Horsetan

Continuing to wait this end for the Z boiler conversion for the J15 - hopefully it'll happen one day

Strict EM profile is supposed to be slightly different to "standard" (whatever that means) OO, I think. Then there's EMF which is not far off P4 (virtually same tyre thickness) but has deeper flanges. I've only ever gone with the P4 profile for 18.83 and 21mm, so not using the looser TOM.

Wheel diameter comes out at 12.7mm (measured over the tyre treads) according to my digital calipers, so it is a question of obtaining P4 profile disc wheels of similar diameter for regauging to 21mm. Plastic-centred wheels (such as Gibson or Ultrascale) means insulation is already taken care of but, if you're using solid metal wheels such as those available from Branchlines, then they must have insulating bushes for the axles. Anyone with a lathe and a profile tool can turn down the IRM wheels to the P4 profile anyway. Some means of extending the pickups to reach further out to touch the regauged wheels will also be necessary.

I'm just waiting for the JM models "Z" boiler conversion for the J15, suitable to update the Studio Scale Models kit. That's a much better prospect for me. One day, hopefully, it may get done.

Easy to get to the insides of it. I mean, just look at that. Sheer class....:

It's terribly good:

Also out of stock.

Interesting. The one I have is 19.67 btb.

I ended up with them many years ago when a friend died, but I've had difficulty selling the things

It could easily be "never again"

The spares service is to all intents and purposes unified - some of the parts for Fleischmann HO are interchangeable with Roco HO - best example I can think of is the ex-Bavarian S3/6 I have sixty HAG Re460s and other HAG Swiss stock that needs offloading - they are the equivalent of Wrenn/HD, being die-cast, with motor bogie technology that hasn't changed in about 20+ years. HAG price tags were eye-watering back then.

Sold out now.

That was Offaly good

Looks like we'll all be opening up again in 2022!

Bought a set this morning ...whilst on the, er, Tube......

I'm looking at 2022/2023 before everyone - especially those supposedly governing us - calms down

After the divided Germany gradually rebuilt post-war, there was a decreasing need for the condensing 52s. Their great length also counted against them. As for the engines taken to America, it looks like they were primarily war trophies, and thus wasted on the Yanks as very little of the technology was used by American railroads. As far as I understand it, they had all been scrapped by about 1952.

I'm looking forward to Level 5 myself.

Yes, these were the German Br.52 Kriegsloks equipped with condensing tenders and equipment for service on the Eastern Front, as Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. Some survived after the war, being used as stationary steam engines, especially in the now former East Germany. One 52.Kon was taken by the US Army back to the US with a few other Reichsbahn engines (including the unique streamliner 19.1001) for further study and display, before being cut up for scrap when there was no further use for them.

It is what it is. .....although I wonder if Paddy Power might open a book on us living long enough to take delivery? Loads of bad things can happen to us all in the next 8 months....

Ultrascale can supply Irish standard axles on a quicker turnaround time than 9 months, BTW.

Looks like I was right when I thought delivery might be in 2021 rather than 2020.....

At least there'd be less of an argument about the correct gauge....

When the site was redesigned, it became almost impossible to search. There's a GA for the Great Central 9P which I know they have, but MMSI seems unable to find it.

God Almighty, is 279 out already?