Pennine MC

iD may well have a point here, those to me look like practices (like slowing down on the gears) that were born of a time when car brakes weren't as reliable. Nowadays with power steering, it's much easier to straighten up as Jim suggests, once settled into a space and if your manouevring doesnt do it for you. I'd say the majority of cars that do exhibit turned wheels these days are ones that have been driven forwards into a car park space with nothing on one side.

Badly parked 4x4s? Yeah

I'd guess that was more for control staff and those dealing with the records, as those that could see what was in front of their eyes.

Yeah, dont get me wrong; I'm not saying it isnt sometimes a good idea, and like many folk I have a long a list of projects that could be possibly kept from getting longer by interpretation of what *might* be on the way - this is surely why threads like this are as popular with 'doers' as 'box openers'. But as ever, there needs to be realism, and that's what's sadly sometimes lacking.

So, as I always say with weathering - build up your experience on cheaper models. Nobody on this forum set out with full grown skills, the sooner you start the sooner you'll get to where you want to be. Yep, that's pretty much it I think. This idea of 'waiting til they do the one I want' is relatively new - when some of us started out, there was absolutely no point in waiting for variations, 'cos it just wasnt going to happen.

Is this post a red herring?

Good to know it's authoritative as ever

As ever, it's a broad debate put here in a brief soundbite. We all have our own tolerances but I think most would agree you shouldnt have to correct defects in new RTR (such as, hypothetically, a loco that wont run properly or a coach that had the wrong roof profile) - but then again if you want to do it, that's OK. Modifying to enhance, to detail, to represent variations or different builds using a basically sound model is a completely different thing, and should indeed be 'what we do'.

So anyway, back to the plot. Yes Ian, I think it was - numbers in the D5655 - 70 range also ring a bell now I think on.

I doubt it Phil - at that time, the Brush locos still had the Mirrlees lumps in them, it was that that was uprated. Not sure about electrics, but 5835 was unique in having the big cooling grilles at both ends, which it kept until the end, viz: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianews/5813358008/ There were also other class members rated at 1600hp for a time, I can never trouble to remember which ones Unless you count 47s with duff traction motors

Cheers, I thought there's be something in that but you have better recall of it. We have discussed 5901 and the U-type before, methinks.

I dont wish to cause an argument given your evident dischuffment Bart, but I'm sure I remember seeing it as 'break'. Presumably the 'edit by Mod4' line isnt just coincidence, particularly as it was less than an hour after Brushman's polite request? It's a thought isnt it, I've also seen enough pics of them working random freights on other Regions to have stopped consciously noting them

I think it is Dave, the opposed angle irons being the giveaway, but I must admit the end door made me think it was a b*stardised Mogo at first*. The meat van is as you say, just gold. * Edit - I'll sleep on it, but I think maybe the end(s) is/are Mogo - there's no trace of the twin vents of the Fruit.

That sounds a bit Stanierist to me

Possibly, but the principal difference between the basic type 1 and 2 specs was twin cabs and train heat capability - some type 2s (like the early NBLs) were actually 1000hp (the power ratings IIRC being type 1: 800 - 1000hp and type 2: 1000 - 1500). Added to which, the 8SVT could probably by then have been offered at a higher rating - as an aside, I recall reading that EE did actually offer to supply the last batches of 37s at 2000hp but BR declined, probably on the grounds of standardisation. Again I shouldnt post too much off the cuff (I should go away and read like Bill ), but it does seem likely that the locos were a case of an engine being available and looking for an application.

That's an interesting point. I'm not sure OTTOMH and I'm not running to check books while my tea's settling, but presumably the Babies were simply put forward as a contender for the broad type 2 'spec', without necessarily any specific purpose in mind. It highlights (in a very general sense) how BR didnt always make best use of its assets by taking account of particular strengths and weaknesses.

I dont see anybody counting rivets on chimneys, argumentatively or otherwise. I do see folk discussing the presence or absence of rivets on smokeboxes, and whether that might be linked to certain builds or number ranges - all grist to the mill of those who want to utilise RTR to best effect. As someone who likes B1s but doesnt know that much about them, I for one am grateful for their insights.

Constantly: http://www.pakfiles.com/watch-video/MTQ3MDg=/Fast-Show-Indecisive-Dave

Far be it from me to make you look neither funny nor clever (big there), but the Waggonbasher was the one type that never saw service in Scotland; Alston was the nearest they got, and then only briefly.

Or maybe we just share a common outlook Brian, one that (with due respect) is a tad more wordly wise than your own. As for 'standing shoulder to shoulder with retailers', it's not just offensive but it's off the mark - understanding and accepting something isn't actually the same thing as condoning it. My last word on this.

I hardly like to mention this after 'that document', but those Cravens trailer cars would have been surplus at that time, having been withdrawn from the LMR sets they were delivered with.

So let's do that. I think the folly of making an overall comparison of manufacturers on the basis of disparate individual models has been shown.

Hattons prices often vary according to supply and demand and possibly other reasons. I've no doubt there's a profit motive there as well, but it's nothing to do with Christmas. Again I dont see the relevance. Hornby dont tell Hattons what price to sell at. Why would it be linked to UK inflation? It's part of a world economy, in which the ever increasing expectations of a Chinese workforce play a big part John a retailer? Ho hum. With due respect Brian, I think you'd do well to better get to know the folk you're arguing with.