Markeg

Hi Jeff, The layout and control panel are looking good. Excellent progress. Streets congested, so where's the smog? Colour coded wiring always runs out at some point. I have run out of brown wire which I use for isolated sections, so have used some grey as well. Mark

Regarding LNER D49 front bogie wheels. I have noticed Peterspares has new B17 spare 12 wheel bogie wheels sets for sale. They are LNER and lined which I think is the way to go. Easy swap and no painting and lining. They have an ebay shop as well. Mark in OZ

Hi Tony, Look forward to the BRM D49 article. Even though I will be keeping my D49 in LNER green livery, it will be interesting to see what additions you make. I have upgraded mine by adding front steps, lining, front buffer beam detail. I have to add cab doors and some black lining around the cab, lamp irons and hand rails on the front footplate. I should add that I used an old Cheshire body and tender top as the valve gear is more correct for a Shire as TW has stated. Hi Stewart, Hornby released a Shire (Cheshire) in 1981. The Hunt came in 1982. After checking the Hornby Catalogues which I have, the main difference when looking at them is that the model Shires did not have steam pipes from smoke box to cylinders. But looking at the Locomotives Illustrated no 34 there are several Shires with steam pipes. There were valve gear differences too. But I am no expert. Others will know more. Mark

Hi Peter, You are making good progress there. Like the photos even though I not a Blue diesel modeller. I was planning to come down this Saturday. Unfortunately it is a big Friday night as it is my wife's boss' last day and there is an AGM for the Bendigo Trust (Trams, Mine, Discovery....), so there is a AGM to attend and Tea afterwards and then an after party at the boss' house, so a late night. But I and a friend will be down for Decembers meeting. I remember driving a white ford Fiesta from Kings cross in London to Hereford on the motorway at 70mph and Jags, Sierra, BMWs zooming past. An I too have parcels arrive at the front door. Mark in Bendigo

There is a slight reveal of an image on their sight. Could it be the Highland Railway Jones Goods 4-6-0? If it is what's pictured it is light in colour. Though its only a guess. Mark in OZ

What about a LNER P2? Additions look good. May come down and check it out myself. My Garratt had a run on a friends larger layout today, didn't miss a beat. He hadn't seen one, so I took it up to show him. Lives an hours drive north. Mark

Hi Mike, Yes that is how they come. I checked out the tender to see if pickups could be fitted, but it does not look like they were made for them. But it could be possible to fit them and wire permanently. I will investigate this. It will be interesting to see what is on the TTS sound version. I suspect that the decoder and speaker are wire to the Loco and still only pickups on the loco. I received 2 last week from the first batch from Hattons and Rails a day apart. Rails charged full RRP but hattons the original discounted price. So will probably sell one at full price, which may be cheaper than they will be here in Australian shops. Runs very well and had 12 Teak coaches, a Hornby CCTvan and 6 wheel milk tank wagon on the end. No trouble at all. On the weekend I will run the Comet Restaurant Triplet set. That reminds me, I must finish one of the coaches. Mark in Oz

Just paid for mine and will be winging its way to OZ in a couple of days. Will invest in the Fox Plates too, I think. Mark in Oz.

I Have just received an email from Rails of Sheffield advising that some super detail P2's are on their way. They will be out in batches, and the rest will be out in October. Look forward to receiving mine, hopefully an early batch. Mark in Oz

I have a Hornby LNER CCT van winging its way to OZ today from L'pool. I have a Parkside kit which is finished and one still to be made. I also succumbed to the LMS inspection coach. Wasn't going to, but what the heck.. Very nice looking they are. A P2, D16,J15, Model Rail D11 and NRM (LNER) C1 all to come in the next few months (and a Q6 late next year) will hit the bank balance a little in the next while. Will have to save for the kits of D10, G5 and J21 next year. Unless they come r-t-r first. Mark in OZ

For pit -es sake. Stop with the jokes. Like the pits too. Mark in Oz

Hornby have produced a A4 in LNER green back in 1990-91 with tender drive. This was the first series from 1979 to 1997. Model no is R313 4482 Golden Eagle. The second series were produced from 1998 to 2002. Again Tender drive. No LNER Green models in this series. The 3 and current series are loco drive, but no LNER green models yet. Bachmann's A4 model is and always has been loco drive. The same model as Hornby was produce 31-956 4482 Golden Eagle in 1997. This has the split chassis. The Bachmann model has been upgraded with a new chassis which by all accounts is very good. We may be waiting a while for either Hornby or Bachmann to produce a LNER green model. theses questions may have already been answered, so apologies for a repeat of information. hope this helps Mark

Hi Joe, thanks for posting. I received the lightly weathered one a few weeks ago and other that a light dusting below the footplate, you can hardly tell there was any weathering at all. I would call the heavily weathered version lightly weathered. Mark in Oz

If people think this is too expensive then as t-b-g has stated, look at the equivalent in the US and Continent and also here Australia. Eureka Models in Australia have released a r-t-r NSW Garratt at around $700 and a r-t-r Victorian Railways R class (4-6-4) at $750. This is about GBP 390 for the Garratt and GBP450. I understand it is the top end of some people budget, but if you want one, sacrifice something else. I cancelled some coaches and a loco because of budget constraints. Remember some of this cost goes into the preservation of the items in the National Railway Museum that you so enjoy and have free access too. I need to get off the computer because my wife needs to do something on it, so that it for me. Mark in Oz

You can now place an order for one of three C1 models on the Locomotion Models website. I obviously missed a page when posting this. I have ordered the LNER green version. Mark in OZ

Agree. But we really need some drivers and firemen in those locos. Excellent photos. Must change my BR stuff over to the real models and give them a run. Mark in OZ

HI Jeff, I understand completely. I have done this with the original release Bachmann NRM prototype Deltic. I looked at it, thought about it for a while, then when I decided to buy it, they had gone. They did do another release, but at the more expensive price and that was too much for me and for a diesel. If it were the same price I would have bought one. But I have also picked up some bargains by either placing them in the basket and going back and buying them. This looks like another stunner, but as I have the first issue, I will stick with that. Actually I had it on order with Rails of Sheffield which could not supply my order. So I found one at the no defunct The Signal Box in Rochester. Nice shop to visit back in 2011. Look forward to seeing it sometime. Maybe there will be some more good news in just over a weeks time with Bachmann announcement. Mark

I have to agree there Doug. A Silver Fox would be great. I would be able replicate the British Transport Films "The Elizabethan" as in the footage here. I haven't been able to add link. Computer was upgraded and has changed some settings, etc. Just go to Youtube and type "The Elizabethan Express" it will come up. Mark

I have 7 A4's. Its just not enough. LNER Silver Link (& Matching articulated Silver Jubilee coaches.) LNER Silver Fox LNER Commonwealth of Australia (Have a set of The Coronation coaches to build) LNER Mallard BR Green Commonwealth of Australia BR Green Wild Swan BR Blue Sparrow Hawk (DCC sound) Mark in Oz

Hi Peter, Thanks for the info about the DCC concepts mpd-460 box. I did see that a while ago. I have made a box for the Bachmann Blue Pullman which enables me to keep the 3 electrically powered sets together and with out taking it off the track run each half into the box. So I may do the same with the Garratt, or will look at some other options including the mpd box. Have a great time in Alaska and Canada. I presume some train trip are on the list. I have been to Vancouver and loved the place. Mark

I had a phone call from Hattons at yesterday 8.30pm Australian Eastern standard time (10.30am UK) asking if it was okay to send the parcel signed-for, as they are to be sent that way to overseas customers and to charge the extra GBP3.50. Now that is service. I was not likely to say no. So my 266210 lightly weathered model will be on its way Monday. great service again from Hattons. Look forward to running the beast. Mark in OZ

I asked Hattons yesterday when the next batch of Garratts were due and they are expecting them in the next two weeks. Good news Mark in OZ

Hi Mick, Excellent work on the B17 and the C7. I like your lining, this does take time and yours is exemplary. Just to add my two bobs worth re: footballers. I changed Grimsby Town to Liverpool in BR though. Mark in OZ

Hi Gilbert, That would have been a disaster of grand proportions. Yes, thanks to your joiner/carpenter from all of us who enjoy watching. Mark in OZ

RE: the newspaper photo of 4468 Mallard in 1985. There is video footage of the 'naked' Mallard on 'Mallard' by John Hunter. He even goes into the Dynomometer car. There is also running alongside what looks like a 5 1/2" live steam engine. Mark in Oz