Silver Sidelines

I do like the Bachmann 4MTs, that is the post 2009 versions that are DCC ready. Bachmann 75029 (31-116A) from 2021 By and large they look good and run very well.  I did have one issue with 75029 which out of the box rather limped along.  It seems to be a known issue where the pipework under the cab is not seated properly and catches the coupling rods.  The picture below shows the underside of the fixing bracket with the locating hole for the pipework. Bachmann 75029 Pipework Locating bracket Back in 2021 I didn’t purchase 75014 because it was modelled ‘as preserved’.  More recently I have come across pictures on Flickr showing 75014 in its last years with British Railways working on the Cambrian. Talerdigg 75014 at Talerdigg Courtesy Phil Waterfield https://www.flickr.com/photos/124047467@N05/ I would think again about buying.  I didn’t have to think very long before a ‘new’ and cheap model appeared. Bachmann 75014 (31-117) - Preserved Only after purchase did I ...

I have been revisiting my stock of ex LMS 2-6-4 4P tank engines.  In total the LMS constructed some 650 of these engines starting in 1927.  Construction continued into British Railways days in the late 1940s.  You might also include the British Railways Standard 2-6-4 tanks which were given smaller wheels and classified as 4MT rather than 4P.  The LMS engines can be divided into three basic types corresponding to the Superintending Engineer at the time of construction. Ex LMS 4P Tank Engines – Hornby Fowler 4P (front), Hornby Stanier 4P (middle) and Bachmann Fairburn (top) The first engines were designed by Sir Henry Fowler and I would say are characterised by a parallel boiler and massive smoke box.  Later engines received cabs with side windows but this variation was not produced by Hornby. 42334, Hornby Fowler 4P Tank R3404 The second batch of engines was built by Sir William Stanier and is characterised by his signature taper boiler.  A small number wer...

Engines that travel on the railway network must have lamps.   Hornby 8F fitted with Kenline ex LMS lamps The business of fitting lamps has recently received a much needed boost with the introduction of Hornby’s New Black Five Caprotti which came with factory fitted working lamps.   I thought the working lamps rather bright and white.   I replaced my lamps with the provided spare Hornby lamp irons.   In turn I added what I think is a far more discrete black Kenline ex LMS non-working lamp held in place using double sided tape. Hornby Caprotti Back Five fitted with Kenline lamp In the early 1980s Mainline Palitoy introduced their Manor Class engines, one of the first models I believe to have been factory fitted with lamp irons.   It would be around 2005 when Bachmann used the same Manor bodyshell for their Cambrian Coast Boxed Set and fitted the engines with dummy white lamps.   I was not im...

The train arriving is Hornby’s Caprotti Black Five. Hornby R30227 aka 44755, very well packaged It has been advertised for a long time.  I placed an order and then I cancelled the order.  I didn’t like the look of the fitted lights.  However it has now been pointed out that the lights are removable – so I placed a second order and the engine has been delivered. Straight out of the box it ran very well.  Very well packaged, no broken or missing parts, thank you Mr Hornby. I had two issues.  I thought the lights far too prominent and since the engine only weighed 235gm it could not haul a decent train up my hills.  My old split chassis Bachmann Jubilees weigh 315gm and I have ballasted my older Hornby Black Fives up to 294gm - a difference of nearly 65gm with the new model.   I suspect part of the problem is that a factory fitted smoke generator Capriotti is promised and the chassis has been engineered with a big space for the missing equipment....