Model Railway - What's your latest acquisition?

Received a couple of TGV intermeidate cars today.

As we are in the UK at the moment I couldn't resist a trip to Trident Trains in Cheshire.

I needed a load of rail joiners and track pins, so that was my excuse!

I'm glad I went as they had some pristine pre owned loco's for sale.

My new additions are a Hornby weathered 8F, a Hornby weathered Fowler 2-6-4 and a Bachmann Crab, also weathered. They look brand new so I'm really happy.

I've ordered Zimo sound decoders and speakers for them all from the chaps in Lincoln.

Happy days.

Another Rapido Lion but this time in 1930s condition.. I would have bought the Hornby one if it wasn't for the couplings.

Do you have the 6220 blue Coronation to run alongside?

My latest purchase was a tender driven version of Black 5 number 44932.

The motor was rather rough running as there was oil all over the motor and even a complete clean up didn't solve the issue, the solution I found was to fit the last remaining cd motor I had and try it with that after fitting pickups for the insulated wheels on the loco and connect a wire between the loco chassis and the drawbar contacts.

The only visible wire passing between the loco and tender is from the self made puckups for the insulated wheels to the motor.

Once everything was done 44932 was coupled to 7 suburban coaches and was very quiet in operation with them. Whether black 5 locos actually hauled suburban coaches or not I am not sure but it was just a test and a very successful test too.

Your layout. You run what you want - no excuses asked or required - simples!!

Al.

Visited the Bolton Swapmeet yesterday amongst all the other things I was doing so didn’t have time for a proper mooch but I was really happy to find these two Tri-andg green starter set coaches with Mk3 couplings for a whole pound each. They will look great behind one of my clockwork 0-6-0 saddle tanks! Just the odd bent coupling between them!

I also picked up a Tri-ang DMU/Blue Pullman power bogie alongside a class 31/37 one at a very good combined price. Both work but while the DMU one runs like new the other is a bit ropey. The magnet seems OK so i might change the armature.

I was wondering what the future is for events like this. The car park wasn’t very full, not that long ago I’d have had to look for a parking space. Most of the stall holders I speak to regularly said how quiet it had been. I know we have other ways of finding what we need but nothing beats a good rummage round in the odd box of junk/spares. You may just find what you never knew you needed!

Just in the last few minutes, I put my money down, and bought my second A4; a tender-drive model of Golden Eagle in LNER Green.

I share your concerns, RT. Last year I had a stall at a train fair to dispose of some surplus items. I was very happy with my sales but the guy next to me, a trader with a van load of stuff, did not even take enough to cover the cost of his table hire. No-one can afford that kind of a day.

Threelink, a couple of the traders I spoke to on Sunday said the same thing. One had covered his table but not the fuel to get there, another hadn’t covered his table. I did one last year and although we sold a lot of stuff it was at ‘to go’ prices and a lot was bought by traders. Anything that was close to what I’d consider the going rate didn’t sell so I stuck it on eBay and got more than I expected for most items, even when you add the around 20% it costs to put it on in eBay fees. I don’t have to give up a full day either!