SRmike

I think motorising the Hornby signals will be a bit of a problem as a motor or solenoid would need to be mounted vertically. I have electrically operated signals but they are all Hornby Dublo and the base is very bulky so I mount them in the baseboard. They are very difficult to get hold of now.

This is test that will not tell you much. If the controlled is connected then you will get the output device of the controller, probably a rheostat or transistor. If tthe controller is not connected then any engine or carriage with lights on the track

You are not strictly right 'going spare'. As you said, Hornby Dublo trains were produced by Meccano. They went bust in 1960s. The 3rail models were discontinued and their 2rail models were purchased by Wrenn. They were purchased by Triang and the models sold under the Triangle Hornby Brand. These were later branded as Hornby as it is today. Hornby acknowledged this when they produced the current Duchess of Athol.

judging by the age you have suggested, this is a HD 3 rail model. It would be EDL12 which was produced between 1958 and 1961. You will need 3 rail track where the loco picks up from the centre rail using a 'shoe' under it. It will cause ashort if put on modern 2 rail track.

This will depend on how far you want to goback. For example all Hornby Dublo locos were diecast to start with and I think that only the R1 had a plastic molded body. HD 3rail models: N2 tank in LNER, SR, GWR and LMS. liveries A4 Sir Nigel Gresley, Silver King & Mallard Duchess of Athol, Duchess of Montrose Standard 5 tank Rebuilt West country Dorchester Deltic Cl28 C0-B0 deisel Bristol Castle Class 20 8F HD 2-rail (as 3-rail except) N2 only BR West Country Barnstable HD went to Wrenn when they went bust and then to Triang as Triang Hornby. They produced models with molded bodies like the 3F. Diecast parts were included to improve traction after Mainline and Airfix started to produce superior detailed models. I dco not have a list for Hornby that includes this detail.

I think they only produced the following locos in 3 rail O-6-2 tank LNER N2 in LNER, BR liveries, but they also produced them in SR, GWR and LMS liveries. 2-6-4 standard tank 4-6-2 Pacific in LMS maroon as Duchess of Athol and then in BR lined green as Duchess of Montrose 4-6-2 Pacific rebuilt WC as Dorchester 4-6-2 Pacific A4 as Sir Nigel Gresley number 7 in blue Co-Bo diesel 08 diesel there could be more but these are the ones I remember.

The older HD wagons had metal bodies on metal chassis with the wheels held in by metal clips which was not a problem for 3rail. When they produced a 2rail system they produced 'super detail' wagons with insulated wheels and mounts.The bodies are excellent and look good and I prefer the 'Peco' couplings to the hook and bar fitted to modern model.

The thing you have to be careful with is the valve gear on steam locos. When you take them out of the packing it very easy to bend it as it is very flimsy. I have 2 locos, an air smoothed WC and a Q1, that got bent be someone when on the club layout at an exhibition which now live in my display cabinet.

I see that a 2-HIL is being offered by one of the big retailers. Can anyone tell me where they were used by BR(S) and when as I have not heard of them before?

I would like any of these: SR 4-4-0 like an update to the L1 LMS 2P LNER hunt/shire

It it depends on the model. If it is loco drive and early (1960s -1980s) loco then it could be possible if you can get an XO4 motor but they are becoming harder to find. Tender drive and later locos then the answer is no

I have replaced all the wheels on my 3 rail wagons with spoked wheels from the rail packs. This is relatively easy as long as you take care with the lugs that you have to bend straight

I have a loco with this type of tender coupling. It is R3071 Nunney Castle. I was worried about this and so it stays connected and is either in a display cabinet or plastic box for transporting to run on my club layout

The LBSC has been reasonable served with locos as there has been an A1, E2, E4, and H2 but there is virtually no rolling stock to go with them (I think there has been brake van and a cattle truck) so I have had to make freight trains up with private owner wagons from the LB region. Even the 4 and 6 wheel coaches previewed at MK last week are not planned for LBSC so I have had to report turn birdcage coaches in SR for my SR H2

As has been said, the problem goes back to the 1930s when Hornby decided to use continental HO track and 4mm/ft so today our OO trains run on narrow gauge track. I remember when Trix produced a good looking HO model of Royal Scot and coaches that did not sell because they were small compared to Horbynby OO and Triang models