paulbb

Many thanks for your advice Garyh and Koo. I have advised the vendor (Rails) in future to display clearly what sound decoders are fitted to their HO US stock. In fairness they did offer to let me send it back, and I may yet consider this-though I do want an RI F2 and there is no guarrantee that Athearn will do another run in this paint sceme. US manufacurers have been doing limited batch production for some time now.

I recently aquired an second hand Athearn Genesis F2. I seem unable to get this loco to start at a very low speed. It has an MRC pre-fitted sound decoder. It does not seem to respond to resetting CV2 to ANY value, and setting CV125 (restore factory defaults) has no effects either. Nor does the changing CV63 value have any effect on the noise level of the loco. From the comments above it seems that MRC is a bit of a dud and is non-compliant in respect of DCC standards. Am I better off ditching this decoder?

'ScR modeller may well be aware that Eastfield had a handful of these Locos up until 1958. Whilst not a signature type it's still useful within that context.' Eastfield still had 4 in 1960 - 68952/4/6/7, and looking at the picture in George C O'Hara's book on Scottish Steam it seems the lamp brackets on the rear end had a unique look to them too. No vacuum brakes either of course. Copley Hill in Leeds (56C) had a couple so modellers are covered for the 3 regions of the old LNER.

The shade of BR blue used by Hornby looks way off - too dark and too matt.....

Yip Waltons in Altrincham had a few Castles in yestereday-tho not expected until March/April. Ah what times we live in...

the front buildings of Derby station were really quite impressive-anyone know why it was all demolished?

What about a class 70 special , namely 70099 (now Colas rail 70801) in plain green???

I know that the 1F prototypes all ended up at Staveley Barrow Hill (41E) in the mid 1960's - well the survivors anyway, but one was based in Manchester namely 41702, based at Gorton (9G) in 1960. Although I remember seeing it at this shed, possibly stored by then, I have no memory of which cab type it had. Has anyone come across any images of this particular engine?

Does anyone buy from this seller? at their prices ? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heljan-OO-Gauge-3502-Class-35-Diesel-Locomotive-Hymek-D7036-in-BR-Blue-/201013373198?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ecd54a90e Paul

In trying to fix better flush glazing, the modeller has let glue leech onto the windows of this expensive Roco engine and ruined the look completely. http://railwayherald.com/imagingcentre/view/347429/TW Paul

What do the latest batches of these locos run like? I was looking at cat# 1715 D8511 which is still available. Are they still a little hit and miss performance wise?

Waltons of Altrincham still have BR ones....usual disclaimer

looks very nice indeed, tho I am disappointed there is no Angel Delight factory.....

looks super, how high is the layout from the floor?

Are the D600's being made by the same factory as the O2 engine? Not Dapol anymore......

Looks like a good fix as I could not get my to run well, though which Peco washers were used ? the R9 1/8th diameter ones?

Martin super job, loved ALL the shots, did the Hymeks ever work this way?? perhaps you could ask Mr and Mrs Dapol to do the class 22 in O gauge? Paul

No working rear red tail lights on my new D6507 which is fine by me, as generally its a little spanker of an engine in both looks and performance.

So Chris, which loco scored 96% ?

Although Siberian snooper is right about the problems of reinstating the old SR route to Cornwall via Okehampton over through Tavistock the costs must be a lot less than building an 'inland version' of the old GWR line. Clives comments are apposite but sadly a lot of pain and complaining needs to be done before any routes are reinstated in this country. Closer to my own home the lovely Midland route though Peak could be reinstated, but although not expensive (£100m one source) there seems to be no impetus from Network Rail - who seem able to get through schemes (eg the rolling electrification program though of course we cannot call it that) that the old BR were unable to do.

Hello Pandora -would not disagree with a word of what you say, but would add that the ends of the HD class 28 where the roof meets the front looks more rounded and prototypical than the Heljan model. Incidentally Heljans class 58 always looked too 'flat' overall as well,though they have made some good 'uns too in case you think I am Heljan bashing! Paul

In the pics above the 'face' of Arthurs excellent detailed/conversion D5702 looks better or more convincing than the Heljan one below ...or is it my fading eyesight??

Which year??

Chris, Steve many thanks for the above notes, most helpful, Paul

Chris can you give us some details of the buildings and structures used on this layout cheers Paul