Warbonnet

simply stunning, keep the good work coming!

Just given my one the close eye and all seems to be well thankfully. Only thing I don't like is the overspray where the yellow warning panel wraps around to side of the body. Not up to Hornby's usual high standard.

It came in a Hornby set with a few wagons, Mr. Bracken will be able to give you more info. It was loosely based on a British GWR prototype I believe and has been churned out in all different liveries.

Haha

I hope it's built to American gauge!

That's the man Rich, he's a great modeller and a stand-up guy too it seems, although I've never spoken to him he seems like a decent skin. Unfortunately I find some of the big hitters on Rmweb, while being in some cases absolutely fantastic modellers, to be extremely condescending and full of of their own self importance. Sadly it puts me off posting on it that much as they seem to be indulged by the hierarchy. But that's a discussion for another time and another place.

They haven't released much in the last while which I found worrying. However, I read that they are concentrating introducing a big raft of European models (their bread and butter) and are doing the Rail Exclusive Class 47s. I'm sure they'll bring out more locos soon.

26s and 27s are pretty much the same too, and also going cheap in Hattons. Haven't had one poor Heljan runner yet, and have around 20 Heljan locos.

Nice one Anthony, I have a couple of Heljan 33s (including a 'Slimjim') and they're lovely, especially for the money Hattons knock them out at. Great runners.

A word to the wise to anyone buying one of these http://railexclusive.com/index.php?category=132 I'll be inspecting mine when I get home later. Needless to say I'm shocked that Hornby would turn out something so shoddy.

Interesting Robert, I must try that on mine. I saw one with Lazerglaze and it looked great. I agree about the mounting holes for the detail bits, the 47s are the same. But I think they can look good. The Bachmann's bogie sideframes are a letdown for me, they need to be raised and maybe narrowed. The front cab windows are a bit small too. My 37 doesn't have traction tires, I think they did away with them on later models, it runs lovely and is a good strong puller. Pictures Robert, pictures!!!!

If you flush glaze them they look decent. Both the Vitrains and the Bachmann version have their strengths and weaknesses. I picked up one for a repaint from Hattons for £36!

Interesting, I didn't know that. I suppose if you wanted someone with experience in GM traction you come to the guys who had 30 years of knowledge!

Not sure I have the time or the patience to take pics of 19 class 47s Anthony (And they're the ones I know I have off the top of my head!) Weird thing is I always preferred 50s but only have 4 of them. And don't even get me started on 37s!

A mere 290 pounds in hattons for the blue pullman

If you're looking to do some body detailing this guy on the old RMWeb did an amazing job on a 59, he used the Bachmann 66 guts too. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=29258

Dave is selling his body?

45 pounds for a Hornby 50 body? I paid near that for a whole 50 brand new not too long ago!

After a prolonged period without a computer I cracked on with a couple of projects to keep me amused. One was the building of some Accurail covered hoppers. I bought a pack of three CNW hoppers in differing colours a few weeks back and nailed a couple together. What you get Added detail So some Kadee replacement trucks were acquired and fitted, weights that had sheered loose glued back in, end detail bent out and roof walkway fixed. I had to remove some of the ladder detail but it doesn't look too bad.I may look into getting a replacement part or get out the plastic strip at a later date. Some weathering will help give it an in service battered look too. [attachment=:name]

I've just done a quick overview of the 59s, different types etc http://irishrailwaymodeller.com/showthread.php/909-Class-59-A-brief-look-at-the-different-types As for laptops, I quite like my HP G6, but they're all pretty good these days. Go Lenovo if you can afford it, but plenty of the middle-of-the-road such as Dell are grand. I reckon Bos would give better advice than me. I'd stay clear of Apple though, overpriced and over hyped fashion accessories!

As there was a few questions about the class 59s on the new Hornby 67 thread I thought I'd do a quick summary of the class as they are a firm favourite of mine. Essentially there are three different variations of the class 59; 59/0, 59/1 and 59/2. 59/0 These were the first 59s build by EMD in La Grange for Foster Yeoman. Four were built in 1984 with a fifth coming in 1988 as FY were unhappy with the poor reliability of BR locos such as the class 56 at the time. They were the first privately owned locos to run on BR metals. They featured centre mounted headlights under the cab windows and different marker lights from subsequent batches. They were all delivered in Foster Yeoman livery, pictured here http://www.flickr.com/photos/donglos/4976383991/ One of the original class, 59 003 was exported to Germany, renumbered as 259 003, and operated by Yeoman/Deutsche Bahn (DB), pulling stone trains. Picture of it here - http://www.modern-locoillustrated.com/MLI%20issue%20downloads/Issue%20173/59003Eastleigh.jpg It has since moved on to Heavy Haul Power International and is operating in this livery in Germany http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5451528031_ce9dace62f.jpg 59/1 Foster Yeoman's main competitor ARC were impressed by the 59s and decided to buy some of their own. In 1990 four 59s were built, this time in EMD's London plant in Ontario, Canada. Designated 59/1, they featured revised lights each end, losing the centre beams the 59/0s had, and getting lights similar to the first 66s. Picture of the original ARC livery here - http://mike-walker.smugmug.com/Trains/Mendip-GMs/i-pT227WT/0/M/R-BR-852ARC-59103-Old-Oak-M.jpg 59/2 Following Foster Yeoman, National Power decided to investigate the possibility of running its own trains, by ordering a single pilot locomotive. Following the trial, National Power ordered a further five locomotives and a fleet of hopper wagons to carry coal and limestone. Again built at the London plant in 1994 and 1995, the six Class 59/2 locomotives differ from the Class 59/1s in several ways. A carbon dioxide fire control system replaces the original Halon system, NiCd batteries replace lead-acid, and the fleet all have drop-head knuckle couplers fitted. A more advanced slow speed control suitable for merry-go-round power station coal train operation has been fitted, as well as yaw dampers for a higher top speed. These were the last of the 59s, orignal National Power livery - http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6031/6324851535_8d28f1a36f_z.jpg In April 1998 EWS took over the National Power rail operations and re liveried the 59/2s into EWS http://www.semgonline.com/diesel/pics/cd59205_1.jpg and now they are all owned and painted in DB-S red http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1a/59s-at-Acton.jpg Mendip Rail In the mid 90s both Yeoman and ARC pooled their resources and formed Mendip Rail. This became a train operating company to operate 59/0s and 59/1s on stone trains. The locos gained new liveries, such as Mendip Rail http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/7166192084_da18905c30_z.jpg Revised Yeoman http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3260/5761465652_43cfebd59c_z.jpg and revised ARC http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Main%20photo%20file/Cl59-1arc ARC was then taken over by Hanson, and the 59/1s were repainted into their colours http://www.traintesting.com/images/59104%20Westbury%2019-10-06.jpg Yeoman has also been taken over by Aggregate Industries, and the 59/0s are now being painted this livery http://www.therailwaycentre.com/NewSite%20POD%202008/POD30-07-08.jpg All 59s work Stone trains in the South east, and can be regularly seen in London, mainly around Acton Mainline and the North London line. Any questions/corrections/comments/additions accepted! Hope it's of help.

yep, all the DB-S 59's are the 59/2s. A bit too modern for me liverywise, I like the earlier ARC, Yeoman and National Power liveres myself but they look smart in Red. I'll be updating my blog further now I managed to replace the screen in my laptop (put my phone through it, replaced it last night with a kit, good as new) in the next couple of days.

Just realised the next Genesis SD70ACe heritage livery is due out in mid October too and I have my name down for one. I need a proper job! Anyone want to buy a kidney?

So less than a month to go and I'm sure most of us are getting pretty excited. The Bachmann Blue Pullman is also due the end of the month, giving me an awful quagmire. How do I afford both!?!

It has some lovely touches Rich; see through grill and internal detail ala the Hornby 60, no opening cab doors (praise the lord!) the bodyside ribs are excellent and lots of detail below the chasis (air dryers etc) The printed on horn grills are a tad disappointing though. I only had a quick look at her last night when I was putting a chip in, need to have a closer look.