Recent posts

#1
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Minimal wish-listing
Last post by kesdrive - Today at 12:42:43 PM
Loco: un-rebuilt Patriot
Coach: ex-L.M.S. Push-Pull motor coach.
Wagon: (?) Brake Tender.

Chris
#2
Love those locos Mick. Glad you have am HST
#3
My V2 is more of a whiner than a growler. And yes, the front pony truck can be troublesome, although I sorted mine out by taking the front coupling off. It's been fine ever since.
Meanwhile I take Roy's points about the model's limitations, particularly regarding DCC. But then, if you don't use DCC then that isn't an issue. And to be fair, Union Mills models had exactly the same shortcomings and people never seemed too bothered.
I don't suppose we will ever see a re-run of the old V2, let alone at any kind of bargain price. But I still reckon they'd sell...
PW
#4
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Took some stock to the clu...
Last post by Newportnobby - Today at 12:15:56 PM
Haarrrumph!!
Back here in Blighty a 'splitter' is someone who grasses on another.
Perchance you mean 'turncoat', in which case I say "Guilty, M'lud"
How can you not like those 2 blue locos with their window surrounds and SYP? Much better than full blue and fully custard dipped! Oh, and I have a full HST 2 + 7 in blue/grey as well, as that was such an iconic train and resulted in a TV prog entitled "HST - The train that saved the railways"
 :nerner:
#5
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Bachmann Press Information...
Last post by Newportnobby - Today at 12:10:43 PM
The 3 steamers crying out for re-tooling are the V2, Crab and 94xx and I'd take one of each for sure. I have the black V2 from the set but the front bogie seems to have a mind of its own and the motor growls a lot. In fact, I do ask visitors "Have you seen my Growler?" ;)
#6
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Train shops in France (Mag...
Last post by Beach Halt - Today at 11:18:43 AM
Just got my first purchase delivered from L'atelier du train. Excellent service.  :thumbsup: 

Merci de me les recommander ohlavache  :wave:
#7
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Bachmann Press Information...
Last post by Roy L S - Today at 11:11:28 AM
Quote from: PennineWagons on Yesterday at 08:54:46 PMThey could always do a re-run of their existing V2! It's a decent-looking model despite the solid wheels and boiler skirt. I love my LNER apple-green one. The cost of the tooling must have been long written-off, so Farish could offer it for an attractive price. There'd be lots of outrage about it not being up to modern standards, but I bet it would sell in reasonable numbers. Come on Bachmann, you know you want to.
PW


I don't think the existing V2 will ever see the light of day again, it wasn't all that well received back in 2006 as it was just too compromised in design (including the horrible skirt) and on top of that it is now much too far away from modern standards that are now expected. There was only ever one production run of three livery variants, so 3000 locos total (if Bachmann's usual batch size is assumed) and I doubt it did very well financially for Bachmann if it even covered it's costs. It is interesting to note (and perhaps reinforces the point) that Bachmann actually tooled for other variants including outside steam pipes, but they were never produced.

The other point is that the loco is not DCC ready (I got round this by removing the motor/gears and attaching a B1 tender drive which is a direct fit and also more powerful).

Even were it to be produced from the existing tooling I wouldn't expect the price point to be significantly less than the most up to date models, it just isn't really Bachmann's way, and my thinking is substantiated by the fact that there is very little difference in RRP between the newer loco-drive Next 18/sound Standard 5MT and the older 6 pin tender-driven "Black Five".

No, I am confident that the only way we'll ever see a RTR V2 now would be if a new tool model were released.

Roy
#8
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Bachmann Press Information...
Last post by Carmont - Today at 10:59:34 AM
Quote from: Newportnobby on Yesterday at 03:05:24 PMIn the announcement at 20.34 in they show all the 14T and 20T tanks as being Era 4 (1948-1956).
These would have lasted into and past transition era but the info on the Gulf blue livery doesn't tie up with your 'Gulf blue wagons were obtained by Gulf in 1960 so would be 1960 onwards' as 1960 is Era 5 :hmmm:

(All Era references are quoted from Bachmann info)

Further, I have an image in Touret's tomb, that shows the Benzine liveried example is a 1960 repaint, so again Era 5.


#9
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Bachmann Press Information...
Last post by Roy L S - Today at 10:56:56 AM
Quote from: njee20 on Yesterday at 08:44:43 PMThat's obviously quite the leap. One presumes they think they can't make adequate margin on steam locos (or that there aren't any 'obvious' ones to go at), I'm sure they're not doing it to spite the market.

It does appear, from the outside at least, that some of their decisions are a little odd. They announced the TPE and SWT 350/450s about 6 years ago, and neither has yet been released, despite being just a re-livery (they tenuously call the 450 a new tooling because they need to fill the holes left by the pantograph, not the well, but the actual 1mm screw holes). During that time both liveries have become obsolete, so I guess adding SWR brings them up to date, but I do question how short their memory is given the propensity for discounting the original run in the far more widespread LM livery, and the lack of other modern 3rd rail EMUs. There is little nothing RTR to go with an SWR 350 after all. They've not done a 159 yet, which is the only obvious bed fellow.

Still, we're getting new models, and that's great. Just need some DB 90s please.

I wasn't suggesting that the lack of new tool steam was designed to somehow to "spite the market", more that it is perplexing when other manufacturers are tooling/producing and selling such models so there clearly is a viable market for them. Personally, I am wondering if we may not see anything new until all viable steam locos with the newer coreless motor type chassis have gone through the sound/next18 upgrade, which probably means the WD Austerity and Duchess still to do (not sure about the un-rebuilt Merchant Navy, that seemed a poor choice from the get go and got heavily discounted). However Bachmann are very tight lipped on the subject and those who model OO are starting to ask similar questions.

I absolutely agree with your other point, there have been some very odd choices product wise (to us as end users anyway).

Roy
#10
Sylvie's smile holds a touch of mischief as she leans toward Eli, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Eli", she says, "don't forget—we're not merely beautiful young women tonight. No, we're enchantresses, weaving spells in the moonlight."

Eli's azure eyes widen, and Sylvie continues, her tone filled with reverence. "Remember, our clutches—crafted by Mademoiselle Élise herself—are more than mere accessories. They hold secrets woven by moonlight and dreams spun from stardust." Sylvie glances at her 'Dazzling Star' clutch, its celestial threads shimmering.

She leans in, her gaze locking with Eli's. "Never forget", her voice a conspiratorial whisper, "How Mademoiselle Élise confided in us. Our clutches—crafted 'as requested by Lady Penelope to capture the most discerning eyes'—hold more than mere elegance."

Sylvie lowers her voice further, as if sharing a forbidden secret. "And my mother", she continues, "instructed Mademoiselle Élise to debit her account in full. These clutches—specially made—are destined for tonight, the Christmas Ball my mother's been organising with such meticulous care."

Eli leans closer, her eyes reflecting the flicker of firelight. "But Sylvie", she whispers, "there are three not just two clutches. That 'Silver Moon' clutch... Mademoiselle Élise wove it with moonbeams and destiny, but who for?"

Sylvie nods, her smile holding mystery. "I gave it to my mother", she replies, "and she will know its intended recipient. Of that, I'm certain. Mademoiselle Élise is never wrong."

Eli's breath catches. Lady Trevelver—the elegant matriarch who moved through society like a queen—had initiated these exquisite gifts. Their clutches, with their magical secrets, resting on a nearby table, tissue-unwrapped and waiting, were not just precious accessories but weavers of fate, carefully crafted at Sylvie's mother's command.

And so, in the intimacy of Sylvie's boudoir, the two lovely young women, wrapped in their figure-hugging silk dressing gowns, raise their glasses—a silent toast to Mademoiselle Élise and her clutches, Lady Trevelver and the Ball, and the mysteries that weave lives together.
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