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#41
N Gauge Discussion / Re: SPAM (Society for the Pres...
Last post by EtchedPixels - Yesterday at 12:00:15 AM
The Bachmann chassis for the diesels were the big initial improvement I think, although still with terrible gears and while the BO-BO chassis was great they messed up the pickups on the others quite badly.

Seemed to take the Dapol 14xx and 73 to kick them up into actually fixing the look a bit.

My Minitrix 47 is still a better runner than anything I've had out of Bachmann or Dapol and it's running on dirty track is far better because of the weight and design.
#42
N Gauge Discussion / Re: SPAM (Society for the Pres...
Last post by ntpntpntp - August 05, 2026, 11:55:29 PM
Quote from: Cols on August 05, 2026, 11:33:57 PM... ex-Poole/via China/Bachmann Prairie tank, but the only improvement that I could see was the new finer profile wheels

Whilst production of the Poole tooling in China did tighten up tolerances and finishes I always felt the finer flanges just made all the wheels look too small, especially front bogies :(   

I'd already abandoned British N by then, though I did buy a Dapol 14xx and autocoach as it was cute :) and my example is quite controllable.  I wasn't impressed by their 45xx but did like the 73.  I've not been impressed with other Dapol steamers that have come my way - nice finish but indifferent running.  To be honest it wasn't until I got hold of a Bachmann Tornado that I started to come round to the idea that British N was finally starting to catch up with European brands. Not enough to lure me away from Fleischmann and Minitrix etc.  though.
#43
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Bachmann Autumn 26 announc...
Last post by Graham - August 05, 2026, 11:51:06 PM
Good to see the sound version, but nothing for me, just have to wait and see what other 37 liveries they come out with. ROG ones would be good.
#44
N Gauge Discussion / Re: SPAM (Society for the Pres...
Last post by Cols - August 05, 2026, 11:33:57 PM
@Newportnobby: My original Dapol locos (the Auto-tank, and the two Small Prairies) would also  disappear over the horizon like scalded cats! However, they have calmed down, but it has taken nearly 25 years and a good Gaugemaster controller to achieve this state. I gave the Auto-tank to my son who is building a Western Region branchline terminus, but I still run the two Small Prairies on our Area Group layout and they perform well. Admittedly there's some wheel-slip when starting with any load greater than a B-Set or nine or ten goods wagons - but I have no need for them to be pulling any greater loads - my two Sonic Large Prairies will do that! I can also get the Dapol Prairies to run at not very much more than a scale walking-pace, but I rather think that it's result of over twenty years of "running-in"! One thing - these two Dapol locos are hardly ever oiled, and when they are, the oil is applied very sparingly via a 000 brush.

I did once own an ex-Poole/via China/Bachmann Prairie tank, but the only improvement that I could see was the new finer profile wheels, and it ran well - though, to me, it was still the ancient Poole horror with that abortion of a safety valve casing atop the boiler, with the wrong driving wheel spacing and wrong diameter wheels, and lacking in many details: I suppose that the 21st Century generation of N-Gauge locos has rather spoilt my view of what's gone before!
#45
N Gauge Discussion / Re: SPAM (Society for the Pres...
Last post by Newportnobby - August 05, 2026, 10:41:22 PM
@Cols
I have a similar story although I'm just a young whippersnapper of 72.
Started N gauge in the 70s with a Farish 94xx pannier, a 2 car class 101 alng with a Minitrix Britannia, 9F and 2MT tank. Apart from the DMU I still have them all and they run very well. Like you I also purchased the Dapol 14xx and a straight sided 45xx which run well but take off like scalded cats. I now have some 130 pieces of motive power with more on pre order
Like you, I am entrenched in the analogue camp and won't budge
#46
N Gauge Discussion / Re: Bachmann Autumn 26 announc...
Last post by jpendle - August 05, 2026, 10:33:33 PM
Quote from: Ensign Elliott on August 05, 2026, 11:31:13 AMA nice mix of steam, modern and wagons. I'm so pleased to see sound fitted 37s at long last.

I'm not sure that CL37's count as "modern" these days  :D

John P
#48
General Discussion / Re: what are you listening to ...
Last post by Newportnobby - August 05, 2026, 10:28:13 PM
Quote from: Moonglum on August 05, 2026, 09:28:14 PMI give up... I bet Mick @Newportnobby likes it!

I did, but prefer the version on Seconds Out with 2 drummers instead of 1½ :)

@port perran
Maybe this will chime more with you........


#49
General Discussion / Re: what are you listening to ...
Last post by port perran - August 05, 2026, 09:54:27 PM
Sorry-just not my cuppa.
#50
General Discussion / Re: what are you listening to ...
Last post by Moonglum - August 05, 2026, 09:28:14 PM
I give up... I bet Mick @Newportnobby likes it!
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