bubbles2

I also had a similar issue with my Heljan class 14 D9500 and in a similar vain to John I fitted split fibre washers to the axles to overcome the waddle so having been remaindered of this I fitted split fibre washers to the axles of the DE650, all three of my axles have the same amount of slop, the washers I fitted are 0.46mm thick, I started with 1 on each axle and ended up with 3 on each axle, 2 on 1 side and 1 on the other, this helped but has not reduced the waddle enough to stop me sending it back, I remain convinced it is an issue with the quartering or 1 or more of the wheels out of true on the axle.

Thank you for your reply and suggestions John, I have checked the back-to-backs and they appear to be spot on, I too have a Bachmann 03 and with a similar wheel base and that runs straight as a die, although that has a jack shaft of cause which may help. Also have tried hanging 5 carflats (the only stock I have still with tension lock couplings) loaded with 17 Oxford diecast cars on board it has no trouble hauling them but sadly it still waddles. I tend to think the problem is likely to be either the wheels are not true on the axles or the quartering is not correct. Does anyone have one that runs straight without a waddle or a wobble or do they all do that? Am I being too fussy? Perhaps I should just accept it, please let me know what you think. Have really been look forward to these arriving and would be up for a couple more in different liveries if they ran well but at the moment this one leaves me feeling somewhat disappointed even though it is a loverly looking model.

My BR blue Model Rail one arrived this morning, a loverly model all parts in place although the rear lamp irons are fixed in a rather droopy position, there is plenty of oil on the underside of the loco and the wrapping, sadly although running smoothly on Peco code 100, SMP code 75 and my handmade code 75 point work it has a pronounced wobble when on the move. So I suppose it will have to go back for a replacement, this may be acceptable for a £30 train set toy but certainly not acceptable for a locomotive costing over £150.

Having telephoned the Model Rail number to attempt to pick up a Model Rail listed Ruston from Kernow the gentleman told me they are only available by mail order, I was hoping to be able to test run before buying by picking up from the Kernow Models, Camborne shop, Kernow Models being the distributors for Model Rail exclusive offers. So being a Model Rail subscriber I’ve ordered one with the 10% discount available to Model Rail magazine subscribers bringing the cost down to a much more acceptable £152.10 with free postage from £174.99+postage for the Kernow Models weathered Rustons. Hopefully it will not need to be returned. One thing I’ve noticed that Heljan seem to have left off the models is the 45 degree plate above each buffer on both the front and rear buffer beams, not sure what the purpose of these was but they seem to have been fitted throughout the lives of the locos.

That’s great to see Baz, I’m so pleased you are happy with your purchase, let us know how the others are when they arrive. More responses like this would be good, but either way let’s hear how yours are on delivery.

It’s a great shame these 97/6 department shunters have so many issues, when first announced I was very excited being an enthusiast of all things western region and modelling in periods from the late 50s to 1985, I was up for one in each livery of green, blue and yellow, I hadn’t preordered and now am wondering if I want one. It would be good to hear from any others who have purchased them, are there good ones out there, are some people happy with them, but I guess those are the ones we don’t hear about. Then there are people who will buy them to keep in the box and others who will I suppose put up with the poor running, damaged parts, poor fitting parts or parts dropped off, so please if you have a good one you are happy with let us know to help me make a decision about buying one. At least being in Cornwall I can make the trip to Kernow Models to check out what I buy and hopefully test run before buying even if it is an hours journey each way by fast motorcycle.

I think this may be a model I need to go and check the ones over before buying, 2 of the pictures on the Kernow site the front step running plate grab hand rail is broken off on one side, the weathering varies a lot and then there's the issue with the bonnet not clipping correctly to the running plate also some of the cab steps look to be at strange angles on some models.

Over on the Kernow Model Centre pages the weathered version is shown with marker lights, I’m finding it rather confusing with 3 different suppliers, Kernow, Model Rail and Heljan doing different versions, 97654 in yellow livery is the one shown with marker lights.

You’re right, on further investigation I’ve found the motor is burnt out so I guess it’s toast, looks like spares are just about non existent, Gaugemaster is a very poor substitute for Howes of Oxford sadly, have sent an email but looking at their listings there’s not much hope.

My AC railbus seems to have burnt out its 21 pin dummy plug, it was travelling along happily then slowed and the passenger compartment filled with smoke. Initially I expected the motor to to have burnt out and started dismantling but still haven’t discovered how to access the motor. What I did find was the dummy 21 pin dummy plug with 2 burnt and smelly components, L1 and L2, I’m hoping the motor is ok, just wondered if anyone that runs DCC has a dummy 21 pin plug from an AC railbus they don’t need, I only run dc, or could I use any 21 pin dummy plug?

Looking back to when I ordered SLW 2533B: 25216 (Western Region) on 7th December 2021, I have an invoice by email which says paid by card, plus order number so hoping to get an email when they arrive in stock but still a little confused as to whether I’ve paid for it or not.

My Lima Western Enterprise, it’s had a bit of work. Detailed Lima Western Enterprise D1000 by mailrail, on Flickr

Please could you let me know where you sourced the brass bearings from, like you I too have been temped back to 009 by the Bachmann double fairle after many years modelling 00, and now have some Dundus kits to build,did you use Peco N scale bearings?

Can anyone advise which is the best way to split the chassis from the body in order to remove the coupling mechanism without just chopping it off to fit screw link couplings.

Thank you Ken and Keefer fitted with buckeyes/rubbing plates so buffers retracted.

Goonbarrow junction ferry van Goonbarrow Junction by Mike Futty, on Flickr I didn’t realise this livery version had a bauxite underframe.

Were Motorail carflat wagons coupled together with the buffers retracted allowing the remains of the corridor buffing plate to come into contact or with buffers extended when running with passengers and their vehicles.

Not if you start work at 7am :-(

Thanks for the reply Paul, as you say the Fairlie is not a bad runner with plenty of wheels on the track, I was wondering which of the large Hunslets to go for, whether to go for sound fitted or fit a decoder which maybe easier to add stay alive to as obviously the Hunslets have fewer pickups/wheels on the track.

I recently got into DCC in a small way purchasing a sound fitted Bachmann double Fairlie, so being a novice in DCC it’s properly a silly question but is it possible to fit stay alive to the Bachmann decoder chip or will I need to change the chip to add this facility.

These are now available from Hattons for £25. Sadly, for me they don't seem to have been used in the west country and were gone by 1960.

Had this on my faves for a while and just realised the inspection coach is next to the only pilchard wagon that made it to the western region! Seen here at Taunton. W80976W by Nick Baxter, on Flickr

What date is the Carn Brea exhibition please, I can't find any info on their Facebook page?

Having waited this long for BR blue Fruit D transfers I think I’ll have a go at making my own, does anyone know what font was used on BR blue liveries?

I have the Bachman DCC fairlie but have only run it on a circular test track so far. Are all Peco 009 points suitable for DCC operation, I’ve seen some Peco points with wiring added on eBay as converted for DCC, what does this mean?