Lochnagar

Just a little update, the artwork is in progress and will be up for display shortly. I'll keep you posted on here Sales are still strong, so thanks again to everyone who's helping us out with this loco!

Yes the riveted boiler roof straps are relatively easily added from micro strip/evergreen strip if so wished to create other locos. Not sure if Brian/Shawplan or anyone else does an etch, but I'd use evergreen strip personally, touched in with railmatch 'Diesel roof grey' and possibly weathered to hide any evidence. It's always easier to add them than to try and remove them..speaking from experience there!

Very easy, just pull them out with pliers or simply cut off at the base with a scalpel.

Yes I didn't have time to add them for the show, but as per a previous post they'll be fitted to the model. I fitted them on tuesday in time for Andy's shoot last night. Thanks for your orders guys, still rolling in steady!

No problem at all, was good to have you with us! That's a very unflattering picture of me but it does demonstrate the 'yellow' issue perfectly! Haha

Thanks for your kind comments Ken and John, much appreciated. I do my best!! The slight visible carrier film annoyed me too, sometimes even when using Johnsons Klear it happens. I'll sort it later on with a pin and some more Klear.. More pics from Andy coming soon. Alex

Thanks! Nice pic too

Yes, a definite yes!! This is one of the main selling points of this loco that it's the 37/0 tooling without that 'trench line' error, and misplaced 'as built' features such as the bodyside boiler filler hatch and associated steps . Guaranteed. It'll use the same bodyshell as the previously released EW&S 37114, so will be as accurate to the period as possible. A much awaited 37 tooling!

Thanks! The Highland headlamp isn't available on the tooling, so it won't be on the model. But.. Lees locos is able to fit working ones for £30 a loco, so if anyone wants those fitting to their model just get in touch with him after purchase and arrange it with him. The other option is to scratch build one, or maybe we could get some non working ones 3D printed if demand is high enough, as these could be used on many other locos. But that'll have to want for now unless demand is overwhelming. Alex

Brilliant shot! Lovely

Thanks chaps!

Yes. Standard class 37 nose aerials will be fitted. I didn't have time to fit these to the display model, they'll be on for DEMU. Very nice, decent quality pic too!

Show report, lots of orders taken over the weekend and the response was very good all round with several people ordering more than one to renumber and bolster their Scottish (or English for that matter) loco fleets. I've even had emails and messages saying 'thank you' for choosing this particular loco/tooling/livery combination, so that's fantastic and much appreciated! The model will be on display at the DEMU show in Burton next month, on my stand ABC Workshops and reservation forms will be at the ready. So feel free to come along for a chat there. As regards any 'yawning' either someones having a stab or doesn't have much knowledge on the subject. I'm not here to make enemies and I can probably speak for most of everyone else here too. I don't want to offend said person but I wouldn't throw comments in like that myself as theres no point really. Anyway, doesn't matter, thanks Andy and Ian for your kind words.. I do my best! If anyone wants more pics of the sample loco then please shout up and I'll post some up on here for you! See some of you soon, or at DEMU next month. And as always we'll keep you updated on this thread as and when we can Alex

Yes it's the lighting, totally changed the shade. I used railmatch 1984 onwards warning yellow, about 8 coats to give the required depth after white primer. Bachmann have all the correct colour specs anyway. Livery samples are expected late summer early autumn.

Thanks chaps, genuinely surprised at the amount of positive comments and 'thank you' messages I've been getting over this release. Brilliant, we aim to please.

Thanks Ben!

Right, so there we are! The 37th Derby show gets a class 37. Not just any 37, this is an MMRG 37! Haha. I'm pleased to report the model went down very well today, with sales as expected. I imagine there will be plenty left by Monday, but anyone who wants one or more of these locos please declare your interest and let us know as soon as possible via the online form on our website www.mmrg.org.uk from Monday onwards. Or feel free to get in touch with myself and I'll happily do it for you. But I must stress, register now if you want one as demand will be higher than usual for this one..and I'm not just saying that. No cash or deposit up front, we'll get in touch when payment is required upon delivery of the models. As an aside, by popular request there are now three extra options, but you'll have to get in touch with myself by private message on here, or contact me through my website to arrange it. Option 1. Weathering, an extra £25. Done by myself to your spec, a proper job. Option 2. DCC sound fitting, an extra £140. Done by myself, using the latest Legomanbiffo Loksound V4 decoder and speaker. Option 3. Renumbering/renaming, £ depends on which one, drop me a line and I'll quote you. If you require any of these three options, get in touch with me directly after registering your interest first, and I will sort it out for you once the locos have arrived with us. As always, thanks for your support and help with this project! Alex Carpenter

This is annoying! Was going to get my 20088 and 37796 reblown by Legomanbiffo and the factory Loksound Select decoders can't be reblown. I seriously hope they go back to using the V4. The 20 chip will be sold as it sounded truly terrible. Possibly the worst factory sound I've ever heard in a modern diesel, (apart from the Hornby 56) and far worse than previous sound releases in the Class 20. I can understand using the select in trainsets, but pleeeease not in standard locos as it'll damage sales for those in the know. It'll be cheaper to buy a non sound loco and give £110 to Legomanbiffo for a V4. Not a rant, but just slightly miffed and worthy of note as I reblow all of my decoders via Legomanbiffo.

Sorry I don't usually have time to read entire threads, just a quick contribution.

Just a heads up to anyone thats had issues with these coaches 'dragging' and not running freely. I've found the problem. A customer came to me yesterday with a full rake to try and 'free up' as they basically didn't roll at all, more stopped immediately when pushed. And certain smaller lesser powered locos couldn't handle more than two or three at a time on his layout. I'll add some before/after pictures once I've modified them, but basically the brake blocks are nearly ALL in contact with the wheel treads when on the track, on some bogies all were, thus preventing free rolling. This is quite unusual in 4mm as the brakes correctly line up with the wheels, but the clearance is not sufficient by at least 1mm. Effectively meaning the brakes were hard on in a scale format which I haven't come across before! This issue is disguised by the fact that when you turn them upside down and spin the wheels, they fall downwards slightly free of the brakes, making you think they don't touch, but when on the track they do. So, just to make sure I removed the brake block moulding entirely to prove this was the issue (it can be prised off the bogie in one piece with a flat bladed screwdriver after removing the wheels) and sure enough, the bogies roll perfectly without the brake rigging in situ. No issues with wheelsets/bearings at all, purely the binding brakes. I'm not a steam era modeller myself but these are really lovely coaches, genuinely nice. But how this particular fault got past Hornby quality control baffles me, It's spectacularly easy to test if a coach rolls or not. Possibly some shrinkage in the plastic at some stage, but whatever the cause I'll post pics on how to fix it in the next couple of weeks as I know lots of you have been having trouble. Alex

TTC die cast in derby have stock of all 68s..if anyones struggling to find one

The windows are tinted, forgot to put that on my post of 13th Feb.

No point doing a limited edition of 500 of something that'll sell 1500+ main range. Nice idea Locomotion doing the gloss one as an option, although I'll be buying the main range one I'm afraid as I'll be weathering/running it! Best of both worlds. +1 on the 43002/185 FGW PC twin pack. They'd fly out.

To quote my previous post, had a nice chat with Tim from Oxford rail on Thursday. The unpainted ali window frames are not an oversight, both versions of intercity/swallow liveries are being produced. This first version has painted frames, as per some rakes, and the unpainted silver window frame versions will follow in due course.

Brilliant coaches. Just emailed Oxford about the lack of aluminium window surrounds on the pre production models.. hopefully it's a pre production mistake!! As it's terribly obvious on the swallow version, and they'll be a right pig to paint on afterwards (especially on a whole rake). I'll post the response on here. Alex