JohnC

I have two of the Hattons class 66 locos and one on order. Absolutely delighted with my locos and cannot understand all this sniping from some members. Wonder how many of the snipers are actually modellers? Well done Hattons, a superb model and great value.

Hi Fran Many thanks - looking forward to seeing them. Best regards John

It was great to meet the Accurascale Team at Model Rail Scotland. The stock on show was superb and, as well as my DRS PFA wagons, now have 3 British Fuel and 12 Cawoods! not sure if I heard correctly during chats but maybe Fran can confirm or tell us I was hearing things. Did I hear mention that Accurascale were going to manufacture loads for the PFA containers or am I dreaming? Best regards John

I often use Railmatch satin varnish, enamel that is, and get it from Rainbow Railways or Howes. Rainbow also sell Precision and are a great seller. john

Hi I used Phoenix Precision (enamel) GWR green for my respray and, after decals, a coat of their gloss varnish and it looks no different to my purchased Hornby one. Did a respray as wanted the Legends PC prior to Hornby announcing they were going to produce it. i do not think your colour is too far off though and a great attempt if you have just started. John

Going underground is spot on with the reply given. However, do remember to shut down the ECoS properly by holding down stop button until screen tells you that you can turn off power. This ensures all your operating period remains saved. Just turning off the power may cause loss of recent memory. I previously used the Lenz system but feel that ECoS eclipses most DCC systems. john

Agree Ian - if you are not happy with youtubers don’t watch.

Totally agree Roy - what a lot of nonsense. Colour is always in the eye of the beholder anyway and the most difficult thing to carry in your mind. The Hattons 66 locos look superb and cannot wait for there arrival, first one is on its way! John

Luckily I already have two but still ordered another one!! All we need now Fran is a commissioned Caledonian Sleeper 73/9 to go with the Mk5 sleepers I have on order!! Any rabbits out of the hat on this one ?? John

Just had notice from Hattons that delivery of my class 59 will be between July and August 2020. A large slippage from earlier predictions so hope the wait is worth it!

Agree with the above comments. we will never get the products if Brian spends all His time on the phone. I have always had an answer when using e.mail and no problems receiving what I require. I will definitely be at the SECC innFebruary with my shopping list and hopefully get the new GWR Castle Class HST names I require.

I had the large logo one ordered and could not resist adding a “Pink” one to the fleet so a second 66 will be heading my way. Also went straight to C Rail website and ordered a handful of matching containers - cannot wait to see them on the layout. Hats off to Hattons, the locos look superb and the video on the DCC aspects was superb.

Hi I note you use Halfords plastic primer and wondered if you have tried Halfords normal grey or white primer. Still an acrylic paint but a different ‘recipe’. I have used it on plastic,resin and styrene without problem. I use enamels for overcoating. john

After putting forward a request to Steve, I now have renumbering sheets for my Intercity MK2f coaches and FGW Power Cars. Top quality and top service as usual. Also delighted with my nearly complete resprays for DC Freight 56091 and GBRf 60021. Brilliant decals, easy to apply and minimum superfluous carrier film. Not related, just an extremely satisfied customer. John

I have never had any problems whatsoever with Hattons on either delivery or after sales service. Bachmann are going to struggle with this stand off as most model shops will take delivery of 6 of this 10 of that etc whereas Hattons will probably take delivery by the pallet load when they order. Also, one has to look at escalating prices from Bachmann. I was going to get a few National Power wagons to go with my Dapol 59 but not at over £55 per wagon, even after shop discount! just looking forward to the Hattons 66 now and hope they are as good as they looked when I saw samples.

I got some NSE Louvre from Peters Spares

When renumbering my locos,coaches or wagons, I remove old numbers with a liquid Brasso impregnated cotton bud to ensure a polished surface to apply new decal too. once dry, I use airbrush to quickly flash over area with enamel varnish to match original Matt or satin finish. There is no problem weathering over the varnished finish coat with enamel based colours fr weathering. John

Doesn’t the to photographs show two different eras of Intercity? The photo of real life coach shows the earlier version of Intercity with non italic font, as produced by Bachmann and the Hornby coach is the later italic Intercity version (Swallow period) that differed in colouring for upper and lower body colours and having door locking lights fitted.

Just looking at the latest examples on Hattons website and noticed that the painted example they are showing for the forthcoming Scotrail HST Power Cars is incorrect. The example shown does not have the exhaust cowl that is on the FGW Power Cars and these have not been removed on transfer and refurbishment. Roof profile should be the same as the profile on Old Oak Legends Power Cars. john

I have been doing resprays for quite a while now and, in the main, used Railtec, my latest being 50049 and 56103, the latter being a large decal. The only problem I have ever had was my own mistake and quickly received a replacement from Steve. I never use Humbrol Decalfix as it completely melted one of my Fox transfers a few years ago. I follow the instruction sheet that comes with my decals from Railtec and ensure I am applying them to a good gloss coat. For large decals on corrugated sides as per 66 and 67 I add some PVA to water to assist decal adhering to corrugations. For large decals on slab sided locos I sometimes ensure as much water drained off decal as possible and then position and slide off backing sheet onto a wet coating of Johnson’s Klear. This also ensures no carrier is visible once dry. Hope this information assists and you can see some of my work in layouts section under Parkway. John

I have two occasions o see lookingfor spares for locomotives that are still being made. I contacted Hornby customer services for both parts required, one being a replacement pantograph for the new class 87. Although very polite and suggested I try Peters Spares or AC Models, it is very clear you cannot purchase body parts as spares (other item I was after was a of grill for a class 60). Disappointing really as even normally available spares are in very short supply at the two vendors mentioned above. Same a string to get Heljan replacement wheel sets for class 47 or 58. Time these manufactures considered the spares angle for their products. john

Hi Paul Is it the ESU ECoS controller you are using? If so it is well explained in the manual regarding reading and re-setting decoders on the programming track John

Hi Shoey I have used a cotton bud soaked in Brasso for all my renumbering, including printed nameplate removal and found it perfect. Rub gently, don’t be impatient, and you will end up with a perfect gloss area to apply your new decals. Steve at Railtec Models has a great selection of Coas numbers and they are a joy to apply. Once all dry, I give a quick flash over with satin varnish from my airbrush and you would never know it has been renumbered. John

Very easy to renumber with the superb Railtec transfers. I rubbed the old numbers off with a cotton bud and Brasso, less than 2 minutes a coach. I am just completing my respraying into executive light grey and my coaches now perfectly match my Bachmann DBSOs - also renumbered by Railtec Decals. John

When having trouble removing glazing from a model I put model in a plastic bag, put in the freezer for half an hour and then retry removal. It has worked often for me. john