Francis deWeck

Also missing is the Sound fitted 'Peak', D3 Skiddaw....but still on the Bachmann website.

I have to agree with this post. The locos that have been illustrated in this topic, in particular the pre-TOPS locos, are all worthy of being produced. Hopefully, there will not have to be a dribble effect of one pre-TOPS loco issued on a yearly basis. These are a very welcome addition to the Electric (OH) locos, and as has been stated in an earlier post, why not AL1-4s? The re-run and upgrade from Heljan's point of view is an obvious choice, let's hope they widen their horizons and continue with these types of locos.

With respect, the Pantographs supplied with the Olivia's Trains EM1s and EM2s were terrible, beefing up is not the answer, just a good design and modelling technique. My EM1s and EM2s have had their pantographs replaced by those designed, built and fitted by Mike Edge (Judith Edge Models). They run frequently and well under Viessman wires, and survive the occasional snag when the hand from the sky shifts the wires to deal with the infrequent derailment of a coach/wagon (normally Hornby early stuff). The said EM1/2s performed well after being laid up on account of the recent heat wave when very little running was done. In fact they started up and ran perfectly. It might also be observed that the pantographs fitted to the Bachman ALs also perform well. In the cases I am describing, all pantographs are continuously in contact with the wires, running through y junctions and trailing points forming three parallel tracks.

As for a guessing / wishing - it would be great to have a more than half decent class 30/31, or a new class 40, or a new class 08, but perhaps a good seller would be a production Deltic.

Well then, mine's a pint of properly poured black stuff, topped by said froth. .sláinte mhaith

Unfortunately, the prices could be something to be steamed up about, but hey-ho, quality will out.

This is a surprise...2019 looks expensive, but my current Garratt will be content with a shed companion. Interesting to note that Hattons' are selling a sound fitted unit (sourced from Olivia's).

OOOOhhh, I'm rich then!

SLW's product has been superior in many ways up to date, and so it is worth waiting for the latest model, rather than the Bachmann version. There is nothing like a little bit of competition, is there? It may be that the Bachmann 24/1 'looks' good, but it hasn't graced the rails quite yet. In respect of Bachmann practices, I wonder, for instance, why there is a great prototype 'Deltic', when the production run model was no where near as good (but better than the Hornby/Lima iteration). Just a few errant thoughts.

Was Ledbury Road exhibited?

You have my sympathy...I was lucky and left IT in 2010, having the hours and premium payments altered, expected to do call-out and be back for 0900. Led by somebody who had less experience at the coal face.....amongst other things. Oddly enough all those managers involved in the execution of the grand plan at that time have moved on/out.

Tockwith Show 5th August. http://www.tockwithshow.org.uk/

Yes, that happened for my WD - commissioned from a loco builder way back when, not to mention the Ivatt 4MT, BR 4MT, Clan, and a Brassmasters Jubilee. This last loco was commission following a conversation I had with a Bachmann rep at a show to the effect that there would never be a Jubilee. Still, I've got the Brassmasters Jubilee built to exhibition standard, not to mention 3 other Bachmann Jubilees (even if their splasher size and shape makes them look ex-Swindon jobs).

A further comment, if at all necessary: After some continuous running in the loco has performed virtuously, no signature jerkiness, smooth starts and stops, and it doesn't have problems on imperfective trackwork (read Shirebrook style). It seems to find the Imperium1 decoder a good companion, reversing the direction was simple as stated. Only carp is that the information sheet (such as it is) is almost a complete waste of time and Heljan could do well to follow the latest example of Bachmann. What I have found as an aside, is that the packaging is really useful when used to access the body/chassis securing screws. Very effective bit of design work. Looking forward to the early version of this class.

Well, mine arrived packaged as shown earlier in the threads. Put on rolling road, superb running characteristics. Nothing visually to carp about. Put Dapol Imperium1 21 pin decoder in the loco - strange decoder connection, with fine wires to be broken, but it went on ok. Test run quite fine and I expect the loco to improve with running. The only carp here is that the internal wiring/pcb config must be wrong as the fwd direction cmd result in a reverse. Easily changed in setting up the decoder (Job to do). The tender isn't a lot to write home about, nor is the connection to the loco, but a worthy addition to the eight wheel family. Temptation is high to get another one!

Very interesting, but will it happen?

Question: Did these lovely locos pull Quad-Arts? If so, that would make a good subject for production.

That's interesting, my Hornby tender locos seemed to object to passing through points on my dcc layout (NCE, but that's irrelevant). The layout comprised of a couple of power districts controlled by PSXs, but was laid out in a lateral (concentric, if you will) configuration. I gave this some thought and reworked the config to a vertical setup, with one half plus the accessory bus allocated to a DB5 booster. EB1s and Rampmeters complete the DCC picture for both halves of the layout. Problem seems to have gone away.

Hmmm, I installed an Imperium1 in a Dapol ED (E6003) to be precise. This was to check it out vis-a-vis the Zimo decoder which had been fitted and setup with a config which lit up the route indicators as per direction of travel, and, indicated a coreless motor. In respect of the route idicators, CV33 and 34 were amended, so I applied the same logic to the Imperium1. This failed miserably, and even when changing CV29 to reflect a change of direction for travelling ahead instead of reversing made no difference. Anybody any ideas? The Zimo worked just fine and has been installed on a Bachmann 4F which is a new purchase. It works fine there.

Sounds a bit like the Dapol A4 design, if I understand that correctly. Pity that idea wasn't applied to the Ivatt Coronations.

I've contacted Hornby, they inform me that the new chassis is not compatible with the new body. Pity at that then...

Agreed, that would be brilliant going on the Baby Sulzers so far released. However, this little flood of 33's from Heljan makes you wonder....or is it a normal re-release?

Looking there then shows, as far as my inerests go (BR Green): 1. D6504 Green £113 2. D6518 Green fyp £113 3. D6540 Green syp £113. 4. D6580 Green syp £113 5. D6501 Green, 4 Esso tank wagons. £160 where is my wallet?

I tried the google translate for the word 'nyhed' which appears against the BR green models. The word means novelty/something new, which rather contradicts the info that the models are sold out in most UK shops. Easiest thing to do is to contact Heljan for confirmation....job for AM tomorrow.

The liveries are approved for production, with limited runs; what the 87% represents is those from the particular production run which have been pre-sold. It is not a vote, that was done a while ago to see what interest there was in which liveries. Give SLW a ring and book your preference. Edited on account of gloopy triping!