Rails are stating on their site that the LNER livery is expected tomorrow.

I have received an email from Rails today stating that my GWR Gaugemaster set has been dispatched. (Ref reply #435). 

Keith at Train Trax sent me an invoice half an hour ago for my Kato LNER 800.

Paid immediately....will sit by the front door awaiting the postman as from tomorrow morning onwards! 

Alec.

I've had payment taken for my LNER Azuma so fingers crossed for delivery early next week (means the other half doesn't notice...  )

Ditto...I've had to fess up to the Azuma, as Andrea works for LNER. I need an extra unit for all the vinyl ideas I have going on.

Those TPE vinyls are worrying my wallet, very much toying with a second unit just to fit them!

The conversation in the captainelectra household starts of with -

"Andrea, I need to buy another 800 set as I need something to stick the new vinyls on" ................

That's pretty much how I justify my purchases...."Development models" 

In fairness, my GWR set is now half TPx and half Hull Trains. I'm working on the Hitachi demo livery for 800002, so need a second unit anyway...honest.

I have completed Adam's TPE vinyls on my GWR set and they look fantastic. I took some photos yesterday, at Morpeth, to confirm the colour for the ends of the coaches and to see what colour is needed on the roof. Looks as if it is mainly weathering on the roof.
Then Azuma arrives on Saturday!! Yahoo
Cheers,
Ged.

Quote from: captainelectra on June 10, 2021, 08:45:08 PM
That's pretty much how I justify my purchases...."Development models" 
...

Can you maybe claim the tax back then?

Quote from: rusticged on June 10, 2021, 09:35:13 PM
I have completed Adam's TPE vinyls on my GWR set and they look fantastic. I took some photos yesterday, at Morpeth, to confirm the colour for the ends of the coaches and to see what colour is needed on the roof. Looks as if it is mainly weathering on the roof.
Then Azuma arrives on Saturday!! Yahoo
Cheers,
Ged.

Well we must be getting close to another video then Ged.

cheers
Graham

Hi Graham

I am busy compiling a video on the history of DRS in N Gauge form but I will sort out a short video to include the 800 and the 802 when I have finished the models.
Take care and stay safe,
Ged.

Rails have shipped my LNER AZUMA 800

Just found out Kernow have shipped my LNER, now have to wait for them to ship the decoders so I can run them at our next club night.

May have to get another one to convert to TPE having seen Adam's ( @captainelectra ) post. will have to see how the budget holds up.

A few thanks ......

1. Kato. They announced this model in 2019 and told us they'd deliver it May/June 2021 and were as good as their word.
2. Keith@Train Trax. Processed my pre-order and delivered to me in less than 48 hours.
3. Jack. He posted a very helpful link about decoder fitting recently.
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=54046.msg712694#msg712694

I only run DCC and I've fitted a good number of 6 pin and 18 pin decoders. This however is my first Kato loco and although I've successfully completed the task I have to say I found it awkward. The Kato leaflet makes absolutely no reference to fitting decoders. Train Trax supplied me with the Gaugemaster/Kato decoders and the diagrams are of very little use especially since the text is all in Japanese.

One downside to running DCC is having to take a brand new model to bits straight out of the box. My experience is that with any new model there is a learning curve on how best to take it apart. I found a couple of videos on YouTube stating how easy it is to "wiggle" the body off. Mine came 90 per cent off before springing out of my fingers then obeying the laws of gravity until it rested on the floor complete with both glazing strips which had bounced a couple of inches further on. 

One of the videos then insisted it was also necessary to remove a bogie and a drive shaft since the motor decoder has to slide underneath (it isn't). Another video showed the uploader saying he'd fitted the front and rear lights decoders but for the moment either had reds at both ends or nothing at all! He clearly had one of the decoders the wrong way round or even upside down.

Anyway, mine's done now I'm glad to say and the model looks a million dollars. The presentation case is superb, the 800 appears very good value for money and for the moment I feel a lot of confidence in the build quality of the model. It rolls along superbly and takes the Kato advised minimum radius 282mm curves without complaint. Because of the length of the cars it does look a little inelegant though because of the overhang.

Alec.