I model mostly the Midland Main line and have replaced my old Farish Peaks with the Rapido version which I think is superior.
I agree with Ian Cairns about named locos. I too would prefer a bigger sample of unnamed locos whatever the class if appropriate.

Chris

Quote from: icairns on January 30, 2026, 03:52:04 PM[...] What do other Forum members do when an upgraded model becomes available? [...]

Almost certainly I'd do nothing.

In fact, I've been disposing of many of the fairly recent models I acquired when I moved to 'N' gauge. I find the older ones have so much more character and, whilst less realistic, can seem more railway-like.

Also, refurbishing older models to give them a new lease of life is especially satisfying. Not quite BBC 'Repair Shop' work, but a little bit like it. Of course, not every older model gets refurbished, some are used for parts.

A Union Mills 'B12' 4-6-0 is on its way (yes another 'B12'!) and I'm hoping I can do something with it. I'll certainly have such fun trying. Would I buy a super-duper detailed 'B12' from one of to-day's manufacturers? No.

I don't need to buy any of these models, but a satisfying hobby is, in my view, a prerequisite of a civilised lifestyle. I don't think about resale value - I simply write off the amount paid at the time of purchase.

All I can suggest, @icairns , is that you buy whatever appeals to you. Because 'N' gauge is such fun!

With all good wishes.

John

One of my best ZZ Top tracks. Great geetar

I usually replace when new versions appear.
But I like the old GF Peaks and will keep them. Have 4 new peaks coming to supplement them.
I have 3 locos that are pre 2005. 2 MN/BB rebuilds, and my original jubilee.
I'm not bothered about preserving history. The value of early models in N is not like the very old models in the larger gauges.
HOWEVER, I'm definitely slowing down on acquisitions, and am selling off a lot of my collection. Slowly.
In the early days I got into the habit of buying more than one of an item because the rate of supply of new models was not very high. And on a big layout you would see more than one of each class at the same time. And then there was the issue of modelling eras. I've managed to stop collecting the 1980s and 1990s. Now it is just the 1950s to 1970s.
Oh and I like classic combinations, like class 20 pairs in blue and green, even though they never worked on the southern!
So that's my story. Trying to focus on 1960s and 1970s southern and western, but being a bit liberal with region and era.

Bob

Quote from: Newportnobby on January 30, 2026, 09:11:39 PMThat must have been a labour of love, Andy

Totally agree there mick.

Impressive with the Class 25s, Manchester Pullman stock and BOC tanks too. Evocative and brought memories

That must have been a labour of love, Andy

Finally completed a long term project of recreating the Forder's Sidings to Kings Cross 'Brickliner'. Got enough second hand Farish Freightliner flats from Rails of Sheffield to make up a 10 vehicle train. One of the reasons it took so long was I had to make up thirty loads to put on them, then make up the labelling to go onto them, running to around 180 individual transfers to stick on.

Not doing anything new at present, just pottering around finishing off things on Furness Junction that were only "sort of" finished.

Firstly, all the buildings are now properly wired in - so the array of croc clip leads that were powering the lights have gone at last 

I've also split the 12v DC supply to give the coaling tower its own dedicated supply - all the LEDs I put in the buildings (and I dare say there will eventually be more) were sucking too much out of the power supply and making the tower unreliable, especially the uncouplers. It's still not perfect so I need to look at one of the magnet and reed switch locations so that the cradle landing at the bottom will always shut off the power rather than the motor running on and wrapping the hoist cables around things they shouldn't.

While I've been fiddling with the wiring, I've extended the control panel to accommodate studs/LEDs for some additional points I installed some time back - I think they've been adequately tested now 
I've also added switches in the control panel extension for the wheel drop and I'm now working on a little semi-automation for that - primarily to prevent parts being moved when others are in the wrong location, which would  jam or distort the parts. I'm also looking at putting a limit switch in to prevent the platform being dropped too far and jamming that mechanism.

At the Club, we've completed the wiring on Lakeside and put it to one side for now as we have some mods to do to Haverthwaite before its next outing, probably Workington next autumn. We're going to hack saw the fiddle yard off the back and remake it as a separate pair of baseboards. That will a) make the main boards easier to transport and b) allow the fiddle yard to be used with any layout, like Lakeside or (in the future) Greenodd. We can also, we think, fit in a couple more loops in the fiddle yard and bring the Backbarrow Iron Works spur around to the main fiddle yard instead of having just a couple of sidings - that should reduce the amount of stock handling to switch from raw materials or empty wagons going to the iron works and full ones coming back out.
We also want to revise the legs to make them easier to transport and sort some plywood sheets to which the main baseboards can be bolted, turning it into a large "box", again for easier transporting with less risk of damage.
Although one of our members has a Transit van, which we did use to take it to Barrow, it would be nice to be able to get it in a car (or if need be two cars) so we aren't reliant on that member being available.

Not quite 'right now' but on Thursday... at last Saturday's open day, a Farish Class 24 stopped dead and refused to move. Stripped down, the motor had 2 'dead spots' so would only run if spun by hand to start! New motor (£22 plus VAT) ordered from Bachamnn on Sunday, arrived Wednesday, fitted Thursday, re-assembled 24 runs silent and smoooth!

Most of the stuff is fine, especially newer stuff. Peco tends to be cheaper but also comes with nasty plastic wheels.

NEM couplings are good if you want to later do hands off shunting.

In terms of reliability the only real issues I've had are that pretty much all the container wagons with their tiny wheels and top heavy model design need well laid trackwork, and the longest wheelbase vans sometimes hate set-track crossovers.