new lad on block

Hi Tony, over the years I have seen examples of the CP coaches, but always very expensive. I concentrated on locos before the coaches. I have the early non sun-roof bodied first editions of R155. Also managed to acquire the maroon version with the 3rd. Body. Once again bought that from Canada. If you are interested in transcontinental locos, will start a new post tomorrow and upload some of my collection. Regards

More close-up photos.

My Christmas present to myself arrived today, a four week journey from Canada. It is a train pack TS 902, should be a trainset but no track or controller came with it. The contents in very good condition and date from 1969. I bought it mainly for the Switcher locomotive, very rare in UK as most models went to Canada. Only need a few more switchers now to complete the set. Triang also did the Canadian Pacific livery in the Class F7 , R0552.

Hi, just over two years ago I decided to concentrate on buying second hand items. There are literally thousands of 00 gauge items for sale on the internet and other model outlets. All budgets are catered for, as well as most modelling tastes. Some may need a bit of TLC but the price often reflects that. As with most purchases do your Research and It is usually possible to find the discontinued item you want, at a reasonable price. Most reputable outlets will also guarantee the item as well. As with buying new, nice to have one, second hand sometimes does the same job, at the fraction of the price.

Hi, I have recently bought a item from Canada where I believe the same import fees apply to purchases from Europe. Depending on price of item, you may have to pay up to 3 charges. If the item has a value of over £135.00, including the cost of post and packing, Custom Duty of 2.5%,lower rates for some goods, is payable.VAT charged on all goods, normally 20%.The company who deliver the goods for you, mostly have clearance fees. Parcel post, charge £12, Royal Mail, £8, DPD £5, per parcel.To give you idea, the exchange rate for my purchase was £326.42, VAT came to £67.84 (donot know how it came to that) plus Parcel Force fee £12. Total £79.84. To pay before delivery. Parcel due to delivered Monday so can see breakdown of import charges. I have bought from abroad in the past so charges were no surprise. One tip if you are buying via Ebay is to ask for global shipping for your postage option, this may work out cheaper. The postage charge may seem high but includes all duties and no extra clearance charges. The parcel arrives at your door step as normal. Worth a look on Gov. site as there can be exceptions to charges.

More photos, top Rare Bird coach, bottom R171C LNER Teak. Top, Rare Bird, bottom, R4600. Top, Rare Bird, bottom R4600.

Hi, Photos to show differences between LNER Teak and BR Weathered Teak coaches. 1st. Photo: top, Coach from Rare Bird Pack. Middle, R4171C LNER 1st. Class Coach. Bottom, R4600 BR Weathered Teak 3rd. Class Coach. Other photos to highlight differences.

Hi, after a quick search, I found my R2906 Rare Bird train pack. Also found 3 of the concession coaches plus some of the normal super detailed LNER teaks. Taking that the coaches in Rare Bird pack are the same type of livery as the London Olympics pack, I noted the following: BR coaches donot have any weathering on them. Roofs on BR coaches are a darker grey than LNER examples. Numerals on doors to denote passenger class missing on BR coaches. Highlights on coach woodwork, missing on BR coaches. Hard to see under artifical light if the brown of the coaches is different. Will upload photos tomorrow, as photos can be taken in daylight. I have ammended earlier reply to clarify 'weathered teak'. In conclusion the concession coaches are a very near match. Regards

Hi, photos taken from the Ramsey Guide,compiled by Pat Hammond latest 9th. edition, page 632. It may be that the heading 'BR Weathered Teak' refers to the colour of the teak sides and may be different from LNER Teak colour.If anyone has examples of the two variants perhaps they could upload photos. If not may take me a day or two for me to find my examples. Regards

Hi Bonne, the coaches in that pack according to Ramsey are BR weathered teak, Hornby did produce similar weathered teak coaches in train pack R2906 Rare Bird train pack. The only other coaches produced, BR weathered teak with BR numbers, were a batch of Concession specials. R4598 Brake. R4599 Ist. Corridor. R4600 3rd. Corridor. R4601 Buffet. R4601 Sleeper. All same super detailed coaches dating from 2004. Hard to find, and quite exspensive. Regards

Hi Chris, may I suggest when you are searching for the figure you require, the correct spelling of his name is Hatt, if you search both spellings on ebay several are available with the correct surname. The only one representation of Sir Topham Hatt Hornby produced was a cardboard cutout in the early train sets. Bachmann at the moment have a model in their range but vastly out of 00 scale as it is 75 mm tall, 3 inches. The best I could find when I was looking years ago was Ertl Sir Topham Hatt. It was available on a card with a porter or with his wife, also as a solo wind up version.It is still out of 00 gauge as it is 60 mm high, but it was made out of diescast and was well painted. Pictures below to show my example and scale as to compare with Hornby Thomas.

Hi Engine shed 1, is the catalogue number on the box R2038C, if so it was a limited edition of only 250 made for Rails. They were 4 in the set numbered R2038A to R2038D. As they were produced in 1997 they are the old B17 models and not the newer 2012 offerings. As to rarity, in my Opinion quite difficult to find, a full set, almost impossible. Regards

Hello to all members young and old, Merry Christmas to you all from Thomas and all his friends. Photo of all Hornby Thomas and Friends.

It is satisfying that you donot have to spend hundreds of pounds on a Hornby locomotive for my collection. Found this one, it has alluded me for years so quite rare. It is R099, Holden tank, with running number '99'. This was made by Hornby for inclusion in the R792 train set, not available as an individual loco. Most if not all sent to Ireland.The goods wagons which also appear in set are also classed as very rare. Made in 1979 so made in UK.There is a more common version with '9' running number, that one is made in China.

Hi KimiKimi, I think all Gordon’s were tender drive, the tenders on several of the Thomas range were in fact Schools tenders, Edward, and James as well as Gordon used the same tender. If you cannot buy one from Hornby. Checked on eBay if you type in, new Hornby S4470 X8775 metal tender chassis, you will find one for sale including postage for £4.99. The problem you may have is the colour of the chassis, comes in different blues depending wether it was made in UK or China. Regards

Not my favourite loco the MN, which Is why I was not bothered about finding the two different examples of Holland Africa Line, and taking photos of them.

Hi Paul11Golf, Would it be possible to upload photos of the actual loco? Members on here would then be able to compare the colour scheme. I note that according to Ramsey Guide, R359 the Bright Blue varient was produced 1982 to 1985, R365 the Bright Green version was produced 1984. Both may have been on the production line at the same time. I have seen various factory errors, I personally think yours appears to be too much of an error to be overlooked by inspection dept. It could be a 'Friday afternoon' special made for a bit of fun, and somehow got 'spirited' out of the factory. Regards

Pictures to follow of the two types of boiler doors, for Clan Line 35028, and Canadian Pacific 35005. Note also lengths of the number plates.

Another interesting fact about the Hornby Canadian Pacific, is that like the early Clan Line, it can be found with the early boiler door as well as the slimmer later boiler door. Hornby Holland Africa Line also can be found with the two types of door.

Hi LeeM, If you are buying a Hornby clockwork key off the internet, make sure you search for a 0 Gauge key. If not you may receive a 00 gauge one which may not fit. Regards

Hi Lucy, according to Ramsey guide, the loco appears to date from 1947 to 1954.I would think the set dates from that time line. The grey hopper on the top of set dates from 1957 to 1964. Regards

Hi John, did the instructions have a small stick on label, usually near the top. That usually has the R number the instructions refer to. If there, is the label correct for the loco? Regards

Hi JJ, submitting the evidence will be a time consuming affair. When contacted by Guiness they stated that every individual unique model must be photographed, and a description of the item verified by three independent persons, and a list sent in. This may be that I have to take 4000 plus photos etc. I have emailed them asking if all items need to be in the same location at the same time, on display. If that is the case I will have to rent a suitable location. As you appear to be around 60 miles from me, there may be an open invitation , for perhaps a video. Unfortunately at the moment I am recovering from a broken foot, so everything is on hold. Regards

Photos to show seven different Hornby A4 colours/liveries. Colours from top down , Silver grey, LNER Apple Green, LNER Blue,Wartime Black,BRb Express Blue, BR Brunswick Green, BRa Experimental Blue/Purple. Above photo to show differences between Express Blue and Blue/Purple.