Accurascale Fran

Excellent post Brush Veteran. Its good to hear that the right care and steps are being taken. I'm sure people wouldn't mind waiting a bit longer for a correct model than rushing out an incorrect one.

For an 'inaccurate' model the last batch Heljan released didn't hang around on the shelves too long. Should prove an interesting head-to-head as the Dapol one has a promised release date around the same time. I'm eagerly awaiting the 22 as it will be my first ever Dapol loco. Hopefully it will be good enough to encourage me to buy more of their products!

A friend of mine has one of those Eureka HO garratt's with DCC sound and they are a damn impressive, beautifully smooth loco. I think they were about 750 euro, which is a lot of money. But for DCC sound, nicely weathered, smooth running giant locomotive (and they are made in limited numbers iirc) I think its a fair price. Was even tempted to get one myself!

An interesting (well, somewhat interesting) bit of news is that Murphy's Models are doing a limited run of a CIE Sentinel this summer http://www.murphymodels.com/index.html I believe that this is using the same tooling, but am not 100% sure. It is most probable though.

Afraid not, have been meaning the cross the water and head to the NMRA convention though. Maybe next time. They didnt, they were road testing a 25

Cant go wrong with the Veranda Turbine, the detail is lovely and they run as smooth as silk. Video of my one which i fitted with sound running on my mates layout. Had to leave the tender off due to permanent way issues! Excuse the motley collection of rolling stock too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__NXyTrAiWc I cannot wait personally for the DDA40X. Mind you the U50's are tempting....

I'm sure some are already aware of the big news, but here it is anyway. Athearn have announced a HO UP DDA40X Centennial for its Genesis line. Pics on their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=335646&id=320327140040 Let the good times roll!

By 'locked' do you mean 'permanently coupled'? If so, then no, All Bachmann A1's including Tornado (I have a production A1 and a Tornado) are not permanently coupled. There is a bar attached to the Loco which slides through a slot on the tender and hooks onto a smaill round peg under the tender. There are two holes on the coupling bar, one for close coupling and one for tighter radius curves. Hope this was of help.

interesting dockside shunter http://www.erieshipnews.com/images/Erie10/121910/Loco/DSC_0269.JPG

And when did GNER operate class 101 DMU's?

Krocodile it!!!

Kestrel's have the newer wheels Craig. Well my one does, and there was only one run done.

Tug 99 has been outshopped in Tata steel livery and will be unveiled tomorrow Silver, like Chorus seemingly, pic from the distance over on wnxx.com. Tug 15 is also being admitted to the paint shop. Lets hope they recieve attention to their internals too.

Please stick up a picture on here when you complete the project, I'd love to see it!

As I said a couple of pages back Lima 201's are fairly rare, and command high enough prices on Ebay, especially IE orange ones. Mind you, £325 is a tad optimistic, nearer the 250-270 mark is fair game though. They have gone for more than that in the past. I need to find that farmers market that worrals was on about, I'd love to polish a few of them in a project or two. Many people over here have performed major surgery on them. Pretty much all Irish stuff which is sold out by retailers goes for a premium 2nd hand. A lot of money for a crock of crap though in this case!

I think the glossy finish is to represent an 'ex works' finish. Interesting idea, wonder what it looks like in the flesh?

Athough not on EBay, I thought you'd get a kick out of this from an Irish website. Collectors items dont ya know! http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/others/1423356

I just cant see anyone else wanting them. They'd need a large an very expensive overhaul, and with a top speed of 60mph wouldnt suit the likes DRS who need locos rated at 75mph for liner trains and do not need a heavy slogger. HeavyHaul have their 70's with more on the way as well as 66/6's in storage and I dont think Colas would want them either. Most on the list are ones which have thrown a leg out of bed or have other major failures. Take the good bit of these and keep a smaill fleet going would be the best thing to do really.