Model Railway - What's your latest acquisition?

Well my final buy for this year has arrived safely, it is my 4th Class 82 named "Britten".

All I need now is for Hornby to order the production of some more replacement X8013 working pantographs then I can replace the fine scale plastic ones on both "Britten and Milton" for the working metal ones like the ones on "Elgar and Charles Dickens". (they are the same ones also used on Classes 86, 90 and 91.)

quick update

Just received an email from New Modellers shop that a new batch of X8013 pantographs are now back in stock one happy person here.

I thought I'd treat myself to a SE & CR Terrier. I've been looking for something of the like to run a branch line for a while and this was on at a good price and DCC fitted from Peter's Spares. It came today and looked great so I eagerly put it on the track and turned the knob on the Elite set to Address 3 and - nothing. Tried resetting via CV 8 and still nothing - GRRRR. Tomorrow I'll open it up and test the motor and decoder. Another example of suppliers not testing things before they leave the shop.

Hornby's excellent D16/3 and Bachmann GWR 158, as well as Bachmann KMRC exclusive 37

Just picked up a Hornby Clan Stewart and a Bachmann class 24 in experimental livery.

Straight from the box they both run beautifully smooth, quiet with no damage or bits fallen off. The paint work and the shade of green on the Clan looks exceptional. Well done Hornby. The quality of the class 24 is what I have come to expect from Bachmann and also a really good accessory pack with all items fitting very well. I also picked up a lovely nine car Avanti Pendolino pack which I haven’t run yet. I hope it’s as good as my ten year old Virgin Pendolino set which still runs as good as new.

Diesels are something of a speciality of Bachmann - I have 2 Class 25's - excellent models and runners (many 'faults' are listed by rivet counters of course ...)

I've had a fascination of the Clans for many years, and agree, they look superb.

Al.

I have to agree with you Atom, all of my Bachmann diesels are superb runners. I disregard anything ‘rivet counters’ have to say about any model, my only slight moan about the latest class 24 is the fact that Bachmann have stopped fitting drivers in one end which I always thought was a good feature. Going back to the Clan as I said it is a superb runner and really looks the part.

Recently bought an older Hornby 125 set from that auction site for $20 U.S and $15 for shipping.

This now gives me 2 125s this old one from the 80s and a super detailed set with 2 coaches which I also bought off auction site for $200. I think I did ok price wise with both.

.........Tomorrow I'll open it up and test the motor and decoder. Another example of suppliers not testing things before they leave the shop.

Sorted. Turned out the decoder wasn't properly seated in its socket. Running beautifully now. I wonder about the QC of these things in the factory.

Re the Bachmann diesels, I have two 25s and a 24 and all run very well. They are heavy, 8 wheel pick up and 8 wheel drive, plus must have a flywheel as they run on after the power is shot off, so that must prevent stalling over point work. Class 20s are the same.

However, I have had issues with the 25s - and my class 44 and 46 peaks in that a plastic collar on the driveshafts splits and so the driveshafts spin. All mine could be 20 years old, so some faults are expected, but clearly a weak point.

I managed to fix them with some araldite, but it is a very fiddly job to do, but more than worthwhile to get the superb machines running again.

I am fortunate as I have no idea how many rivets or detail there and no interest in finding out either so am happily oblivious to any omissions or errors in the detail !!!