All I can provide Adam @Adam1701D is a picture.



I didn't know this version existed - until now!

Tim

Quote from: Adam1701D on February 17, 2026, 09:30:28 PMI have always regarded the "Modern Era" of N Gauge starting in 1980, with the Farish 08, Mark 1 coaches and then a year later with the 47, 37, HST and so on...

For me that was when the hobby really took off instead of relying on whitemetal kits and Mehano GP-40 chassis.

As far as diesel modelling in N was concerned most definitely, before that all there was available ready to run that wasn't a foreign loco in BR livery was the pretty poor Lima 31, and the better but quite expensive Mintrix Class 27 and Warship.

The 08, 47 and 37 followed (I think - I had one) by the 20 really opened the N gauge diesel market up as did the Mk1s (I still have my rake of early blood and custard ones).

Roy

Does anybody have the Holy Grail of ancient models, the Lima Class 31 in Spanish Railways RENFE livery?

I think I have quite a lot of SPAM material in my collection ... mostly wagons but a few locos as well. Wren-Lima, Hornby-Minitrix, some early Graham Farish/Grafar ...

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmXcBvXe
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmX8S4mz
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmX7hj5n

I have always regarded the "Modern Era" of N Gauge starting in 1980, with the Farish 08, Mark 1 coaches and then a year later with the 47, 37, HST and so on...

For me that was when the hobby really took off instead of relying on whitemetal kits and Mehano GP-40 chassis.

I think that under current era generations anything prior to 2000 is old so perhaps prior to 1980 will be ancient.

I'm in the Club with some ancient models.

GE

Assuming it's a UK made model, all looks correct bar the one missing screw. The thread is 8BA for the larger countersunk screws with the smaller cheesehead one being 10BA. The fixing screws on either side of the chassis will be 1/4" long. The other one will be this length if it's  just holding the keeper plate to the chassis, if it goes through into the chassis it's either 3/8 or 1/2", can't quite remember which.

Quote from: mikepaling on February 17, 2026, 03:26:22 PMHi Alan ... well for a start the larger Csk headed sticks up as it is too big for the hole it goes in unlike the one next to it which is obviously a cheeshead screw seating in a counterbored hole.

Thanks for the tip about Farish Spares. I will see what they say,
Cheers Mike

Then unfortunately you will be disappointed because the Spares that will be supplied - which are the same spec as original Factory-fitted - will be the same as the (what you consider) "incorrect" screws currently fitted... 

Who knew Farish had been using "the Wrong Screws" for 40-odd years... 


The cheese-head is deliberately different and serves a different purpose as an electrical conductor, rather than securing the chassis.
On those Jinty Chassis, TBH the rear corner screws are not strictly necessary.

Quote from: mikepaling on February 17, 2026, 03:26:22 PM

Quote from: PLD on February 17, 2026, 02:54:17 PMAs Alan says....

Hi Alan ...

P.S. Sorry Eric, I'm not Alan... 

Quote from: Newportnobby on February 17, 2026, 04:19:38 PM

Quote from: EtchedPixels on February 17, 2026, 04:17:15 PM

Quote from: Firstone18 on February 17, 2026, 03:18:58 PMWould Hornby Minitrix count as Ancient?
Can someone suggest a date/year after which this description would not be applicable please.
Cheers!

I think it depends how old you are. To some "it's so old it doesn't even have a DCC connector" is a thing

Oh dear. I have a lot in that category

Those of us who have been modelling in N for a while probably all have Mick. Even though I have been a DCC convert for many years now, I have a fair number non DCC models including some of my old kitbuilds, a couple of Jubs the late Fred Hempsall repainted into BR green for me, some early Farish, a mint Lima 2-6-4T, Minitrix A3 and A4......in fact quite a list and I simply couldn't part with them.

Roy

Quote from: EtchedPixels on February 17, 2026, 04:17:15 PM

Quote from: Firstone18 on February 17, 2026, 03:18:58 PMWould Hornby Minitrix count as Ancient?
Can someone suggest a date/year after which this description would not be applicable please.
Cheers!

I think it depends how old you are. To some "it's so old it doesn't even have a DCC connector" is a thing

Oh dear. I have a lot in that category