Matt

They are a lovely model BUT OMG you’ve taken them to another level with your weathering. The first photo in particular I thought was a picture of the real thing - for which I am also complimenting your impressively realistic layout. Look forward to seeing in the flesh at MRS.

No worries- I’m not sure what the issue is but my mods have helped so I’m happy. I prob should have mentioned I’m using Kadees in the NEMs which might be a contributing factor - some have said the problems are less if using a more solid coupling bar. M

Not a one off - every class 60 and class 56 I own from the red box company has the same issue (total 14 locos). Others have had the same issue as detailed on threads somewhere on here. It is probably a design issue with those models and I can’t explain the physics suffice to say it does happen and can be corrected in way I described.

I used to think this too but after multiple problems with another manufacturer’s kinematic system I spent hours playing with and modifying them. The issue is if the coupling has a heavy load. As the loco enters a curve the overhang at end of body swings out outside the curve which seems to cause the coupling to extend on the outside of the curve or “the wrong way”. As progress into the curve the coupling wants to correct itself but has to pass through the centre point which means it has to shorten to do this- something it struggles to do with a heavy load on the hook. In many cases this results in derailment of leading vehicle. I’ve found that filing down the centre of the kinematic channel on said manufacturer’s system seems to help - not totally removing but rounding the centre to remove the point and make the transition from left to right easier. Hth, M

Not sure about from Accurascale but noticed Westhill Wagon Works have launched Class 66 drivers recently - think they are printed by Model U and hand painted. They even offer an option where the driver has his feet up. Not yet tried them - only saw yesterday.

Fitted the details to mine last night and I was further impressed. Not only is the nameplate guide genius, the bufferbeam pipes are handed - not sure I’ve seen this before!! And everything fitted snugly with no need to enlarge holes or file parts. And it runs beautifully. And… and… and…

Robin in Colas arrived safely here. Blown away with detail - so much so that I had to show the wife (usually things are squirrelled off sharpish) and even she remarked on some of the details such as bogie footsteps. Love the cradle idea too - one bogie was slightly dislodged in cradle but no damage and runs beautifully. Lots I could rave on about- a new fave in the fleet. I’m not gonna be able to resist more now…

I’ve always felt my Hornby GNER set is too light in colour - not really capturing the classy deep blue colour of the real thing. Is there any chance the lighter coach is Hornby? Could someone have switched the chassis if it says Lima on it (if I recall correctly some of H old Mk3 are Lima derived - TGS being one)

If people moan it will just encourage the manufacturers to be less transparent with us - they don’t have to tell us things are in shipping / have arrived etc- we can just be kept in dark until they arrive at our homes. I know which I prefer.

Mine arrived and straight onto layout. Switched my couplings to Kadee and height pretty much perfect making life easy there. I did place one alongside the (to my eye) cosmetically similar Bachmann metal air PCA and whilst the former is a nice wagon, the new model shows just how far things have progressed in last few years with just more general finesse around most areas. V nice indeed. I have a small stash of GBRF 66s that didn’t have much to pull on my Scottish layout but now they can replicate the FW alumina trains. #gbrf66saysthankyourevolution

Shout out to RoS for their good customer service. Had a few faulty locos to return and they made it very easy or me. I forgot to remove the DCC chips before sending but they replaced the models and they returned complete with DCC chip installed. Also labels show that all tested before shipping replacements. Thanks guys - I’ll be back for more in future!

Meerkat if I understand what you’re describing I would say it’s a bit of a Hornby feature that has affected several of my Class 60s and 56s after a few years. I’ve found the solution in each case is a tiny drop of oil onto the top of the gear tower where the shaft from the motor enters, and same on other side. I’ve only ever had to treat any of my models once so far - not had an affected 67 yet though. Sounds like a screeching noise coming from within the loco?

I can’t add much that hasn’t already been said except say a big thank you to the many people involved with organising this amazing show for years. I’ve made the annual pilgrimage from Aberdeen most years and have always come away inspired and with an empty wallet. I can relate to the challenges of getting younger blood involved as it’s something we’ve struggled with in our local community group, and I see a similar thing in my workplace - there seem to be many who feel an event should happen but wouldn’t dream of getting involved themselves. Kudos to those of you who did to keep this going for so long.

I’m sorry but no. No way. If you can build the layout you show to the standards you seem to, then adapting a bogie should be simple. Or put another way - I could adapt the bogie but my layout standards are years behind yours!

Sounds about right… a couple of my 60s had service sheets for class 60 one side and class 31 details upside down on the back…

Thanks for the pointers - is helping me get my confidence up to give it a go. Although I’ll have to push on now as I seem to have 401 in triplicate now… interesting re Fox nameplates as I bought a whole load recently and found some were a bit short - i assumed the printing on the model was wrong… on some cases it probably is! In most cases the nameplates scraped off easily (eg Hornby 60) but some of my old Vi models the printed nameplate won’t budge so is in the too hard pile for now….

Nice job and very useful Daddyman - thx for sharing. I too picked up a second 401 with plans to convert to 405 - had already thought about vi for cow horns but about as far as I got… useful to see your approach. I didn’t appreciate at time of purchase that 401 was pretty much only 37/4 with that headlamp arrangement in tact (and also longest nameplate requiring removal and not just covering over- though “The Saltire Society” together with “Strathclyde Region” must get close?) - I originally thought would be simple renumber! One small thing that jars on this model that I’m surprised you haven’t addressed yet are the cab door handrails. In reality the handrails mount into the side of the frame whereas on the model they have a more elaborate shape to aid assy, mounting to the door surround. I can see correcting this being tricky but was intending to paint out the “extension” in exec grey on mine so that doesn’t stand out in white on this model. Could be a small tweak to what looks an outstanding job and one I will be delighted if I can get some way to replicating.

Not sure I’d go as far as calling it a bargain but anyone interested in Kernow’s Royal Scotsman 37401 - now available for £189.99 in std form over on their website (down from £245ish I think). Looks like a lovely rendition but previously too niche for me to justify…

3mm cork in visible areas and foam in the fiddleyards is way I’ve gone. The foam definitely dampens the noise in FY but less convinced of benefits of cork for noise deadening once ballast laid and everything held in place with PVA.

Don’t suppose you have a photo of how you do this - I may have a need for this and am quite happy to give it a go.

I think the issue was when paired with a 37/0 - I think rule became pairs of 37/5 or pairs of 37/0 but avoid mixing where possible

Maybe not but the arrangement works to protect the wagon if dropping one from a great height. Only the wheels popped out which were easily popped back in. Not a test I normally subject new purchases to - this one got special treatment…

With the VIX and OAA now delivered- what next for post 70s modellers? The OAA chassis must open up other alternatives such as FPA (please please). Very pleased with both models in my fleet and hoping some other gaps can be closed….

Or could Bachmann have had unopened pallets at the back of the warehouse as orders weren’t as expected - after a while they “relaunched “ them to try shift them? I’m sad that these models aren’t selling well as likely to result in less new releases in future - they are a nice bit of kit (snowploughs aside). I think these models ARE a significant improvement on the old Bachmann 37 (more so than 47 was vs old Bach model) but have arrived on the market at the wrong time with AS’s competition and people’s finances being a little tighter probably.

TBH a Lima loco on my layout is probably the most detailed and realistic part of my layout… I do like the more recent offerings but I’ve a long long way to go before my layout overtakes even the most basic locomotives running on it in detail terms!