97403_Ixion

To Cavalex - will the Coal Sector 56074 have the flashing beacon light above the roof? Judging from the drawing of it, it looks like it is after its removal... not a problem if not... though I might be tempted if it did (and DCC control of it perhaps?!) but appreciate it may be costly to add... one for the modelers artistic talents I would imagine, which would be fair enough. Just watched the Hornby Magazine video of the models - superb, smooth running and powerful models. Was impressed by the description of the fans though on DCC / DCC Sound fitted models - to include control of each fan independently when under different power levels on the sound fitted models... now that's a step ahead I never would have expected! Looking to be a really great model! Thanks, Ixion.

I like it when locos are modelled to celebrate a railtour! Will definitely look at getting a pair. One question to Cavalex though - will the same DCC sound be put in both locos or will they differ slightly between the two? I am thinking how they will sound double-heading as it can give a strange effect if they are identically sequenced/sounded. Looking forward to this one - good choice! Ixion.

Hi Jamie, Yes they have... You could try Kernow Model Railway Centre or Cheltenham Model Centre - most are in stock. TMC also have some in stock too and I am sure many other retailers. Hope that helps! Ixion.

I have to ask (in case I need two...) but is the purple 9016 an exact repeat of the same model, or are there some livery/detail differences? Really glad about VXC D9000! Thanks, Ixion.

Hi Dixie Dean, I had the same issue regarding unclipping... it wasn't too clear at first. There are two U-shaped protrusions from the 92's roof molding into which a small rod fed through the elbow of the pantograph clips... it is this that holds the pantograph down. In the image below, I have circled the 'elbow' of the pantograph. On the far side, you can see a silver feature, which I very gently rested a small flat head screwdriver over the top of and fed the tip under the white circled part below the arm, i.e. at the tip of the arrow, just below the black pantograph elbow. Then, very carefully offered a little leverage to the underside of the arm and the pantograph unclipped. It does not take much force to do it, so remove and re-check the screwdriver is positioned properly if it does not release relatively easily. NOTE: The U-shaped clip protrusions can just be seen bottom right of the white circle in the image, so you are using the screwdriver to lever just to the left of them. That high voltage wire (behind the arrow) is why it's easier to lever from the other side, just above the silver feature. For info, I also found control of the pantographs a little confusing at first but there are two Function keys that you can use to 'test' them (the function number is in the 20's) and helped me confirm both were working. Hope that helps! Ixion.

I had to fight myself to say 'No!' on this one - thanks for posting though! Out of curiosity, do you know if it was a Ltd Ed of 150 DCC Ready ones, Sound Fitted ones or altogether?

Ben, I think we are not an N'dangered species, rather one that should be N'couraged! I do like to see the background stuff that goes on and it is good to see people being enthusiastic about their 'dream job'. Looking forward to watching it but it would be nice for a similar show with wider appeal, including other gauges, range of topics (track, scenics, etc.) but I can also see it probably rides a little on the general public being aware of Hornby in not only railways but the other fields, e.g. Airfix, to make the show attractive to a wider audience. Personally, being an engineer, I would like to see more technical content, such as molding processes, printing techniques and for railways at least, digital technologies that go into all sorts of models... albeit without revealing too much to competitors! It does gives me something to enjoy watching after a hard day's work though, so looking forward to watching tomorrow. Cheers, Ixion.

Yes, that's the one and a good close up photo by the photographer! It surprised me when I first saw it thinking it was 50019, also doing the rounds at the time. I then wondered if there were more but apart from 50008 with smaller numbers, I believe 50019 and 50037 were the only two 'similar' ones. It suited them as a basic, more plain livery, especially with the black window surrounds and grey roof.

50037 in Laira blue, similar to 50019, always stood out as a 'missed' model to me, so hopefully it will get covered. It didn't last long I gather but I remember seeing it about at least once. I see only little mention in the last couple of pages (useful list in Excel by the way - thanks!). I would also like to see 50135 in Loadhaul, having seen it at Eastleigh Depot Open Day. I have the excellent Hornby / Rail Exclusive 50149 model but a sound fitted, latest release model would be great... I could still put the RE one in a show cabinet, so not a wasted model. Having now heard the 92 and Deltic models, I have no doubt about ordering Sound versions of these iconic locos... I am so looking forward to future release announcements but the H&H and 50017 NSE are almost certainly purchases for me this time.

I think those bits on the real loco in the photo are moulded to the bogies in the model. I've taken a look over my 59204 but can't see any external items like them and certainly not white in colour - everything is pretty much NP light grey. Nothing in the separate details bag either. Maybe they're sprues that fell in during the assembly process... in which case, nothing to worry about. Hope that helps? Ixion.

I wouldn't put it past Accurascale to hire a whole freight aircraft and have it fly to a local airport for each customer region, then the models dropped off by Chinook at the end of everyone's driveway with a £100-off voucher and an apology for the noise of the Chinook! ...and no doubt a team of people measuring up the Chinook for a future model, just for good measure (pun intended)! I jest! Really looking forward to this 92. The photos people have uploaded from Warley (thanks to all of you as I couldn't get there myself) really do show what a good model it is. I'll patiently wait my turn for the postman. Thanks, Ixion

So, you're suggesting along with DCC Sound Fitted (SF), DCC Fitted (DCC) and DCC Ready (blank), the classifications of Pristine (blank), Weathered (W) and Weathered Ready (WR)... or combinations thereof! Oi! Cavalex! One SFWR for Mr Makin please! ;) Seriously though, the models look great and hoping to get an order placed very soon once I decide suffix type (i.e. Sound or not)!

Regarding the exhibition layout of the Train Robbery some years back, I actually saw it, held inside a small tent at an exhibition (maybe Aylesbury). It was a short section of track as a static exhibit, with lights illuminating parts as a narration took place. It was informative and in no way expressed the event as a form of celebration, in fact it was quite educational and accepted donations to a rail-worker supporting charity. I also remember hearing that one member of the public approached them and turned out to be related to one of the unfortunate crew of the train (I think the relation was to the driver but not sure) and actually welcomed the educational/informative respect that was depicted by the layout and group. The Bachmann model was I believe commissioned by Rails many years back but was turned down in light of respect to the still living driver and crew members of the train as well as their families. It was, I believe to be fair, more for sales though I am sure something would have been provided with the model but I totally respect the choice by Bachmann and/or Rails in choosing not to proceed with it. The model of the loco in the Harrow disaster (Modelzone / 31-175Z 45637 'Windward Islands') did proceed but as has been mentioned before, the real world event was a result of a very unfortunate sequence of events and not a criminal act. The model does not mention the disaster in the packaging, though it is possible the advert may have done... I am unsure... and it is simply a model of the loco with no historical embellishments. I would hope that KR Models pay a respect to the events and handle it carefully if it proceeds, perhaps with a donation to charity in support of rail workers and/or a similarly educational leaflet/brochure included. But as has been pointed out already, it appears to be an Expressions Of Interest at present, so in fairness to KR Models, they are just asking at the moment and people have the choice to support it or not. I guess the fact remains that the loco existed and, like the Modelzone edition of 45637, could be released as just that though I do feel an educational focus on the historical events by them would help the matter. Thanks, Ixion.

A range of wheel skates for wagons that have had hot axle boxes and ceased up? 'Hot' could imply a nuclear vehicle but then again, it could also imply something related to the iron smelting industry, steam locos, diesels, gas-turbines... I guess time will tell! Something to look forward to, which is what I needed recently. Ixion.

I was thinking how their clue could match with either current or near future releases from other manufacturers... then it dawned on me that Bachmann's Class 47 is now out and wondered if they have tied in a run of Class 57/0's? There were 12 of them, so greater than '11', and I believe there is a lot of similarity between them and a Class 47 (OK, not counting rivets, etc.!), so figured this could be a possibility? Livery wise, there would be at least Freightliner green, DRS compass, WCRC... OK, not a completely new loco as such but probably a cost effective way to adapt another for a run on an alternative model and loco class... Of course, it could just as easily be a steam loco! Cheers, Ixion.

Hi, I cannot see it mentioned elsewhere (apologies if so) but this weekend at STEAM Museum's annual exhibition, a model (Dapol) of D1000 in OO was announced in desert sand, with small yellow panels. The following (shop page) is linked to from the STEAM's .org website: D1000 Western Enterprise, Desert Sand Small Yellow Panels Available DC, DCC Fitted or DCC Sound Fitted and limited to 500 models. I think they said it was due later this year and that they will contact people who put their names down nearer the time to confirm their wish to purchase and for payment details when the models arrive. Hope it's of interest to many! Thanks, Ixion.

Thanks Scottish Exile for the comment but the problem stems from whether the real boxes (just mine, some or none) are labelled correctly or not... and that includes the certificate too. I suspect they are correct however and that instead there has been a mistake made on the item version sent, despite paying for the more expensive model. I haven't opened the box up too much or operated it to check fan operation, in case it needs to go back but the windows do not seem to have a tint on closer inspection, so not looking good, sadly.

Can someone who has a Sound Fitted, Deluxe (i.e. working fans/tinted windows) model of the Bachmann Collector's Club EWS 37422 'Cardiff Canton' please let me know the actual part number shown on the end of the box and whether the certificate mentions the Deluxe version (and not just Sound Fitted)? I cannot find an unboxing video or photos of the box of this particular version of the EWS 37422 model, which would probably answer my concerns in one go. Thanks, Ixion.

A quick question for our Accurascale folk... apologies if it's been asked before... Is the box for the 37's comparable in size to that of the deltics? Also, are the locos about the same weight as the deltics? Approximate size and weight may help me determine how I might put together some storage shelving, especially given the very wide range of box sizes across manufacturers and indeed within the same manufacturer. The deltics were notably heavy and the boxes larger than expected, though very happy with them nonetheless but it made me think about future storage requirements. Can't wait for them though - being in the country, I need a few tractors! Thanks, Ixion.

Thanks for posting the photos Phil Parker - cannot make the show myself! Certainly a major step up on the previous range of models. I have to agree that the nose being a separately fitted part does remind me of the slight disappointment I had with some Bachmann LoadHaul specials many years back, when it didn't seat too well. That said, I think the two models currently released look great, though I will stick to just the EWS one for now. Price point is a bit of a concern to me but I hope it doesn't hit sales too much.

Or perhaps 55023 in Fag Packet livery... Zontar would be in his element 🤣

In a new run, I would really like to see D9000 in heritage two-tone green, with headlight, as it was running for Virgin services on the GWML in the late 1990's. I have a nice collection of Virgin Mk2's, so just waiting for the loco to recreate such a train! Outside of that, D9009 in two-tone green or 55019 in BR blue... as preserved a few years back before it changed livery. In the meantime, hoping to get my two out on the track to hear them very soon, when time permits.

I had wondered if it were possible to make the end links metallic and use a small magnet in the body/on the bogie. That way, they come free if pulled away but enough traction to hold them in place while running. Maybe too expensive and/or fiddly to fit into the design? Just a thought though...

That's the one! Thanks for posting.

Indeed, the older Palitoy Mainline one with its hard printed look! That 2009 one now looks familiar to me... I was probably thinking more or less the same logo as the others but when I saw that photo, made me wonder if I have one of those. Darn, I'll have to go through a few of my collection to see what I have got now... I agree with Mike Storey though - a (6-w) tanker would be good, albeit fictitious, but then I am a bit of a keen collector of that type of wagon. Plus I stumbled across a red grain hopper wagon in an online search, commissioned by Burnham and District Model Railway Club... fairly basic looking but it is branded Shepherd Neame. It also turns out that there is a Corgi Collectables sentinel steam wagon (road vehicle, p/n: 80003) in red and white... looks quite fetching though. I can see I am going to have to hurry up and build my card kit of a brewery, so I can enjoy sending brewery trains there... just need some time off work... plus build the layout for it to have a siding!