Steven B

Can someone please show me all these N Gauge models where the parts are microscopic? If a 1x2mm part can be made for a OO Gauge model at a sensible price then a 1x2mm part can be made for an N Gauge model at a sensible price. The only difference is what that part represents on the prototype. The real difference is the size of the market (no-one denies that OO guage modellers are more common) and the cost of R&D/tooling which is little different. Perhaps Jason (who's produced models in 4mm and 2mm scales) can comment on any real differences. A 1:148 version would be great and I'm sure we could live without it tilting! There is a precedent - Bachmann's DP1 was done exclusively for the NRM in OO but as a standard Graham Farish model in N. Happy modelling. Steven B.

So you're sticking with the Manx Electric Railway & the Snaefell Mountain Railway? Great! A model of Laxey would be rather nice... Happy modelling. Steven B.

Nice looking loco but I'm not at all sure about the day-glow green used for the lower body-side stripe. Happy modelling. Steven B

The BR arrows aren't in the right place either. They should be above the fuel tanks, not the brake cylinders. Happy modelling. Steven B.

I can see your point Andy. However, I've yet to see a model railway produce smoke like that shown in the magazines. Similarly I've seen few real steam locos/trains produce steam and smoke like that shown in the modelling magazines. If you (and RM, MR, HM etc) want to show a functioning model would it better to do it via videos on a webpage (or embedded in the case of digital versions of the magazine). Model Railroad Hobbyist manages to mix video content with an electronic magazine so I don't see why something similar couldn't be done for the British magazines. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Not all HST Mk3s in I/C Swallow had the logos on the door windows. Most, if not all of these sets don't: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXNuGG9NhXo Happy modelling. Steven B.

The CDL lights and a single roof type for both HST and loco haulled are a compromise we have to live with or have coaches costing more. Livery errors are something we shouldn't be getting. There is no reason for putting I/C Swallow elements on an I/C Executive model unless someone's just done a copy and paste without then re-checking the artwork before sending it to China. Dapol's Mk3s have been a farce. Plenty of livery errors across the range, inconsistent paint finishes (matt and satin roofs on various releases of Virgin Pretendolino coaches) and a looooooong wait for the TGS. At least I now have my I/C executive TF and buffet so my HST doesn't look quite so silly as it has done for the last couple of years. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Hi Dave, Yes that helps, but I can't help but think that it would be better to test fit decoders at the CAD stage before metal gets cut first. The more decoders that fit the better! Happy modelling. Steven B

If the class 28 C0-B0/B0-C0 is a box on wheels then surely a steam engine is a tube on wheels? Jason, have you met the Fell yet? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fell_locomotive An ugly beast full of charm if ever there was one! Happy modelling. Steven B.

Can you please test fit the CAD images with popular DCC deocders? Digitrax DZ125-IN Gauge Master DCC23 TCS EUN651 Lenz SIlver (or Gold) Mini. I've had trouble fitting some of these decoders to the Dapol 9F, class 58 etc. It would also be nice if the dummy version has room for the Bachmann decoder (great for lights only as costs less than the above). Happy modelling. Steven B.

Bigger one available if you take the link to the photo out of the HTML: http://Dapol.co.uk/image/data/130124_School%20Class%203D%201.jpg Happy modelling. Steven B.

According to Joel (MD) at the N Gauge Show it's likely to make an appearence in the next year or two. Apparently he was quite suprised by the number of people asking about it. He looked more suprised when I said I'd have half-a-dozen of them. Can't think why.... Happy modelling. Steven B.

Where does Tornado (one of the newest locos on the network) or something like a GWR railcar fit in? One's diesel powered and was withdrawn in the 1960s, the other's steam powered and less than ten years old. Each of the Big Four were experimenting with diesel and electric power in the 1940s. Does this make the LNER petrol railcar, the LMS twins or a SR 2-BIL steam image or modern image? What about the BR ran VoR that was steam operated until sold off in the 1980s (complete with BR Blue and double arrows)? To my mind, "Modern Image" describes a short period in railway history around the time that the WCML was electrified together with the new stations, locos and trains that went with it. Give that the upgrade started before the end of steam, it's firmly stuck in the transitional era. The best way to describe a layout is to simply quote the location and date (exactly or approximatly as appropriate). Happy modelling. Steven B. (Late 1980s sectorisation, NW England).

Hi Dave, Are there any ideas from the Farish class 14 that you can borrow? They used a nice lump of metal for the cab detail and didn't have a full length PCB - just one soldered to the back of the motor. Does it have to have all wheel drive? The Farish DMUs can manage a decent train length with just two axles powered. If having PCB on show in unavoidable please remember that they are available in colours other than green! Happy modelling. Steven B.

Are those traction tyres on the lead axle? Happy modelling. Steven B.

Much of my own wishlist has already been mentioned (FFA/FGA, APT-P, Classs 142 etc), so instead here's what I'd like to see from any model: A body that's secure for day to day use but still easy to remove for chipping and maintainance - no clips that are so tight they break as you remove the body (or even worse, the body breaks!), no tiny screws needing an angled screw-driver to get around brake rods or guard-irons. A body that's not connected to the chassis by any wires. A decent drive system - Kato can manage to produce decent mechanisms (with no slop in the gear train, all wheel electrical pick-up, no need to oil before use and no split gears) so it should be possible for a British manufacturer to do the same. Decent soldering. Colour coded wiring for those of us wanting to fit wired DCC decoders. Room for a Bachmann 6 pin decoder in N gauge models. They might not be the best at powering a motor but I'd much rather fit one of these in a dummy or trailler car for £5 less than a Digitrax/Lenz/NCE equivelent. NEM coupling pockets at the correct height which don't droop. Paint colours and finishes that match existing items. Common liveries in first batches - e.g. never did see Olive green Dogfish from Dapol and had to wait ages for sector liveried class 60s from Farish. Boxes that are easy to get into and allow removal of model without damaging detail. If they fill a 9l Really Useful box neatly then so much the better. Wheel-sets that don't wobble. Steam locos with axles that stop the wheel quartering from slipping. Locomotives without names - I don't want all my fleet to be named locos! Easily removed lump of chassis metal for DCC sound speaker Happy modelling. Steven B.

Find a layout that's recently been published in Model Rail and ask where the smoke is..... Happy modelling. Steven B.

I hope the lighting won't rely on wires running from chassis to body - I lost the lights on my Dapol class 58 because these broke off and were impossible to repair. Happy modelling. Steven B.

Perhaps it would be better not to print the bogies in one peice, but a kit made of bolster and two outer cosmetic frames. You could then make basic bogies out of stronger, less detailed material and glue the detailed frames on the top. Or why not use the 2mmSA etched bogie frames and adding 3D printed overlays on top? (Or ask Worsley Works to do somehting for you). There's still an awfull lot of modelling for which a bit of etched metal is a much better solution than 3D printing. Happy modelling. Steven B

Will the Type L container be hollow to save a bit of resin and

Would it be worth putting the airbrake gear (reservoir tanks, brake cylinders etc) on a seperate sprue? Perhaps part of the structure you're using to re-inforce the well for the 3d print? Might make it easier to paint - getting a paint-brush under the lower side of the reservoir tanks looks a little tricky, Happy modelling. Steven B.

The Condor train rain mainly with Conflat P (converted Plate wagons) loaded with one each of Type A and Type B containers. Conflat A's also appeared in the train together with the occasional non-container wagon and tanks. Happy modelling. Steven B.

It's disapointing that the errors have been carried over but I'll take it over the original Farish model which I'd quite happily leave on the shelf! Happy modelling. Steven B.

Still on the "to-do" list but a low priority according to Dapol Dave at the NGS AGM last month. Will they be out before the Mk3 TGS? Happy modelling. Steven B.

I don't think Dapol have done themselves any favours with the Mk3s. I think they tried to do too many liveries in one go and have ended up with the problems of miss-matching paint shades and finishes as mentioned above. Perhaps it would have been better to limit the HST to two or three liveries in its first year but release all four coach types at the same time. I've had the I/C Exec HST since it came out yet now three or four years later I still can't run it as a complete set as I've only got TS's in a matching livery. Had Farish released their Mk3 in Executive livery I'd have bought a train load of them and not bothered with the Dapol Mk3s. They might not have the same level of detail but at least I'd have a train I can use. Happy modelling. Steven B. (with fingers crossed that the TF, Buffet and TGS in I/C exec matches what I've already bought.....)