Model Railway - What's your latest acquisition?

Bought Clan Line Merchant Navy in its pre rebuilt form. Ran it on a length of track using DC, ran perfectly. Opened up the tender to fit a DCC decoder to be met will a load of horrors. Guy had removed the DCC socket and shorted out the 4 pin connector so it would only run on DC, then opened up the loco to find a load of lead weights and again shorted the pickup to motor connections. Fortunately it was something I can fix but why do it? Finally in their quest to get realism they had replaced the non flanged pony truck wheels with a flanged one out of a diesel (not spoked). I did try it on my layout with the flanged pony truck wheels but it clomped on every bend although it didn't derail. I could blame the Seller but he was probably just like me, ran it on a metre length of track on DC. The thing I still struggle with is why, these locos are really good in standard form. Anyway left the weights in as it didn't have any adverse effects and rewired it, plus I got a replacement bogie with wheels off Peters Spares so a happy ending. Really nice loco now.

I love these locomotives, and particularly with the extra-fiddly detail pack parts fitted!!

That outside brake rigging is a pain - and makes handling a 'must do with care', as does fitting the front buffer beam steps - but both really add to the realism.

Al.

Fortunately that was one of the good things the previous owner had done. They had even painted the brake rigging.

My R1 3D Print body arrived today and what a beauty. There are one or two (very) minor faults but nothing worth bothering about. The thing now is getting a decoder in there. Space is very tight but I think a 6 pin should fit in the smoke box. Not so sure about sound though. Anyway I've ordered a 6 pin Train-O-Matic micro and harness, so hoping I can fit them in.

Just an update on the 'cosmetic front' of 6202 Turbomotive.

Some have observed how different the Crimson Lake on the cab looks to that of the boiler.

The latter has more of a sheen, and is metal. The former is plastic, and more dull.

I've brushed a very thin covering of RailTec gloss lacquer on the cab roof CL. It's a little too shiny, but is now a match for the boiler - colour is perfect. It was the finish and material.

I've also given a 'strong dusting' of soot over the boiler - colour is still obvious but it looks absolutely superb - in my eyes.

I also cut back a little of the material blanking the lights, to permit a more-permanent mounting of the steps - all good. Excellent locomotive.

Al.

I've wanted this one for a long time, very happy to finally get my hands on one.

Looking very nice in blue.

Al.

About to be fitted with a Hornby 21-pin HM7000 sound decoder and power bank, and may be a lights upgrade.

Just recently received an as-new R3580 Robert Burns 87 035.

Beautifully detailed and super smooth and powerful running locomotive

He's already done at least one hour in each direction, and I've added a touch of oil to the motor and wheel bushes - where they normally run dry over time / use.

Very pleased I must say.

Looking at forthcoming models ... other manufacturers are mentioning two SUPER interesting ones ... anticipated mid-2025.

Al.

My Hornby 4478 Hermit A1 LNER 4-6-2 arrived a couple of weeks ago.

Very smooth running model and very happy with her.