neal

Hello all, I today attended a regional hospital for a Prostatectomy following cancer diagnosis at Christmas. I was second in line for the operation, and ready to be taken down, when my surgeon arrived to tell me that the operation had been cancelled. This was due to delays on the day, and staff being reallocated/retrained to serve on general wards to support general admissions. I was told that the operation is probably to be delayed until the Autumn, which - given the stage of my cancer - is still likely to be operable, but will inevitably impact the likelihood of a clear prognosis thereafter. I accept wholly that this is a result of the upturn in admissions due to Coronavirus and that I was particularly unfortunate to have been ‘bumped’ having gone through the whole pre-op procedure, however having experienced the hospital and staff today (and encountered other patients and their families) I would make the following plea. Please, please follow the government guidance and follow self isolation and/or social distancing relating to your age and vulnerability. The preparations being made on the wards are deadly serious, making way for multiple casualties in what will be harrowing environments. Staff are being retrained to cover general admissions and provide specialist care required of the current outbreak. Macmillan Nurses will be redeployed on general wards. The words ‘war-zone’ were mentioned by staff on multiple occasions whilst I was there today. THIS IS REAL. I overheard a couple discussing the recommendation that over 70’s would need to self isolate from the coming weekend with the words ‘they’ll never keep me locked up’. This is concerning, and whilst I fully understand that many 70 year olds are more spritely than myself (a mere 50 year old), such behaviour will lead to behavioural ‘contagion’ and wider disregard of guidance. Honestly you do not want this disease, or to be in any way a part of it’s spread. I know it will be hard but please stay in as guided, minimise direct contact with others and tough it out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, there is an increasingly active support network for the isolated and vulnerable. This forum can offer a strong part of this for us hobbyists. For my part, I now have to wait and see what the health service can provide later in the year. For the time being I remain far more concerned over this outbreak and it’s wider impact, than my own cancer outcome. I am sorry if these words are alarming - I have not taken writing this post lightly. At this time there remain inconsistencies with policy which are difficult to understand, however please do what is within your control and together we can beat this thing. I remain grateful to my specialist surgeon who has been honest and frank with me today, I wanted to share this with you. Best Wishes, Neal

Just added DCC to this model, noted that all four of the pick-up wires connected to the factory pcb did not have sufficient sheathing stripped from the wire ends, and only two of the four actually made electrical contact with the terminal screws. Enough for the model to run (and presumably pass QA) but pickup was only from 4 of 8 wheels. I removed the pcb for DCC install, however those retaining DC might want to check theirs are ok. Easy fix nonetheless, but another Heljan QA niggle. Otherwise this re-release runs beautifully and looks the part, even if the basis of the model is 16 years of age! Neal

That looks nice. 03 121 was always the more elusive of the Bath Road 03’s (often hidden away at the back of the sheds), and at the time I was ‘spotting’ rarely seen on Lawrence Hill trips. I don’t recall it ever being as well turned out as 382. Please post an image when numbered and weathered... Neal

I think Hornby knew something we didn’t when they decided upon this release: https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2020/01/31/east-west-rail-line-route-chosen/ Varsity line special - sickbags included! Neal

I don’t know whether others have had the same issue, however my model has increasingly been susceptible to gear ‘jumping’ when accelerating or braking hard. This relates to the O gauge model. Having investigated this twice, I think I have resolved the issue. The drivetrain to each axle has a ‘floating’ gearbox which includes a series of gears extending from the motor worm to the axle. This is held in place by a keep-plate retained by screws at either end. There is some ’slop’ between this gearbox and the motor worm, and a small foam pad appears to be in place to keep pressure on the gear connecting to the motor drive. It appeared that this pad had degraded such that there was inadequate pressure between the gear and worm, and under relatively minor stress, this ‘jumps’. To resolve this I swapped the degraded pad, with a short section of plasticard angle (3mm x 3mm, appx .6mm thick) which fits snugly between gearbox and case, and provides adequate pressure between gear and worm to prevent jumping. This is clear of the gears and appears not to compromise requisite clearances. This, combined with a good clean of wheels, pickups and pick-up ‘grooves’ to the axles, resulted in good smooth running again. (Note: photo taken before wheels cleaned and pick-ups adjusted) Hope this makes sense and is of use to others, Neal

I think they tried the same thing with 60009’s tender just before Christmas, but that didn’t go so well! N

They provide a pack of spare pipes etc with the model. Check if they are in the box. Neal

No socket, and a little bit of a puzzle to sort wires removed from the Heljan board to wire into a new decoder. The Heljan pcb is well labelled (compared to older models!) If you take your time it is not too hard to work out. Haven’t checked motor current draw, but probably too much for a OO decoder. If you are on a budget, DCC Concepts Zen Buddha works fine. Neal

They have been discounted by a number of stores, it would appear that Heljan have shifted their remaining stocks allowing some bargains to be had. A&H in Brackley have all liveries at £495.00. Rails appear to have the best deal, although they don’t have all the liveries left. I nabbed a lined green one at this price, but haven’t opened it yet! The model is fine, and well detailed. It runs reasonably well, although the rear driving axle has excessive float and can allow the loco to ride up when changing direction. 6106 (shown above) needed some drive train lubrication and this seems to help. No significant QA issues as far as I am aware, however there is always a chance of bits adrift in packaging. For DCC, it has an board with socket for ‘Lok’ decoders. This is easily removed for other types. Its one of my favourites. Neal

Perhaps not the sign, more the scenario... Dexter is still live and well... Neal

Replacement headcodes and numbered. Neal

Just a note that the additional guidance for body removal posted on the Towers site fails to spot the third tender top screw which is located to the o/s rear corner, tight to the buffer beam. Once removed, the top comes off easily, however be careful as the tender weight is sandwiched between chassis and body, and is loose when the top is removed. The front tender handrails are the only fiddly issue, these fit into holes on the tender footplate. Caution as these are plastic. Decoder fit is straightforward, I stripped out the Loksound socket for a Buddha chip. Compared to the Prairie, the cables are very fine. Firebox flicker board peels away from the socket and can be wired into aux function terminal at default output. This works fine, but is a little yellow for my taste. I hadn’t made this connection on my Heljan Prairie, however having done this on the Mogul, I cracked the tank engine open again and got this feature working. I also took the opportunity to lube the gear set. The Mogul Runs beautifully on DCC as DC. Neal

Bagged one from Rails. Perfect, and fine on DC, looking at decoder options : Neal

Picked up 75069 on it’s first trip North. It flew from Hampton Loade down into Bridgnorth! Later in the day....

Decoder fitted, pickups tweaked, now earning her keep. Neal

Merry Christmas Neal

Hornby Silver Jubilee Pullman Set 1977, with chuffing Albert Hall: Box artwork was magnificent!! Neal

Both Bala and SMJR V2 titles are now in stock (at Ian Allan Birmingham). I succumbed to the latter which is a weighty tome. Initial view is that it appears very comprehensive from 1908 through to today, but my volume is now in hibernation until Xmas! (This shop also has a new array of discounted Bachmann locos, new Ivatt Class 2 tanks and more 1F’s - good bargains for the Christmas shopper which don’t feature in the Hattons sale!) Neal

I had a failure a couple of years ago at which point the model was over a year old. Dapol replaced the wheelset and pin, so I was surprised to see that they now suggest this is an unknown issue! My problem was with the original Southern green loco, and the replacement wheelset appears to be from the IOW loco with a slightly different green. Nonetheless I thought this was good service from Dapol. If failures are more common, perhaps they do not have the spares to provide replacements any more I recall when mine failed, there remained just enough thread to get a short hex-head to bite with the remains of the original pin in-situ. Worth a shot before you get the drill out. Neal