MG 7305

"The carbon brushes will wear out and that'll be the end of it; they and the motor are not replaceable" Surely not. I know you can buy standard motor worms and with the aid of some packing and super glue I have a couple of models with Mashima motor replacements in them following OEM failure. The issue I have with my Hornby 51/61 models is the failure of the intermediate cog in the drive train (sorry) and you can only get a similar but not identical replacement. A couple of layers of insulating tape packing under the motor and away we go again. Apologies for the thread creep.

Dear Dave The 48xx model for Hatton's has the first ever, ready to fit, correct GWR loco coupling which can be linked across to the hook on the buffer. Please can you or Hatton's please produce these as a stand alone product, you will make a fortune, I have been waiting 15 years for them to appear and will buy 50 straight off! Best regards Julian

I called Kernow yesterday and they were happy to renew my pre-order without any payment. I think the email was worded a little clumsily but they also want to get an up to date view of the pre-orders and if they can get pre-payment even better.

I too am not concerned with the exact models or diagram numbers. I do however want toplights, and non corridor stock. A slip coach would be fantastic. Best regards Julian

I do not have it to hand but the D&C "Monograph" series book on GWR coaches shows a diagram of a South Wales 7 carriage set which shows coupling types and bow or flat ends on the carriages. The set is Van Third, Third, Third, Comp, Restaurant, Comp, Van Third. So including the Restaurant carriage from the old range you can get a close approximation to a prototype set. Happily Loco + 7 is the ruling length on my layout! Best regards Julian

Do you have a calendar of events you will be showing Hobbiton End at this year? I would love to come and see it in the flesh. Best regards Julian

To fit the lifting rings, I use a (track) pin through the eye of the ring. Press the pin in to get an interference fit when cutting off the fret so it becomes easy to handle. You get something to hold onto and clear sight when fitting. A finger on top once located to ensure a proper fit and pull the pin out (be careful Mr Mannering!) Best regards

Dear Phil I have some model strip, but how do you apply, leave and remove it such that it only removes the printed elements and not the blue paint beneath and around them? I too wish to replace the nameplate with an etch but, never having tried this before, I do not want to end up with the blue coming away as well. Best regards

Dear Mark How do you trim an etched plate like that? I have tried on occasion and failed dismally each time and ended up sticking the full plate with plinth over the old one; not the best solution. I now have a backlog of 4 locomotives to fit plates to and a spare set to play with. All advice gratefully received. Best regards Julian

One more to add to the never blue group, 838 Rapid withdrawn in maroon with FYE, one of my favourites at the time. Note to Bachmann, please make this one of the next batch. Best regards

While we are on the subject of paint, I hope to see the ends of the coaches showing the data information and the route availability symbols, yellow circle I think for bow enders (red triangle for super saloons etc.) It was a disappointment to see the Hawksworth's come out without this. Best regards

As you will, but GWR locomotives are still right hand drive and it looks to me as if you have the fireman on the right and the driver on the left. Best regards

Lovely photographs, but your crew are on the wrong sides of the footplate. GWR engines are right hand drive. Best regards

I see that the drain pipe from the front of the vacuum ejector pipe that should follow the contour of the smokebox as it drops to the running plate has been put in wrong, a common fault. My first batch Wellington is waiting to be exchanged for this issue. Best regards

"but didn't recall anyone stating they had issues with Wellington and didn't want to overstate things." The Wellington I have has sat in it's box ready to be exchanged when the new batch is delivered. The drain from the front of the ejector pipe which should hug the contour of the smokebox and saddle on the way to the footplating is all in midair. Being a hardened piece of wire I cannot bend it to the correct contour so I have rejected it, see post #734 for example. Best regards Julian

The steps on the left hand buffer should not be fixed to the front apron, they hang from the buffer alone. Best regards Julian

Dear Rob Where did you get the front screw coupling from? I have been searching for years for scale screw couplings that are "hooked across" to the inside bottom buffer bolt like the one you show. Best regards Julian

Anyone else noticed the GWR shed code on 9003. Using a magnifying glass I think it is OSY, but what attention to detail. Best regards

Anyone else noticed that the model 4018 does not have the brass trim moulded on the front vertical edges of the cab (correct, removed during WWI) but does have a brass line printed on? best regards

Posted Today, 11:08 Has anyone else noticed the 'rough' area on the cab roof of the Knight of the Grand Cross. It looks like a glue spill or just bad moulding. It also seems to be on the bird's eye view photo on the box. Neither. This is a representation of the bolt heads holding the condensing coil on the underside of the cab roof. Best regards

I would council caution before removing the "paint/moulding" marks on the top of the boiler. On the real thing that is where there is a cladding joint which results in an overlap so such a join line should be there. Best regards

It seems to me that Hornby needs to sort out their packaging supremo; unless of course he is the company whipping boy. Best regards

I spoke to the STEAM shop yesterday, 4 Sep and they had been informed on 4 Sep that the Lode Star model was due "in 10 days". Tight but possible for their show. Best regards

There are 3 capacitors grounded to the motor and 2 inline resistors on the feeds to the motor. I have a Zimo MX631 in mine and your comment on CV 5 has an echo in the behaviour of mine....

It doesn't. If you look at the original photograph of the model it is right hand hinged like the prototype and all other Swindon locomotives. The overlay was reversed for convenience.