kwallace6

Wonder if there is a record for the revival of a thread? At just over 9 years I would like to submit this entry. One for Coachman. In trying to get a working 0-8-0 I bought two; the first one was a nicely made and finished motorless 'Shelf Queen', and the other was 'working', with a DS10, although the gears didn't always mesh. Assessing the two as part of my Lockdown programme, the motorless one had a better, more freely-running chassis, and I have remotored it, although as I type, it is still on the work bench. I had always fancied your Bachmann upgrade, having seen the thread originally. High Level are currently unable to supply gearboxes, and then a lower priced SDJR 2-8-0 turning up on eBay last week decided the matter. The only bit I am not sure about is how you replaced the extended crankpin on the third driving wheel set. To allow trial running to take place I have used a top-hat bearing as a bush, but this is a terrible (although effective) bodge, and I would much appreciate guidance on how to fit a regular Bachmann crankpin bolt. Cheers, Keith PS As I have been able to use the existing tender and drawbar, I felt this was good value for the £90 paid for the Bachmann, with the prospect of being able to sell on the SDJR loco body, whilst considering the cylinders and valve gear for a possible upgrade for my long-suffering Hornby Dublo ex-3-rail re-motored and re-wheeled 8F! I did consider the other options, which included one of my Mashimas being re-boxed with a High Level unit (£16 when available again) or an RG4 (c. £70 on eBay), and concluded the Bachmann was an attractive ready-to-run option, particularly as the tender has pick-ups and the socket for the chip, so I could add more weight in the loco if required.

Mine arrived yesterday, and I've been able to check it out, compare it to the the HO range and a similar Marcway I had to hand, and lay it! Oh, and just time to run some trains over it. There's much to like. The elimination of the hinge improves the flow of the rail; it is DCC Ready and the self-locking tie-bar with proper blades is very neat. My only 'disappointment' is the selection of point type, as my layout is supposedly in the hilly part of West Yorkshire and they didn't have points like that! My notes are here if anyone is interested: http://www.hall-royd-junction.co.uk/Hall_Royd_Model/layout_49.html Keith W

To answer George's query of 16 January regarding future signal arm transfer plans, there's now a set of Upper Quadrant corrugated arms, with an LNE flavour as it includes discs, shunting signals and spectacle plates. GCR and LYR signals are the current focus. However I do need to quantify what is on the MSE fret S003, as this is listed as GCR, but looking at it more critically seems to also contain some arms that look suspiciously like GNR somersaults. George, if you could advise which fret you are using, I'll consider GNR for a future sheet. Keith