jivebunny

Just unboxed mine, possibly the first 812 outside of the UK I cheated though, got it posted to my parents' place and collected it at Christmas. First impressions: it's a nice model, on par with Hornby's J36 in all but price. I probably wouldn't have noticed or paid attention to the Tri-ang tender top if I hadn't seen it mentioned here. I've removed the front coupler and NEM pocket but not yet fitted the detailing, I always run locomotives for a few weeks before doing that. The front end of the brake rodding between the left and right wheels can just be popped out to extract the NEM pocket. In terms of running quality, it's a very quiet and smooth runner (on DC for now) and the firebox glow is a nice touch in low light conditions. I think I'll come to regret not ordering the DCC sound version. However I have two major gripes: My first is with traction... I've only had a chance to run it on my workbench oval for now, but with a single Hornby LNER teak in tow the engine starts wheelslipping as soon as it hits a curve (450mm in this case, so slightly above the minimum recommended 438mm curve). Doesn't bode well for when I'll want to run it with a proper train. Anyone else encountered this on their layouts? The second is with the tender drawbar, which is bound to lead to damage to the fragile wires between the two vehicles at the first sign of a derailment or rough handling. I don't understand why instead of being secured by a screw they've used a simple, loose-fitting pin. I can understand this setup on older models that have been updated to improve running quality (Hornby Railroad etc) but on a brand new model retailing at 200-300 quid?? All things considered, I'm happy to support the 828 trust and Rails, but I wasn't expecting to find these sort of issues with a model in this price bracket. Alan

It's still on the site but it now has a release date of "winter 2022", so about a year and a half away and definitely not "coming soon"... Maybe the first batch is still on its way and the release date concerns a future batch though. I have a pre-order placed through Hornby as I missed out the first time around, but there's no "expected" date next to it so it's hard to tell when we'll be getting these. https://uk.Hornby.com/products/lmr-stephensons-rocket-royal-mail-train-pack-era-1-r3956 Alan Edit: unless of course by "winter 2022" they mean January, but most people will presumably take that to mean "late 2022"

That wire looks really good I see the lower arm of your pantograph is resting in the pantograph well though, is there a problem with it? The pans on my 92s seem to stay posed without issue, as seen in various posts on the previous page. Alan

Hi Kevin, Very poor of Hornby to have no idea how to open their own products... My last interaction with Hornby for an international product was regarding TGV spares and ended with a "we'll get back to you" (they didn't). The images in the first couple of posts of this page might give you some clues, it would seem the tender body is attached by two clips on each side and then presumably lifts off once these have been freed. I think one of the 141s at the club is a Jouef model (amongst the excellent REE locomotives), I'll take a look for you tonight. Alan

Hornby and the current TOCs are a bit late to the game, if you ask me The North Western Railway started the trend 15 years ago

Errrr, it clearly states VAT £21.21 Just checked my Rocket pre-order from February, mine also states no VAT (and free shipping to France which is nice)

I haven't checked with UK retailers but in France model shops have started allowing online payment in 3 or 4 instalments, as have retailers specialising in photography kit. Quite handy to be able to spread the cost of £500 multiple unit or a £1500 drone or lens for example... much easier than putting a stop to the spending Alan

Sorry to say the same reference is back up to £484 now unfortunately . I wonder if any lucky so-and-sos will get it for £404.... Alan

Nice video, thanks for sharing! As much as a revival would be a nice idea, I think it's a miracle that even back in 1998 SNCF would allow open-platform stock with passengers hanging off it to run on a line shared with Corail trains, TGVs and freight. Sadly I'd give the 1998 setup close to zero chance of getting SNCF Réseau's approval in 2021, especially considering their generally anti-preservation stance (lived here 15 years and the number of times I've seen heritage traction on the mainline can be counted on two fingers, whereas in my previous life in Chester it was a weekly occurence). Some excellent footage though, that 0-3-0 doesn't half move! Alan

AMF and Interfer are the first two that spring to mind, although if you're outside France I'm not sure they ship internationally (or that it'll be worth it if you're in the UK, bearing in mind customs and fees). Interfer uses an archaic system with order forms you have to print off etc, but their paints are listed on other suppliers' websites. Not sure about AMF's but at least you can order direct with them. You'll need to run the websites through Google translate if you don't speak French, lots of text to go through ! http://interfer-trains.com/index.php https://www.amf87.fr/prestashop/ Interfer paints available here and possibly others: https://micro-modele.fr/en/199-peintures-interfer https://www.train-modelisme.com/mag.php?goto=bout.php&cat=Peintures+INTERFER+SNCF&famille=Pièces+et+entretien http://www.espacetrain.com/index.php?page=contrib/modelisme/pb1/peinturehttp://www.espacetrain.com/index.php?page=contrib/modelisme/pb1/peinture Alan

Same here, e-mail informing me they're unable to fulfil my Rocket train pack pre-order. The wording of the e-mail does indeed seem to suggest it affects multiple items in the range. Clearly it's outside of Hattons' control, but it does make you wonder what point there is in pre-ordering an item if there's no guarantee your order's going to be fulfilled. I wonder how they choose which orders to cancel, it'll be first come first served I'd imagine... As a kick in the teeth to Hattons and presumably other retailers, Hornby are still accepting pre-orders for the same item on their website. So that's where my money's now going, unfortunately for my favourite and previously-local retailer. Alan

Hi Jon, I'll try to have a look tomorrow at which CV sets the volume. The original Multimaus (the red one from Roco or the grey one from Fleischmann) allows you to access F21-F28 via a double-press of the shift key once it's updated to the version 1.05 firmware. I can't remember the exact menu that tells you which version you're running but it's something like settings > info. If you can find someone with a z21 or MultiZentralePro command station then they can plug your Multimaus in and update it for you. I've done it on a bunch of Multimice we have at our club with a z21 I got cheap split from a set... saved us a lot of money that would have been spent replacing all the controllers! They were still using the version 1.00 firmware that only gave access to F0-F12 so not much good for digital sound models... Firmware available here: https://www.roco.cc/en/service/downloads/99-0-0-0-0-0-0-007005-0/index.html (If like me you're in France drop me a message and I'm sure we can sort something out) Alan Edit: the overall sound volume is controlled by CV 266. Mine's set to 27 which is perfectly a pleasant level but I'm not sure if that's the default (0-255).

Hi Ron, Nice video, love the night-time scenes at Gare de Lyon! Certainly nostalgic seeing the "Le Shuttle" branding on those Class 9s been travelling on them for almost 30 years now and I'm still fascinated by the sheer scale of the trains. Thanks for sharing, Alan

Indeed, the locomotive's emerging onto rue Paul Poirier having left the port of Granville's south quay. Tracks still in place to this day, albeit disconnected from both the port and the station... Alan

Blimey, I'd forgotten 86's in NSE livery were even a thing! Lovely photos, thanks for sharing them. Alan

Well when your winters hit -20° I suppose it is... Anyway, back on topic

Q2 2021 (April-June) was mentioned when Rails showed us the deco samples a couple of months ago, although with the current situation I wouldn't be at all surprised if it had slipped a bit. I seem to remember from my time in Edinburgh that summer actually only occurs on leap years. (I jest. The first year I was there we were in t-shirts until October!) Alan

Nice idea this, Northgate was closed long before I was born but I just about remember the Chester to Harwarden line before its final closure in the early 90s. Used to watch in awe from a friends' garden as 37s shuffled past the fence, just a few feet from us (young me remembers seeing a DMU once as well, presumably a 101 on a railtour / route learning / inspection run). I'll be watching this with interest. I suppose I'll have to make some changes to this poster I have Alan

Not really "off-region" but certainly "off usual territory", here's 86417 at Chester for a naming ceremony (from https://flic.kr/p/bUnqgi ). As was done with the 90s and 390s in later years, they were also occasionally dragged through Chester on WCML diversions. Sometimes you'd even see one on a late-running Holyhead where it was presumably decided to keep the electric loco on at Crewe rather than spend time detaching it, but I suppose the above two cases are a bit off-topic... I seem to recall seeing a photo of one looking a bit out of place among the diesels and DMUs of Chester shed at some point in the late 80s / early 90s, but can't remember where I saw it I'm afraid. Alan

Yep, common knowledge that... Doesn't seem to have stopped me from placing an order at Hattons though, since I missed out on the last lot (and my attempts at remotorising my 1982 model aren't going too well)

Thanks! And yes they do, hidden under the tray in a bag with some cast BR arrows and a couple of other detailing bits

Evening all, Thought I'd share a few photos of these beautiful beasties, including a family portrait at the end. Magnificent little models. Alan

I received my despatch email on the 30th and I received my parcel this morning (Jan 4th). Would have received it on Saturday if I hadn't requested delivery to my work address! Considering I'm in France I think that's pretty impressive. However I must say, be careful when opening them that nothing falls out. Both of mine had a handrail off before even opening the case, one was wonky but the other was sitting at the bottom of the box (see cabs at right-hand side of photo). Thankfully it's nothing a tiny drop of glue won't fix on the workbench this evening, but with a £135 model you'd expect the factory to glue all the parts on adequately. One for the QA checks there. Still, I haven't given it a run yet but it's a fantastic model to look at. Mine both have "the dent" but you really have to look hard to see it, it doesn't bother me personally. Hats off the team for getting this out of the door, might try to get myself a Caledonian Sleeper one..... Alan

I bet that post will save them a few e-mails, thanks for that any idea if we'll need to request them or if they'll be systematically posted to us when available?

For those like me who ordered after January 1st 2019 and paid a 50% deposit, it would seem Mike was beavering away late last night at sending out the final invoices (a manual task, as I understand it). If he hasn't asked yet asked you to hand over your remaining Christmas money I suspect it won't be long now Looking forward to receiving my original-liveried pair Alan