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I have a sample pack of memory wire which I think uses a coil to open and close a gate but it's still packed away as this will be something for when I have sorted out the lift out section of my layout.

Just to let you know, I've tried to solder wires to 1970s and 80s metal chassis and it just wont work.

Thanks RAF, however that is not the same type as the old Airfix Dapol model but might give an idea about "House colours"

Just a thought - Anyone wanting to model a miniature railway could use Hornby OO models to represent a 15" gauge prototype like the RH&DR at 1:22. perhaps using a Flying Scotsman with a new bogie tender and smoke box door to represent Southern Maid. Figures and other platform fittings would then be available from G scale providers. The older Triang models with their coarser wheel standards might be a good choice for something like this.

There are some X7015 on ebay. If this is the part it will probably be a lot easier to replace the entire cylinder unit unless you have reasonable modelling skills and good eyesight.

Cheers RAF

Regarding Northumbria and the remains of Rocket having such a similar appearance, does anyone know when Rocket was rebuilt? Could this be a source of confusion? Even if it was in original condition at the time the LMR was opened could confusion have occurred if James Nasmyth did not note the loco's name at the time? Indeed is Rocket really Rocket?

Sadly I think you will need to buy a new ones as yours looks broken. I would suggest using the words "Hornby King piston rod" in your searches rather than "linkage". However, the model has been in production for may years so you will need to be careful to order the correct one for your version. Perhaps someone on the forum has a service sheet and can quote the part number. I would also advise removing the body to geve you as much freedom of movement as the running board can get in the way. Best of luck.

Thanks for the memory jog - Just edited my post asking about liveries for the DAPOL crane kit!

I once tried fitting screw link to an Airfix B set and Auto coach in my early yeas of GWR branch line terminus phase. Although these pulled alright into the station over a PECP large radius Y point they would derail when pushing especially the Auto Coach. I did ask a chap at PENDON museum how they did theirs and he showed that each was hooked together using a representation of the train pipes from one coach which hooked into a slot in the chassis of the next coach. However, he explained that as they used fixed rakes each coach was individually made to couple up to the next and was not necessarily interchangeable. Presumably you could try the same if your rakes are to be fixed.

I am trying to research alternative liveries for the Airfix 15T Booth diesel hydraulic railway crane now made by Dapol. Although I can find several photographs of the ridged underframe version that was supplied to BR(W) in the 1950s, the only pictures I can find of the bogie version are from the Airfix and Dapol box artwork. This shows two different versions in red, black, and yellow. The other is a black and white photograph holding a magnet, which I suspect is in works grey. Aside from the livery, does anyone know how many of the bogie underframe versions were built and for whom? Lastly did the BR versions ever appear in red or black as I can only find pictures of these variants in grey or yellow? Thanks for any help

Currently on my bench (well the drawer next to it) is a Silver Fox Class 22 Baby Warship with a Bachmann chassis. When it arrived from eBay it must have been bashed in the post because the front of one end had been smashed into around 5 pieces. I was tempted to return it but all the bits fitted back so well that I only needed to do the slightest of touch ups. All looks good now except I need to think of a way to fix the body so that it can be removed for servicing and eventual DCC conversion.

I wonder if it would be easier to get the BR version and remove the later fittings and repaint rather than kit building? Alternatively convert the domeless boiler. On the subject of the DAPOL 12 wheeled dining car, they did do one in the fully lined LMS livery with a two tone grey roof. I only wish someone would make other coaches in the same livery as it looks decidedlu odd among coaches with the simplified livery.

Looking at photos on ebay it looks as though the Acho version had a different better looking chassis is that correct?

The problem with Hornby Models made at the time your model was is that they were seldom a good match to the real loco. Although the lettering points to SR Olive green you will find that it is a different shade. I had one with a scratch on the cylinders and ended up replacing the cylinders (spares do come up from time to time on eBay). You could get some green paints and try to match but I wonder if you would be better trying to replicate the tape by off scanning the side of the tender (to get the right shade of green) and cropping the image using windows paint to make a strip the right size for the cylinders and add the lining. You could then print the image it onto some self adhesive paper.

@Brew Man, You do realize that you only need the decoder to switch the lights off and on? So you do not need a decoder if you are happy to run the lights on all the time.

Another Rapido Lion but this time in 1930s condition.. I would have bought the Hornby one if it wasn't for the couplings.

I hate to say it, I had the same problem until I eventually moved out! and even then my wife and a friend of hers decided to tidy up the spare room to provide a convalescence are after I had surgery just put a dismantled Dapol Castle (awaiting a DCC chip and managed to loose some vital screws.

I want to start replacing some of my ROCO type couplings that I've used to close couple several rakes of coached with Kadee couplings. Starting with my lit Pullmans. However does anyone know what size Kadee to use? The tightest radius on my layout that these will go round is the peco medium radius which I think is around 3' or 900mm. I'm also considering doing the same for some Maunsel coaches. Many thanks for any help.

I did buy three of the original Hornby Dublo in varying states of repair to try to cobble up one and detail it as this model looks a lot more realistic than the plastic version. However, the whole project ground to a halt when I realized how much extra work was needed to change the wheels. The Bachmann model came out and the whole thing became pointless. However, I have at least managed to produce a complete Dublo version complete with outriggers!

I would second RJ's comment about testing the motor with no load. I had a Hornby Ringfield tender drive that screamed, but was quite quiet when Iran it without the gears

On the subject of scaling things down, I have been asked to produce N scale version of some of my models (6 wheeled tadpole) and a couple of others. The sad thing is things like W irons and brake rigging just becomes too small to be printed On the subject of spare parts, Shapeways offer to print in various metals. I believe they use the lost wax process. This got me thinking about Mazak rot and drawing up a 3D print of the chassis block and printing it in either brass or bronze. The only trouble would be the cost would probably be greater than sourcing another model hopefully without the problem.

A Piko 0-4-0 which bears a very strong resemblance to the old Hornby International tank. It carries the number 98 003 and is in DB black with red frames like a lot of other German Locos. Oddly it also carries a molded running number 80018 on its cab and smokebox door which coincides with an 0-6-0 with a ver similar body.

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I am in my late 50s especially when asking some of the more basic questions about things that were happening around me in the 1970/80s! My only excuse is that I was totally adsorbed in all things GWR - at that time anything else was simply not a proper railway. However, I have become a little more broad minded in my old age!

Not all of the GWR (and ex-GW) railcars available in OO would have been physically capable of pulling anything since some of the earlier types were simply not designed to. The types that could can be easily spotted since they have large buffers on the front like the type made by Hornby and Lima. For more general examples try Googling DMU Tail Loads and switching to images. This will produce a several "hits" mostly from a site called Railcar.co.uk which also has a great deal of other useful info about 1st Generation BR DMUs.