ADShimmin

Fun! Relaxation, a bit of crafting and pottering, running some trains, working out how to solve problems/make things/improve things. Something to do together with the kids. But mostly just fun.

Hi, Anyone seen or heard up to date info on ETA for the Stanier carriages? It looks to me like we might be expecting the BR livery versions (custard and cream/maroon) perhaps later in November (or at least sometime before Christmas). Whereas the LMS liveried versions might be in the new year. Sound right?

Well that's good news 😁

Yes another great video, thanks. Plus your bookshelf behind you looks like it's got lots of interesting stuff one it grinning

I hope it's not a Jinty - I already have three of them running round my TT layout! Yes, they are all Triang, and the wrong scale for the Hornby stock, but they run fine. Plus (and I'm an LMS fan) a 3F is not the most interesting prototype. Far better to choose one of the many pre-grouping 0-6-0Ts which lasted long into BR days. Gives more choice of liveries!

As far as I know they have never shown as pre-order?

I have built a layout which is closely based on the Track Packs, although with some adaptations. You can read about it here: A Family TT Adventure https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/177215-a-family-tt-adventure/

Yes just to add to the recommendations I have used these for my TT120 layout and would highly recommend them.

Here's my solution: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/topic/177215-a-family-tt-adventure/?do=findComment&comment=5083739

I was keen to use the track screws from Alan S Robinson rather than track pins for my fledgling TT layout. Not only do they allow easier repositioning of the track, they are also less prone to damaging the track by cack-handed pin pushing (ahem, I mean myself here). And a bit more child friendly (my layout is a family project). Alan kindly sent me various samples to test with the Hornby TT:120 track. The 1.4mm diameter screws he recommends for 00 gauge were too large for the holes in the Hornby TT:120. The 1.2mm dia. screws were also a bit tight. However, the 1mm dia. screws which Alan recommends for N gauge also seem to be perfect for Hornby TT:120 track. I found that the 6mm long screws were fine for securing the track directly to a plywood baseboard. I suppose if you were using underlay that the 8mm length might be required. I have ordered a pack of the 6x1 screws from Alan and I will be using these on my layout.

Actually this has now been clarified - see the "Coronation Class delivery schedule" thread. Looks like mid-2024 for the Princess Coronation/Duchess. Must be patient! But means less need for painful budget discussions with the Household Finance Committee in 2023...

Yes I wonder if that is a typo for Winter 2023-4? Because there doesn't seem to be anything listed for then (or for the rest of 2024). I did email Simon Kohler to ask if he could get someone to check and update the dates, which he said he would.

Done!

Please contact Hornby with any issues, they are determined that customers should have top quality products and will replace anything faulty. I have a slight issue with mine and they have said they will despatch a replacement as soon as they are back from the holidays.

I think a modern DMU is a good idea as you suggest. Maybe even a Pacer! I'd quite like an orange GMPTE one... I circled it (00 version) in the Hornby 1988 catalogue but Father Christmas never took the hint.

My general suggestion would be to go for very long lasting pre grouping locos so you can cover a lot of eras with one model. My personal favourites would be a L&Y Radial tank, LNWR coal tank or a Midland Johnson 0-4-4T - suitable for branch line or mainline and any time from 1890s to 1950s. By the same token a long lasting 0-6-0 such as an LNWR Cauliflower, L&Y Aspinall 0-6-0 or Johnson Midland 0-6-0 would span many eras, and were all used on passenger, goods, mainline, branchline, suitable for most layouts. The Johnson locos suggested above would also work for M&GN and S&D variants as well as Midland, LMS and BR. I understand that other regions as well as LMS produced locos which some people find interesting but I have never quite seen it myself...! More seriously, here would be my list, trying to keep it to commercially viable stuff (approx by era): Pre Grouping, long lasting and potentially commerically viable: GER L77 0-6-2T (LNER N7) - nice suburban loco, one is preserved and popular. Would look OK on mainline and branch. GNR Class C1 4-4-2 - could potentially also do LBSCR Atlantic as so similar. Just because they're lovely! Highland 4-4-0 Small Ben - lasted a long time, and could potentially do a lot of similar Drummond 4-4-0s with same tooling (both Drummonds!) and a bit of licence on wheel size. The small inside cylinder 4-4-0 is the typical British loco. L&Y Class 5 Radial 2-4-2T - long lasting, suburban, mainline or branch, some interesting variants to sell more models, one is preserved... LWWR Cauliflower - long lasting all purpose 0-6-0, wide ranging. Round top firebox not Belpaire please! LNWR Coal Tank 0-6-2T - long lasting, used on huge variety of duties, mainline or branch, one is preserved... Midland 4-4-0 Compound - interesting, popular, long lasting and one is preserved. Midland Johnson 0-4-4T - long lasting, suburban, mainline or branch, some interesting variants to sell more models (M&GN and S&D, with a bit of licence), wide range MR Johnson 2F 0-6-0 - long lasting, mainline or branch, wide range. Later stuff likely to be viable (nothing Southern so far): SECR/SR N Class 2-6-0 or SR Class U Class 2-6-0 (could even sell the Irish version!) SR 'Lord Nelson 4-6-0 Rebuilt Bulleid pacific Pre Grouping, just because beautiful and interesting (not seriously expecting these to be viable!) Caledonian 4-4-0 Dunalastair - because why not! Caledonian 0-6-0 - representing many similar School-of-Drummond type 0-6-0s, long lasting and one preserved. Furness 4-6-4T Jumbo (or LBSCR 4-6-4T) - love a Baltic! GCR 11F 4-4-0 Improved Director (LNER D11) - sutiable for Scotland as well as Great Central and one is preseved. GCR 8B 4-4-2 Jersey Lily (LNER C4) - so handsome! GCR 9K 4-4-2T (LNER C13) - nice branch loco NBR Class H 4-4-2 Atlantic (LNER C11) - because I want one! LNWR Improved Precedent Class 2-4-0 N° 790 'Hardwicke' - why not?!?!? Highland 4-6-0 Castle - quite long lasting and very handsome. Highland 4-4-0 Skye Bogie - because I want one! L&Y 4-6-0 Dreadnought - because I want one!