on filling-in turns by Perth shed. Indeed,my first ever sighting of a "Clan" -72009 - was at Dalmeny on a S-bound morning passenger working which originated at Perth. This would have been in the mid 50s. It returned N pm on a Perth-bound train of vans. DR

Many thanks,sir! DR

I've now got the Railmatch Green (601) and hope to crack on with these changes this week. Before committing brush to loco,could I just be absolutely sure that I've got this right? The lub. box ( ie with the winder mechanism) positioned on the running plate between the front splasher and the saddle - does it go green or stay black?. "Coach" again,perhaps? DR

I'm grateful,"Coach" (as they say) - that's exactly what I was looking for. I'd forgetten entirely about the cab roof. DR