giz

Here is a photo of the prototype: http://www.sct61.org.uk/mg315 I saw it at Butterley a couple of years ago, it's being restored back to original Midland General condition.

See my reply on the other post. It is likely to be a 2a but there was also an air braked Mk2 in InterCity livery. It isn't a 2b as they had all been withdrawn by the time the photo was taken.

There were some 2b and 2c TSOs, for example 5505 (2c). Edit: checking my 1993 Platform 5 book they were 2b - 5463,5491 2c - 5505,5554,5614

The old Vulcan kit (1980s) came with alternative cab sides and etched side skirts and cowcatchers but I don't think it included the other variations.

This is a Mk2 brake open second (BSO). The Corridor Brake First (BFK) is similar externally but differs internally: http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p46631637/h151b652d#h151b652d This is an open second (TSO): http://80srail.zenfolio.com/p46631637/h139156a#h139156a

I can beat that. When Bachmann were clearing out the original Mk2 TSOs, my local model shop was offering them at £10.99. As I bought 5 he let me have them for £50.

All loco hauled trains had to have at least one brake coach to accomodate the guard and provide a parking brake. Whether this was just accomodation for the guard plus luggage/parcels space or also contained passenger seating depended on the capacity required. Thus you could have a brake first (BFK) or brake second (BSO or BSK) with a BG (brake gangwayed)used for greater capacity. Most long distance trains also contained 1st class seating, only some rural and commuter trains were second class only.

Replica also do a nice B4 bogie (and a B5). At £1.95 a pair without wheels it also works out a bit cheaper than the currently listed Bachmann B4 which is £11.95 with wheels.

They've put the price up to £22.95 (15% more than the previously quoted price), same as the Covhop.

I don't think £19.95 is too much for the Bachmann wagon either, I was just comparing it to the Hornby model to show I don't think they have much cause for increasing the price much before release as some were suggesting above. The Hornby model isn't from the 2014 range by the way, it was first announced at Warley last November as a 2015 release, is in the 2015 price list and has just hit the shops so I can't see it would be much cheaper to produce and ship than the grain wagon (apart from not having a roof).

If they have to apply above inflation increases this year so soon after last years hike (which was presumably to put things back on an even keel) then something is going wrong. Edit: Hornby seem to be able to sell the the newly tooled 21 ton hopper which is equivalent for £14.99.

The Bachmann web site lists them at £19.95, which is slightly cheaper than the next batch of Covhops due about the same time.

Especially as Invicta currently say they have a few left at £29.99 (although showing as sold out previously).

Here's another one of his, Modelzone blue 108 for just under £160: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bachmann-32-900Z-BR-BLUE-CLASS-108-DMU-LOCO-SET-M51908-DCC-FITTED-MIB-mw-/360634395193?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item53f77c2a39 I bought one of these (looks unused) at last years DEMU exhibition for £50.

Looks rather like this Bristol to me: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21667585@N03/8263665297/ Note the side windows have been modified in the same way. Edit: After doing some further research, I don't think that the bus in my linked photo is the exact same bus as Eastwestdivide's photo as it was sold by West Yorkshire PTE to Merseyside in 1980. It does appear to have had similar modifications to the windows in preservation. West Yorkshire had a total of 12 LHS delivered new in 1975/76, 5 went to Merseyside in 1980.

The bus that is being modelled is, the speculation was regarding the thing that was mocked up to look like a Class 141.

Looks a bit short for an RE. My first thought was an LHS.

I wouldn't bother with the Roco van built to the British loading gauge, I've got a couple and they look tiny. As you say they are true HO models of a British prototype. The Electrotren vans are much bigger and don't look bad. Mine are in the loft somewhere so I can't measure them up easily, unfortunately.

The Dublo Deltic looks like it's got Triang Transcontinental diesel bogies. It's a Bo-Bo rather than a Co-Co and the couplings don't even extend beyond the ends of the body! There's one on correct bogies for less: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hornby-DUBLO-2234-2-RAIL-CO-CO-DELTIC-DIESEL-CLASS-55-D9012-CREPELLO/390783728068?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D286%26meid%3D5110621735839845786%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1048%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D300911128112%26

This loco is supplied with a factory fitted chip, I didn't fit it and I wasn't going to remove it before trying it out in case it had to go back to the shop.

I suspect it was something to do with the chip not being able to detect the DC current with the imperfect pickup. I know the centre axles don't pick up, I think the paper was thick enough to lift the other two axles enough to lose contact with the track and the other bogie wasn't picking up at all.

I've had my 40141 a couple of weeks but this Saturday was the first chance I've had to run it. On DCC it ran OK without any flickering lights but on DC the lights lit but nothing from the motor. As I don't currently have the layout set up I thought I'd simulate poorer current supply on DCC by placing a 1/2 inch wide strip of paper on the test track and running the loco over it at slow speed. Sure enough it stalled consistantly when the centre axle of one bogie was over the paper. I removed the bogie sideframes and there was grease everywhere. After a cleanup and re-assembly it will now traverse the paper without problems and now runs on DC as well. Whether it will last long term I don't know but there is always the option of adding wiper pickups. I also tried my recently purchased 10001 with the same style pickups (on DC only as it isn't chipped) and it ran fine straight from the box.

I built mine as a rebody using a Parkside end door and brake shoes. I also filed off the lip at the bottom of the body side as the rebodies were rounded off. Parkside will sell the door mouldings separately at a reasonable price.

If you really wanted a Hornby one for a collection I would have thought you would want one that hadn't been messed with. On the other hand if you want a 47 to run on a layout there are brand new Heljan or Vi-Trains 47s selling for less.

BRDatabase http://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=class&id=16&type=D&page=alloc has the 16s as delivered new to Stratford and allocated there until withdrawal. It also has the first ten class 15s as new to Devons Road as Broadway Clive says.