Graskie

Yes. Thanks for the correction, PP. As if I'd go to all that expense on an A4.......

Got my 60029 "King Edward" back yesterday, fitted with Youchoos Zimo sound decoder, working directional lamps, firebox glow linked to coaling, and crew. It's a beauty and runs very well.

Got my new all singing all dancing DoG back today. Brilliant.

Thanks for clarifying that, PP. A super item arrived today, one of the last few RoS Limited Edition (500) LMS diesel twins 10000 and 10001. I just had to have these because I often saw them as a very young trainspotter at Blisworth. Must get a Deltic as well sometime.

Fazy, "Black Watch" is a rebuilt Royal Scot class loco, not a rebuilt Patriot. What's the problem? I realise they look similar on the face of it, but Patriots were often referred to as Baby Scots.

Also recently, a Midland Region 2-6-4 Late BR Fairburn Tank in lined black livery, fitted with Olivia's sound, smoke, firebox glow and working directional lamps.

Another of my recent acquisitions is an Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 tender loco in lined green livery, late BR crest, fitted with a Keytes of Essex Loksound sound decoder.

Yes, you obviously blew a bit of money on that one, Bulver. If only you had know it was DCC ready, you could have fited a sound decoder and had it blown to your individual requirements. One of my latest acquisitions is a BR early crest Midland Compound specially fitted with Zimo sound decoder, front working lamp, glowing firebox and crew, the smoke being activated on a separate chip. I already had that model brand new DCC fitted, only tested, and will now need to sell it. Incidentally, this does not in any way constitute or represent an offer of sale on this forum...........

I'm still desperately trying to continue shuffling on this planet, PP.

Recently had my Hornby R3114 B1 61270 back after fitting with Zimo sound, firebox glow coupled with coal shovelling and crew. Apparently it is difficult to fit a smoke unit, the fitter saying, "for some reason Hornby have made the boiler weight virtually impossible to get to & I do not want to cause any damage to the loco, therefore, I regret smoke is not possible."

All I would say, JP, is be careful if you do actually attempt to remove the old wheelsets. The open axle ends are longer by definition than enclosed pin point ones, and you could easily break an axlebox, especially as they will have gone more brittle over the years. I successfully converted my old short Pullman coach enclosed axle box wheels to metal ones many years ago, but left the open ended ones alone and sold them on.

I've just got my Hornby R 2824 Pete Waterman Collection 46100 "Royal Scot" back after fitting with Youchoos sound, working lamps, firebox flicker only when shovelling coal, separate double chimney units smoke decoder and crew. Fantastic job.

Perhaps that the reason why I just can't get on with him.

Thanks, gents. I am in fact 5' 8" tall but, acting as the dwarfs on my knees, I just loved it whenever Snow White felt Grumpy. And, after those two met me, they then had a very nice day.

Please don't refer to me as being too lumpy, Fishy!

I have thought about putting up a bit of video somewhere, howbiman, not only of the Crab but of a few of my other similarly equipped locos. I have all the necessary equipment and will certainly have a think about it. Watch this space for any future links. Yes, it's a pity the forum doesn't accommodate videos itself.

Just had my Hughes Crab back after fitting with wonderful YouChoos Zimo sound, firebox flicker, crew and separate decoder for smoke. Incredible variations in sounds.

A Late BR crest Western Region Class 56XX 0-6-2T tank loco in lined green livery, fitted with sound, smoke, operating directional lamps, firebox glow and crew. A wonderful little runner.

In the last month or so I have bought: - A Hornby R3113 BR 4-6-0 Class B1 61270 DCC ready. To be converted to sound etc at some time. - A BR lined black late BR crest and weathered N Class fitted with Youchoos sound on a Zimo decoder, working directional rear lamp, firebox flicker, cablight and crew. - A BR Standard Class 5MT with lined green late crest livery, fitted with Youchoos sound on a Zimo decoder, smoke unit, stay alive capacitor, working directional lamps and firebox glow. Smoke operated separately on a 2nd decoder. - Early and late Midland Compounds, one DCC ready and the other DCC fitted. I intend to do the same with them as the B1. A Class 3F BR black late crest, fitted with Howes sound, firebox glow and 2 working directional front lamps. - 10 yards of Peco flexitrack, plus track pins and rail joiners. - Dremel kit for cutting pointwork rails.

Over the last month or so: A new early crest BR Standard Class 4MT specially fitted with 2 decoders for sound, directional lamps, stay alive, smoke, firebox flicker and crew. I sent off a BR lined green BR late crest DCC ready Class 45XX tank loco and had it specially fitted with sound, firebox glow, cab light and crew. A few days back bought a DCC ready late crest BR Midland Compound from my local model railway shop and have just ordered a new early crest DCC fitted version because I remember these running double-headed through Wellingborough years ago. The latter was online at the Sheffield store for a bargain price of £104 and free postage. Gradually getting a very specialist and professional guy to update my DCC ready and fitted locos with various enhancements, especially sound.

I've got all of the "Duke of Gloucester" class.

Very best wishes to you and all your family, PJ.

I assume they will have different running numbers (and names?), KPJ, and, if not, would you consider changing one of them? Or wouldn't you be bothered?

Just to add that I do have a blue single sheet catalogue for January 1955 (print ref 1/55) as well.

Yes, I see my picture has now appeared, 2e0. Makes life difficult with pictures being held for molestation, doesn't it? In fact I have now discovered that your R.22 coach appeared in, not only the Triang Railways 1st edition catalogue of 1955 as well, but on their 1954 single sheet catalogues. I can't identify the indistinct running number there but they must almost certainly have had the same one. So it was actually one of the first few items Tri-ang ever produced for their new electric 00 model railways system.