Model Railway - What's your latest acquisition?

I haven’t had her on the layout yet bit too cold. On the test track it’s very smooth and quiet runner, so much so I’m tempted with 56 074 to go with 023.

There's still the 60 just around the corner (10 months to go).

There's a 66 from another 'recent well known' manufacturer coming very soon (2 months) ....

We're reading these 'negative vibes' of Hornby and Bachmann, yet several relatively new companies rocking the boat are screaming in with new, very high quality models ... at very competitive prices as well.

Al.

Cavalex 56 070 BR blue Class 56 arrived safely - nearly perfect and looks superb!!

Al.

“nearly perfect” - merely an indication that certain compromises always have to be made? or that your example does contain a small defect?

There is a minor issue - it's got one 'sticky' buffer which I'm going to work on - replacement FoC is available but I said I'd see how I get on first.

Fit, finish, paint, looks, detail - absolutely superb.

Looking at the performance video of one 'contributor' going up his Helix with 22+ bogied wagons - 5 laden - haulage is not an issue either.

The format of A1A - A1A is interesting, but they confirm they wanted a 'floating centre axle' to ensure perfect riding over possibly uneven track - works perfectly for Heljan.

Worst case scenario, I'll have to pull out the buffer and get them to send a replacement - done that several times with other manufacturer's products anyway.

Al.

My latest acquisition is R30106, which is reviewed here:

https://youtu.be/KF9f5nI3Uho?si=chtGk9jcdSbZokjI

Super cool minty Southern Livery!

Yesterday I had delivered a R2788 Coronation loco, streamlined in LMS blue. It was my last ever purchase from Hatton's. Although I'm mainly a southern/GWR modeller, it is so nice I couldn't resist. Only the pickups in the tender are working, but by the look of it the main drivers have been very over oiled, so probably the pickup contacts have a nice layer of oil on them. I'll know more when I open it up. I don't suppose anyone knows what the correct service sheet for it is? I've got the maintenance sheet, but haven't been able to find the full service sheet as yet. The loco is split from a train pack and was, (I believe) made around 2001-2.

The loco in Train Pack R2788 (and several other Coronations amid a good many other loco classes) is not specified on any Service Sheet. Pat Hammond dates the release to 2008. If it has a pivoting pony truck and the jaws/fingers tender drawbar connection it is likely to be covered by sheet 222B.

Without going back through old catalogues, 2008 is probably correct for R2788. I bought (new) R2689 LMS Coronation Class – Duchess of Hamilton in March 2008. This was the annual NRM model of which Hornby produced one model a year for a number of years.

Already had a photo 'as arrived', now the CavAlex 56 has painted loco crew installed - I'm quite impressed and certainly makes a difference - even if one has his feet up on the controls!!

How's the locomotive running? Superbly and very smooth and powerful, despite being slightly lighter than the Hornby one.

Al.