JaymzHatstand

Or a mechanism similar to the legendary Giraffe van, but an inflatable Lusty Linda appears! As long as it doesn't explode! Cheers J

I've only been to the VoR once, in 1988, when it was still (just) owned and operated by BR, and still have the ticket in a youthful scrap book somewhere! It's certainly somewhere I'd like to go again. Of course, one of my early 009 builds was a VoR loco on a Mintrix chassis, which has had a few detail additions, and still runs/turns heads in its BR blue livery. I'd definitely be keen on a BR lined green one to replicate my journey! Looking forward immensely to seeing further developments, though I suspect I'll be ordering a few carriage etches from Worsley Works, unless some RTR ones materialise from somewhere! Cheers J

Congratulations indeed! No doubt there'll be a range of accessories appearing in due course; pushchairs, carry cots, and all manner of infant related accoutrements! Perfect for family groups on platforms and such, so they'd be most welcome! Cheers J

Oooooo! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more of these! The 24 being absolutely exceptional, I've always thought the 25 was the logical progression, and thankfully that's now a reality! D7628 is one of my favourite locos and hopefully I'll be able to add the ultimate model example to my fleet eventually! Cheers J

Duplicate post sorry! Cheers J

That's very interesting, and makes it look like I don't need to do much at all to have Odney in my fleet! I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not! Now, do I want the sound fitted version for extra excitement?! Mind, I think I'd want to hear the sound first, but I suspect that will appear in due course. Cheers J

Were Heljan ever manufactured in the UK? Being a Danish firm, I would be surprised. Cheers J

If it's the one I'm thinking of (though the name escapes me) I remember looking through their website and wondering who, and how, they'd persuaded their models to pose for the scanning! If I remember rightly, the head in hand figure was designed to be sitting on something made of porcelain?! I'm not certain what the other last is doing, perhaps it's best not to ask! They're all well painted though! Cheers J

A really interesting announcement, mainly (for me at least) in terms of spec and detail options. As a dyed in the wool NE man, it's not an overly high loco on my wants list, but I'll still be very interested in it's development and reception with a view to future products. I've a couple of packs of HUOs and they are excellent, and I won't hesitate to add any more A/S products should they drop into my sphere of interest. I could be tempted by either Manor that I remember having haulage from, Foxcote when it visited the NYMR (Photos below) and Odney a couple of times on the WSR. I know it is easy enough to renumber with etched plates (a bonus of the WR!) But with the wealth of detail differences, I wouldn't know where to start to get it as right as possible! (The perils of highly detailed models!) One thing that struck me in the description of the drive train was the mention of a three pole motor, is there a reason why this was chosen over a five pole? Not being critical, just curious! I really enjoyed the launch video, it was well made, and interesting, so well done for that too! Looking forward to seeing (and hearing) developments as they occur, and who knows, I might be tempted yet! Cheers J

They are listed in the 2mm scale section, but I suspect that they could be scaled up if needs be. Allen is always approachable and helpful via email (and has been when I've seen him at shows!) I've built several of his 009 scratch aid etches, and they are certainly well produced, but do require some extra effort and thought to get to a full kit standard, but the basics are certainly there as a canvas to add one's own level of detail to. As an example, this is a Ffestiniog carriage as built from the etches, and then after I've made an interior, roof and added other details ready for painting. I do keep looking at the NER clerestory coaches as well, and I suspect that once my D&S one is complete, I might well succumb to one or two to compliment it. A streamlined artic set would be lovely though! Cheers J

Thanks for sharing that, most useful. A bit longer to save, so not the end of the world (and understandable under current circumstances too!) Cheers J

To really backdate a Q6 would require a full new boiler, as the earlier ones had the bands in (slightly) different positions. I tweaked a Hornby one with a new dome from NorthEastern Kits, and a few other tweaks to roll it back into a pre '46 machine. I didn't adjust the boiler bands, as it would have been a major undertaking. There are some photos on my workbench here; I hope this is of some use! Very much enjoying seeing developments, and now trying to decide which K3 I want to do! Still probably the feedwater variant though! Cheers J

My favourite catalogue! I always wanted to build that layout myself! Operationally, it's not really that great, but boy, it was superb for the catalogue, and a young imagination! Cheers J

That's true! I'm surprised that wasn't a major issue, knowing how excited people get nowadays over the simplest of things! Cheers J

In reference to the '75 catalogue, the 101 tank illustration, and the Jubilee cover (and more referenced so far in this thread), can you imagine the outcry if something similar happened today. Non-produced models on the cover, purely for artistic effect, heaven forfend! I did really enjoy the late 70s/early 80s art style of the full side profile locomotives in all their glory, as opposed to a model shot, that were used as a cardboard insert in the box. I've still got the ones from my locos of the time (and my dad's!) They're worth being displayed in their own right! Once I've got a bit more wall space, I might well do that! I'll have to dig them out and get them scanned I think! That's another of those rainy day jobs! Cheers J

There are a number of photos from around then, Scotsman and Hardwicke double heading over the S&C I believe, also Evening Star and Hardwicke doing the same! There really was some wonderful mainline steam workings back then, that just wouldn't be possible now, manly due to the high cost of fitting modern braking and other associated systems. Shame, but on the flip side, it is a result of a safer railway. Cheers J

Can you imagine what could be done now if it was released as a DCC set? Sound effects are an obvious choice, but the guns could be controllable, maybe even smoke effects! The mind boggles at how far things have come in the last few years (but is it always for the better? That's maybe a discussion for another thread though!) Over and out! Cheers J

That's excellent! A quick search unearthed this photo showing said key! Absolutely nothing wrong with having a sense of humour (though I completely understand why it wasn't allowed into the cavalcade with it!) https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=3&id=9380&gallery=Railways&page=12 I wonder if any more photos (possibly clearer) exist anywhere? Also, sorry for thread drift! Cheers J

I've only just stumbled across this thread, and it's already fascinating! As a child of the 80s, those catalogues hold a special interest, so I'm looking forward to some insight into them! My dad still has his old books of dreams (to borrow an apt phrase from a different catalogue!) And I've spent many happy hours looking through them, so even the older images are familiar! Cheers J

There are a lot of detail differences catered for in the tooling suite already, and a few of them have been dropped presumably to save the end cost for the commissioner, and ultimately, us as end consumers. If you want a particular variant not catered for, there's always the option of getting the one closest to what you want and modifying it to suit. I'm not sure that reliance on manufacturers programs is an issue, as the intent was there initially, but cost will most likely have been the deciding factor in the curtailment of two of the announced models. There are still a decent number of options for the initial release. Cheers J

The K3 kit looks excellent, and having a photo of the real thing in York is dangerous for my modelling area, and having a K3 I picked up second hand in need of a bit of TLC, it seems like a sensible choice! The feed set for the A1&3 also looks excellent, one day I'll have a spare racehorse to fit it to! Just out of interest, what green have you used to paint the parts in the photos? As it blends very nicely with the Hornby shade. Cheers J

I highly doubt it. Much like the Hymek from the last announcements, I suspect it's the Heljan one with a Bachmann paint job. Hope this helps Cheers J

They'd also need the steps removing. Very few modern MkIs still have them, even on heritage lines. It's an achievable modification on a black ended veichle with care, with minimal repainting, but on a maroon end, matching the paint could be a bit of a bind. I understand why they were initially tooled with the steps, and how changing that would be rather costly of course. This is meant as an observation rather than criticism of either Bachmann, or Hornby's MkI and their usage. And once they are rolling around a layout, it wouldn't be overly noticeable. Cheers J

One of the things on my workbench is a Comet MK1 RF(K) being built as M324 as running on the North Yorkshire Moors (now named Jos De Crau) I've reached a bit of a stumbling block with the roof, finding photos of the top of the vehicle being quite tricky. I've been able to ascertain that it is no longer as-built, the large monsoon vent being no longer present. I had originally fitted it, as per instructions, but then removed it, hence the filler! The red circled highlights the area in question. The only decent photo I've been able to find was on Flickr (posted by Izcdome) and the useful bit of it is posted below for reference. There are three chimney like vents, and I'm not sure what they are, or whether they are available from anywhere, or if it's a case of making my own. If anyone can offer any advice or assistance, I'd be most grateful! Cheers J

I have very fond memories of my dad's old late 70s/early 80s Evening Star, despite it eventually failing with coupling rods that continually stuck. (The tender drive kept it going but with no driving wheel action!) I thought it about time I had my own! I know it's not the best 9F model available, but the newer mechanism is excellent from what I've seen, and the sentimental value of it is a big factor! Add in the replica plaque, and I was sold! I did order one from Rails, but sadly that won't be happening (though I've not had confirmation of its cancellation!) I have, hopefully, managed to source one elsewhere, and if they've started to arrive at Hornby, they'll presumably begin arriving with the retailers soon! Cheers J