97403_Ixion

Very helpful Darryl, thanks. I can see now how the ones I've seen locally fit into the larger fleet. I will have to keep my eyes open for other types... so there's all the more justification to buy some. Though I have to admit, the models with multiple wording and branding do look the part, so I am really tempted, despite generally sticking to items I've seen. Cheers, Ixion.

Hi McC, That's really helpful and a good insight into the different types, thank you very much! Also good to see the reference to a possible future run, including the 6955's. Many thanks, Ixion.

Got a question! A certain Tonbridge to Avonmouth train had a load of short-cut HYA's in it recently and I thought - a-ha (a.k.a. oh no, more AST* on my income ) now I have an excuse to buy one or two (i.e. a long rake). Then, I noticed the coding on their tops and lower sides, reading things like: 37 70 6955… with VTG branding and ex-First GBRf in at least some cases. Looking at the Accurascale website, I see the only European numbered ones are 37 70 6791... In the last few pages and other reading, I see there is mention of cut-down HHA's (which I gather are different to the Accurascale ones). However, the ones I saw were indeed HYA (read off the lower body), so the question is... What are they? Are they just a later batch of the Accurascale ones, a variation of them, HHA's by a different wagon type, or something else? Modern image is a minefield of choices! Thanks, Ixion * AST = AccuraScale Tax - money which arrives in your income but is pre-allocated to Accurascale models...

Although I didn't find a solution, I had a similar issue with a Loadhaul 56 with DCC (split from a set). I'd be interested to hear if there is a fix as it ran very slowly, far below what would be expected for realistic scale speed. It would probably be a good step first to replace the DCC decoder with a blanking plug, just to remove the possibility of it being decoder related. Although I understand why suggested, I suspect putting the voltage up (if adjustable on your DCC control unit) will also make other locos run faster too. Be careful, as advised, to ensure the voltage does not exceed the decoder installed, or even other decoders on other models on the same track. My best guess would be a slightly tight gearing which could strain the motor and eventually wear it out quicker. After all, if the motor turns freely, the gear train is free running and the wheels turn, it should work properly if given the right feed of power, i.e. via the DCC decoder or direct from the rails as well as the pickups from the wheels. I may take another look at mine and let you know if I find a solution - or hopefully someone else knows a cause and has a solution?! Cheers, Ixion.

The BR Blue D9009 Alycidon is also fitted with the front headlight too Am I right that D9002 (BR Green) is currently the only other one with a headlight being produced (except the one off 9016, that is)? Hats off to Accurascale for what is without a doubt an absolutely stunning model and superb demonstration of modern production capabilities at a very competitive price. Despite being a modern era enthusiast, that 55022 with all the silver is a threat to my wallet!

Glad my discovery and suggestion has helped someone else! Thanks, Ixion.

Dim Lights at One End: SOLVED! I took the bodyshell off, per the instructions and found the front light pipe just fell out, maybe coming loose in transit or at the factory. I applied a small bit of Loctite All Purpose Adhesive near to but not over the light exit points and re-seated it to the rear of the bodyshell's front lights, observing the correct way up from the pipes at the other end. Kept it held in place until the glue had set reasonably well, then refitted the bodyshell and put it back on the track. All lights now functioning brightly at both ends. For anyone else who may have the same issue, here is it fitted back in place. The little V-notch half way along the clear pipe can be seen and is fitted nearer the front of the loco and with the lights inserted into their respective bodyshell front holes. Take care to seat the light pipe flush against the front while the glue sets, so the LED's on the chassis align correctly afterwards. Thanks, Ixion. My original query: This may be more of a generic Dapol 68 query, though it applies to my TPE Achilles (DCC pre-Fitted)... The lower lights on one end seem very much dimmer than the other. It looks like the LED's are lighting up, but perhaps just not getting 'piped' to the front of the model. Before I remove the bodyshell (I presume they're easy to remove), has anyone else had this issue and was it a simple resolve? Thanks, Ixion.

Unless I have misunderstood things, I believe DJ was either involved in or ran Nthusiast Resprays, who commissioned a pair in RailTrack blue/green (73212 & 73213, one being a dummy) as a Limited Edition of 100. So I presume that he was not working for Dapol at that time, whilst Dapol must have been producing the model, i.e. the 73 must pre-date his arrival at Dapol. Howver, he may have later been involved with improvements to it after joning Dapol, perhaps?. I'm looking forward to these little gems and expect they will turn up eventually... always liked to see the class out and about in various liveries over the years. Cheers, Ixion.

Really like the colours on D1015. So pleased this livery got done (well, it was bound to really!) and now added to the collection A photo of both D1015 (Cheltenham Model Centre) and the first release of D1000 (Osborns Models)! Cheers, Ixion.

Totally agree! I really like the attention to detail, like the etchings over the fans on the underside. It may seem odd that this should matter being out of sight but it also shows attention to detail and professionalism in the final product. Something the people at Accurascale are really getting a good name for. Sadly, I missed out on the brief appearance of Dapol TPE 68's recently in OO but I am a GWML person and the only time I have ever seen these is behind a 57, (57305 and one another loco) of which I do have a model, so I can mimic the Newport drags to the north on their arrival that came via Swindon and then via Oxford. I gather there may have been some changes to some details since delivery but to be honest it doesn't really bother me that much. The only thing I would ask Accurascale is whether they could provide a tatty translucent jacket to wrap around the model (...really a piece of art!) to imitate one particular drag that comes to mind that had the wrapping loose and flapping around Mind you, this might be the material used to protect the model in the packaging! Hope to get my order in very soon and most likely the Revolution one too for the smaller layout (when I build it!). Cheers, Ixion.

12/02/2021 at 12:21 mid-day

Excellent - Reading Signal Works shunter Great that Hornby have addressed a selection of minor locos (both diesel and steam) over the last few years. Good for smaller layouts and introducing people to the hobby!

Really interesting read, thanks - all adds to the mystery of these impressive, unusual trains! The description also gives some ideas for people figures to add to a layout... something often missed in photos, either by wanting to only get the train in the image or by understandable Police request perhaps?! Without wanting to deviate from the thread, there used to be an air-raid siren sounded every (?) Tuesday afternoon down in Southampton back in the early 1990's... presumed to be because of the local docks but maybe some other reason? Nearby Fawley Oil Terminal, perhaps? I assume they never had 'special' cargos at the Docks that would warrant such a system? Really want/must get my order in for these KUA's - I got the half-pint Revolution version and they are a real treat! Looking at the photos of the OO version, it really does show the efforts put in to making a top class product too. Just a thought - as it will be a bit of a late Christmas present and it's cold outside, should I also ask for a bowl of Ready-Brek to make me 'glow' (probably a TV reference there for the older generation among us!). Cheers, Ixion.

I wondered if my Gaugemaster/Dapol Pullman 73 had the same sound functions but when I looked, I couldn't find the sound sheet either!!! All I remember is that there was mention of electric or diesel operational sounds, though I never have heard the electric ones. So... I am a bit lost too - if you happen to get a copy of functions, can you PM me too? I know the decoder used in mine was a Zimo, so it's possible it was fitted by GM and not a Dapol original but it might just be common between models. The only other option is to try all F buttons and sequences... If I do find mine, I'll let you know. Thanks, Ixion.

Hi, You ask what form it will take? It is a standalone coach and the original bogies were modified to non-articulated when the coach was taken into the Research Department. I presume this will also be the case with the model, as articulated ones could look rather odd protruding from the main body! Cheers, Ixion.

I see they've updated the RES 47578 advert with a photo of 47578 rather than 47776! Yay... but this time of 47578 with no nameplate... I hunted around and did eventually find a photo of 47578 in RES with the name 'Respected', so I am now convinced it did actually exist in this colour scheme with the name. Tempted as I do like parcel trains

Had a few double headed 58's pulling HAAs around the Foxhall curve... <two-tone horn>-(ton-ton-ton--ton-ton-ton)--(ton-ton-ton--ton-ton-ton)--(ton--ton)-(ton--ton)-(ton--ton)-(ton--ton)-(ton--ton)-(ton--ton) ...oh wait, that's a cheaper train to model - only 6 wagons from the Power Station's cripple siding! What have I started?! Anyone got my coat?

Just wait until someone like Gaugemaster releases an exclusive Waterman Range linked commission from Heljan, sold by a company like Kernow, through the Bachmann EFE Rail brand as an Exclusive Limited Special Edition! ...and if Rod Stewart were to buy one or two... (All names mentioned for the purpose of demonstration of a fictitious situation. Other suppliers, commissioners, re-branders, pop singers and producers are also available / exist) It were all straight forward when I were a lad! Liking the ROG 47 from GM though - a definite choice for me! I was pleased to see 47492 'Enterprising Scot' in red-striped ScotRail livery... perhaps a good one to go with the Rails / Bachmann Exclusive 47541 'The Queen Mother' in the same livery, released many years ago along with 47462 'Charles Rennie Macintosh' in standard ScotRail colours. Also pleased to see 47600 in Railfreight Distribution livery... I am sure I saw this with the front numbers defaced to spell out 'SPOON' back in the late 80's / early 90's. One odd thing though... 47578 is listed in the RES 47 description but the photo is of 47776. I presume it was painted in RES before renumbering? Cheers, Ixion.

I am sure when I used to see MGR trains going to Didcot 'A' Power Station, the wagons used to be in multiples of 7. i.e. we used to see 28, 35 and 42, though I vaguely recall sets of 45 but I may be mistaken. Were they ever treated as 'blocks' of 7 (or any other number)? If so, were there a pair of 'outer' wagons around a group of 5 regular types? I fear for my poor wallet... if I were to eventually buy a rake of 45 wagons! That's going to be some outlay but to put a camera next to a model level crossing and see a blue 56 pass screaming by with ton-ton--ton-ton--ton-ton--ton-ton... (you get the idea!)… will really evoke memories of seeing them at Steventon and Appleford level crossings when I was younger. I hope and am very sure they will run much better than the old Hornby offerings though, for which a rake of 20 provide some drag test for even the toughest of locos! Then, there's my interest in China Clay wagons... Cheers, Ixion.

If sticking to your two options, I would say late than early. I suspect this would prevent another company stopping their announcement when you make yours, only to hasten their process to release in advance of your own. Personally though, I would say best when the first major CAD iteration is done and ideally with a 3D print to display... so neither early nor late... This shows progress beyond just an intention to make, stopping short of heavy tooling costs. It allows suggestions for popular liveries and gives people a little more time to save up. That all said, announcing weeks/months before release does have a certain 'Getting a prezzy' feeling which is exciting and good for the soul! Announcing too early just prolongs that wait Cheers, Ixion.

Yes - the Class 40 was a doddle! I am very cautious about having to mill, cut, solder, re-wire, etc. a costly model and wanted a really easy option, so I chatted with YouChoos (other manufacturer offerings are available) who told me how easy it would be. So, I bought one from them at Warley a year or two ago and a day or two later, removed the Class 40 body, took the blanking plug off, plugged in the decoder, put the body back on and my N-gauge Class 40 sound fleet successfully increased by one! I am sure I could manage a much more complicated arrangement but for anyone thinking of trying sound fitting to a model, this is a really easy one with which to gain experience and confidence. I expect/hope the 31 will be similar too Have to admit, I can understand people not being interested in sound, DCC, etc. either for preference or sheer cost, so it's really good to see Bachmann/Farish offering both fitted and non-fitted options on many upcoming sound ready models now (incl. OO gauge). Cheers, Ixion.

Hi big jim I placed my order yesterday and had no problems getting through and reserving one, so I expect you'll be OK but don't hang around just in case. I would imagine many people who wanted one raced out to get the Hornby version, so probably leaving a slightly lower demand for this one. That said, I think the idea of packaging it with two aircraft relating to Colonel (Captain) Tom's efforts (I think it was a flypast for his 100th Birthday?) is a nice touch. Now having placed my order, I have already done my bit for charriddy mate but... don't like to talk about it Pop-a-dab-a-dopulous! Ixion.

That appears to be correct... On Bachmann's website, it says 'Speaker Fitted' on checking a couple of non-sound 31's. It also has a Next-18 decoder socket specified. Glad this is the case because having ordered the non-sound one, it was disappointing to see I could have ordered a sound fitted one... so at least I do instead have the choice of a 3rd party option for the sound file and no worries about installing a speaker! At least any future 31 purchases with sound would most likely be a different sound file, so no 'in-synch' sounds when double heading.

OK, thanks Adrian. It's probably quicker for them to fulfil payments back... maybe stock is moving fast for those who have ordered stuff. Cheers.

Did they already have your card details? I'm reluctant to send mine by e-mail but if they can accept over the phone, then maybe... I think I may only have a month or less left, so it's not a big deal really but the offers sounded very good.