PMP

I have indeed checked sir! 😎, and for the locomotive I’m doing it is correct. Perhaps when it’s done if I throw a chip in it, we could whizz it round your train set?

While not doubting you may have had a poorly assembled version, here’s the subject model starting a 500g load on a 3% grade. When assembled correctly these models are quite capable of normal RTR performance as evident from above. Online reviews are notable by their lack of comments regarding performance. I’ve also had the body off this week in preparation for further video content, and found no issues in putting it back on, just two screws and align the motion bracket with the mounting slot. I support the model held upside down in Ye olde Peco foam locomotive cradle. Way simpler and easier than many contemporary designs of steam or D&E outline. I also don’t recall these being discounted by any significant margin over other models in the bargain basement years of the late noughties.

Oh no they don’t…. 🤭

Part way through the conversion, the tender has been converted to a BR1, and replacement bogie wheels fitted. Next stages will be replacing the chimney, smoke box dart, AWS equipment and coupling rods. Then on to the cosmetic refurbishment.

The BR green version has the correct black roof color. The 1948 WR version carries the standard ‘GWR’ scheme with green roof with Egyptian typeface. BR standard liveries had not been introduced at this time, so they carried over the grouping companies.

The chassis, wheels, motor and gears in that era of kit weren’t supplied, so if all the white metal kit components are there, then the kit is complete. The chassis will be available second hand on sites like eBay or swap meets and second hand stalls at shows. If the kit was advertised as complete including chassis then returning it will be easier.

It’s either a Mainline, Replica, or early Bachmann body from the original design split chassis version of the 57xx. They all used the same body tooling, which is pretty accurate, it was changed and improved when Bachmann introduced the new chassis version around 2004.

The prototype doesn’t have them.

Just make sure none of them have previously been involved in organising a clay pigeon shoot, or archery, that sort of caper..

You’re first paragraph doesn’t surprise me, historically the UK railway modeller has been extremely parochial, and I don’t for-see that changing, even with today’s cheap travel and access to data and information via the web. Having exhibited mine and others overseas layouts, it’s very easy to see the visitors preference by the number of viewers, regardless of how good the modelling is. I don’t agree any layout is worth a few minutes a visitors time. We naturally go for our own preferences, for example I don’t listen to Jazz I have no interest in that genre of music, or I won’t go and watch test cricket, same reason as music, I know what it is, and don’t like it. The same applies to modelling, if the style isn’t of interest then I walk on by, at Doncaster there were a few I barely glanced at, others held my attention for far longer, for different reasons.

Why would they have to? It's the National show put on by Warners. Why didn't you ask the same question in the Keymodel world thread? For what it's worth I'd be very surprised if there's been no discussion between Warners and Warley club, I think this is excellent news and wish them success as well as the Key team for April. It shows that theres real interest and enthusiasm for promoting the hobby from within the hobby trade.

Ticket price, Car Parking, Backpacks, Soap NEC Gestapo I win!

That was one of the incorrect releases in terms of detail configuration that Bachmann released, and subsequently resolved by producing replacement locomotive bodies. The cab is incorrect in that it is one of the first batch with cab doors and rear handrail, where it should have the later version of the cab. It has the incorrect earlier tender too. Concurrent with that release there was this one below : This was supplied with an incorrect cab/tender combination too but the other way round, early cab, late tender. For it’s time early noughties, it’s an excellent model and still stands in it’s own right today. The core dimensions and shape are all correct, so they’re worth working on to get a bit of extra finesse to them. I’m converting the one above to a first batch locomotive so the tender is being modified and a few details on the engine.

The chassis isn’t the best with it’s gear train drive and due to backlash in the gears it ‘clogged’ on downhill grades. https://youtube/d73UU1bh6MY?si=YnYh8UqMTJ2WGqn9 Without the motor/gear interferences the chassis runs very well. https://youtube/F4m73Ykr_JQ?si=7QkNUisnow_Z9TUs The ashpan is missing but that could be an easy fix within the tooling options. The rest of the model is very good. The dimensions are correct with the exception of the splashers ( Bach 64xx similar) and slightly too large diameter wheels. Coupling rods had a daft slot in them as does the 02 and 13xx. The 14xx rods can be replaced with round crank pin holes without any problems and it runs fine. The only ‘error’ on the body was the lack of a more visible seam around the base of the dome. There was lots of foam about the plates, however fitting replacements is easy and the recess doesn’t affect them so not really an issue. Putting a firebox LED in wouldn’t be a big issue, and there’s bunker space for a speaker already designed in, so no change needed there. The model could do with a few adjustments, but for a company taking it on, they wouldn’t be too onerous.

I don’t recall seeing one or hearing of it, however Sayer Chaplin IIRC did have it as one of their early etched kits.

It’s odd how you get used to the size of them with familiarity, I used to think 146/737/a320’s were big. After a few weeks working in their vicinity they become the norm and you get used to them. And then once you’d got used to them something a bit larger would turn up to redefine ‘big’.

There’s no weight restriction for the A380 on Manchesters parking stands, or taxiways except for Lima. Looking at their charts there’s two ‘large’ stands one each off the end of Terminal1 and 3. Those stands have three positions on each stand and are likely used for a380, and 747-8’s. The operational access to the aircraft is key so airbridges, ground handling and lateral clearance around the airframe are all factors in stand allocation. I’m not aware of any trends for increased numbers of go-arounds. Perhaps there’s more public awareness of them, as any storm story these days seems to have an obligation to show one on telly.

They appear to be 3mm, I’ll get the vernier on them later

If I remember correctly instructions say drill and fix by user, as pipes not fitted to every variant and chosen livery different eras

Mine was a little squeaky in reverse to start with, but has settled nicely with running in. Lights are directional.

It’s a bit good 👍

Do your own research, I’m not getting paid for it.

Exhibitors don’t have to pay for their accommodation, why are you making things up? Key are providing an allowance, that was explained in the other thread which you’ve read, because you commented on it befor posting here 🙄 Why wouldn’t someone want to take their layout to this show? Why do Key have to announce every attending exhibit at once? Why is a move to a different hall a problem?

He has. He’s very good, and his layouts have appeared in several magazines. I’m surprised with your long experience of exhibiting you weren’t aware of that.

Obviously Key get the profits, the same way Warley club show company used to get them. If you’ve not been asked to assist or volunteer where’s the issue? Key have set the event price at a similar price to the ‘Warley’ show for a more varied genre show, presumably within those groups they have the opportunity to recruit assistance rather than relying solely on the model railway community. Perhaps they’re using agency staff? Regardless, it’s not ‘our’ problem. Within the T&C’s there’s an allowance for the layout teams to claim for accommodation. At such relatively short notice trying to bulk buy room rates would be difficult regardless of whether they have a HOTAC account with any group or chain. Had this been a year in advance then the HOTAC element would have been cheaper, but as @TEAMYAKIMAsays for them, it’s not an issue. It does at least allow the exhibitors to select their own accommodation. Some shows (not Warley), haven’t provided suitable HOTAC or other elements, we never went back to those. With Warley club deciding not to run their exhibition this year, if Key or any other publisher, organisation or group want to have a crack at running what will be a good opportunity to be the national annual model railway exhibition, that’s a good thing. If people don’t want to exhibit or contribute to an event that’s fine. Those that have been invited are going into it with pretty clear understandings of what the show is and the relevant T&C’s.