JohnC

I have taken the plunge and my DB Red loco is now in Maritime blue and about to become 66051Maritime Intermodal number 4. Really easy to take apart and, once complete, will post on here. John

I have used a few of Rainbow Railways enamel paints and they are excellent. Used their Puma Grey for 60074 and always use their DRS blue glos and their varnishes. Mike and Colin always very helpful. John

Hi Mick I just removed Destroyer plates quite easily with gentle strokes of a cocktail stick and finished off with a light rubbing of a liquid Brasso dipped cotton bud - suppose that T Cut would work also. John

Split my sides on this one Mick!! You certainly hit the nail on the head and just loved the way you put it. John

Could be as only 42 miles from you in Aberdeenshire! John

Well done to Hattons for their best locomotive award, absolutely delighted for them. I have read so many negative comments on this forum that it surprised me that Hattons sold any of their class 66 locos!!! However, it did not deter me from purchasing 14 of them and I am delighted with every one of them. Yes, I had to do a bit of work on the axles to prevent rotating axle end losses and get rid of any slight wobble but it certainly did not stretch my capabilities. There is not another model of the class 66 comparable with the Hattons model and, as said before, it hauls a 16 wagon HTA rake up my Helix as if on the flat. It would be great if another run was done with different liveries but, if not, very happy with the selection I have.

Thought I would mention the great service from Mike and Colin at Rainbow Railways. They helped me, as always, with a couple of projects, in record time. First was with the supply of the correct paint shade for 60074 in DB/Puma Energy Grey and secondly the supply of etched plates for my GWR class 255 Castle set. All plates available but I chose 43041 St Catherine’s Castle and 43098 Walton Castle. couple of photos attached. John

Have to say, love the Hornby HST. Just re-numbered 43005 to 43098 and affixed Walton Castle etched plates from Rainbow Railways. 43041 Meningitus trust has had name removed and will become St Catherine’s Castle and the pair will make up my GWR Castle set with sliding door stock.

They are Railtec decals but nameplate is from Shawplan for 87030. Just found that Railtec do class 68 detailing decals so have ordered to replace the Vossler plate with Stadler one. john

Thank you Tom, think it was after 68025 when Stadler bought Vossloh. Will change it when someone makes the decal.

68030 Black Douglas (ex 68019 Brutus) out for the first run in its new guise. Not sure whether Destroyer may well become Lord President!

Destroyer on the way to keep my other TPE 68 company

Why wouldn’t you want a Hattons Class 66? Roads and Rails ESU sound decoder fitted, Westhill Wagonworks Modelu driver, Illuminated Models replacement light boards fitted. I have also replaced cab side Oliver logos with the up to date Colas Rail Diamonds and added Terry Baker plates which are all from Railtec Models. Finally, weathered the chassis which has really brought out the excellent chassis detailing. Take away the cost of sound decoder and at £119 for base loco it is still cheaper than a Bachmann example. John

Thank you Ben That is a shame ! Regards John

Hi Ben is there any possibility that we might see these wagons in 00 gauge in the future? Regards John

It would be great if Hattons did another run that adopted all lessons learnt on this run. Personally, I think these locos are superb in every way and the small problems easily overcome. I have just completed preparing my 12th example for my layout which is 66847 in Colas livery. as well as the usual drilling out of axle apertures, I have fitted the superb Roads and Rails ESU sound decoder, a Westhill wagon works Modelu driver and replacement end lighting modules from illuminated models. I have also replaced the Colas Oliver’s at each cab end with the new style Colas Diamonds. Have just completed some chassis weathering and loco about ready for a run. You can see some of my previous efforts on video if you take a look at johnclark568 on Instagram. John

I have attached some photographs of DB/Puma Energy liveried 60074 which I have just completed a respray of. The accurate body colouring is supplied by Rainbow Railways (I use enamel) and the Decals are from Railtec and, not only superb they are easy to apply. John

There was quite an issue, if I remember correctly, regarding the licensing of the 3 Beasties logos and EWS branding. If you want the cab side 3 Beastie logos for 37/56/66/90 you can get them on numbering sheets from Fox Transfers John

There is a good explanation on how to overcome wobble problems earlier in this thread. I closely followed the procedure and have 7 class 66 locos running like a Swiss watch with rotating axle boxes. These are superb locos with tremendous haulage power which I need for my Helixes. At the current sale price, they are cheaper than a Bachmann 66! John

Thank you Darryl regards John

Thank you Ben, brilliant news Best regards John

Hi Ben not sure if you have been asked before but do you intend doing an 00 run on these superb looking wagons? Regards John

Thanks for that, thought an 8 pin was yesterday’s technology John

Very surprised that Heljan are keeping to the 8 pin DCC configuration. I would have thought 21 pin would be the future norm or am I missing something?

I just bought a Cemex liveried Hattons 66 for £100 as it had a “slight wobble”. Did my fix as mentioned earlier in this forum and now running beautifully. Knock the spots off a Bachmann 66 in my opinion and definitely the 66 of choice. As Mick says, plenty of bargains on Hattons website.