RedRich

True Noe, and look at how much like the prototype the look. Both the accuracy and the fans of superb running are catered for. Everyone is happy. Rich,

Plenty of modellers are more concerned with running their trains rather than looking at them. Plenty of modellers also add extra details and have their models weathered to give them more realism in the looks department. In lots of cases weathered by people on here who provide that service, because those folks like looking at their models on a layout or as static models. It's horses for courses. what someone does with their model and if it gives them great satisfaction then more power to them. Rich,

Noel I understand and respect your opinion. I would fight for the right of everyone on here to be able to have their opinion and their voices listened to, even if I didn't agree with that opinion. The SF A Class can't be compared to a top link MM model as it isn't an injection plastic molded model. SF chose to put that chassis under their rtr models and they are inaccurate and awful when compared to an MM chassis. There are lot's of inaccuracies in the body shape and the cab front on the SF model. So much so that SSM released some etches to improve it. Saying the SF model looks like a duck is in my opinion like looking at a duck with no beak when compared to a MM 141-181 or 071. The dimensions are so critical and can make or break a model, and it has done so in the past for some manufacturers. I remember Bachmann threatening Rail Express with legal action for their review of the 37. In the end Bachmann retooled the model and now have a healthy relationship with Rail Express even down to producing ltd editions for the magazine, Rich,

In this day and age we are lucky to be able to expect fantastic looking miniature models with fine running characteristics. The machinery and the workers from designers down to the workers that do the printing in the factory are working with the latest equipment and we are lucky that the models that are released are most of the time of amazing quality in looks and livery with all dimensions correct. I'm not talking about a bolt or vent missing or another cosmetic part of the model which would be nigh on impossible to scale down from the prototype. Is it acceptable for a top link model from Hornby, Bachmann, MM, Atlas, Kato, etc be lacking in correct livery overall accuracy in the dimensions just because the running characteristics are fine. Irishthump, do you think that the Lima 201 body is more highly detailed and accurate when compared to the newer MM version irrespective of the running quality of the Lima chassis to the MM one. That's what people expect today prototype to model fidelity in looks when comparison between the two is made. Any review of a model in any of the publications always gives more scrutiny to overall dimension and detail than running quality because they expect quality running in what are the current expectations for what a model should perform like. We pay enough for them because we love the hobby so what's wrong with wanting a cracking looking model. If a motor is dodgy bring it back and get it replaced. Bachmann got hammered when they released their first version of the class 37. The errors in the dimensions were so wrong that they eventually retooled the model to correct it, and I am talking about a production model not a pre - production model. I will also add that the loco was a great runner from the outset. Rich,

Paul asking anyone to turn a Lima class 33 into a CIE A class is like asking someone to turn a ship model into a Boeing 747. It would be like asking someone to have a tooth pulled without anesthetic. As an example, when the Hornby class 50 (which was the first of their top link diesel models) was released people noticed that the front cab windows looked wrong because there wasn't the correct slant in the shape of them. Within a small period of time an etched brass window frame was produced by one of the cottage industries and when the conversion was done it really lifted the model to a higher plain. However lot's of people never made the change as they thought their skill was not up to the job. Now compare doing a small cosmetic change like that to turning a Lima class 33 into an A Class. I don't think the man from Nazareth could have pulled it off. Rich,

As long as I have been involved in the hobby I have never once heard anyone make the statement that running is more important than looks. If it is not accurate in dimension or livery, putting a Rolls Royce engine under it won't make it a good model. Not at the prices that we have to pay now. Accuracy of the model when compared to the prototype it is modelled on is hugely important and the most critically important part of how the model is perceived by the prospective buying public. Nothing worse that looking at a sows ear even if it has a smooth running chassis. Rich,

Spot on Fran. The 201's and MK11's were made in a separate factory to the the 141-181, 071, and Cravens. Just put a Craven next to a MK11 and compare the B4 bogies. Rich,

Speaking of Cathedrals Tom I was in the Church of Ireland Cathedral last year. There was an Exhibit about the buildings history and they had a model of the Cathedral as it was when it was first built. It is a beautiful building and well worth a visit if you are in town. Rich,

True Ed. Luckily I have a bottle bought many years ago. It is still nearly full by the way. Here is a link which say's it all. http://www.scalemodelguide.com/hints-tips/general/using-klear-floor-varnish/ Rich,

Johnsons Clear or Klear as it is sometimes called is a floor polish that dries clear. I first became aware of it when a chap was using it on the cockpit canopy of an Airfix kit. After the canopy was dipped in the Clear it was left to dry overnight. When the Clear had dried the plastic looked like glass and amazingly took on the appearance that the glazing was thinner. I have also used it on attaching nameplates to models. They are still there to this day even having been handled many times. Google Johnsons Clear and it will give you all the info you need. I believe it has been renamed in the USA but the Google search will give you all the answers you need. Rich,

If you can get your hands on some clear it does a good job of getting rid of the prismatic look on the windows and makes it look like glass. Sanding them sounds a bit extreme and you could end up removing the printed black parts of the glazing unit. Rich,

Looking good Eamonn. I've always had a soft spot for the plough and ballast wagons. Rich,

The Birthdays are coming fast and furious. Happy Birthday Pat. Rich,

That's a nice selection of rolling stock Vincent. I like the Galway EGV and IE liveried MK11's. It was a regular occurrence on the network to see some Galway and IE coaches in the same rake, so it looks authentic. Rich,

I watched the program this evening on RTE one. The work that was carried out in returning Saint Mel's Cathedral to it's former beauty after the fire was amazing. The people of Longford who were naturally shocked at the outset pulled together as a community to see this beautiful building restored. The people working on the restoration commented on how they had no idea how the original build took place without the tools and machinery that are available today. All in all a great program and if anyone missed it, watch it on the RTE player. Rich,

Happy birthday Fran. That was a fast year. Rich,

Looks good John, also liked. Rich,

The MM 201's have a floating center axle and aren't all wheel drive. It is a good thing in one sense as a rigid all wheel drive can sometimes be a bit problematic for anyone modelling in the correct gauge. A lot of BR modellers that model in P4 have had some problems with the Bachmann class 47. Rich,

I have no doubt that these kits will raise the bar again Des. From concept, through design, and the finished product that's a lot of work for a man working on his own. Even more amazing is how quick it has taken. Take a well deserved break during the festive season. Rich,

I think a picture paints a thousand words. Rich,

I've enjoyed this Richie very concise and easy to follow. I'm trawling the internet trying to find a Freightliner Ridemaster bogie to make the non sole bar splasher wagon. Had a look at Colin Craigs but they would need some surgery to produce our type. I doubt Bachmann will make their FFA FGA bogies available and these would also need the same amount of work as the Colin Craig bogies to resemble ours. Rich,

Have a good one Richie, I'll raise a glass to you tonight. Rich,

I thought people would be discussing drugs when I saw the thread title. Rich,

Flickr usually. Just type in the class of loco into the search box and it usually throws up some pics of the classes down through the decades. Fotopic was a great resource for photos, alas it has been shut down for the last few years. It must be an absolute nightmare for manufacturers having production liveried models delivered with little errors when they have done so much hard work on r&d. It's not like PM can stand over the the worker painting and printing the models in China and the man does so much, and has done so much hard work in wanting them right. Rich,

IR locos had orange horns and orange handrails on the bonnet sides above the grilles. These were left black on the models. I certainly remember seeing supertrain babies with orange horns. 164 IR livery 186 IR livery It pays to have a look on the various photo sharing sites. Just because the models are released with black horns it doesn't mean that the prototype had them. The bodyside bonnet handrails on the IE liveried 071 models should be orange. It is an easy fix however and doesn't detract from an already fantastic model. The same goes for the IR liveried babies from MM. Rich,