34theletterbetweenB&D

I only found out about the dorking disaster by non-arrival of a Christmas card from an old mucker. His opinion - and trust me, he has a few - is that the staff won't bail the management out, because pay and conditions are so far off the pace in that locality, that those that remain are mainly working until fairly imminent retirement.

Indeed they do, but still way more subtle than the huge representations Bachmann originally provided; and if the date on the pic is correct that's a 50+ y.o. specimen. (I suspect most of 'wear' making the welds apparent is from flexing of the roof panels during operation, the welds slightly stiffer than the panel material; I have never seen an engineering analysis.)

My suggestion was of an available authentic railway title. Hornby should only grab 'The Premier Line' for their superior models while it is not taken.

Closer to home, Dorking Royal Mail collections and deliveries. No joke at all for those living in that district, where the service ceased normal functioning over 6 months ago and appears to be beyond repair.

The large disparity of opinion on exhibition here is exactly what I would expect for a business with such a broad product range that is poorly differentiated. Previous marketing manager thought this was no problem when challenged on this, but personally I feel it damages their reputation. Some clear and sustained segmentation of the range would begin to fix this. I only buy what I consider Hornby's good stuff, and it's up there with anything currently available in RTR OO. I was very pleased at the effort put into the B12/3, which is easily the best 4-6-0 currently available; only amazed that they had chosen to offer this instead of the Black 5 which would surely have sold better. And there we go, that's about to be tested when the Black 5 becomes the reigning best RTR OO 4-6-0. And it won't be anywhere near as good as the Bugatti streamlined form W1 and P2, simply 'because'.

But the collectoriser mind set dismisses that as irrelevant: even if it is a much superior model, it isn't what came out of the factory, and therefore of greatly diminished value in their view. Which is grand, a cheaply obtained RTR origin model that has been skillfully worked on is just the ticket for those with a different mind set.

Well there's handy, I thought this listing had gone forever when Bachmann adopted their present website style, and had stopped looking,

And the question then, is whether all of that 'something' which Hornby does in their best interests? For the market segment I fit into (adult, scale protoype oriented modeller) I would say no. They lag well behind their main competitor in this segment, which is Bachmann, which has systematically produced other than express traction, building a range of the vital every day traction, MU's, carriages and wagons. That said what Hornby now overall offer for this segment is very good, and currently clearly outranks every brand except Bachmann. What catches my eye is that no other brand is seriously challenging Hornby at the starter product end of the range. Bachmann did initially but pretty much gave up fairly quickly is my perception. Is it truly essential now?

I reckon so, the site is clearly current and trading, after a brief shutdown at time of Hattons purchase.

Alternative suggestion, the long established plastic modelling technique of 'dragging' a new scalpel blade over the raised item. With a little practice with a curved blade it is possible to 'disappear' the raised rib flush with the roof, leaving the paint almost untouched. The blade is positioned with the cutting edge perpendicular to the rib, and then dragged along it, this is very quick, needs about three passes to remove a rib. I find that a blade about does a coach roof for best results. (The blades go into the 'B grade' box for regular cutting purposes. (I need a good light for optimum results and do this task in summer sunshine.)

Further areas worth looking at: Replacing the buffers with the specific design Swindon used (Bach's buffers are generic on most of their models) fitting a replacement drawhook with a screw link coupling, and adding the brake pipe (and steam heat pipe if modelling winter) will much improve the bufferbeams. Removing the tension lock couplers, and ideally the mountings too, if not planning to use the loco to haul trains. If you do this, also thin down the frame ends if possible - the practically of this is dependent on the model construction.

Ooh if you dare do that it's basically scrap. But you could plug the hole in the drilled out chimney with some black tack, position a Polo in the packaging, and there you go: Mint in Box...😎

Further to this: the incorrect* roof rib representations on the Mk1gangwayed carriages applies to all the original tranche of 9 introductions: SK, SO, BSK, CK, FK, BG, BCK, RFO/RU, Super BG. All were subsequently upgraded to flush roofs. I have no idea which suffix letter indicates the first upgraded version for all these (keep in mind that each vehicle will have carried multiple liveries and each vehicle type and livery combination is catalogued under a unique number. IMO it is best left to visual examination in the case of s/h purchases: vehicle in incorrect box is a commonplace... The later mk1 releases: RMB, GUV, mk1 based Pullman cars, Sleepers, Post Office vehicles, were introduced with flush roofs. *BR's mk1 had welds between the 4' wide steel roof panels, which welds were made on a precision jig, such that no further finishing was required following welding, to ensure that the seams were not visible once painted.

This begs the question, what would be the models at the core of a potential set? I saw the end of steam and Triang was disappointing because there wasn't a heavy goods like the 8F 2-8-0 in the hideously expensive H-D range. Now that item obviously won't cut it today , but what are the likely current equivalents to attract someone young interested in the railway? Ten - perhaps twelve years ago, Hornby knocked out the Javelin, and that was just what the 8 year old of my acquaintance wanted. He's midway through an engineering apprenticeship now. Then again, the 7 y.o. daughter of a friend has an N2 and N7 and dribbles at my B12/3. Her grandparents live a little West of Sheringham so she knows the NNR...

Cheapskate. Should have gone for a laser or optical turntable - or both, each has its own performance benefits dependent on the polymer, pressing technique and condition of the recording - which does no damage to the record. And of course unless on solid bedrock, you may need a large concrete mount for optimal stability on which to locate the turntables. Beyond this point it becomes seriously expensive... The exchange of opinions is the major side entertainment, Even the most abrasive model railway fan's utterances would be regarded as exquisitely polite in audiophile circles.

Never seen the prototype.let alone the kit you have. First question I would ask is the minimum radius you expect it to run on. My inclination would be to treat the 4-2 piece as a rigid chassis, because the front carrying wheels will foul those cylinders and frames, if conventionally bogie mounted. The rear bogie with its smaller wheels and less obstruction can be allowed some sideways travel in addition to the usual pivotting for the purpose of getting around curves.

Actually what matters is prompt delivery in the present situation, where it's a shower of drivers in vans turning up some time or other, some possibly not quite able to read the street name or count house numbers beyond finger assistance. So reliable indication of when to be at home is 'helpful' and this applies to all vendor's deliveries.

Much the same when I first got a Saturday job on the greengrocery counter and then 'worked up' to holiday relief, while still in secondary ed.. Traditional shipping methods still much in use, the most remarkable the nuts for Christmas, huge coarse weave sacks with notionally 150 lbs in, which were checked on a steelyard balance for the purchase price by weight. The thought that I was accustomed to swinging these up on my shoulders to carry them from stall to the store truck...

Definitely if it is to have a future. For a start, some pieces on getting the best out of the techy end of the range, the how and why of close coupling mechanisms, benefits of diecast loco bodies, etc.. And put the models being photographed on superior sceniced track, rather than your own tawdry product. (Just a quick look in the likes of John Lewis will supply ideas on the importance presentation.) FTFY.

They inevitably do, up to the point where the design sophistication of the controller exceeds the inherent limitations of any particular mechanism. The old saw on not being able to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

First step back on the leading question , to what was the origin of most MR shows? MR Clubs. And second step back, what was the origin of those MR clubs? Now we get a flood of answers: interest in the railway, socialising with like minded folk, chance to participate in much larger modelling projects than individually possible, learning new skills, opportunity to harangue other folks on 'my way or the highway', < insert yours here >. Some of those will no longer be the draw they were, because there are readily accessible alternatives, or they have gone out of fashion, or < nominate others here > The above very much a simplified picture, but the underlying message is that change is inevitable; and the end result unpredictable.

The B1 had a 6'2" wheel - standard on the LNER from 1934: P2, V2, A2 - and was faster than the other MT 4-6-0s mentioned, but not solely due to wheel diameter.

Whatever marketing bod devised the 'Kinematic' description, they were most likely in the Germanosphere; I believe it has been around in European HO from before its appearance in the UK, whether in RTR or kit form. (This is on the basis of casual observation of cousin's and colleague's model railway activities - mainly HO and all outside the UK - while I was overly much engaged in earning a crust. Better information with dates? I wasn't keeping notes...) Just one of a great many benefits in the way of superior technique developed over the years for RTR HO production, which happily entered RTR OO when the development and manufacturing was off-shored.

If I knew that, I would be investing in it! And that's today's new word for me.

Having been involved in exhibiting in the huge German trade shows at one point in my career, I thought the Warley club very brave in going into this 'Lion's Den': where all the expectation of the exhibition hall business are based on money, and plenty of it, to 'make the magic happen'. Applause is due the Warley Club's leaders and membership for this achievement over so many years.