Silver Sidelines

It is a great feeling when things turn out well. Bucklebury Grange arrived at the beginning of summer. Hornby Bucklebury Grange (left) Overton Grange (right) The first model was returned to the seller, something about the way it ran. The replacement model was an improvement, so it stayed. How many models can you send back? However at higher speeds it still seemed to roll around. I began to imagine that one or more of the driving wheels was not central on its axle. Bucklebury Grange was banished to one of the shed roads. Now on RMweb RonnieS has been investigating how to add some extra weight to a Hornby Grange. I would have a look at Overton Grange (one that I added lead to earlier) and at the same time, try and sort Bucklebury Grange. Adding lead shot to the smokebox Adding lead is relatively straightforward. I made a cylinder out of a 65x65mm heavy duty brown paper which I pushed into the smokebox before filling with around 50gm of lead shot. A bit like a cartr...

I have been rather preoccupied of late and have not been keeping up with the various forums. I have given myself a break today and for some relaxation I will attempt an answer to the question - Hornby Grange or Bachmann Hall – which is better? First why would you want a Hall or a Grange? The old GWR constructed around 255 ‘Hall’ Class locomotives and then proceeded to build a further 70 or more ‘Modified Halls’. With 6ft driving wheels the Halls were designed to provide a powerful general purpose engine. As such they could be seen all over the BR Western Region on both freight and passenger duties, often deputising for the bigger and more powerful Castle Class. In contrast the ‘Grange’ Class locomotives had slightly smaller 5ft 8in wheels. The Granges were supposedly rebuilds of earlier 2-6-0 locomotives and with their smaller capacity tenders they were designed for fast freight and intermediate passenger work. Construction of the Granges was limited to 80 locomotives and looking...