M. Matthews

Are the sugar cube speakers available as spares? I know the speakers can be bought from wherever but I want the little plug on the end of the wires. cheers.

I’m a little bit proud of myself right now. Managed to fit this little fellow with Bluetooth, sound and stay alive. I hard wired an 8 pin decoder, the speaker fits in his cab with one of the smaller enclosures and the stay went in the smoke box. The original face with moving eyes cannot be used but I have a more “accurate” one to fit in its place.

So I’ve spent quite a lot of time decorating the interiors of my mk3 coaches but the tinted glazing on them is so dark, I can’t really see my work even after lights have been fitted. It looks like previous versions of the scale length mk3’s had clear glazing on them. Is it possible that this would be available as a spare part? They’re not the newest tooling mk3 but they are the Hornby version rather than ex-Lima Thanks

10 decoders up and running in Hornby, Bachmann & Dapol models. 0 problems.

Looks to be a fair bit of space. Let us know how it goes!

My current main range mk1’s have moulded details and plastic unsprung buffers. Looks like the extra price is for metal wheels and a few transfers. Think I’ll go down the railroad route. Cheers!

I’m looking for a mk1 brake coach in a maroon livery. Not too fussed if it’s BCK or BSK or any other combo. I’m no expert on this area. I’ve had a look at the railroad and main range versions and I’m not seeing too much difference between them. The railroad versions are popping up at less that half the price of the main range so I’m wondering, what is actually missing on the railroad models?

I understand “your railway your rules” but it wasn’t really what I was getting at. It was more about the standard you come to expect at exhibitions especially when the layout is not necessarily owned by an individual but an organisation.

96RAF many thanks!

I’m guessing this question is mainly for 96RAF… I see a new update of the app is available. Thing is, for me at least, the current app has been pretty flawless. I’ve not experienced any of the dramas that people have posted about. What is actually new in this update? I know it states “bug fixes and improvements” but I feel like it may not be worth updating if I’ve not had any issues so far? Cheers!

When did this happen? Do you have any pictures? Should be a fairly easy mod!

Whilst that is correct, the Hornby releases with the Lima tooling have been adjusted slightly and the buffers are also separate. I’ve come across so many variants now that it’s become a bit of a mare trying to build a rake. So far I’ve found: 1: The original Lima tooling which has the glazing attached to the roof and needs to be popped out of the windows to remove the roof. Big D couplings. 2: The Lima tooling under Hornby branding. Dismantling is the same but as the glazing is more flush, it is extremely difficult to take apart. Airfix style couplings on the bogies. 3: The Lima tooling under Hornby branding. As above but with NEM pockets. 4: Hornby tooling where the body and roof unclip in one piece. Nice and easy. Airfix style couplings. 5: Again, as number for but with NEM pockets. 6: New Hornby tooling with the kinematic couplings and battery compartments 7: Doesn’t really count but… The Oxford rail tooling which I understand is now owned by Hornby. Just to complicate things further, I have two different releases of Intercity Swallow MK3’s which fall into category 5. Exactly the same tooling but the stripes have been painted at different heights so they don’t match up and different tones of yellow for the first class strip.

Many thanks, I had analysed the pictures in a bit more depth and came to the same conclusion. I have now pressed the buy button! I was just slightly unsure as the buffet coach that came with my EWS managers train was an old Lima tooling which was very difficult to open up, resulting in minor damage. Cheers!

What are people’s thoughts about running fictional stock? I’ve had some mk2’s painted up in a Colas livery which I think look fairly passable despite not actually existing. I also had the idea of recreating the INTERCITY landcruise charter which had mk3 sleeper coaches and mk1 first class open coaches with white roofs. I’ve since decided to a full mk3 rake with white roofs instead as I find it more aesthetically pleasing. How about the Jubilee HST or white Olympic Class 395? I don’t own these but just as examples of fictional liveries that hornby have released. I understand rule 1, but I'm wondering what is YOUR opinion on this? Would you be offended by these turning up on exhibition layouts? Personally, I quite like having some modified stock that makes people question its existence and whether they’ve seen it before or not. It’s something that only I have, something that’s different from the norm. Although I did once see an a4 that was given a pendolino livery which was a bit far out for me. I’ve seen an a3 in BR blue that looked pretty cool though.

I have no idea who this YouTuber is, but here’s a video:

Just thought I’d add to this thread. Does anyone know if the linked mk3 coach is a Hornby or Lima tooling? Just that the Hornby tooling is easier to get the body off for detailing versus the Lima tooling where the roof comes off which seems impossible to do without damage. Thanks https://www.hattons.co.uk/1199317/hornby_r4296a_po04_mk3a_rfb_restaurant_first_buffet_in_intercity_swallow_livery_10225_pre_owned_/stockdetail

I already have a variety of hunt couplings which have been good for shorter rakes, but on larger ones I have found them unreliable. The Hornby ones looked to have a bit more strength in them. Sorry I don’t understand what you mean by “finished product” if you could explain for me? Cheers

I was aware they came with certain carriages, but as you’ll see in the linked video, they guy clearly has a pack of them marked R7399

Morning all! I’m currently searching for some of these couplings but everywhere seems to be out of stock? Did these just sell ridiculously well or are they not released yet? Just that there’s videos of various YouTubers reviewing them. Thanks

Wow! This thread is a little salty isn’t it?

@RogerB thanks! That’s just part of a safe work pack that I’m given for a job. Probably got most of the network in the south if you ever need it!

@Bulleidboy ahh yes! I completely forgot about that. It has been the cause on confusion previously on possessions!!

Where I work on the Wessex route, the outer lines are usually slow and the inner lines fast. Quite a few stations only have platforms on the outer lines.

Probably not much point in listing catalogue numbers as for example, the Hornby class 59 & 66 all have the same tooling and therefore could be 100+ numbers to list. I’m yet to fit any kettles but certainly on the waiting list!

I thought as much. Thanks anyway!