GWR LNER fan 4472

I recently got a pre-owned Bachmann 56xx to do up to look exactly like the one I had the chance to drive a few years ago. I've wanted to do this ever since that day, but haven't had the time, skill or money to trust myself to do that until now. Extremely minute detailing hasn't bothered me before, I just like trains that look good and mostly like the real thing. This project however, I wanted to do it properly, so I set about analysing our photographs from the day and listing all the alterations I'd have to make to the model. Fair to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. That was until I caught myself literally counting rivets! I really hoped I'd never become a Rivet Counter, but here we are. It's not that bad to be honest, I'm not criticising manufacturers for not having the correct thickness of cab window framing or whatever, but this one project I wanted done properly. Detailing includes (but not limited to): Renumbering to 5637; welding mark along the tanks; painting under the running board black, sections of brake pipes red/black where needed, rear cab shutter doors black, buffer beam ends red, rear lamp irons black/rusted and a few cab details in red/brass/green (not gone too overboard, as cab isn't that visible); black weathering power on top of boiler, around the smokebox, tank tops and the front buffer beam; slight rusting on tank tops, coupling rods, steps, handrails and lamp irons; painted a section of off-colour patchwork to the bottom of the right hand water tank - not sure what the story was with this in real life, but it was there, so I've included it on the model. There's a bunch more stuff I've done, but those are the more obvious ones. It's not perfect, it was never going to be with my current skill level, but I'm very happy with the result. The shed code worn on the day isn't produced by Fox Transfers and turns out wasn't a 'real' shed code anyway, rather one the East Somerset Railway has chosen in preservation years. I instead purchased 88C and 86C shed codes, where the loco would've been based in the livery back in the late '50s/early '60s. I found when the model arrived that the shed code from factory is actually 88C anyway, so now I have spares for future locomotives (only one loco in my current collection that could potentially use one...). I'd still like to paint the cab interior into the creamy-beige colour rather than black, add headlamps, headboard (not currently produced, could be done with card), fireman's tools to the tank top and maybe reinstate the sand pipes (broken by previous owner), but I'm very happy with the current result. I've done a general weathering on an Airfix kit loco before, and renumbered and painted small details on a class 37 before, but this I'd say is the first I've both weathered and detailed to photographs. Here it is. I've included some of our photos of the real thing for comparison. May be several posts to come :-)

Just received the lot from Hattons and all run in and working well. In all I got the R1230 set and coaches 48111, 48112 and 49104 (plus a decoder for the loco). Very pleased with this purchase, especially the coaches for only £27 each rather than the current RRP. I still intend to get 48110 to complete the set, however I can't find it in stock anywhere! Will pop into my local model shop to see if they have it on the shelf. I'll be honest, I can't tell the difference in finishes from a distance, especially with it going at the speed it does. Even the Railroad Mk3 isn't that bad in my opinion, although the large D type couplings mixed between modern narrow ones have caused a few derailments. The train doesn't run well in reverse (with the powered car at the back), partly because of the couplings I suspect, so I might try fitting the alternative ones that came with the Mk3s. The controller that came in the set is a massive step up from the one I had running my analogue layout, which is the old silver one that came in the Flight of the Mallard train set from 2013ish I think. The locos run much smoother and don't have a horrible grating noise when starting off now. The switch on the back allows control at lower speeds and higher speeds, which is great because I can now run my older locos at a decent speed with higher power, but also my newer locos at shunting speeds very well too. Might have a look at renumbering and naming the class 43s in future, but for now I'm just enjoying them running around the layout. Can definitely recommend :-)

That's alright, four is the maximum I'll be running anyway. I've seen videos where people have run full length HSTs with the Railroad set version, so I'm confident. Anyway, thought I'd post my listings here in case anyone else needs them. I started listing the coach formations at the start of this year. From my observations, the D coach end always leads to Cardiff and the A coach end leads to Taunton. All formations follow this pattern: 43-TGS(A)-TS(B)-TSD©-TS(D)-43. 43041 St Catherine's Castle 49110 A 48128 B 48129 C 48130 D 43009 43171 49116 A 48146 B 48157 C * 48148 D 43093 Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018 43092 Cromwell's Castle 49115 A 48143 B 48144 C 48150 D * 43192 Trematon Castle 43097 Castle Drogo 49101 A 48101 B 48102 C 48103 D 43156 43153 Chûn Castle 49104 A 48110 B 48111 C 48112 D 43172 43010 49105 TGS A 48113 TS B 48114 TSD C 48115 TS D 43094 St Mawes Castle 43040 49111 A 48131 B 48132 C 48133 D 43004 Caerphilly Castle 43027 49101 A 48101 B 48102 C 48203 D 43170 Chepstow Castle 43016 Powderham Castle 49115 A TGS 48143 B TS 48144 C TSD 48150 D TS 43192 Trematon Castle As you can see, the coach sets and locos do swap and change, so I'm not fussed about matching the coaches to 43005 and 43016 as in the R1230 traiset. Hope these prove useful to people :-)

This is great, thank you so much. Thought I'd better check before I buy. I intend to get the set and additional coaches to form a GWR 'Castle Class' set. Hattons currently have the new Mk3s for only £27, which is a bargain compared to the latest RRP. I've recently been on a HST kick and felt the need to expand my modern era stock (which is barely anything at this point). Trouble is, I can't justify spending over £300 for the power cars alone, so the train set will do! Not too fussed on the finish, extra details I can paint on too. I've done a lot of research standing on the platform taking coach numbers to determine which ones to get, which in itself has been quite fun. Thanks again :-)

Just a quick question - does anyone know what coach number is supplied in this set please? Also if it has a letter allocation. Can't seem to find any close-up pictures. Thanks :-)

I've noticed quite a few mistakes like that on the Hornby website, and that's just what it is - a mistake. 0-6-0 means all wheels are driven, connected by coupling rods. 2-2-2 means there are two leading wheels, two driven wheels and two trailing wheels, none of which are attached to eachother by coupling rods. The 0-6-0 loco included in the Crash set is a Jinty, of LMS design, whereas the second loco is one of the standard Hornby 0-4-0s. The last loco is a recolour of Percy from the old Thomas and Friends line. They all happen to be in BR black. Hope this helps. On an aside, I've noticed the 0-4-0s are now being listed as DCC Ready and with 5-pole motors, see the class 06 in the Network Traveler set for example.

I'm here before the rush it seems, checked out the new range on my way to work and I'm impressed by the variety included! New wagons for the era 1 L&M right up to the new Greater Anglia class 755, exactly the sort of thing Hornby should be doing in my opinion. I love the Tri-ang branded train sets, they look very classy and aren't just rehashed Hornby train sets either. Live steam is back! Not my area so far but I am in need of a Prince of Wales in the next few years, so I might venture into that eventually... Loads of new Mk3s, bound to make lots of people happy, as well as new liveries on the class 43s, however I still can't get my head round the price on those. Pleased to see more Railroad Plus items, might get my hands on the large logo 47. Really pleased to see the class 40 at that price too, £96.99, not sure why that's in the main range and not Railroad plus though? That's my top loco pick for this year anyway. Very cool to see the Percy mould being done in BR black, crates some fun modelling opportunities for us Thomas modellers. Those are my initial thoughts, will probably be back later with more :-)

Delivery dates aside, I am super excited to see what Hornby are announcing this year. I have a load of stuff I'd like to see, but they can mostly be summed up by saying new-tooled Railroad range products for the modellers who aren't that bothered for super detail and are being priced out of the hobby. I say new-tooled because the old Tri-ang stuff is really showing its age now, and loco mechanisms have come so far in the past 20 years. Specific models for this range? A simple pannier tank would be nice, not had a 57xx in the range for a while now. Also some more modern trains, particularly modern MUs, as I have said in the Wishlists section. It'll be interesting to see if anything's announced regarding Oxford, be that new products, brand swapping, collaboration or whatever. I think a lot of people will be hoping there aren't many more duplicate projects, things that other manufacturers are already well into developing. Wether they do it deliberately or coincidentally without knowing of the competitors' projects I don't know, but it has happened far too much. I'll see you on Wednesday when the website is back online!

For me, we knew the house move was coming when we set up layout number 2, so we didn't do landscaping (which is arguably the most permanent part of a layout), so it wasn't a terrible shame when we had to start over. Quite the opposite, my Dad and I thoroughly enjoyed building layout 3 in my grandparents' new house. As I got a bit older, our vision for the layout grew beyond what was already there, hence the extension/rebuild into layout 4, which I was even more involved with, planning and constructing. Throughout all of this, I was learning about how to design and build proper track plans, incorporating important operational aspects such as runround loops, long enough platforms, engine sheds, etc as well as electrical challenges such as a triangle and return loop. Building a layout it the most exciting part for me and running that first train is so satisfying. In summer 2018, layout 4 was overhauled. Keeping the same track plan, but getting everything pinned down, town and landscaping done properly, painting the baseboards, backscenes and even the attic ceiling. All of this I did myself with only a little help from Dad. The 5th layout was completely done by me, having now become more familiar with woodworking and the electrical setup of a layout. As I was salvaging/buying each bit of this layout gradually, it took a while before a complete loop was constructed. Once again, the first train around it was so satisfying after such a long time plannig, saving up and building the layout. There is the looming question of what will become of the big layout at my grandparents house once they no longer live there, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Fortunately, my current house is a 'forever home', so that layout's safe. All in all though, I love layout building (especially the track) as much as I enjoy running the trains. That being said, they're two very different forms of enjoyment in my opinion. I have lots of plans for future layouts including a few portable ones for shows perhaps. It's nice to dream! Even better when those dreams become reality, as has happened to me the last two times!

Great question! My first layout (not including Dad's from the 70s/80s) was your basic track mat layout, two loops and a few sidings. It all came together in the Clan Line Pullman DCC set in 2007. This was set up on my grandparents' dining room table for a while, as it was a venture for the whole family.After a while (I forget how long, perhaps a few months), a more suitable layout is built on the baseboard of my Dad's old layout set in a different part of the house so my grandparents could have their dining table back. This was another two-loop oval, with more sidings. This lasted until my grandparents moved house in 2010.A short while after they moved, we made a purpose-built baseboard with proper frame and everything in the converted attic space. Dad's old baseboard was cut up and used as part of the new one. It was a sort of safety goggles shape, two loops, with a spiral incline in one half for a branch line.Technically an extension to the last one, but changed a lot, only the back straight and back corners of track remain. This incarnation is much larger and has a better station, yard, straight incline and additional branch line loop. This is the current layout and we continue to build and improve it. Started 2014.This layout I have in my own bedroom running above doorframe height around the room. Unlike the others, this is an analogue layout and is based off Thomas the Tank Engine's branch line. I put the first boards up in January 2021.

Happy modelling in 2022!

A certain splendid red engine apparently originated as an L&YR class 28, so that's another possibility.

That is certainly a good possibility for Hornby I'd say. People have been crying for more RTR Underground stock for years and now they're 'out in the wild' with other liveries, it would appeal to more people. Generally though as I have said before, we just need more modern era MUs on the market. As far as I'm aware, Hornby are currently the only manufacturer doing anything in a TfW livery (that being the class 67 and Mk.IVs) and I respect them for that. There's one manufacturer who have announced a model of a loco that hasn't even entered service yet, so for those modeling the railways of the future, that's available for you! The Clayton CBD90, soon to be the new Class 18, is a very exciting real-life project for those interested. Anyway, there are lots of new trains soon to arrive on Britain's rail network, particularly with Transport for Wales. Classes 197, 230, 231, 756 amongst others. All create gaps in the model railway market. @96RAF I am just imagining it now, BR green with whiskers would suit the 230 really well! Rather like that 66 in BR Large logo blue, modern stock using heritage liveries. Conversely, I always remember that photo from a few years back on here on Flying Scotsman in a Virgin Trains livery. All great modeling opportunities.

Some very interesting replies here. @96RAF Yes I know the feeling when good locos are playing up, and it's always when I have visitors! I'm now at the point where I have enough reliable locos that at least three of them will work at any one time. My 'flagship' loco is the gorgeous 4073 Caerphilly Castle, which has run almost faultlessly for the six years or so since I've had it. The first modern loco we got, 35028 Clan Line from 2007ish, is also one of our best runners, although it is a bit sticky at the moment and is due a service. My ViTrains Class 37 and Hornby Q6 are reliable runners too, along with the trainset Mallard most of the time. All the others seem to have good and bad days, it's so satisfying when everything works perfectly though!

Bit of fun for you all on a cold winter's day, it would be nice to hear how different people run their trains. We hear about all the accuracy details and problems that need fixing and so on, but little about the actual running of your railways. I know at shows people run full timetables and have proper signalling blocks, and I've heard of a few who run their home layouts just like that. There are others who run whatever they want, however they want. There are some that only do shunting and some that only run continuous trains. Do you do it alone, with family and friends or at a club? I'm asking because I quite often get asked 'don't you ever get bored just watching model trains go round and round?' and the answer is no! Personally it depends on my mood. More often than not, I'll set up three or four trains running, then put one in a siding and run another in its place. Sometimes I do shunting, sometimes I just set a few running whilst I'm working on the scenery. As I've said before on here, our layout is a bit of everything, GWR, LNER, BR, LMS and so on. Recently I have been having a set theme for the trains, for example last week I ran all LNER trains, yesterday it was all heavy goods. In fact yesterday I spent five and a half hours sat running trains (only breaking once for a cup of tea), two of the locos practically running for the whole session, albeit swapping around lines and rolling stock. As that ran into the evening, I swapped out the goods trains for ones with lights and had a 'night time' running session. Just makes me really appreciate what a wonderful and varied hobby this can be. Looking forward to hearing your personal ways of running your railways. Remember Rule One and there are no wrong answers!

As promised, here are the photos. I managed to add those extra wagons and the train successfully ran a few full loops without derailing or the loco cutting out or slipping. Total wagons: 52. Unfortunately the photos are from the first time, so only 44. There are three Triang open wagons and a Railroad BR 20T brake van that are currently dismantled on my work table, so I couldn't use those, but other than those, that's every single wagon we own!

Well JJ, I accepted your challenge and put together every single one of my OO gauge wagons I had available into one big train! That is as follows: 25 open wagons of various types, 3 bogie bolster/well wagons, 4 tankers, 6 vans, 1 livestock van, 1 wheel carrier, 4 brakevans. = 44 wagons I have another 11 on another layout that I'll take to add next time. But it's all very well assembling a long train, could any of my engines actually pull it? I chose the beefiest loco I have, that is my ViTrains class 37, an absolute monster of a puller and it managed the train beautifully. Considering there was a mix of metal and plastic wheels and D type and modern couplings, there were surprisingly few derailments. Didn't get chance to test many locos, but my new Q6 could pull it when the train was mostly on the straight, but couldn't around the bends (R4). I didn't add all my coaches, there almost certainly wouldn't be room for that, but perhaps I'll do a longest passenger train on the inside line. Photos to come :-)

Just bought the Oxford LNER bundle with the Hornby Raven Q6. Excellent value for money, I would highly recommend checking them out if you haven't already. Choice of the Q6, J15 or D16, that come with a random selection of appropriate rolling stock and road vehicles to the period and area. In my bundle I got the loco, two Oxford open wagons, two cars (unfortunately both the same, but still nice models), three lorries and two express parcels trailers. An excellent job lot in my opinion, I've got enough for my own LNER goods depot now! Loco is superb as usual from Hornby, despite it being a slightly older model (2014 the designs say). Best part for me is the value for money. All of that for £150, with an RRP of over £225 apparently. Considering the current RRP for the loco alone is £177 these days, that's pretty good going. EDIT: just did the maths and the total price of everything except the loco is £81.10, leaving £143.90 of the quoted £225 for the loco. Not sure what the old RRP for the Q6 was, but with Hornby's current RRP at £176.99, that actually makes the total price £258.09. And all that available for only £150 :-D

Thanks Going Spare, very useful information. Guess my next big purchase will be a Manor class after all. I was intending to get the 2MT around December/January and then the Manor in February/March time, but oh well, no doubt both locos will be worth the wait!

Putting this here because it must be a mistake. The 2MT, announced in the 2020 range, are now apparently expected in Winter 2023! I understand there have been production and shipping delays, but a model initially expected winter this year to now be pushed back two whole years is a bit excessive. We had decorated samples back in October last year, with the Engine Shed blog stating how 'tantalisingly close we are to entering full production'. I really don't want this thread to devolve into another moan fest about delays, hence why I'm asking weather this information is correct or not. The retailers haven't changed their listings as of yet. https://uk.hornby.com/community/blog-and-news/engine-shed/all-glitters-gold https://uk.hornby.com/catalogue/collections/2mt?encoded=nctNCsIwEEDh22QnWAXrZvAEggt3pQzTJLbBmAmT6SK3tz836PbxvkekNL5IJ5hY0lBP89d8QlQvpftRcqQsFfeCQ-27LOxmq2g5Rm81cMIQerg83wfcMbijTKPH4KBp25spLLrccDfiLYsrmBe-LnA9bys0fw

Ooh now this is a challenge! I'll certainly be giving this a go next time I'm at my layout... Longest train I can remember is a 12 coach excursion I put together, hauled by our Railroad Tornado and I think an old class 37, but can't be sure. It was made up of teaks, Mk1s, Mk2s and Collett coaches. It wasn't quite a 'tail chaser' on our layout, but filled over half of it. Maybe I'll do all my passenger coaches and then all my wagons on the other loop! Got a Raven Q6 arriving this week hopefully, so that'll be a fun test for it once run in.

Thanks all, I will pick some up next time I visit the model shop!

Thank you all so much for the replies. I'm pleased to say I managed to get the old wheels out without too much faff. Now, next question, what wheels should I use to replace them? I didn't want to buy anything until I knew the old ones were removable. They appear to be 12mm using a ruler (not including the flanges), but I don't have a caliper, so can't be sure. Are there any specific parts I should get or will any old metal wheels do? Threelink mentioned bearings, I'm guessing for pinpoint axles, but are there any recommended non-pinpoint axles available that could fit in the huge Tri-ang holes? Or would it be best to get seperate bearings?

Ah good old Crumlin viaduct! Structures like that amaze me because they look so flimsy and yet they could hold not only themselves, but heavy trains too. As for me, I'd quite like to model a whole branch line true to scale, running the length of a small valley. A reasonable number of stations, including a mainline junction, complete with carriage works and engine sheds etc. I've spent ages planning it all out just because. Each station would be easy enough to model on its own though, or perhaps two together, in the distant future if/when I get the space.